December 26, 2023 – Aquaman (with Jason Momoa reprising the title role) returns for another high speed swim in this special effects-packed superhero sequel about an ancient super villain trying to take over the world.

A number of characters from the first Aquaman film in 2018, including the exiled former King of Atlantis Orm (Patrick Wilson, reprising his role). Aquaman, in desperation, breaks Orm out of prison in order to fight the threat of Black Manta (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, reprising his role) who has acquired new powers and an ancient ally from a lost Atlantean kingdom.

Black Manta and his minions raid the vaults of Atlantis, obtaining an ancient power source that threatens the world. Manta finds an ancient weapon, the black trident, which gives him great power, but it also possesses him, expanding his desire for revenge, not only against Aquaman, who he blames for the death of his father, but the whole kingdom of Atlantis.

Meanwhile, Aquaman has his hands full dealing with the other kingdoms of Atlantis, who blame the humans of the surface world for degrading their environment, and want to attack them. Aquaman hates politics, but has to deal with it. Fortunately, not all of Black Manta's minions are loyal, one scientist becomes alarmed at the damage being done by Black Manta, and seeks to undermine his plans.

One of the appealing things about Jason Momoa is that he always seems to be having fun playing characters in movies, even when he is playing an evil villain, as he did in “Fast X.” Momoa's playful nature makes this movie a lot more fun than it otherwise might be. The story also takes advantage of this and throws in some humor, including in a mid-credits scene.

There is some good acting in this film by Momoa, Temuera Morrison (who plays Aquaman's father) and Randall Park, who plays scientist Dr. Stephen Shin. Unfortunately, the movie's villains are one-dimensional. The movie is filled with eye candy, with digital effects is almost every scene, and there is plenty of action, leavened by the aforementioned humor. This movie is a bit of enjoyable escapism. It rates a B.

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