Until one thing really loopy occurs, Aquaman and the Misplaced Kingdom would be the ultimate movie within the DC Prolonged Universe that started 10 years in the past with Zack Snyder’s Man of Metal. It was a universe dominated by Snyder’s choices, which resulted in some memorable highs and embarrassing lows. And whereas Misplaced Kingdom utterly ignores that it’s a part of that universe in each approach, leaving all open questions on its inhabitants untouched, it’s really a hopeful, becoming ending for that universe, particularly since a brand new one is on the best way.
Spoilers of the Week: July twenty ninth
Early on in Aquaman and the Misplaced Kingdom, Arthur Curry/Aquaman (Jason Momoa) explains his perception that the underwater kingdoms of Atlantis ought to reveal themselves to the floor world in an effort to mix sources and save the planet. In any case, everybody lives on the identical planet, and local weather change and air pollution that’s impacting the floor is impacting the seas too. His council initially rejects this, however after he defeats the traditional, evil, frozen king whose plan was to own a human to get him to heat the planet up sufficient to free him, the tides change.
Aquaman and the Misplaced Kingdom then ends with the historic DCEU information of Atlantis revealing itself to the world. As Atlantian ships come up within the waters close to downtown Manhattan, we see Arthur give a rousing speech on Ellis Island about how, collectively, the floor and seas will help save the planet. He then ends it by boldly proclaiming, “I’m Aquaman!” earlier than returning to the ocean.
On this second, no, we don’t understand how badly the Flash screwed up the multiverses, who’s nonetheless a member of the Justice League, or the whereabouts of Jared Leto’s Joker. This second rises above all that. It leaves the DCEU in a spot the place the world goes to be saved. Atlantian expertise, blended with human expertise, will have the ability to reverse local weather change and make it so the complete planet can preserve dwelling on for all these characters and others. It’s a hopeful ending. A becoming ending. And one that claims, “Hey James Gunn. This world is protected now if you wish to begin a brand new one.”
Plus, that the movie ends with Arthur screaming “I’m Aquaman” as one of many final strains within the DCEU is a pleasant parallel to the start of one other cinematic universe, the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Don’t neglect, that started when Tony Stark declared “I’m Iron Man,” a press release that modified the world for the higher. Right here, Arthur equally embraces his true id and does the identical.
Nerds like us who comply with each little element of the plots of cinematic universes comparable to these may not be significantly glad by how the DCEU ended. We consider, nevertheless, that Aquaman and the Misplaced Kingdom did pretty much as good a job as one can think about in closing this chapter in a constructive, significant approach, whereas additionally not worrying in regards to the little particulars. Go away these to your creativeness. This world is ok.
Aquaman and the Misplaced Kingdom is now in theaters.
Need extra io9 information? Take a look at when to anticipate the most recent Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s subsequent for the DC Universe on movie and TV, and every little thing it’s good to find out about the way forward for Physician Who.