The first Aquaman reactions have hit social media, and it’s everything this DCEU fan could’ve possibly hoped for.
While the movie won’t premiere in the U.S. until the 21 (or the 15, if you’re a lucky Amazon Prime member like myself), the Aquaman social media embargo dropped earlier today and gave fans, skeptics and cynics alike an early preview of what they can expect from DC’s newest solo hero.
The consensus? Overwhelmingly positive, with many critics calling it an incredibly fun and ambitious fantasy-adventure that will absolutely blow all of our collective minds with its visuals, world building and epic scope.
#Aquaman is the most ambitious DC movie to date — a big, sprawling visual spectacle that is gorgeous, crazy, stuffed with terrific action, and a lot of fun to watch. James Wan, in my opinion, is the true star – he elevates the material, makes it entertaining and conquers it. pic.twitter.com/gDFjiAWICA
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) November 26, 2018
Short & sweet reaction to #Aquaman is that I loved it. It’s a comic book movie through & through with great action, iconic moments & visual spectacle to spare. Momoa makes the character his own & Wan honors the traditional aspects, but elevates it to the modern era. It’s a blast.
— Paul Shirey (@arcticninjapaul) November 26, 2018
Aquaman is a breathtakingly beautiful, weird, badass, FUN idea of a modern superhero fantasy (anime) and makes zero apologies. Second half's one cheer/laugh after another.
Imagine '80s Schwarzenegger starring in "Hideo Kojima's AVATAR" and you're most of the way there. #Aquaman pic.twitter.com/nmZYjcUm5q
— Andrew Dyce (@andrewbdyce) November 26, 2018
Jason Momoa’s Arthur Curry/Aquaman was one of my favorite things about Justice League, and every trailer, interview and behind the scenes glimpse we got made me not only more excited to see him, but to see Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Black Manta, Patrick Wilson as Ocean Master and Amber Heard as Mera.
Luckily, looks like my excitement wasn’t misplaced.
#Aquaman is great. James Wan made a really unique super hero origin film, often crossing into fantasy-epic territory, but grounded in family and discovery.
The world is visually incredible. Jason Momoa as Arthur Curry is a total bad-ass. @yahya and @patrickwilson73 stand out! pic.twitter.com/2IvDCEq7VU
— Brandon Davis (@BrandonDavisBD) November 26, 2018
#Aquaman is AWESOME & absolutely delivers! Not only is @prideofgyypsies the King of Atlantis, but also the newly crowned King of the DCEU! 🔱👑 I can't wait to see it again! pic.twitter.com/boVAKdcNIA
— Umberto Gonzalez (@elmayimbe) November 26, 2018
#Aquaman was an absolute blast, from the charm of Momoa's Arthur Curry, to the spectacular visuals to the fun that it was clear that everyone was having. It was exactly what I was hoping for and I can't wait to see it again! I'll give you more details when I'm allowed! pic.twitter.com/FyeczAJJIJ
— Jenna Busch (@JennaBusch) November 26, 2018
So I really enjoyed #Aquaman! James Wan has made an unapologetically bold superhero flick, mixing adventure and fantasy elements with stunning visual effects, a terrific lead in Jason Momoa (who's clearly having the time of his life), and a great heroine in Amber Heard's Mera. pic.twitter.com/V8bnw6mnCX
— Carly Lane (@carlylane) November 26, 2018
Even the more lukewarm reactions still praised the movie for both not being ashamed of what it is (a superhero movie about a guy who talks to fish) and the fact that it swings for the fences.
I am ALL ABOUT THAT.
#Aquaman is like an 80s cartoon, with all of the fun and the problems that come with that. A good adventure movie that acknowledges exactly what it is from the start, which is a meal made almost entirely of ham.
— Spencer Perry (@TheSpencerPerry) November 26, 2018
#Aquaman is a buckwild movie which is honestly both good and bad in (almost) equal measure. If nothing else, it looks great and it's completely unafraid to just go for it, which I appreciate in it.
— Meg Downey (@rustypolished) November 26, 2018
Of course, since I have “DCEU defender” written in my twitter profile and I’ve seen every DCEU film in theaters at least four times each, I was always going to love and enjoy Aquaman with my entire heart and soul (and watch it four times in theaters) no matter what the reviews said.
Still, I’m glad to see the reaction skew mostly positive and call out the aspects of superhero films that I really enjoy — spectacle, ambition and heart. It also doesn’t hurt that we’ll all get to see Jason Momoa wet, shirtless or both for much of the movie.
But, even if neither these reviews nor the thought of shirtless, wet Jason Momoa do it for you, then I’ll leave you with this final reaction to hopefully entice you to see Aquaman in theaters this December.
Julie Andrews voices a giant kraken in #Aquaman and if that's not the best endorsement I can give for this movie then don't know what is. pic.twitter.com/33ucO34cV0
— Terri Schwartz (@Terri_Schwartz) November 26, 2018