Aquaman Review: 5 Ups & 5 Downs

By Jack Pooley / December 12, 2018

2. Willem Dafoe Is Totally Wasted

Pretty much any movie ever made would be lucky to count the brilliant Willem Dafoe among its cast, and when Dafoe won the role of Atlantean vizier Nuidis Vulko, fans were overjoyed.

So it's a disappointment to report that while Dafoe's actually in the movie a surprising amount, he doesn't really get all that much to do.

He spends the overwhelming majority of his screen time playing Basil Exposition, dumping paragraphs of lore and setting Arthur's central fetch quest in motion.

He doesn't do much beyond stand around, talk politics and look wise, which given Dafoe's obviously immense talents is a complete waste.

If you were hoping he might get his hands dirty with some barmy superhero action, he's sadly kept almost entirely on the sidelines.