The early reviews for Aquaman are in. The social media embargo has lifted for fandom critics who have seen DC Comics’ latest in its entirety. The result? Overwhelmingly strong praise for director James Wan’s superhero movie debut, while admitting a few flaws.
Fandango managing editor Erik Davis added that it’s “the most ambitious DC movie to date — a big, sprawling visual spectacle that is gorgeous, crazy, stuffed with terrific action, and a lot of fun to watch. James Wan, in my opinion, is the true star – he elevates the material, makes it entertaining and conquers it.”
#Aquaman is the most ambitious DC movie to date — a big, sprawling visual spectacle that is gorgeous, crazy, stuffed with terrific action, and a lot of fun to watch. James Wan, in my opinion, is the true star – he elevates the material, makes it entertaining and conquers it. pic.twitter.com/gDFjiAWICA
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) November 26, 2018
IGN podcast co-host Tom Jorgensen gave the film some very tall praise indeed, calling Aquaman, “the best DC movie since The Dark Knight. [James Wan] delivers a swashbuckling epic full of big emotion, gorgeous undersea visuals, exciting action, and lots of laughs. WB should be handing the DCEU reins to James Wan, he’s proven he can, ahem, right the ship.”
#Aquaman is the best DC movie since The Dark Knight.@creepypuppet delivers a swashbuckling epic full of big emotion, gorgeous undersea visuals, exciting action, and lots of laughs.
WB should be handing the DCEU reins to James Wan, he's proven he can, ahem, right the ship. pic.twitter.com/4hjxdmNLDf
— Tom Jorgensen (@Tom_Jorgensen) November 26, 2018
Comicbook.com’s Brandon Davis wrote: “There were moments where I felt Aquaman might be running a little long but it has SO much to unpack in building its own isolated world. Huge, epic, unique, and stylish action-sequences balance the heavy exposition. Movie isn’t out yet but I want more from Wan, Momoa, & co.”
There were moments where I felt #Aquaman might be running a little long but it has SO much to unpack in building its own isolated world.
Huge, epic, unique, and stylish action-sequences balance the heavy exposition.
Movie isn't out yet but I want more from Wan, Momoa, & co.
— BD (@BrandonDavisBD) November 26, 2018
LegionofLeia founder Jenna Busch wrote, “an absolute blast, from the charm of Momoa’s Arthur Curry, to the spectacular visuals to the fun that it was clear that everyone was having. It was exactly what I was hoping for and I can’t wait to see it again! I’ll give you more details when I’m allowed!”
#Aquaman was an absolute blast, from the charm of Momoa's Arthur Curry, to the spectacular visuals to the fun that it was clear that everyone was having. It was exactly what I was hoping for and I can't wait to see it again! I'll give you more details when I'm allowed! pic.twitter.com/FyeczAJJIJ
— Jenna Busch-Henderson (@JennaBusch) November 26, 2018
These early reactions from the press reflect the response from the most recent test screenings and seem to be more positive than the reactions out of early test screenings for Aquaman. That is to say, Warner Bros. and DC Films might have another hit on par with Wonder Woman on their hands.
Aquaman will be released on December 21.
