After a successful premiere in theatres in December, Jason Momoa’s Aquaman and Lost Kingdom 2023 has started streaming on digital platforms from January 23.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom gets an earlier-than-expected release on digital platforms. The sequel to Aquaman arrived on VOD and digital platforms on January 23 one month after its theatrical premiere.
The movie is the 15th as well as final chapter in the DC Extended Universe, taking the story of Jason Momoa’s Aquaman further in an engaging way. In this chapter, Aquaman paired with his estranged brother Orm (played by Patrick Wilson), to challenge Black Manta (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II)), who blames Aquaman for his father’s tragic death and has made it his life’s mission to eliminate Aquaman for the world.
To prove speculations right, the movie has been streaming on HBO Max after its successful premiere in theatres. Netflix users were looking forward to watching the aquatic adventures but sadly, the reality has not gone in their favour.
Box Office Fate
Though Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom had a good run in theatres, its success fell much behind its predecessor’s box office collection. The sequel has done global business of $375 million annually. However, the original movie surpassed this figure by more than $1.1 billion, becoming the highest-grossing DC movie in entertainment history.
Though $375 million is not a small amount, the movie has already received fierce criticism from fans and cinecritics as well, getting only a 34% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Dolph Lundgren in the role of Nereus had opened up about reshoots adversely affecting the storyline, particularly taking the shine off his and Amber Heard’s roles.
While being interviewed by Comic Book, the actor said, “”I just realized that it was some kind of corporate decision that they tried to limit Amber Heard, and then I’m playing her dad and went along with it.” He made no secret of his disappointment while insisting that the original script was really good. Lundgren heavily praised the great quality of the movie after seeing a snippet of the original cut.
Aquaman Sequel Faces Fans’ Backlash
After the viral trials of the infamous defamation case involving Johnny Deep and Amber Heard, online petitions poured in, demanding for the actress’ removal from Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. Though she is not a vital part of the sequel, her on-screen time has been reduced to only 20 minutes
Warner Bros and director James Wan resumed responsibilities for the sequel. However, they refuted the rumors that public protests compelled them to reduce the duration of Heard’s on-screen presence.
Plot
Jason Momoa, as Aquaman, transformed Atlantis’ half-human king, who later became the King (played by Arthur Curry), into a muscular, long-haired, high-fiving, wisecracking, heavy drinker. The prince looks a lot like Jason Momoa.
In “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom”, Momoa reached the peak form of Momoa. The sequel focuses on the journey of a big guy who goes all out to save the big planet from bad guy Black Manta who returns to quench his thirst for revenge. The evil guy allows the Black Trident’s spirit to possess him.
Black Manta is destructive to himself and others as well. Interestingly, contrary to his own belief, he is unable to control his destructive weapon he wields.
He plans to use an ancient power source, which is green and gleaming, accelerating the speed of climate change (the movie title is forged into a collapsing glacier’s face). The scenario does not talk about good situations, at least not the type that is easy to handle for Aquaman.
A Brief Review
Momoa is the heart and soul of the movie. He is an alpha man. The cool, jerkish man often looks like a rebellious action hero who makes you believe that he is a decent man and knows well if he has done anything wrong.
The man got a wide range in the movie. One Minute, you will find Momoa doing his smart commentary on the movie he has acted in and in the next, he will be weeping bitterly or screaming out in anger or vengeance over a destructive action by a bad guy as if he is starring in a silent melodramatic movie.
The range works. The self-awareness never goes anywhere closer to off-putting or self-conscious. Momoa never seems interested in giving audiences emotional itching and always jumps to the next scene in such a facile way that all pieces make a cohesive tapestry of a beautiful narrative.
Summary: Aquaman and Lost Kingdom 2023 is now available on HBO Max. The movie, which was released in December, has arrived on the digital platform much earlier than expected. It has started streaming on OTT from January 23.
