some brat in a mask

Whereas the MCU has tied much of their emotional storytelling to the absence of fathers — whether that be literal (Black Panther, Guardians of the Galaxy) or a figurative lack of fatherhood (Iron Man, Thor) — the DCEU has firmly set its foundation on the importance and presence of mothers.

when some fans ask arthur for a selfie while he’s at a bar, drinking with his dad, he agrees–even though he doesn’t really like people

whenever arthur saves people, he takes the time to address them in their language

when mera eats a rose, thinking it’s human food and offers one to arthur, rather than correct and embarrass her, he eats a flower too

when arthur sees his mom for the first time in decades, he doesn’t blame her for being gone, he embraces her and talks about how much his dad still loves her

when arthur retrieves the trident–finally becoming aquaman–he doesn’t fight his way through the guardian, he talks to her and it’s the first conversation she’s had in eons

and his reply to the guardian’s accusation that he’s unworthy, is that he doesn’t want the trident to prove his worth, but to protect the people he loves

the one time when arthur is not kind, when he lets black manta’s father die, he acknowledges that it was a mistake, and it comes back to haunt him in a very real way

and the climactic battle against his brother ends with arthur letting him live. he lets orm reunite with their mom because he knows atlanna loves both her sons and that orm loved their mother too

and he tells orm, who openly hates arthur, that whenever he’s ready to talk, arthur will be there

aquaman is a brash, unabashedly fun movie but it’s also very kind too