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ELTALL (English language teaching, applied linguistics 

and Literature) 

Vol. 1 No. 1, 2020  
Available online at https://jurnal.iainponorogo.ac.id/index.php/eltall 

 

 

 

 

CHARACTER EDUCATIONAL VALUES ON “AQUAMAN” 
MOVIE 

 
Pola Esianita; Wiwin Widyawati 

Institut Agama Islam Negeri (IAIN) Ponorogo 
 

polaesianita@gmail.com 
Abstract 

The purposes of doing this research are to find out the types of character education 
values found in the Aquaman movie, (ii) recognize the character educations values 
are found in the Aquaman movie that possibly increase student motivation. In this 
research, the researcher used library research. The data of this research are 
character educational values in the conversation among the characters of the 
“Aquaman” movie. The data source in this research is a movie entitled “Aquaman”. 
The result shows that there are 15 types of character educational value spoken by 
the characters. They are: honesty, tolerance, dicipline, hardworking, creativity, 
curiosity, national spirit, patriotism, friendly/communicative, peacemaker, 
environmental care, responsibility, loaylity, respect, love & afferction. Then, the 
most dominant Educational values in this movie is responsible and peacemaker 
value.  

Keywords: Character, Education Values, Kemendiknas, and “Aquaman” Movie. 
 
 
 

INTRODUCTION 
Nowadays, watching a movie becomes a general activity. The people have 

different purposes in watching movie such as for refreshing, spending time, 
getting information and prespective, learning foreign language and try to 
understand cultures. Most of people like watching no matter their life condition, 
whatever their background, whoever they are, sexes and ages. Not only in big 
cities, but also in small town people are watching movie. Due to advance 
technology development such as internet and smartphone, people can watch 
movie anytime and anywhere(Humaira, 2018). 

Movie is very effective to persuade people mind because it is covered with 
an interesting plot, and it is easy watching. Because of its persuasive, a 
consumptoin of movie is being a basic need, even life style. Movie can influence 
people easily because it is really close to our life. Movie itself is inspired from a 
real life but it was added some flavours in order to make it more beautiful for 
entertaiment purpose. From the movie, viewer will be easily persuaded by the 
actual content presentation the engages audio visual sense so that messages in 
the movie will be easy to arrive in viewers mind (Christoper & Jacob, 2013). 



 

 

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ELTALL (English language teaching, applied linguistics 

and Literature) 

Vol. 1 No. 1, 2020  
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Because movie are familiar, evocative and non-threatning, grounded in 
both imagery and emotion, its are useful in teaching the human dimension 
required for developing as human beings and for building identity in young 
learners (Sharjeel, 2013). For teachers, the movie experience helps also to 
confirm and clarify their role to bring new prespectives in teaching especially 
show character educational values.  

The formulation of character is one of the national educaional goals. Article 
1 of the 2003 Education Law states that among objectives of national education 
is to develop the potential of learners to have intellegence, personality, and noble 
character. Currently character of nation strenghtening of the strategic priorities 
of national education program, given the states of the nation must be returned 
to the characterization of national identity (Riyana, 2015). Various ways can be 
made to build character education, including through watching movie.  

According to Uswatun Qoyyimah (2015), there are 18 types of character 
educational values based on Kementrian Pendidikan Nasional (KEMENDIKNAS), 
include : religiousity, honesty, tolerance, dicipline, hardworking, creaivity, 
independent, democracy, curiousity, national spirit, patriotism, highly regard 
achievement, friendly/communicative, peace maker, good reader, 
environmental care, sociality, responsibility. 

Based on the research by Misbachul Anam Irvani (2015) student of State 
Islamic Institute (IAIN) of  Tulungagung, had conducted a research entiteld 
“Character Educational Values in “The Ron Clark Story” Movie”  that proofs there 
are many character educational values in “The Ron Clark Story” movie directed 
by Randa Haines. In his thesis, he analyzed 18 character education stated by 
“KEMENDIKNAS” formulation. From the 18 character educational values above, 
he got 13 character educational values in “The Ron Clark Story” that are honesty, 
tolerance, dicipline, hard working, creativity, democratic, curiousity, love 
homeland, appreciating achievement, friendly, like to read, sociality, and 
responsibility. In the other hand, 5 of 18 character educational values were not 
appeared on this movie. That are religious, independent, national spirit, love 
peace, and environmental care. 

Aquaman is one of movie that also has a lot of character educational values 
for the audience. This movie direced by James Wan and produced by Warner 
Bros Pictures. From Aquaman movie, the researcher finds something which 
interest. Started with born upon the shores of the surface world, Arthur Curry 
discovers that he is only half human with the other half of his blood being of 
atlantean descent, thus making him the rightful heir to the throne of the undersea 
kingdom of Atlantis. However, Arthur learns the Atlantis is being ruled by his 
malicious half brother Orm, who seeks to unite the seven underwater kingdoms 
and wage war upon the surface. With aid from nuidis Vulko and the gorgeous 
Mera, Arthur must discover the full potential of his true destiny and become 



 

 

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and Literature) 

Vol. 1 No. 1, 2020  
Available online at https://jurnal.iainponorogo.ac.id/index.php/eltall 

 

 

 

 

Aquaman in order to save Atlantis and the surface from orm’s evil plot 
(Aquaman, 2018). From this movie, the researcher finds that main character’s 
adventure to be a king show more than one educational values we can learn 
especially leadership and nationalism values. It makes researcher motivated to 
find know deeply about character educational values in this movie. In the other 
side, Aquaman is a one of movie include in box office. It can cloncluded that lot 
of people recognize this movie.  

This study focuses on analysis of character educational values in the 
“Aquaman” movie. The researcher hopes this study would be able to emphasize 
the important of character educational values to the reader. Therefore, based on 
explanation above, the writer is going to conduct a research to investigate the 
character educational values in “Aquaman” movie under the title “An Analysis of 
Character Educational Values Based on Formulation of Kemendiknas in the year 
2013 Related to “Aquaman” Movie”. 

 
METHODS 

In conducting this research, the researcher uses the library research and 
the approach that is used be the writer is descriptive qualitaive. Kothari (2001) 
stated that “qualitative approach to research is concerned with subjective 
assessment of attitudes, opinions and behaviour.” there are two data sources for 
the analysis, the “Aquaman” movie video and screenplay. The primary source of 
the data is the video and screenplay of  “Aquaman” movie. The file of the movie 
video is downloaded from www.Ganool.com. Secondary source is analyze the 
character educational values in “Aquaman” movie based on KEMENDIKNAS’s 
formulation. There are 18 types of character educational values taken from 
KEMENDIKNAS’s formulation, includes: religiousity, honesty, tolerance, 
dicipline, hardworking, creativity, independent, democracy, curiousity, national 
spirit, patriotism, highly regard achievement, friendly/communicative, peace 
maker, good reader, environmental care, sociality, and responsibility.  

In conducting this research, the researcher uses documentary technique 
to collect the data by getting the data from reading the movie sceenplay and 
watching of  “Aquaman” movie by James Wan. The researcher uses content 
analysis in which the the researcher tries to analyze data and to identify every 
utterance using character educational values based on KEMENDIKNAS’s 
formulation. Then, the researcher describes the data which will answer the two 
research problem of analsis above.  

 
 
FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION 

Aquaman movie was directed by James Wan and written by Geoff Johns, 
James Wan and Wll Beall. The movie was released on November 24, 2018. The 



 

 

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and Literature) 

Vol. 1 No. 1, 2020  
Available online at https://jurnal.iainponorogo.ac.id/index.php/eltall 

 

 

 

 

movie also starring several actress and actors like Jason Momoa, Amber Heard, 
Nicole Kidman, Willem Daffoe, Patrick Wilson, Dolph Lundgren and Yahya Abdul-
Mateen II. 

In this study, the researcher focuses on uterances in term of character 
educational values that spoken by characters. There are 15 types of character 
educational values spoken by the characters which the researcher found by in 
“Aquaman” movie directed by James Wan: 
1) Respect is a positive feeling or action that is shown to someone or something 

that is considered important or is held in high esteem. It conveys admiration 
for a good or valuable thing. Respect can show with an action or spoken way 
(Suryati, 2018). The example, Arthur loves his father so much. When a 
tsunami comes, Arthur was separated from his father and Mera helped him. 
Finally, they found his father. But Tom was not breathing. Mera helped Tom 
with her superpower. Then, Tom awake and Arthur was very grateful to 
Mera. 

2) Loyalty is an action to shows the support and participation of someone or 
something expected. Loyalty to someone can be interpreted by an act of 
helping people who need help. It can be shown as a representation of 
friendship. The example is  King Orm had planned to be an ocean master, 
then attack the surface world. He did it because he thought the surface 
people had polluted the sea. Before the ocean was damaged, he planned to 
stop it. Mera asked Arthur to help her prevent King Orm’s planing. Arthur 
finally agrees to help her. 

3) Patriotism value is an attitude that is brave, underlying, and willing to bleed 
for the nation and state. In other words, patriotism had meant the attitude 
of one who is willing to sacrifice everything for the success and prosperity 
of the hometown. The spirit of love and protect the nation (Rahayu, 2012).  
For the example is asked when King Orm asked why Arthur came to the 
Atlantis after all this time, and Arthur said he wanted to stop him starting 
the war. 

4) Curiosity value is the desire to investigate and seek understanding of the 
secrets of nature. A sense of curiosity usually motivates us to seek and know 
a new thing. So it will increase knowledge and experience in learning 
activities. It is attitude and action that always strives to find out more deeply 
and extends from what it learns to see and hear. For the example is when 
Arthur goes to the Atlantis with Mera. He was very excited and amazed with 
Atlantis. It made him gave many questions to Mera along the way. 

5) Hardworking is inclined to do anything and try hard to be able to achieve 
the target of dreams or goals. Hardworking can be interpreted as an activity 
that is done in earnest without training. Hardworking will never stop before 
the target work is achieved and always prioritizes or pays attention to the 



 

 

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results that have been done. For the example is Vulko asks Arthur to master 
everything that Vulko had to teach if he wants to meet his mother. Arthur 
works hard to passed all tests because he missed his mother so much. 

6) Love & affection value. Generally, love is a positive emotion or feeling 
kindness, compassion, and affection. It Contained in human beings aimed at 
other humans or other objects around them. While, affective is a feeling 
inside the heart that is sincere to love, and give happiness to others, or 
anyone loves. Affection is expressed not only to the couple but also to love 
to God, parents, siblings, family, friends, and the other creatures that live on 
this earth. The example is Arthur and King Orm prepared for Ring Fire. While 
waiting, King Orm told legend of Karathen. Then, Arthur says that sometimes 
he wants to know King Orm as his little brother and tells that he was not 
alone.  

7) Responsibility is the sense to assume or give duty and bear the 
consequences. A sense of responsibility rises because humans are aware of 
the good and bad consequences of their actions. Besides that, sometimes 
humans realize they will need to sacrifice. The example is King Orm gave 
Arthur a chance to leave Atlantis because he could not defeat him. King Orm 
asked Arthur not to prevent him to attack the surface. He refused it and keep 
challenge King Orm. 

8) Creativity value also known as ability to think and act using knowledge, 
experience, understanding, common sense and insight. In the other words, 
wisdom can be interprated as activity based on experimental self knowledge 
and self transcandence (Suryati, 2018). The example is Arthur 
communicates with the whale to get in the whale’s mouth imitate Pinnochio. 

9) National spirit value. National spirit is creating and maintaining the 
sovereignty of a country by realizing a concept of shares identity of human 
organizations that have the same goals or ideals in realizing national 
interests. National spirit is also a sense of wanting to defend the country 
both internally and externally. The example is Mera knows about King Orm’s 
declare to attack surface world and she does not let it happend. Mera looking 
for Arthur to help her stop it. 

10) Environmental care is a reaction to the surroundings. Not damage the 
natural environment. Attitude environmental care will create a clean and 
beautiful environment. Education is the most appropriate tool in providing 
knowledge, skills, and attitude of environmental care to humans. The 
example is on the way look for Deserter Kingdom in Sahara desert, Mera 
complained to Arthur about surface people that waste trash not in the right 
place. Mera said they are not protect the world and destroy the environment. 

11) Peacemaker is the attitudes, words, and actions that cause other people to 
feel happy and secure in their presence. Where, attitudes, words and 



 

 

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Vol. 1 No. 1, 2020  
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actions are integrated into one (Kemendikbud, 2013). The example is 
Arthur and King Orm fought on land. Then, Arthur defeats him. King Orm 
was disappointed and asked Arthur to kill him. Atlanna cames then 
interrupts the two of them and says if she loves them both.  

12) Honestly is tell the truth, not to lie or say things that happen/fact. Honestly 
can be interpreted as not cheating. Doing something by applicable rules and 
so forth. It also can mean a similar act between one’s intention, words, and 
deeds. The example is King Orm judge him betray the throne and defend 
Arthur all this time. Vulko not deny King Orm and explain that Arthur twice 
better than King Orm to be a king of Atlantis. King Orm was very angry and 
imprison him.  

13) Friendly is a natural behavior of people who are easy to get along with. An 
example of a friendly attitude is good talker, smiling with others, polite, 
easy to helping others, greeting, and helping selflessly. This is signs with 
sincerity, and prejudice of all people (Kemendikbud, 2013). The example is 
Tom saved Atlanna from a sea storm. Then he took care of Atlanna at his 
house and treated her kindly.  

14) Discipline is in compiles with something that is believed to be a 
responsibility. Discipline means an effort to make someone have the ability 
to obey a rule. The example is Atlantis has a rule that whoever can be 
getting King Atlan’s trident, legally becomes a king of Atlantis and King 
Nereus obeys that rule. 

15) Tolerance is the attitude of respect and allows a different opinion or view. 
In this case, a person must respect the opinions of others who are different 
from his stands. Generally, humans always have different views or opinions. 
This differences must be left as long as it is still in the right way 
(Kemendikbud, 2013). The example is King Orm asks the Fisherman 
kingdom to join them attack the surface, but King Ricou disagrees and says 
the Fisherman will study the surface, not to destroy them. Then, King Orm 
appreciates King Ricou’s decision. 
 

 
CONCLUSION 

From this analysis, the researcher founds fifteen character educational 
values in Aquaman movie, there are: are honesty, tolerance, dicipline, 
hardworking, creativity, curiosity, national spirit, patriotism, 
friendly/communicative, peacemaker, environmental care, responsibility, 
loaylity, respect, love & afferction. However, the dominant character education 
values in the movie is responsible, and peacemaker. 



 

 

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Vol. 1 No. 1, 2020  
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The character educational values are reflected in the Aquaman movie 
explained in the utterances and act every character in the movie. Every utterance 
has been analyzed based on KEMENDIKNAS’s formulation. 
 
 

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