Aquaman : Special Edition

Bad Movies Made Less Bad Presents:
A Story of Kings and Heroes, Streamlined.

Major Changes:

• To keep Arthur dumb and funny, and make the rest of the movie a little more more serious, closer to the rest of the DCEU.
• Remove as much unnecessary exposition as possible
• Remove Depeche Mode and Pitbull songs
• Remove "Ocean Master" references
• Remove as many plot holes as possible* (can't get them all)

Editing Intent:

The goal was to take out as much "cheese" factor and make the movie feel more militaristic. A tighter, more focused story of the reluctant heir to the kingdom of Atlantis, now with much of the unnecessary exposition as possible removed.

Editing Intent:

•  Removed intro narration

• Movie intro starts with Lighthouse setting shot and removed Thomas tying the shutters OPEN.*

• Removed Atlanna and TV scene (to remove Atlanna expelling water)*

• Tightened scene with arrival of soldiers, removed some of the story Atlanna was telling to Arthur, removed the discussion with soldiers and Atlanna (for better mystery setup)

• Removed discussion about tears on pier between Thomas and Atlanna (lame)

• Removed Aquarium scene with young Arthur (not relevant anymore)

• Tightened Black Manta's arrival on the submarine to remove some of his dumb lines. He mostly only talks to his dad. (trying to create more villainous vibe)

• Removed Black Manta's lines to sub captain about jobs

• Removed Manta knife discussion (not important)

• Removed "its a man" lines from pirate watching the video of Arthur's arrival (silly)

• Removed Black Manta line "Its not a man"

• Removed Black Manta and Arthur discussing about meeting eventually, shortening fight (silly)

• Removed lines "you knew to live so you can kill that sob" (silly)

• Removed King Orm's history lesson about the meeting place (overt exposition)

• Removed mention of the "Ocean Master" title (silly)

• Brought explosion sooner (pacing)

• Removed Vulko's "to arms!" line (silly)

• Moved payout of gold to Black Manta to right after the attack (to connect his importance sooner)

• Removed Black Manta lines "he killed my father" and "keep the money, I want Aquaman" (silly)

• Tightened Mara and Arthur's discussion to remove JL references, and the lines "I’ve been looking for you", "because you’re a lady", "you are the firstborn... your people executed", and discussion of Volko and the Trident (overt exposition)

• Removed Mara introducing herself after saving Thomas (better that they just already know each other already somehow... JL?)

• Shortened Dr. Shin's rant to remove question of the existence of Atlanteans* (removed world not believing in Atlaneans in spite of knowing about Aquaman)

• Removed Vulko and teen Arthur swimming lesson (silly)

• Removed "They still think Atlantis is a fairy tale"*

• Removed "Ocean Master" reference by Mara (silly)

• Removed refence to the Trident being "forged"*

• Removed line "it gave us the ability to breathe underwater" (the evolved thing covers it)

• Removed Vulko's line "it’s an ancient recording dating back..."

• Removed Orms' line "I can’t believe you’re finally here. I've heard so many stories about you

• Removed shots of being killed from Orm's visual presentation (hypocritical)*

• Removed teen Arthur's lines "you mean the executed her? because of me?" (bad acting)

• Removed Mara's line about hating the surface people too

• Removed Orm throwing up water in the air pocket*

• Removed the second, higher pitched "bad guys behind us, aaaahhhh!"

• Removed Orm flying beside Arthur and Mara on their escape

• Removed Mara inside whale dismissing how he talked to it*

• Removed Pitbull song and the ocean exit shots, cuts directly to shadow of plane overhead

• Tightened Arthur and Mara discussion in plane to let her respond quicker

• Removed Orm's Captain (Murk) lines when tracking Mara

• Removed King Nereus describing his daughter Mara as the Princess of Xebel, instead just being a concerned dad

• Removed Black Manta's lines with Orm when getting equipment, and the shots and lines of how the gun works.

• Changed Depeche Mode song to the Black Manta theme from the soundtrack

• Lowered romantic comedy sound effects as much as possible from Arthur and Mera's discussion in the desert

• Removed mention of "forging" weapons again

• Removed water fountain scene in order to better set up the Pinocchio reference

• Removed Arthur knowing who all the statues were

• Moved up explosion slightly to reduce the loving gaze between Mera and Arthur

• Removed Black Manta monologue on his arrival

• Removed Black Manta announcing his name to Arthur

• Removed Arthur telling Black Manta "I thought I told you not to make this a habit"

• Removed Mera breaking facemask of solder and shot of Murk healing his arm

• Removed Murk and the toilet

• Removed Black Manta stabbing Arthur with the Manta knife

• Removed a couple shots of Arthur on the boat to better set up the no-shirt to shirt shot

• Removed flashback shot of young Arthur talking to fish

• Removed Karathen saying Arthur is the only one who can hear it

• Shortened Karathen's arrival at battle to show less destruction to both sides (focus on Atlantean reaction)

• Removed Mera’s final speech (silly)

• Trimmed Arthur’s ending narration and final Aquaman shots, ends on sunrise on dock with Atlanna and Thomas, rounding out the love story.

• Added new Aquaman logo screen before cinematic credits.

• Changed music after Black Manta mid-credit scene to be more fast paced.