by Ilich Mejía
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After being announced four years ago, DC's Aquaman is finally showing some promising signs of life. Director James Wan was joined by the film's cast at Comic-Con this weekend where they presented members of the press and fans with the film's first official trailer. The film's stars Jason Momoa (Aquaman) and Amber Heard (Mera) promised big action and a sci-fi fantasy, but more importantly Nicole Kidman was also there.
Wonder Woman started turning some of us DC agnostics into intrigued believers. Will Aquaman uphold its predecessor's efforts? Before (or after) we get ahead of ourselves, let's pick its trailer apart after the cut...
YES
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- Even though they're keeping Momoa and Patrick Wilson (playing the film's antagonist, Orm) exceedingly covered up given all the underwater events (and, um, audience expectations), the glimpses we got of the iridescent bodysuits and opulent metallic shields more than make up for the modesty. Kym Barrett of The Matrix fame clearly had the most fun dressing all the superheroes and underwater creatures of Wan's world. Kidman is playing aquatic royalty—finally earning that Queen title we've been throwing around a bit more loosely here for years—so be on the lookout for a crown for the books.
- In a first-rate con Joanne The Scammer would be proud of, James Wan, a master of mood, impressed DC execs with his dread-soaked, often colorless filmography and then once he booked the job he went ahead and made a movie that actually looks... FUN? Vibrant, even! Good for you, James.
- This cast is unusually attractive. Too attractive. That's all.
NO
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- We wanna have a quick word with whoever decided to put Patrick Wilson in what looks like a man bun (or a French twist from some angles) because we have some questions. And yes, we will also be asking about the texture, color, and unusual fullness of Heard's wig. Wig aficionado Nicole Kidman was RIGHT THERE. No one thought they could spare a tiny chunk of that $160M+ budget to give her a wig consultant title and learn a few things from a pro? Shame.
- A December release date seems presumptuous given how crowded that season will be with Oscar hopefuls of all sizes. Remember how poorly that worked out for DC last year when they released Justice League in the middle of November? Despite a big opening, that film still lost the studio over $50M. Hopefully Aquaman will benefit from better word of mouth and less entitled marketing. Otherwise, learn something from this, Tiffany.
- Some of the underwater scenes come off as really low budget here which is absurd considering they refused to spend any money on a movie start wig consultant! No excuses.
MAYBE SO
;)
- DC's fascination with a backstory continues as the movie seems to open with Aquaman's parents meeting. Hopefully Atlanna (Kidman) and Thomas (Temuera Morrison) get to be more than just loving, supportive parents. Morrison's stakes seem to be more complicated as he is the father of the film's hero and its villain, but we know Kidman too well to be fooled into thinking she'd ever settle for a one-note mom role.
- Will be interesting to see how they explore Mera and Aquaman's relationship as they inevitably push it into romance, but their chemistry and friends and sidekicks seems much more ripe.
- Seriously, is Wilson's shirt on the WHOLE time?
We're all just aspiring Kidman completists at TFE. We're also half expecting an Asia O'Hara cameo. That means we're a YES. What are you leaning towards?