Aquaman and the Lost Kingdomappeared to be sinking fast ahead of its cinematic debut, with critics harpooning Jason Momoa’s DCEU-closing movie. However, as has become the norm for DC films, audiences completely disagree. Earlier in the week, theAquamansequel was in serious danger of splatting along with the other bottom feeders in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). Jason Momoa’s final performance as Arthur Curry/Aquaman in the DCEU hit theaters on Thursday for preview screenings, and the critics lambasted director James Wan’s follow-up to the billion-dollar success of 2018’sAquaman.
At the time of writing,Aquaman and the Lost Kingdomis holding a dismal 36% on the Tomatometer against 138 reviews. Despite that, the audience side of theRotten Tomatoescoin has been showing much more love for the aquatic hero, registering a 77% approval rating from the first wave of reviews. While this may not be a stellar score by any standards, it does go a long way to prove once again that superhero movies are catering to their audiences much more than movie critics.
In the grand scheme, things don’t look good for Momoa’s much beloved superhero, who finds himself struggling to keep his head above water with the critics' scathing reviews. Owen Gleiberman of Variety writes:
The movie, with all that combat, is staged on an impressively grand scale by the returning director, James Wan, but at the same time there’s something glumly standard about it.
Lovia Gyarkye of The Hollywood Reporter says:
Even the actors seem worn out by the ridiculousness of this sequel.
Beyond the Trailer’sGrace Randolph ended up givingAquaman and the Lost Kingdoma rotten tomato, but she didn’t hate the movie. Rather, she cites a poor third act as part of the superhero flick’s problem, and Randolph compares the latest collaboration between Wan and Momoa to that of a Saturday morning cartoon — but not in a bad way. Check out Randolph’s full review below:
Related:Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom Cast & Character Guide
Aquaman 2 is Drowning in Poor Reviews
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
The follow-up to the smash hit DC adventure Aquaman, starring Jason Momoa as the King of Atlantis.
Jason Momoareturns as the King of Atlantis inAquaman and the Lost Kingdom. James Wan’s latest cinematic venture plays more like a buddy film-esque adventure between Aquaman and his brother Orm, aka the Ocean Master (Patrick Wilson), than a straight-up DCEU jaunt. And despite her truncated screen time,Amber Heard’s character Merastill plays a meaningful role in the movie. But even with all three of theseAquamanalums returning from the 2018 film, they can’t saveThe Lost Kingdom— at least where the majority of critics are concerned. Kaitlyn Booth of Bleeding Cool writes:
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdomis a mess of a film in every way that counts: in the story, in special effects, and in the end, none of it amounts to anything because we all know this is a chapter ending with nothing to actually say about said ending.
William Bibbiani of The Wrap says:
A hacked up mess, and that’s not just the editing, but boy is it also the editing.
YouTuber Jeremy Jahns undoubtedly provides the most entertaining take onAquaman and the Lost Kingdom, which he equates to the DCEU’s “death rattle.” Jahns opens his review by saying, “[The]Flashwas better. I say that becauseFlashgets a lot of sh—. EnjoyThe Flashor hateThe Flash, regardless,Flashwas better — at the very least more cohesive.” Check out Jahns' full review below:
Now, it’s not all bad news forAquaman and the Lost Kingdom. Actually, critics from some of the more well-known and respected publications are leaning into the positives the Jason Momoa-led sequel has to offer. For instance, Jenna Anderson of ComicBook.com writes:
A pleasant, largely entertaining time with a character whose big-screen portrayal was one of the DCEU’s rare successes. Thanks to its free-wheeling attitude and committed ensemble cast, it closes a cinematic chapter in a silly, but satisfying-enough way.
Bob Strauss of the San Francisco Chronicle says:
As the old way sinks into oblivion, at least Wan leaves us a little damp with excitement.
Jordan Hoffman of The Messenger writes:
The final chapter in the canceled Snyderverse series is brined in B-movie buoyancy
While it’s hard to imagineAquaman 2somehow sinking low enough to “surpass”Suicide Squad’sabhorrent 26% Tomatometer rating, it’s scary that the final installment in the DCEU is skulking around in that most undesirable of neighborhoods. Be sure and check outMovieWeb’s review ofAquaman and the Lost Kingdomto find out why the superhero sequel is being called a “disaster.” And fans can check out just whereThe Lost Kingdomranks, at the time of this writing, among all the other DCEU films’ Rotten Tomatoes scores below:
Wonder Woman: 93%
Shazam!90%
The Suicide Squad: 90%
Birds of Prey: 78%
Blue Beetle: 78%
Zack Snyder’s Justice League: 72%
Aquaman: 65%
The Flash: 63%
Wonder Woman 1984: 58%
Man of Steel: 56%
Shazam! Fury of the Gods: 49%
Justice League:39%
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom: 39%
Black Adam:38%
Batman v Superman: 29%
