Year: 2017
Director: Patty Jenkins
Starring: Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Connie Nielsen, Robin Wright, Danny Huston, and David Thewlis
Tagline: Power. Grace. Wisdom. Wonder.
Synopsis: Diana, Princess of the Amazons, ventures to the outside world to help stop World War I.
Tagline: Power. Grace. Wisdom. Wonder.
Synopsis: Diana, Princess of the Amazons, ventures to the outside world to help stop World War I.
Review
Wonder Woman had the unenviable task of having almost the entire weight of the DC extended universe on her shoulders. She more than proved herself up to the challenge. Wonder Woman is now one of my favorite superhero movies, DC or Marvel. This is what a superhero movie should be, primarily because Diana is what a superhero should be.
Diana/Wonder Woman was (easily) the best part of Batman v. Superman. She was intelligent, enigmatic, and fierce. Her solo outing and origin story are worthy of the character teased at in that first glimpse.
Gal Gadot is Diana. Her charisma mixed with an intelligent naivete carry the story. This is her hero's journey, from a sheltered island paradise to the unimaginable horrors of WWI trenches. It is also her journey of self-discovery, as she learns just what she is capable of. And it's a joy to watch.
But what is best about Diana is her inherent goodness. She has a firm belief that it is her duty to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. She and Steve Rogers (aka Captain America) could have some swell conversations about ideals.
Her own Steve -- Steve Trevor -- is also a good man, albeit one who has become jaded by years of brutal war. He provides a good balance to Diana. Chris Pine holds his own next to Gadot, which is no small feat. His character, rather than relegated to sidekick or comic foil, is in many ways shown to be Diana's equal. Their onscreen chemistry keeps the film rolling along smoothly and humorously.
Wonder Woman is very much a superhero movie and has plenty of action, explosions, and -- of course -- villains to be thwarted. The climactic battle does become a bit cliched, but nonetheless works within the story. The best scene may well be when Diana crosses No Man's Land. I'll leave it at that so as not to spoil anything. But it is epic.
Also epic is Wonder Woman's theme music. It was the best part of the Batman v. Superman soundtrack and it is even better here.
I thoroughly enjoyed Wonder Woman. Was it perfect? Not entirely. And there were a few things that kept it in the PG-13 realm that I could have done without. But it is one of my favorite superhero films, right up there with Captain America: Winter Soldier and The Dark Knight. Wonder Woman has action and adventure. But it also has humor and heart. If you are wondering if you should see it, wonder no more.
*** Spoiler Section ***
There are two main spoilers in the film's climax. Admittedly, neither came as a surprise to me. It isn't that they are poorly set up. The film does a good job handling both. But the one felt somewhat inevitable and the other I was suspicious about from the moment I looked at the cast list.
That Steve dies is sad. He's a good guy, which is precisely the point. He is willing to sacrifice himself for the good of others. Diana is not the only hero in the film. And his death is, in some sense, needed to help complete Diana's journey to being a hero among mankind. She has been disillusioned. She has seen the worst in men and women, the darkness in their hearts and deeds. Steve is able to balance that out by showing the best. He is flawed, but still good and striving for the light.
I was pleased and intrigued that Ares turned out to be Sir Patrick. It makes him a much more interesting nemesis with much more subtle ambitions and plans. It was his "peace at any cost" mentality that struck me as being off.
Diana/Wonder Woman was (easily) the best part of Batman v. Superman. She was intelligent, enigmatic, and fierce. Her solo outing and origin story are worthy of the character teased at in that first glimpse.
Gal Gadot is Diana. Her charisma mixed with an intelligent naivete carry the story. This is her hero's journey, from a sheltered island paradise to the unimaginable horrors of WWI trenches. It is also her journey of self-discovery, as she learns just what she is capable of. And it's a joy to watch.
But what is best about Diana is her inherent goodness. She has a firm belief that it is her duty to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. She and Steve Rogers (aka Captain America) could have some swell conversations about ideals.
Her own Steve -- Steve Trevor -- is also a good man, albeit one who has become jaded by years of brutal war. He provides a good balance to Diana. Chris Pine holds his own next to Gadot, which is no small feat. His character, rather than relegated to sidekick or comic foil, is in many ways shown to be Diana's equal. Their onscreen chemistry keeps the film rolling along smoothly and humorously.
Wonder Woman is very much a superhero movie and has plenty of action, explosions, and -- of course -- villains to be thwarted. The climactic battle does become a bit cliched, but nonetheless works within the story. The best scene may well be when Diana crosses No Man's Land. I'll leave it at that so as not to spoil anything. But it is epic.
Also epic is Wonder Woman's theme music. It was the best part of the Batman v. Superman soundtrack and it is even better here.
I thoroughly enjoyed Wonder Woman. Was it perfect? Not entirely. And there were a few things that kept it in the PG-13 realm that I could have done without. But it is one of my favorite superhero films, right up there with Captain America: Winter Soldier and The Dark Knight. Wonder Woman has action and adventure. But it also has humor and heart. If you are wondering if you should see it, wonder no more.
*** Spoiler Section ***
There are two main spoilers in the film's climax. Admittedly, neither came as a surprise to me. It isn't that they are poorly set up. The film does a good job handling both. But the one felt somewhat inevitable and the other I was suspicious about from the moment I looked at the cast list.
That Steve dies is sad. He's a good guy, which is precisely the point. He is willing to sacrifice himself for the good of others. Diana is not the only hero in the film. And his death is, in some sense, needed to help complete Diana's journey to being a hero among mankind. She has been disillusioned. She has seen the worst in men and women, the darkness in their hearts and deeds. Steve is able to balance that out by showing the best. He is flawed, but still good and striving for the light.
I was pleased and intrigued that Ares turned out to be Sir Patrick. It makes him a much more interesting nemesis with much more subtle ambitions and plans. It was his "peace at any cost" mentality that struck me as being off.
Quotable Quotes
- "I will fight, for those who cannot fight for themselves." -- Diana
- "Have you never met a man before? What about your father?" "I had no father. My mother sculpted me from clay and I was brought to life by Zeus." "Well that's neat." -- Steve and Diana
- "You lied to them?" "I'm a spy; it's what I do." -- Diana and Steve
- "It's about what you believe. And I believe in love. Only love will truly save the world." -- Diana
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