For some of us there’s a pinch of sadness baked into the new Aquaman movie. This marks the final film in what was once called the DC Extended Universe. The DCEU started incredibly strong and offered moviegoers with a healthy alternative to the lighter Marvel formula. Sadly, some poor studio decisions combined with dismissive reactions from many cut from the MCU cloth led to the superhero universe’s demise before it ever had the chance to fulfill its original vision.

James Gunn has been hired to reboot the DC Universe but who knows how that’s going to turn out. As it is, “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” clears the way for Gunn. In terms of expectations, this is a movie that felt doomed from the start as critical pitchforks were already sharpened and torches pre-lit. That’s a shame because “Aquaman 2” is a hoot – a proudly wacky and over the top romp full of wild world-building and cool action. Color me surprised.

James Wan returns to direct following the massive box office success (over $1.1 billion) of the 2018 first film. And of course Jason Momoa reprises his role as the rambunctious and reluctant King of Atlantis, Arthur Curry. As the movie begins, Arthur has married Mera (Amber Heard) and the two have a healthy baby boy, Arthur Jr. All is well in the world, right?

Well, of course not. First off, being King of Atlantis has proven to be a lot harder and more demanding than Arthur expected. In addition to his underwater peacekeeping and diplomatic duties, there’s also political turmoil between him and the Atlantean council of bureaucrats. He believes it’s past time they reveal themselves and form an alliance with the surface dwellers. The cynical council is determined to keep their existence a secret.

But a bigger and far more deadlier challenge arises with the return of David Kane (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II), a ruthless high-seas mercenary whose burning drive to avenge his father’s death has pushed him over the edge. David has recruited Dr. Stephen Shin (Randall Park), a marine biologist obsessed with proving the existence of Atlantis. Together they search for Atlantean artifacts which David needs to repair and upgrade his Black Manta armor before he can take on Aquaman.

While searching in the Arctic David discovers the mysterious Black Trident, a weapon of immense power that connects its wielder with its creator, Kordax (Pilou Asbæk), the ruler of the lost Atlantean kingdom of Necrus. Kordax pledges to provide David with the means to defeat Aquaman in exchange for freeing him from his icy prison. David and Arthur inevitably clash, fighting to a draw. Realizing David is more powerful than when they first met (see the first film), Arthur seeks help from the last person he wants to ask, his imprisoned half-brother Orm (Patrick Wilson).

As the movie progresses we see Wan dabbling in numerous genres, nodding to several of his inspirations, and just doing his own wild and crazy thing. It’s a bit like what you’d get if you rolled together a buddy comedy, a creature feature, and sci-fi fantasy. Certain moments will have you thinking it’s underwater Star Wars while later scenes give off distinct Lord of the Rings vibes. And then there’s Wan’s own inventive world-building. From deep-sea cities, to a mutated volcanic island, to a decayed kingdom buried under ice, Wan and his digital effects team have a field day creating fantastical places and populating them with a gonzo variety of life. Bouncing from one visually stunning location to the next turns out to be an absolute blast.

Wan’s vision for “Aquaman 2” is often awe-inspiring, sometimes thrilling, routinely funny, and consistently entertaining. The great comic chemistry between Momoa and Wilson provides some big laughs. Temuera Morrison’s return as Arthur’s father brings some heart. The film’s self-awareness adds to the fun, providing us with such patent silliness as loyal octopus sidekicks and Dolph Lundgren riding a seahorse. It’s such a bonkers mix and I get that mileage may vary depending on your tastes. But Wan has mostly delivered beyond what I expected. And even with some noticeable flaws, “Aquaman 2” is a satisfying swan song for the late and sometimes great DCEU.

VERDICT – 3.5 STARS