History YMMV / Aquaman2018

* GermansLoveDavidHasselhoff: China ''loves'' this film; in its opening weekend alone it outgrossed ''any'' previous Warner Brothers film, had the largest December opening in Chinese history before surpassing the already ridiculously successful (and also much more warmly received there) ''Film/{{Venom|2018}}'' as the second most successful superhero movie in the country after ''Film/AvengersInfinityWar'' -- and it got an extension for its screenings there until February 2019 on top of this, which is a rare thing for foreign movies playing in the country. By some projections, it will end its run at over $350 mil''][lion, which will make it the fourth most popular foreign film and the eleventh most popular movie period in the country's history. It also got [[https://www.weibo.com/p/100120179340 very positive reviews]], with [[https://movie.douban.com/subject/3878007/ Douban]] (China's equivalent to Rotten Tomatoes) giving it an 8.1/10, with hundreds of thousands of viewers giving it an average rating of 4/5 stars.

** Aquaman being DuelingMovies with ''[[Film/BlackPanther2018 Black Panther]]'' counts as this, considering that in Marvel Comics Wakanda and Atlantis have a rivalry.
*** Mera's full name is Y'mera-Xebella-T'Challa!

** Aquaman, Ocean Master and Black Manta's costumes may look silly to some, bringing ''WesternAnimation/{{Superfriends}}'' to mind ([[AudienceColoringAdaptation for people not familiar with the comics, again]]), or ''Franchise/PowerRangers'', particularly for the villains -- despite [[OlderThanTheyThink originating much earlier]], in the comics. But to others, these are pushing the boundaries of comics-to-movies accuracy further than ever before and instead look epic, and since ''Power Rangers'' is well-known for its unabashed cheese, comparisons to it are taken as [[InsultBackfire complimentary]], marking a "step in the right direction" for the DCEU. Heck, this could also count for the film embracing their superhero/villain titles.

** General reactions praise the film as being a rip-roaringly good time.

** Aquaman, Ocean Master and Black Manta's costumes may look silly to some, bringing ''WesternAnimation/{{Superfriends}}'' to mind ([[AudienceColoringAdaptation for people not familiar with the comics, again]]), or ''Franchise/PowerRangers'', particularly for the villains -- despite [[OlderThanTheyThink originating much earlier]], in the comics. But to others, these are pushing the boundaries of comics-to-movies accuracy further than ever before and instead look epic. Heck, this could also count for the film embracing their superhero/villain titles.

** Michael Beach as Jesse Kane, Black Manta's father only appears briefly, but he plays an ''awesome'' pirate bad guy who's [[BadassGrandpa getting along in years]] but still goes on mercenary missions with his son, and [[spoiler:his accidental death at Arthur's hands is [[AlasPoorVillain remarkably sad]] and provides an emotionally compelling reason for his son to become Arthur's eventual nemesis.]]

** The [[EldritchAbomination Karathen]] steals the entire movie the moment it shows up, probably because it is simply not possible to upstage ''[[spoiler:a giant sea kaiju played by '''Creator/JulieAndrews''']]''.

* GermansLoveDavidHasselhoff: China ''loves'' this film; in its opening weekend alone it outgrossed ''any'' previous Warner Brothers film, had the largest December opening in Chinese history before surpassing the already ridiculously successful (and also much more warmly received there) ''Film/{{Venom|2018}}'' as the second most successful superhero movie in the country after ''Film/AvengersInfinityWar'' -- and it got an extension for its screenings there until February 2019 on top of this, which is a rare thing for foreign movies playing in the country. By some projections, it will end its run at over $350 million, which will make it the fourth most popular foreign film and the eleventh most popular movie period in the country's history. It also got [[https://www.weibo.com/p/100120179340 very positive reviews]], with [[https://movie.douban.com/subject/3878007/ Douban]] (China's equivalent to Rotten Tomatoes) giving it an 8.1/10, with hundreds of thousands of viewers giving it an average rating of 4/5 stars.

** Aquaman being DuelingMovies with Film/Black Panther|2018 counts as this, considering that in Marvel Comics Wakanda and Atlantis have a rivalry.

* EnsembleDarkhrose: Many fans have felt that Creator/DolphLundgren, of all people, provides one of the strongest supporting characters in the movie, with his conflicted, dignified portrayal of the [[NobleDemon noble]], [[RoyalsWhoActuallyDoSomething badass]] [[AntiVillain King]] [[MyCountryRightOrWrong Nereus.]]

*** Mera's full name is YMera-Xebella-TChalla!

* HeReallyCanAct: Creator/JasonMomoa's performance won over many who doubted that he can carry an entire movie. Momoa was praised for imbuing his character with charisma and humanity while also carrying several comedic and heart-wrenching moments with genuine authenticity.

** Creator/YahyaAbdulMateenII playing Black Manta, one of the first black supervillains,[[note]]appeared in the comics in 1967[[/note]] is amusing given that he auditioned for a role in ''Film/{{Black Panther|2018}}'' prior to being cast here.
** Black Manta's AdaptationNameChange from David Hyde to David Kane prompted some to find it funny how he shares his name with ''another'' DC villain with a [[ComicBook/Batgirl2000 heroic offspring]]. It wasn't long until after this announcement that said heroic offspring was confirmed in a [[Film/BirdsofPrey2020 future DCEU movie]].

* HeCanReallyAct: Creator/JasonMomoa's performance won over many who doubted that he can carry an entire movie. Momoa was praised for having imbuing the overwise derided Aquaman with charisma and humanity. Furthermore, many were surprised how he was able to carry several comedic scenes and heartwarming moments with genuine authenticity.

** Black Manta swore vengeance on Aquaman for leaving his father in a fatal situation that the Atlantean refuse to rescue him from [[labelnote:Note]]His father shot at Aquaman right after he'd spared his life, so Arthur oviously wasn't in the mood for second chances.[[/labelnote]]. Given that moments earlier we'd seen the two men were very close, you can't help but sympathise with Manta.

* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: Arthur's father's Golden Retriever; it's last seen hiding behind the couch during the attack when the Atlantean guards arrive to reclaim Atlanna. Considering that it shared a few scenes (including a funny one as a puppy with Atlanna) and it [[EvilDetectingDog detected when the guards were arriving]]. It left many viewers scratching their heads about what became of it.
** Of course considering most of the film takes place decades later it is most likely dead by then.

* TheWoobie: The princess of the Fisher Kingdom. [[spoiler: Her father is murdered right in front of her because he refused to bend to Orm's will. Orm then forces her to not only take his place, but to fight alongside him.]] She doesn't look much older than 18, so this is no doubt a lot for her to deal with.

** The appearance of Creator/JulieAndrews, Film/MaryPoppins herself, as a sea creature becomes this since the film opened against ''Film/MaryPoppinsReturns'', in which Andrews declined to appear.

* ExpressiveMask: In the final battle Ocean Masters mask seems be expressive as when he has the Brine King at his mercy the brow seems to deepen into a scowl.

* ExpressiveMaskL In the final battle Ocean Masters mask seems be expressive as when he has the Brine King at his mercy the brow seems to deepen into a scowl.

** Creator/JasonMomoa previously played [[Film/ConanTheBarbarian2011 Conan]], a Cimmerian, descendant of Atlantean colonists. Now he plays ComicBook/{{Aquaman}}, a.k.a. the prince/king of Atlantis. And he also had a role in ''Series/StargateAtlantis''. Not to mention [[Series/GameOfThrones the chief of a race that fears the ocean]]. And his first actng role was in ''Series/{{Baywatch}}''.

** Aquaman and Black Manta's costumes may look silly to some, bringing ''WesternAnimation/{{Superfriends}}'' to mind ([[AudienceColoringAdaptation for people not familiar with the comics, again]]), or ''Franchise/PowerRangers'', particularly for Manta -- despite [[OlderThanTheyThink originating much earlier]], in the comics. But to others, these are pushing the boundaries of comics-to-movies accuracy further than ever before and instead look epic.