Watch the brand new trailer for Dune: Part Three here:

Following on from the previous teaser trailer, this new look full trailer for Dune: Part Three promises an incredible and scale of the narrative that follows Dune/em> and Dune: Part Two and now finds Paul Atreides, better known as Muad’Dib, now declared the ruler of the known Universe, and who with an armed legion of fanatical warriors has unleashed a genocidal crusade that brought wanton destruction and chaos across his domain. But now the seeds of conspiracy and revolt hand in the balance and rule of Muad’Dib is set to be challenged and it shall make way for a cinematic experience that will leave audiences utterly flawed.

Academy Award nominee Timothée Chalamet looks to be delivery a far darker and more intense performance this time around as Paul Atreides as his megalomaniacal rule is threatened fro m within, and Chalamet is setting up a very interesting arc and development for this his character. Another key player who features prominently within the final narrative, and in the trailer, is Jason Momoa who returns as Hayt, a ghola or manufactured human who has been craeted in the likeness of Duncan Idaho, the sword master of House Atreides who died fighting to protect Paul, and who is now a pawn in the hands of the calculating Scytale (Robert Pattinson), a Tleilaxu Face Dancer who executes a plan to dethrone Paul.

 

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Dune: Part Three is again set to deliver an immense sense of scope and feeling, and you can feel the prestige energy that is vibrating off of the imagery with this picture. The sense of world building and the impressive cinematography of Linus Sandgren melds well with the narrative and storytelling of Villeneuve, and audiences who are Dune: Part Three is a story that will excite all of the audiences senses.

Ready yourself for a monumental watch when Dune: Part Three arrives in cinemas on December 17.

Image: Warner Brothers Pictures

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Check out the full trailer for Dune: Part Three below:

Drawing from Dune Messiah, the story follows Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet), now deified as Muad’Dib and ruling as Padishah Emperor. His holy war has torn across the galaxy, leaving devastation in its wake, and Paul now finds himself encircled by enemies, conspiracies, and the ever-present shadow of death. At the centre of this rising storm is Scytale, a Tleilaxu Face Dancer (Robert Pattinson), whose calculated and deeply personal conspiracy begins to unravel Paul’s fragile grip on power—and sanity.

 

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With Dune: Part Three, Villeneuve leans fully into Herbert’s most provocative ideas: that charismatic leaders are dangerous, that hero worship breeds ruin, and that even the most powerful figures are undone by their own inner flaws. It’s a bold thematic pivot that promises a darker, more introspective conclusion to the saga.

Once again, the scale is staggering. Arrakis returns in all its harsh majesty, while the consequences of Paul’s interstellar jihad echo across a broken universe. The returning ensemble is as formidable as ever, with Zendaya, Florence Pugh, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Charlotte Rampling and Javier Bardem all reprising their roles. Notably, Jason Momoa returns as Duncan Idaho; reborn as the ghola Hayt, a haunting echo of the warrior once loyal to House Atreides.

 

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New faces further elevate the drama, including Anya Taylor-Joy as Alia Atreides, Paul’s sister; a formidable, almost otherworldly presence of immense psychic power. Opposite her, Pattinson’s Scytale emerges as a cunning and ruthless adversary, one who sees the fatal flaw in Paul’s empire and moves to exploit it.

 

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Dune: Part Three is shaping up to be an immersive, visually spectacular, and emotionally charged finale—one steeped in political intrigue, existential reckoning, and the devastating cost of absolute power. Following the monumental achievements of Dune and Dune: Part Two, this final chapter looks set to close Villeneuve’s epic with seismic force.

 

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Prepare to walk the sands once more when Dune: Part Three arrives in cinemas on December 17.

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Set against the sun-drenched paradise, and shadowy criminal underbelly, of Hawaii, The Wrecking Crew hits the gas hard and never lets up. Director Ángel Manuel Soto (Blue Beetle) pulls from the greatest hits of the buddy-cop genre while gleefully tearing up the rulebook, crafting a film that feels familiar yet feral, classic yet unhinged. The result is a pure adrenaline rush that kicks off 2026 with a resounding, knuckle-cracking bang.

Two half-brothers, Jonny (Jason Momoa), a loose cannon Tribal cop and James Hale (Dave Bautista), a disciplined Navy SEAL, must work together to unravel a conspiracy behind their father’s murder in Hawaii.

Brothers In Arms (And At War)

At the heart of The Wrecking Crew are estranged half-brothers forced into an uneasy alliance. Jason Momoa plays Detective Jonny Hale, a reckless, undercover tribal cop with a devil-may-care attitude and a long trail of broken rules behind him. Dave Bautista counters as Commander James Hale, a disciplined, tightly-wound Navy SEAL whose life is built on structure, control, and honor.

The brothers couldn’t be more different — and that’s exactly where the spark ignites.

When a sprawling criminal conspiracy threatens to tear Hawaii apart, Jonny and James are forced to confront not just the bad guys, but years of unresolved resentment, clashing worldviews, and shared blood they’d rather forget. What follows is a combustible mix of fists, bullets, and brotherhood, as Soto mines genuine emotional weight beneath the carnage. Yes, bodies pile up fast: but The Wrecking Crew is just as invested in what it means to be men, warriors, and brothers bound by duty and sacrifice.

Ángel Manuel Soto Goes Full Throttle

Soto directs this film like a man with nothing to lose and everything to prove. There’s no restraint here; just booze, bullets, and badassery delivered with raw confidence. While the film tips its hat to genre staples, Lethal Weapon, Bad Boys, Tango & Cash, it refuses to play by their rules.

There’s a gritty punk-rock edge coursing through The Wrecking Crew, giving the film a wild, unpredictable pulse. Soto balances explosive action with surprisingly thoughtful character beats, and that contrast is what elevates the film beyond a simple shoot-’em-up. Between the mayhem, there’s humor, pain, loyalty, and the bruised intimacy of family ties that refuse to stay buried.

Bautista & Momoa: Peak Action-Star Chemistry

Simply put: Dave Bautista and Jason Momoa are having an absolute blast — and it’s infectious.

Momoa leans hard into his rebel swagger, playing Jonny Hale as a charming, loose-cannon outlaw who thrives on chaos. Bautista, meanwhile, anchors the film as the stoic counterbalance, bringing quiet gravitas and controlled fury to James Hale. Together, they generate electric chemistry, with razor-sharp banter and physical presence that dominates every frame.

Whether they’re trading insults, cracking skulls, or bulldozing through hordes of bad guys, their back-and-forth is endlessly entertaining. When the bullets start flying and the explosions kick off, both actors remind audiences exactly why they’ve become modern action royalty. This is movie-star energy, plain and simple.

A Stacked supporting cast bring the Heat

Backing up the Hale brothers is a stacked supporting ensemble that brings serious heat. Jacob Batalon pops as Pika, a cheeky, pesty, yet endlessly lovable wildcard who injects humor and heart into the mayhem, while Morena Baccarin commands attention as Valentina, a dangerous flame from Jonny’s past who’s more than capable of holding her own in a firefight. Frankie Adams adds grit as Haunani, the cousin the brothers didn’t know they needed until everything goes sideways.

On the villain front, Claes Bang oozes sleaze as the calculating Robichaux, a man begging for his inevitable skull-caving, while Miyavi steals scenes as Nakamura, a rogue Yakuza enforcer dripping with sadistic menace.

Rounding things out, Stephen Root brings weary authority as Detective Rennert, and Temuera Morrison delivers gravitas, and a hell of a surprise, as Governor Peter Mahoe. It’s a deep bench, and everyone shows up ready to brawl.

Action that lives up to the title

If you came for action, The Wrecking Crew delivers it by the truckload.

Soto stages his set pieces with scale, clarity, and brutal impact. From bone-rattling hand-to-hand combat to full-blown vehicular warfare, the film revels in destruction. The third-act highway chase turns Hawaii into a literal war zone, while the penultimate commando-style raid is pure action-movie nirvana; Jonny and James fully tooled up, unleashing hell in a storm of bullets and fists.

This is old-school action reborn, muscular and unapologetic, delivered with modern ferocity. Every explosion lands. Every punch hurts. And when the dust settles, the title has never felt more earned.

Final Verdict

The Wrecking Crew is loud, proud, and gloriously excessive, exactly what a great action film should be. With Ángel Manuel Soto firing on all cylinders and Dave Bautista and Jason Momoa operating at peak charisma, this is a high-octane blast that knows its mission and executes it with ruthless efficiency.

If you’re chasing an early-2026 adrenaline fix, look no further. Because The Wrecking Crew goes all out.

So once again: turn up the Metallica, grab a Guinness, and get ready to roll out — The Wrecking Crew has arrived.

The Wrecking Crew is streaming NOW on Prime Video.

Trailer

Image: Prime Video

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Watch the all-new and totally wild trailer for The Wrecking Crew below:

Here’s the official synopsis:

Two estranged half-brothers, brazen undercover cop Jonny (Jason Momoa) and disciplined Navy SEAL James (Dave Bautista) are forced to reunite after their father’s mysterious death. As they set out to uncover the truth, buried secrets resurface and loyalties are tested, unveiling a conspiracy that can tear their family apart. Together, they are ready to WRECK anything that gets in their way.

The trailer starts off with a hell of a BANG, and just grows form their as estranged brothers Jonny (Momoa), a wild undercover cop and James (Bautista), a disciplined Navy SEAL find themselves targeted by the Yakuza in the wake of their father’s death in Hawaii, and once pushed, they push back and the result is plenty of bullets, booze and brazen explosive fun, and The Wrecking Crew will leave audiences amped.

Along with it’s all out action mania, The Wrecking Crew is also incredibly funny, with both Momoa and Bautista trading quips, but the film also benefits from the spot on comedic timing of Jacob Batalon, while head turning stunner Morena Baccarin deliver splenty of sex appeal and gives both Jonny and James a run for their money.

It’s just awesome to see Momoa and Bautista teaming up together in a picture that is a throwback to classic buddy-cop action series such as Lethal Weapon, while also finding new room to grow and explore within the genre, and The Wrecking Crew really goes for it as filmmaker Ángel Manuel Soto finds new room to explore, and blow up, within the genre.

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Get ready for a rush when Jason Momoa and Dave Bautista deliver the action when The Wrecking Crew arrives on Prime Video arrives on Prime Video on January 28.

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Take a fresh look at The Wrecking Crew below:

 

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Here’s the official synopsis:

Two estranged half-brothers, brazen undercover cop Jonny (Jason Momoa) and disciplined Navy SEAL James (Dave Bautista) are forced to reunite after their father’s mysterious death. As they set out to uncover the truth, buried secrets resurface and loyalties are tested, unveiling a conspiracy that can tear their family apart. Together, they are ready to WRECK anything that gets in their way.

While we’re still waiting on the first trailer, The Wrecking Crew is tapping into that classic Lethal Weapon/Tango & Cash energy that audiences know and love and with Momoa and Bautista stepping up together you know it’s just going to be wild.

Another rason to get excited is because we’ve got Ángel Manuel Soto on as a director, along with Jonathan Tropper as the film’s screenwriter, who produced the superb Warrior and Banshee television series, and if you know what kind of action these series delivered then you can have an idea of what kind of wild and carzy fun we’re in store for with The Wrecking Crew.

A top-notch cast including Claes Bang, Temuera Morrison, Jacob Batalon, Frankie Adams, Miyavi, with Stephen Root and Morena Baccarin provides key support, and it’s awesome to see action cinema back, and kicking serious ass for 2026.

Prime Video has delivered some great action cinema over the last year with the likes of Roadhouse and The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, and if you’re looking to have your adreanal gland kick into high gear then this is the time to make a plan to check out The Wrecking Crew in 2026.

So thrown on the shades, pour a Tequila, crank the Metallica and get ready for ACTION when The Wrecking Crew arrives on Prime Video on January 28.

Image: Prime Video

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Four misfits — Garrett “The Garbage Man” Garrison (Jason Momoa), Henry (Sebastian Hansen), Natalie (Emma Myers) and Dawn (Danielle Brooks) — find themselves struggling with ordinary problems when they are suddenly pulled through a mysterious portal into the Overworld: a bizarre, cubic wonderland that thrives on imagination. To get back home, they’ll have to master this world (and protect it from evil things like piglins and zombies, too) while embarking on a magical quest with an unexpected, expert crafter, Steve (Jack Black). Together, their adventure will challenge all five to be bold and to reconnect with the qualities that make each of them uniquely creative…the very skills they need to thrive back in the real world.

Helmed by director Jared Hess (Napoleon Dynamite, Nacho Libre), A Minecraft Movie embraces the offbeat humor and energetic storytelling that he’s known for, crafting a film that is as zany as it is endearing. Fans of the game will be in awe at the dazzling level of world-building, as the Overworld is brought to life in all its pixelated, blocky glory. This is Minecraft as you’ve always imagined it—a realm of infinite creativity where anything is possible, and A Minecraft Movie taps into that sense of wonder with pure joy.

Jason Momoa sheds his usual brooding action-hero persona to let loose as Garrett “The Garbage Man” Garrison, a washed-up 1980s video game champion desperately attempting to rebrand himself as a modern-day life coach. Swept up in the bizarre and unpredictable chaos of A Minecraft Movie, Momoa delivers a comedic tour de force filled with offbeat charm and some truly hilarious motivational misquotes. Seeing Momoa take on a role so utterly different from his usual stoic warrior archetype is refreshing, and he proves he has comedic chops in spades. His performance is filled with energy and just the right amount of self-awareness, making Garrett an absolute scene-stealer.

If you thought A Minecraft Movie couldn’t get any wilder, enter Jack Black as Steve, the Overworld’s guardian and resident master builder. Black is in full School of Rock and Tenacious D mode here, radiating the infectious, larger-than-life energy that only he can bring. Whether he’s belting out epic rock ballads or guiding our heroes through a series of increasingly ridiculous block-building escapades, he is a joy to watch. Steve is equal parts mentor, shaman, and chaotic wildcard, and Black relishes every single moment. His performance is the beating heart of the film, and audiences, both kids and their parents, will love every second of his antics.

Adding another layer of hilarity to the mix is Jennifer Coolidge as Vice Principal Marlene. Ditzy, delightfully off-kilter, and as eccentric as ever, Coolidge is an absolute riot. Her character’s involvement in the Overworld’s collision with the real world results in one of the movie’s most outrageous (and surprisingly heartwarming) subplots, including a very interesting love story that has to be seen to be believed. Coolidge has a gift for stealing scenes, and here, she’s in peak form, delivering some of the biggest laughs of the film.

Beyond the comedy, A Minecraft Movie is a visual spectacle. The seamless fusion of live-action and CGI gives the Overworld an immersive, tactile feel, capturing the blocky, pixel-perfect aesthetic of Minecraft with incredible attention to detail. Every biome, every build, every mob is brought to life with stunning accuracy, ensuring that fans of the game will feel right at home. The special effects work is nothing short of dazzling, and whether it’s explosive creeper encounters or elaborate Redstone contraptions, everything feels pulled straight from the game itself.

At its core, A Minecraft Movie is more than just a wacky adventure, it’s a celebration of creativity, imagination, and community. The film carries a powerful message of inclusivity and open-mindedness, reminding audiences that the only limit to what we can achieve is our own imagination. It’s wholesome, uplifting, and leaves you with a sense of boundless possibility, much like the game that inspired it.

With its perfect blend of laugh-out-loud comedy, stunning visuals, and heartfelt storytelling, A Minecraft Movie is a must-watch for both longtime fans and newcomers alike. Whether you’re a hardcore builder or just looking for a fun night at the movies, this film delivers in every way.

Image: Warner Brothers Pictures

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Following the death of Superman in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Batman and Wonder Woman recruit the Flash, Aquaman, and Cyborg to form the Justice League and protect the world from Steppenwolf and his army of Parademons, who seek the three Mother Boxes.

As a director, Zack Snyder is one of the most polarizing figures to step behind-the-camera. Right from the beginning, he has done things his way, and he’s always worked to make movies that carry his own unique artistic expression. And this is a director who will not compromise on his artistic vision. But through no-fault of his own and a deeply personal tragedy, he had to walk away from 2017’s Justice League and so could not bring his ultimate vision to life. But through a commitment and desire from the fans, who held a burning desire to see Snyder’s true vision for this movie come to life, we now have Zack Snyder’s Justice League…and it has been well worth the wait.

If you are a Zack Snyder fan you’re going to love this movie. With the presentation of Zack Snyder’s Justice League, our director gets to show-off his unique visual presence, and all of his trademark calling cards are present here. From his unique grim dark setting to the exploration of mythic archetypes, to the frequent use of slow-motion action sequences and impressive, grand visual effects, all of it is present in Zack Snyder’s Justice League, and Snyder dials it all the way up. While audiences may have seen this film before, Snyder’s new presentation presents the film in a far different light, and we get to go much deeper into the story he is telling and are able to gleam new insights, narrative points and character developments because of the new cut.

At just over four hours long, Snyder really takes his time in crafting this cut of Justice League, and it’s an entirely different watch. Snyder is able to pace out the gigantic presentation through the use of an innovative chapter system, and this gives the film a rhythm and energy that keeps the film moving forward. While I won’t go into any type of strong specifics around the narrative, I will say that he places his attention of capturing the mythic quality of the Justice League and the characters that make up the DCEU. Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman have always been presented as iconic, archetypal characters, and Snyder presents them so in this way in this cut. And the appearance of these characters, as they are truly meant to be, makes for a far more engaging viewing experience as an audience member.

Along with presenting a new side to this story, Snyder also presents it in a whole new way thanks to his use of the 1.33:1 aspect ratio, which leads to a much fuller image. Snyder has long been a fan of this aspect ratio and it takes the scale and scope of Zack Snyder’s Justice League to a whole new level. The images are fuller, with more detail being captured, and the result is a far grander presentation of an epic blockbuster cinematic event. Snyder’s focus on capturing these iconic characters in this new format creates an experience that I can relate back to the grand vision of David Lean and cinematographer Freddie Young, and their ability to inspire epic cinematic moments, and that’s exactly what Snyder has done here in his new cut of Justice League.

One of the most exciting parts about witnessing Zack Snyder’s Justice League is the new presentation of the core six members of the Justice League. Batman (Ben Affleck), Superman (Henry Cavill), Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot), Aquaman (Jason Momoa), The Flash (Ezra Miller) and Cyborg (Ray Fisher) are all presented in a bold new light, and these new narratives and character developments are very fun to watch. But it’s the villains that keep things interesting in this one. Not only do we see a far more aggressive and demonic presentation of Ciaran Hinds Steppenwolf, who mercilessly hunts for the Mother Boxes, but we also get a deeper look into the sinister character of DeSaad and the world of Apokolips, and Jack Kirby fans will be pleased with what’s on offer. But it’s Ray Porter as intergalactic tyrant Darkseid who really steals the show and let it be known that Darkseid Is.

Zack Snyder’s Justice League also delivers heavily on the spectacle and action fans will be very pleased with the result. Snyder dials everything up, and the outcome is a bigger, meaner action push that is sure to give you a rush. Plus there’s also the helpful addition of a coveted R-rating, and this gives the film’s fight scenes some serious edge. Snyder doesn’t over-do his R-rating, and he’s certainly not aggressive with it, but like everything else present in this film, an R-rating is beneficial to Snyder in that it allows him to go into greater depth within this narrative and push it further. Snyder presents previous action scenes from the 2017 film in a completely brand new light and this again leads to a far more engaging and complete experience for audiences.

While I won’t go into any specific points on actual scenes from the film or dispel any serious plot points I will say one of my favourite parts of the film was a brand new ‘Knightmare’ sequence. Following in the footsteps of the Knightmare sequence from Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, this Knightmare sequence features a meeting between two legendary characters, and it’s utterly epic. This scene, and in fact the whole film are a tribute to Zack Snyder’s immense creativity and desire to push the envelope with the possibilities of the narrative of Justice League and the result is a very exciting watch for long time DC Comics fans and for those who want to see these characters portrayed as the icons that they were created as.

But ultimately, Zack Snyder’s Justice League is a gift from a father to his daughter. It was during the production that Zack Snyder lost his adoptive daughter Autumn to the tragedy of suicide and it was a shocking event that rocked the production to its core and had an immense impact on Snyder’s family in the most devastating way possible. But through a strong sense of resilience, determination and love, Snyder was able to complete his vision for this epic film, and the final result is a way for the filmmaker to honour his daughter. It’s this ultimate act that makes this film so compelling and heroic and you can’t help but be moved by the director’s actions to honour his daughter this way.

Zack Snyder’s Justice League is a massive film of breathtaking scale and epicness and is the result of a filmmaker’s grand vision brought to life. It’s an utter masterwork, and fans will be extremely pleased by the final product and the experience of seeing these icons re-envisioned in all their heroic glory. It’s simply awesome.

Catch Zack Snyder’s Justice League on NEON and SKY GO on Thursday 18 May.

Image: SKY TV

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And the official trailer has now arrived. Check it out below:

Here’ the official synopsis:

Following the death of Superman in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Batman and Wonder Woman recruit the Flash, Aquaman, and Cyborg to form the Justice League and protect the world from Steppenwolf and his army of Parademons, who seek the three Mother Boxes.

This new trailer is nothing short of epic and presents a completely new vision on behalf of Snyder. Not only do we finally get to get Henry Cavill’s Superman in the Black Suit, but we also get to see a newly designed Steppenwolf (Ciaran Hinds), alongside the appearance of Darkseid, and audiences also get their first look at a confrontation between Ben Affleck’s Batman and Jared Leto’s Joker in a hellish new landscape.

hile the basic framework of the story is the same, dozens of additional scenes, backstories, mythos, worldbuilding elements, new characters, and teases for upcoming films are present in Snyder’s version but not the theatrical release. This includes new scenes with characters including Iris West (Kiersey Clemons), the love interest to Barry Allen/The Flash, alongside Slade Wilson/Deathstroke (Joe Manganiello), who will be given new material to work with by Snyder.

This first glimpse of Zack Snyder’s Justice League is incredible to behold, and Snyder has also confirmed that the film will be presented as a one-shot event movie, instead of the four-part series that was initially rumoured.

Zack Snyder’s Justice League will arrive on HBO Max on March 18.

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Arthur Curry (Jason Momoa) is a man born of two worlds but when his true home of Atlantis comes knocking he must accept his true self and venture deep below the ocean to combat the rising threat of an impending battle between the deep and the surface worlds, and claim his rightful position as King of the Seven Seas.

As the newest instalment into the DC Extended Universe, Aquaman is a film that charts the rise of a brand new hero and throws audiences into a completely original mythological epic. Ever since he was announced as portraying Aquaman we’ve been pumped for Jason Momoa’s appearance as Arthur Curry/Aquaman and while he helped fight the evil of Steppenwolf and saved the world in Justice League now this son of the land and prince of the sea must undertake a journey to prove he is worthy to wear the title of King and unite two different worlds.

Right from the beginning Momoa’s Aquaman was going to be something unique and here he continues to explore his heavy metal take on the character. As a hulking beast of a man, Momoa is an incredibly intimidating specimen and he definitely has the presence of an otherworldly god. But while we’re known for seeing heroes who are either exceedingly noble or savagely dark, Momoa’s Aquaman is all his own and is a man possessed of his own code of conduct and desire to protect the innocent, all while living it up at the same time. While he’s got the strength and superhuman abilities to save the world what he lacks is the responsibility and here in Aquaman, he must undertake a journey to discover it. Packed out with adventure at every turn, Aquaman is a tremendously fun ride and it’s all thanks to Momoa’s immense passion and enthusiasm for the story he’s bringing to the screen. More than any other superhero before we really see Momoa’s own personality shine through the character and he’s definitely proved himself worthy of the Kingdom of Atlantis.

Every king needs his queen and Momoa finds his in Amber Heard’s Mera. This ravishing underwater princess is a true warrior through and through and is our guide into the underwater Kingdom of Atlantis and its wonders that lay beneath the deep. Heard provides a deep sense of motivation for Momoa’s Arthur as she understands what he could be for both Earth and Atlantis and it’s her continual push and encouragement that leads him to accept his destiny. But make no mistake Mera is no damsel and this strong-willed warrior princess has command over the entire ocean and when the action does kick-off with the armies of Atlantis she proves her martial abilities with tremendous prowess. The two actors also share a great chemistry together that reminded me a lot of the classic oddball romantic hero characters such as Indiana Jones and Marion Ravenwood from Raiders of the Lost Ark, and we see the same playfulness develop between Heard and Momoa here. Heard is an absolute aquatic goddess in Aquaman and her belief in our hero gives him the strength he needs to win out and save both the surface and the deep.

Every hero needs a truly great villain to test them and Momoa’s Aquaman finds his nemesis in the form of his half-brother King Orm who is played by a malicious Patrick Wilson. Wilson’s Orm reminds me of some kind of radical dictator and in his own mind, he has good reason for wanting to wage war on the Earth’s surface dwellers for their desecration of the ocean floor. Wilson has a great presence as the character and his quest for the coveted title of Ocean Master makes him a very dangerous and unpredictable adversary for Arthur. The actor also put in some serious time at the gym to match up to Momoa’s intimidating size and his ferocious appetite for war makes him a lethal antagonist that will truly test Aquaman’s steel.

Introduced in the film is also a bloodthirsty pirate and high seas’ mercenary David Kane / Black Manta who is played by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and he gives one hell of a committed performance here. Abdul-Mateen II matches Wilson’s villainous ruthlessness up on the screen and he provides the seeds for the start of another great villain in the DCEU. Like Momoa, Abdul-Mateen II is also a hulking beast of a man and his performance here marks him out as a very dangerous enemy for the King of Atlantis and we’re excited to see more of this savage villain in the future.

Finally, Nicole Kidman and Temuera Morrison provide a great backstory to Aquaman as the parents to the young Arthur Curry in the form of Queen Atlanna, the exiled queen of Atlantis and Thomas Curry, a noble lighthouse keeper. Kidman and Morrison are of great importance to the film and provide Momoa’s Arthur with the moral compass that he will need to guide him between two worlds and to always do the right thing. Like Arthur and Mera you completely buy into the relationship and love shared between Kidman and Morrison thanks to their great chemistry together. Plus in a throwback to his performance in Once Were Warriors, Morrison delivers the best line of the whole film and it will absolutely have you in stitches.

With Aquaman, we’re dealing with an all-new superhero mythology and director James Wan gets the chance to create something utterly extraordinary here. As a truly visionary director, Wan takes his audience to the bottom of the ocean and showcases a breathtakingly beautiful undersea paradise filled with colour, light and extraordinary visuals. Everything has been custom made here and the attention to detail on imagining the underwater kingdom of Atlantis is a beautiful sight for your eyes. Everything we think about Atlantis and Aquaman has been re-interpreted on a grander scale for us, and Wan’s vision of an immense, culturally advanced civilisation that has learned to live in balance with the creatures of the ocean is a marvel to behold up on screen. You simply get lost in the images that are presented to you and from what you witness you’ll be wishing you could breathe underwater.

Wan has really thought through every single part of this underwater universe and he really works to distinguish each of the seven kingdoms. From the technology advanced city of Atlantis, to the regal culture of Xebel to the beauty of the Kingdom of the Fisherman to the savage nightmares that await in The Trench, Wan constructs a complete 360 degree underwater universe and all of it builds up a thoroughly engaging mythology that contains the raw strands of the Monomythic Heroes Journey of Joseph Campbell and is a great setting for the rise of a hero to gain his crown.

Such an epic tale like Aquaman also demands an extraordinary sense of action and Wan delivers on this big time. The scope is immense and the underwater sea battles that wage within the deep are terrifically exciting to watch. Wan’s imagination topples that of Jules Verne with an enormous spectacle that he unleashes here which showcases the likes of ferocious Sea-Horse Dragons, ocean powered laser cannons, massive warships and tooth and nail trident battles between two men who each desire to be King. I found myself really wrapped up in the underwater trident battles between Arthur and Orm and liken it to the thrill of underwater MMA as they go at each other in the Colosseum of Atlantis and this heavy-hitting combat will seriously elevate your heart rate.

Everyone involved in Aquaman gives 200% on this incredible cinematic feat and this effort absolutely shows up on screen. The endeavour to realize this grand story and build a breathtaking underwater universe is a mission in pure passion and is what lies at the very heart of the art of cinema. Aquaman’s journey to the throne is one that tests him to his core and thanks to an amazing group of artists working in unison together we get to see it in all of its glory.

Adventures don’t get much grander than Aquaman and this film delivers on its spectacle with extraordinary size and blockbuster energy. The King has returned and long may he reign!

Image: Roadshow Films

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