Wonder Woman
Directed by Patty Jenkins
Starring Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Robin Wright, Danny Huston, David Thewlis, Connie Nielsen, Elena Anaya, and Lucy Davis.
Backstory
Finally! Wonder Woman is here! We’ve had Batman franchises, we’ve had Superman franchises, it was finally time to complete the holy trinity of DC Comics on the big screen! When Wonder Woman made her first appearance in Batman v Superman, it was truly one of the film’s highlights. And besides, with all the superhero films starring men, it was high time we had one led by a woman. (Catwoman and Elektra don’t count because they suck.) So. Does Wonder Woman survive her first solo big screen outing?
Plot
Diana. Princess of the Amazons and daughter of Queen Hippolyta. She has lived her life in seclusion on the Amazon’s hidden island of Themyscira, and has been told stories of how the last remaining god, Ares, has corrupted the hearts of Men. And then, one day, a man — Steve Trevor — crash-lands on the island, with an battalion of German soldiers in hot pursuit. Trevor tells the Amazons that the War to End All Wars (World War I, to you and me) is currently raging, and that the information he has can turn the tide. Diana feels compelled to join Trevor. Surely, this war means Ares is up to his old tricks, and if she can kill Ares, she can end the war. So Diana accompanies Trevor back to Man’s World, and into the trenches of World War I. Can Diana help Trevor turn the tide? Is ending the war really as simple as slaying Ares?
What I Liked
So much good in this film. Gal Gadot is amazing as Wonder Woman. She is able to switch from being naive over the workings of Man’s World to ass-kicking warrior woman so effortlessly that you can’t help but fall in love with her. Chris Pine is equally charming as Steve Trevor, and they assemble a ragtag bunch of specialists that each has their own unique charms. I was leery as to how the World War I setting would work, but it winds up being an amazing place to set Wonder Woman’s origin story. Themyscira lives up to its original name of Paradise Island, as it looks beautiful. The fight scenes are amazing. There’s just so much good in this film. And for once, a DC film that isn’t overwhelmed by being dark and gritty.
What I Didn’t Like
Well, I’ve seen enough superhero films now and read enough comic books that the big plot twists didn’t really seem that big to me. It’s almost like there’s a formula to these things….
Final Verdict
I may have gotten a little misty-eyed at finally seeing Wonder Woman take her place among DC’s big three. Loved it loved it loved it.