Aquaman (2018)

He's a fish out of water. After last years "Justice League", member Arthur Curry also known as the "Aquaman" gets his highly anticipated origin story of the ruler of Atlantis. "DC Comics" films have been a hit or miss in the past. With mediocre entries in the "DCEU"-(DC Extended Universe) such as: "Man of Steel" and "Batman Vs. Superman: Dawn Of Justice". On the other hand, you have successful DC films such as the "Dark Knight" trilogy and "Wonder Woman". This film joins the ranks among these films as one of the best films from "DC Comics".

With last years "Justice League" audiences got a glimpse of this films self titled "Aquaman". Now with his own film, we see him and all his glory. Star Jason Momoa is exciting and very and naturally funny as the iconic superhero. He is meant for this role. He brings his all into the character and is physically made just like the hero.

Co-starring alongside Momoa, is Amber Heard. Heard plays the love interest of Aquaman's and is also an atlantean. The two couldn't be a more perfect duo. Heard and Momoa excel in their roles and its shown. They have an undeniable chemistry and are one of the best team-ups in superhero films this year.

Director James Wan crafts a visual masterpiece of epic proportions. This film is probably the most visually stunning film of this year. Maybe the reason it's so stunning because I saw it on the biggest screen possible: "IMAX". This film will be all the more beautiful if you see it on the biggest screen available.

Not only is this film visually provocative, but it is surprisingly very funny. All the elements that were missing in the aforementioned films are all present in this film. Humor, heart, stunning set pieces and a phenomenal cast, what more could you want?

Orchestrating the films score, is Rupert Gregson-Williams. Gregson-Williams does a great job with this score. It is electric and fast paced. Keeps the energy alive from start to finish. It is one of the best scores of this year.

Two worlds, one hero. Despite a few films lacking quality, this film makes up for those everso promising films. This film has more than expected which was surprising and fun to not know what to expect, given I had mixed feelings prior to seeing this film, but when I left the theater I was in awe because I ended up being blown away.  "Aquaman" makes a huge splash with audiences and is perhaps the best film in the "DC Films" filmography thus far.

Photo courtesy of Warner Bros Pictures

Rate: A 

Director: James Wan 

Starring: Jason Momoa, Amber Heard, Nicole Kidman, Willem Dafoe, Patrick Wilson

MPAA Rating: PG-13 (for sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and for some language)

Runtime: 2 Hours & 22 Minutes 

Synopsis: From Warner Bros. Pictures and director James Wan comes an action-packed adventure that spans the vast, visually breathtaking underwater world of the seven seas, "Aquaman," starring Jason Momoa in the title role. The film reveals the origin story of half-human, half-Atlantean Arthur Curry and takes him on the journey of his lifetime--one that will not only force him to face who he really is, but to discover if he is worthy of who he was born to be... a king.

Mowgli: Legend of The Jungle (2018)

One of the most over adapted into films ever, gets  yet another film on the same "Jungle Book" story. It is very promising but is just another adaption of the works of Rudyard Kipling. That being said, this film is over dramatic and muddled with no development and offers no exciting original story. This film was originally going to be in theaters but went on Netflix instead. In my opinion, that was a very smart move. Otherwise, this film would've been a box office disaster.

The voice acting couldn't be more over the top. Leads: Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett and director of the film, Andy Serkis waste valuable time for audiences, when they could be doing better films. If this year brings some of the worst films cast, this film would be on that list.

Jack of all trades and director Andy Serkis makes one of the worst films of the year. It has however, a nice blend of color and action sequences but it's not enough to combat that weak and empty screenplay that possesses no positive qualities.

Not only does the films cast do a mediocre job at the voice acting, but granted that the story surrounds a boy raised in the wild, the young actor doesn't quite keep the pace between his animal characters and fellow cast members.

Running amok in the jungle needs to have some score right? Well, it does. It's scored by Nitin Sawhney. Sawhney makes an impressive score filled with up beat and fast paced qualities that might be too fast for the film itself.

One of the most overdone stories to get adapted to the big screen, the story of the "Jungle Book" and its new adaption is annoying at best with dazzling set pieces but it doesn't meet up to previous works of the tale such as the original 1960's adaptation by "Disney" and the live action remake in 2016.

Photo courtesy of Netflix

Rate: D+

Director: Andy Serkis

Starring: Andy Serkis, Christian Bale, Rohan Chand. Cate Blanchett 

MPAA Rating: PG-13 (for intense sequences of action violence including bloody images, and some thematic elements) 

Runtime: 1 Hour and 45 Minutes

Synopsis: Acclaimed actor and director Andy Serkis reinvents Rudyard Kipling's beloved masterpiece, in which a boy torn between two worlds accepts his destiny and becomes a legend. Mowgli (Rohan Chand) has never truly belonged in either the wilds of the jungle or the civilized world of man. Now he must navigate the inherent dangers of each on a journey to discover where he truly belongs. Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett, Benedict Cumberbatch, Andy Serkis, Freida Pinto, Rohan Chand, Matthew Rhys and Naomie Harris lead an all-star cast in this visually spectacular and emotionally moving adventure.