Angel Manuel Soto directs Xolo Maridueña, Bruna Marquezine and Susan Sarandon in this fading light release in the DCEU superhero universe.

In terms of Latinx representation in mainstream cinema I can recognise how this is a step forward. Any other ethnicity barely gets a look in. Not sure that the characterisation of the entire family being screaming, chaotic one-note messheads will land, say, twenty years down the line… but, for now, well done Warner Brothers. The movie itself is a basic bitch. A little bit of Spider-Man. A lot of Iron Man. A splodge of The Mask or Spawn. Brightly coloured, under powered. There is some extreme body horror in the initial transformation that seems at odds with Saturday morning kids cartoon tone. The humour is grating. There are few surprises. Bruna Marquezine as the love interest does constantly dominate the screen. Wouldn’t be surprised if she becomes a household name within a few years. As franchise fodder goes, this fulfils its brief with little grace. This cycle of DC adaptations is officially mothballed, making this a redundant release. The only experimentation I recognised was the marketing department trying to get away with the smallest, near camouflaged DC logos on the bus shelter posters. The brand cannae be that devalued, surely?

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Perfect Double Bill: Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom (2023)

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