WATCH BOX OFFICE MOVIES FOR FREE
6 Big Reasons Why Aquaman Succeeded
It's been a few weeks now since Aquaman released in theaters and it is no longer up for debate: Aquaman is a smash hit. After a modest (by superhero movie standards) opening weekend of $67.8 million, James Wan's film has gone on to make over $266.4 million domestically and is racing towards $1 billion with $963.3 million. That makes Aquaman the DCEU's most successful film to date from a total box office standpoint by a pretty sizable margin.
So why, after Justice League sank so spectacularly just a year ago, did Aquaman make such a splash? Aquaman obviously succeeded financially in large part because of its foreign box office, with international sales accounting for over 72% of the film's haul, according to Box Office Mojo.
I'm interested not in the dollars and cents specifically, but the reasons why people were willing to pay them to see this film when the last DCEU film featuring Aquaman and a bunch of other heroes found so many wallets tightly gripped. What was so appealing about this film and this character? There probably isn't a single answer to this question, but here are some solid reasons.
Solid ReviewsIt's difficult to know how exactly how much influence critical reviews have on a film's box office because countless well-reviewed indies make no money and the Transformers franchise (sans Bumblebee) does well despite critical drubbings. Nevertheless, good reviews certainly can't hurt.
Aquaman wasn't exactly a critical darling, but its reviews were more positive overall than any DCEU film before it with the exception of Wonder Woman. The film's solid reviews were good enough to get it to fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, making it the only DCEU film to do so besides the aforementioned Amazonian's tale. Good reviews may have given audiences the confidence that paying for a ticket to Aquaman would be money well spent and it wasn't quite the risk that a film with lesser reviews would be.
In addition to critics who liked Aquaman, audiences seemed to as well. Aquaman received a good "A-" CinemaScore and the user ratings/audience score on IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes (for what those are worth) are both higher than any prior DCEU film other than Wonder Woman.
This all adds up to a environment where Aquaman had good word of mouth and the conversation surrounding it among critics and fans, while perhaps not gushing, was positive enough that people figured they would have a good time with this film and were willing to pony up for a ticket.
Spectacle And FunIf Wonder Woman and the hodge podge of Justice League marked the beginnings of the DCEU's tonal shift away from the Snyderian darkness, Aquaman is its completion. Whether Zack Snyder's dark and gritty tone was the problem with his DCEU films and why they didn't live up to commercial expectations is a conversation for another day (personally, I don't think tone was the issue), but it is clear that Aquaman, is far more successful than those films.
Aquaman is bright, colorful, fun, cheesy and very comic-booky. He even wears the orange suit. It is about as far away from Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice as you can get. In a fish out of water scene that has the brightly lit aesthetic of a romantic comedy, Mera eats a flower for goodness sake. Audiences not looking for the seriousness of Dawn of Justice should have found plenty to like with Aquaman's silliness.
It may not be a masterpiece, but Aquaman is a fun and entertaining movie, and embracing that tone worked in its favor to get audiences into the theater where they had a good time. Aquaman is also a visual spectacle with a fully realized underwater world replete with strange creatures and characters. This movie is pure eye candy and thus is the kind of film that people want to see on the big screen.
The ever-growing international box office has proven that it appreciates spectacle even more than its domestic counterparts, and views blockbusters with a far less critical eye. It's no coincidence that this film's box office is so heavily weighted towards its overseas returns.
Jason MomoaIt is difficult to know exactly how big of a star Jason Momoa is. He's been around for a while, but it's not like his role on Stargate: Atlantis made him a household name. His roles in DCEU films are far and away his most successful at the box office. The last time he was front and center in a blockbuster film was Conan the Barbarian in 2011, and that didn't turn out so well.
However, in addition to the other problems that doomed that movie (it wasn't good), I don't think Jason Momoa had nearly the same level of awareness among moviegoers that he does now. A lot of that awareness is due to his role as Khal Drogo on Game of Thrones.
Game of Thrones began in 2011, the same year as Conan the Barbarian released, and while it was an instant hit, it wasn't the cultural phenomenon it became over the ensuing years. If Conan had released a few years later once Game of Thrones really took over, the result might have been different. Sure Khal Drogo was only really in the first season of Game of Thrones, but the badass Dothraki warrior left a major impression, and it could be that now people were finally ready to see the actor who played him lead his own movie.
While Game of Thrones elevated Jason Momoa in the zeitgeist, Justice League also raised his profile. Perhaps audiences who may not have checked that movie out in theaters liked his part in it and were willing to pay a theatrical ticket price for a movie with him as the lead.
It's A Standalone Origin MovieThe way Warner Bros. initially went about the DCEU, it seemed that the studio didn't think that it had to put in the work of universe and character building that Marvel did with solo films, and could instead skip ahead to the big team up and start raking in the $1 billion box offices. But it turns out that giving characters their own solo origin films isn't a fruitless chore, and such films can actually be pretty successful.
Of course, there were audiences who liked Momoa's character in Justice League. And there were a lot of DCEU diehards who showed up to Aquaman, but I'm not sure they alone drove James Wan's film to the success it has had. It's possible there may have been audiences for whom Aquaman was one of, if not the only DCEU film they have seen.
One of the nice things about Aquaman is that it truly stands alone. It isn't fixated on universe building, setting up other films or cramming in references to other heroes and events in the DCEU. It is solely focused on Aquaman's story. Heck, if you want to get granular, there are even some plot holes and things that don't make sense in Aquaman for those that have seen Justice League.
Therefore, the barrier to entry was much lower for Aquaman than it was for something like Justice League. Neither in the film itself nor its marketing made it seem like you had to have seen Justice League or any of the previous DCEU films to enjoy Aquaman. I think that probably worked to its benefit.
The Aquaman CharacterWe all know that the character of Aquaman was once a joke. We'd repeatedly see punchlines about a dude in an orange suit talking to fish, and it seemed like the closest he would ever get to a real movie was the fake James Cameron movie in Entourage. But when you are already the butt of everyone's jokes, there is nowhere to go but up.
Casting Jason Momoa was the start of changing perceptions around Aquaman, and putting him and Mera in Justice League whet people's appetites to see more of the mythology and history around them. Aquaman may have also benefited from the relative obscurity of the character.
We think that characters like the trinity of Batman, Wonder Woman and Superman have a built-in level of success because of their familiarity and name value, but that sword cuts both ways. There are also a lot of expectations conferred upon those characters due to that familiarity, and there is also the fact that any depiction will always draw countless comparisons, both favorable and negative, to those that came before. Aquaman isn't swimming against the current in that way.
He has no precedent on the big screen and most people don't know his story. That not only frees Aquaman from expectation, but makes his story seem fresh and new. Watching Aquaman battle his half-brother doesn't feel like thoroughly trodden ground in the way that seeing Bruce Wayne's parents murdered does. Despite being a joke in the past, audiences saw a character they knew little to nothing about, played by Khal Drogo, in a story they hadn't seen before. That combination may have made Aquaman quite appealing and we could see something similar work for Shazam!
The Release DateWe never really used to think of the holidays as blockbuster season, but the time for tentpoles is year-round now, and Star Wars: The Force Awakens proved that the end of the year can bring lots of good cheer at the box office. With Star Wars out of the picture in December of 2018, Aquaman was able to swoop in and capitalize on audiences looking for a special effects and action-filled blockbuster.
Aquaman did face some strong competition with the same idea, but Mary Poppins Returns appealed to a slightly different audience and Bumblebee didn't offer quite the spectacle of the mainline Transformers films, Star Wars or Aquaman. That positioned Aquaman nicely to make a killing for audiences that had grown accustomed to a big year-end blockbuster they could see with the family at the holidays.
It is clear that the holiday season is extremely fertile ground for blockbusters, making the decision to put Solo: A Star Wars Story in May look all the more misguided in hindsight. And while Aquaman had some competition release alongside it, it is enjoying a long runway into mid-January before it faces any new contenders to the box office throne.
There is also the fact that there a full year had passed since Justice League. That gave audiences, whether they loved or hated that film, plenty of time to get excited for another entry in the DCEU. That built up anticipation, combined with a premium holiday season release date, set Aquaman up to succeed.
John Boyega shares he's had talks with Marvel for a potential Marvel Cinematic Universe role. Following his breakout role as Finn in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, the English actor continues to build his acting portfolio with another potential franchise under his belt in Pacific Rim Uprising - where he plays Jake Pentecost, son of the original movie's General Stacker […]
Star Wars' John Boyega says he's met with Marvel Studios
Charlize Theron has described the time she was approached about playing Wonder Woman's mother as the "defining moment" of her career. The Oscar-winning actress made an appearance alongside Seth Rogen on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen on Thursday night (02May19) to promote their new romcom Long Shot.
Charlize Theron Said Being Asked To Play Wonder Woman's Mom
Making movies is supposed to be glamorous, but filming the new Joker movie has apparently been a little rough. It seems a group of extra that were filming a scene in a subway car recently found themselves stuck in the car for three hours, resulting in an unknown number of them being forced to urinate on the subway tracks when they weren't allowed a bathroom break.
Joker Movie Extras Allegedly Peed Between Train Cars After
Which is why it's time to rate and discuss Peter Berg's Mile 22, with spoilers galore. So if you don't want to be spoiled, and yes there will be spoilers, head back towards Mile 1 until you've
Rate and Discuss Shazam! (SPOILERS) - community.cbr.com
It's certainly good news that Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein haven't left The Flash, as they would just be the most recent directors to exit a project that has had serious trouble getting up to speed. Originally Seth Grahame-Smith was put in the director's chair, but he left and was eventually replaced by Rick Famuyiwa.
No, The Flash Movie's Directors Haven't Dropped The Project
Gal Gadot is racing her way into the world of animation later this month, as she takes on the role of Shank in Disney's upcoming Wreck-It Ralph sequel, Ralph Breaks the Internet.To get fans
Gal Gadot races into the cast of Ralph Breaks the Internet
Jamie Lee Curtis Reveals How She's Stayed A Scream Queen For So Long Movies November 3, 2018 No Comments If there's one genre that has relied on long running franchises and sequels, it's horror.
Scream Queen Jamie Lee Curtis Throughout the Years
Legend Of The Jungle Has Screened, Here's What People Are Saying Movies November 30, 2018 No Comments In the battle of Jungle Book movies, Disney's The Jungle Book made it to theaters first two years ago, racking up critical acclaim, a near $1 billion at the box office and an Oscar for visual effects.
Mowgli: Legend Of The Jungle Has Screened, Here's What People
Peter Jackson talks us through his adaptation of Mortal Engines and reveals why it was the right time for his protégé to make his directorial debut. Christian Rivers has overseen the blockbuster
Peter Jackson reveals why he didn't direct Mortal Engines
We're coming up on the one-year anniversary of Justice League's theatrical release and the revelations about what could have been are still continuing to ooze out of the super-powered woodwork. Justice League's Ray Fisher talks Zack Snyder's original plans for Cyborg, all that cut footage | SYFY WIRE
Her first patient to receive a painted mask was 8-year-old Evan Cornett, who wears his "Star Wars" Stormtrooper costume to every appointment but without the helmet due to the radiation mask.
Hospital workers turn mask into a Stormtrooper helmet for boy
Brie Larson won best stunt at the MTV Movie and TV Awards, and brought up her 'Captain Marvel' stunt doubles to accept the honor Larson won the award for best fight for her character's epic
Brie Larson Brought Her CAPTAIN MARVEL Stunt Doubles Onstage
Why The Son Theory Is Probably Wrong There are just too many pieces of supporting evidence scattered throughout Us that dictate Jason and Pluto have not switched places. Starting on the surface level, the fact that Jason still has normal speech is an important clue to his true identity.
Why The Wild Us Theory About The Son Is Probably Wrong
New Deadpool 2 Footage Shows Domino Auditioning For The X-Force
BossLogic has imagined what Joaquin Phoenix could look like as the Joker and it's awesome. What Joaquin Phoenix Looks Like as the Joker in DC Origins Movie Close. More Movie News.
Exclusive: Here's What Joaquin Phoenix Could Look Like As The
x deal full movie streaming
a goofy movie streaming
where is scary movie streaming
xbox one movie streaming sites 2018
movie streaming market
mandy movie streaming
one two jaga full movie streaming
how movie streaming sites
us movie streaming
how does amazon movie streaming work
would you rather movie streaming vf
youtube movie streaming
vibes movie streaming
what is the best movie streaming service
heaven can wait movie streaming
does movie streaming count as download limit
streaming movie quiet place
best free movie streaming websites
movie streaming royalties
movie streaming meaning
lion movie streaming
it movie streaming online free
movie streaming box
movie streaming xyz
movie streaming bandwidth
movie streaming pc
xbox movie streaming
movie streaming online
xbox 360 movie streaming sites
movie streaming php script
yts free movie streaming
ninja movie streaming
top free movie streaming sites
would you rather movie streaming
movie streaming options
movie streaming platforms free
movie streaming gb usage
everyday movie streaming
gifted movie streaming
movie streaming websites free
vice movie streaming reddit
exodus movie streaming
movie streaming korea
movie streaming new releases
best free movie streaming app
movie streaming best websites
movie streaming apps for android
movie streaming best sites
movie streaming quality ts
harry potter movie streaming
movie streaming reviews
movie streaming websites ps4
the little engine that could movie streaming
hindi movie streaming
dragon ball super broly movie streaming
movie streaming theme
after full movie streaming
best movie streaming service for new releases
qnap movie streaming
how do you know movie streaming
movie streaming uae
pengabdi setan full movie streaming
who is uri movie streaming partner
streaming movie veer zaara
movie streaming movie 4k
movie streaming app xbox one
movie streaming eng
how much is amazon movie streaming
queen movie streaming
nonton movie streaming
scary movie streaming
movie streaming yify
get out movie streaming
would you rather movie online streaming
list of movie streaming sites
reddit movie streaming
movie streaming on xbox one
will you be there korean movie streaming
loro movie streaming
movie streaming apps for pc
movie streaming platforms
xbox one movie streaming
aquaman full movie streaming
movie streaming template
movie streaming english
hereditary movie streaming
movie streaming bollywood
disney movie streaming service
how much is amazon prime movie streaming
what does movie streaming mean
movie queen streaming
wonder movie streaming
movie streaming hd online
mary queen of scots movie streaming
hd movie streaming
movie streaming english free
movie streaming cinema
do you believe movie streaming
movie streaming library
moonlight movie streaming
when did movie streaming start
movie streaming zumvo
free movie streaming youtube
i can speak movie streaming
do the right thing movie streaming
best worst movie documentary streaming
best online movie streaming site
how does movie streaming work
top 20 movie streaming sites
top 10 movie streaming sites
movie streaming virus
movie streaming ninja
movie streaming apps for roku
free online movie streaming australia
movie streaming uk
movie streaming online for free
clue movie streaming
zac efron ted bundy movie streaming
best free movie streaming sites 2019
quiet place full movie streaming
how to watch movie streaming
everest movie streaming
#watchluxus #merica #watchquiz #fourthofjuly #slay #watchestyle #watchful #independenceday #watchos4 #Seriale #Filma #watchthemoonrise #watchmvmt #TVSHow #murica #getsome #filmyorumu #TvSeries #netflixturkiye #tvroomdesign #watchswag #4thofjuly #blackqueen #watchdose #HostalCASAMXalameda #filmtavsiyesi #fireworks #blackking #WatchUsRise #filmography #Filmametitrashqip #blacktech #watchmaniac #Zgerdhiu #filmlover #america #watchpornid #netflix #watchcrazy #blacksocialmedia #hostales #movietime #watchingthesunset #birdbox #FreeMovies #watchmovies #funnytime #watchalert #WatchRoss #watchuswork #blackhistory365 #watchblogger #americanflag #watchfamily #watchwomen #saladetv #blavity #watchphoto #Filma24 #watchenthusiasts #moviesstreaming #holiday #Qesh #bff #WatchJunkie #putitinreverseterry #watchnerds #WatchMovies #blacksuccess #Movies
0 comments:
Post a Comment