Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (4K UHD) Review

[David Vaughn]

Studio:  Warner Brothers
Release Date: March 12, 2023
 Rating: PG-13
Film: 2.5/5
 
 Plot
 All returning to the roles they originated, Jason Momoa plays Arthur Curry/Aquaman, now balancing his duties as both the King of Atlantis and a new father; Patrick Wilson is Orm, Aquaman’s half-brother and his nemesis, who must now step into a new role as his brother’s reluctant ally; Amber Heard is Mera, Atlantis’ Queen and mother of the heir to the throne; Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is Black Manta, committed more than ever to avenge his father’s death by destroying Aquaman, his family and Atlantis; and Nicole Kidman is Atlanna, a fierce leader and mother with the heart of a warrior. Also reprising their roles are Dolph Lundgren as King Nereus and Randall Park as Dr. Stephen Shin.

 My Thoughts
 For some unknown reason, I begrudgingly requested this for review. I’m so over comic book movies that I’ve been avoiding them for the past year or so (I haven’t watched any of the “new” Marvel films and skipped the last DC film, The Blue Beetle, in the fall). To add insult to injury, I didn’t even like the first Aquaman film, why would I think I’d like this one?

Much like the first film, the script just isn’t any good and tries to do way too much. Thankfully, the film’s runtime is thirty minutes shorter, lessening the pain of the never-ending action sequences. In fact, that’s how the film starts and it never really recovers. Frankly, the next time a comic book movie hits my inbox, I will not request it—unless I have a moment of bad judgement!

OK—the film isn’t any good, but damn does it look a great on UHD. The 4K encode is excellent and unlike the first film, the CGI actually doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb. The color palette is vivid and finer details are about as good as they get. Surprisingly, this mix sounds like it came from Disney and not from Warner. The overall level is recorded quite low and there's virtually no lower-end punch to the mix. Very disappointing.

Video 10/10
Audio 6/10 (Dolby Atmos)
 
 Special Features:

• Finding the Lost Kingdom
• Aquaman: Worlds Above and Below
• Atlantean Blood is Thicker than Water
• It’s a Manta World
• Necrus, The Lost Black City
• Escape from the Deserter World
• Brawling a Kingfish’s Lair
• Oh, Topo!
• 4K UHD + Digital Code

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FV3bqvOHRQo&ab_channel=DC


 Conclusion
 Comic book films had one hell of a run for over 15 years, but the past couple years have been pretty rough on them. The studios went to the well one too many times and alienated their core audience—it’s time to take a break and maybe their absence will make the hearts of the fans grow stronger. Frankly, if they keep releasing middling films like this, there won’t be many fans left to get back. 
 
 Reference Review System:
 JVC DLA-RS3100 4K Ultra High-Definition Front Projector
 (Calibrated with Portrait Displays CalMAN color calibration software & C6-HDR Meter from Portrait Displays)
 Stewart Filmscreen - Firehawk 110” 2.35:1 Screen
 Trinnov Altitude 16 Audio/Video Processor
 ATI AT527NC Powering Bed Channels
 ATI AT524NC Powering Atmos Speakers
 Panasonic DP-UB820 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player
 System Controller: URC MX-990
 M&K S-150 THX Ultra (R-C-L Speakers)
 M&K SS-150 x4 (Surround Speakers)
 Atlantic Technology IC6-OBA x 4 Overhead Speakers
 Dual Rythmik FV15HP2
 Mini DSP HD controlling all subwoofers
 Audioquest and Monoprice - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
 PureAV PF60 Power Conditioner

[SRW1000]

Thanks for the review, David.  It confirms my suspicions about it and I wholeheartedly agree with your summary of the genre itself.

So much wasted potential, but I remain hopeful that something will change, and we'll see good quality superhero movies again at some point.  The budgets cannot be sustained with the meager box office returns we've been seeing, so something has to give.

[bmoney]

Not a fan of this series. Great audio visual but the story. Eh