Aquaman is one of the most visually breathtaking, entertaining films of the year.

But it’s also the most cheesy, B-movie style actioner, and requires an almost inhuman suspension of disbelief.

From the knowing winks, a constantly-shirtless hero in Jason Momoa, and one-liners even worse than dad jokes, Aquaman isn’t subtle by any stretch. But it does provide a popcorn movie escapism in a fashion I haven’t seen in a long time.

Momoa is hilarious, brutish and charismatic as Aquaman, the half-human, half-Atlantian hero of the deep water.

He must confront his half-brother in order to stop a war between the surface world and their underwater realm.

It’s simple in plot and a 150-minute overstuffed superhero flick, but Momoa manages to hold it all together, even if the run-time is a hindrance.

Joined by Amber Heard, a fantastic Willem Dafoe and villainous Patrick Wilson as his half brother, this is an all-star cast for a subpar film.

Yet, these performers, also including Oscar winner Nicole Kidman, elevate the material to a point where it manages to be a infectiously diverting film, with fascinating CGI and some great special effects.

Aquaman is no Wonder Woman, but it will leave you smiling at its conclusion, which is more than can be said for other films in the struggling DC universe.

3/5 Stars