Director: Patty Jenkins
By Alex Watson
After suffering the wrath of critics, Batman vs Superman definitely wasn't the dawn the Justice League was looking for. Nor was the equally mauled Suicide Squad. Wonder Woman is the film that threatens to give this franchise fresh hope. Scene stealingly brilliant in her brief appearance in Dawn of Justice, her first feature film is an experience to remember. A tough, strong and smart heroine like Diana is the ace this movie needs. Director Patty Jenkins delivers a thoroughly entertaining and surprisingly moving action flick which leaves us wanting more.
Diana (Gal Gadot) is a Princess on the island of Themyscria who has been living peacefully among her Amazon tribe. After American soldier Steve Trevor (Chris Pine) crash-lands in the ocean, Diana is swiftly thrust into the fog of war. Unwilling to let countless lives be lost, she sets off for Europe which is being ravaged by WW1. German General Erich von Ludendorff (Danny Huston) and masked scientist Dr Isabel Maru aka 'Dr Poison' (Elena Anaya) have some dastardly plans to draw out the war.
Wonder Woman like Captain America before it benefits by setting this origin story in the past. Beginning on sunny Themyscria- we see Diana as a wannabe warrior princess who is discouraged by her Queen mother Hippolyta (Connie Nielsen). Though under the command of her aunt, General Antiope (Robin Wright) she soon becomes well-versed in the art of combat. Tapping into the Greek mythology, the side story of her people being enslaved by man and corrupted by the God of War Ares sets up later events nicely. When it comes to Steve's arrival, gives this film a fun role reversal. Steve might be the war veteran, but Diana very much is the hero. His mission success relies entirely on her involvement and without her strength, he cannot hope to succeed. The chemistry between the two is what makes this adventure so poignant. Borrowing notes from Richard Donner's Superman, Steve like Lois Lane has fallen hard for a God- but how can their relationship blossom amongst so much carnage?
The backdrop of WW1 is one area that may divide fans. There are some funny and charming early scenes as Diana enters the real world and stumbles her way around cluelessly. Seeing men for the first time touches upon some big trust issues and Steve here carries her hopes of potentially finding Ares. Some visual are jarring such as viewing the wounded and shell-shocked soldiers returning from the hell of no man's land. This section is also one that opens up Diana's eyes to the corruption, brutality and sexism the world carries. She cannot comprehend how a race of people can turn against one another or why so many people have been lost- but this only fuels her desire to save all she can. In the villain department, Ludendorff carries a flat taste and has little else to do than skulking around looking devious. Elena Anaya does have fine moments as the disfigured and gas loving Dr Poison, she alone could have made a compelling nemesis.
Wonder Woman's trump card is most definitely Diana herself. A ballsy and battle ready vixen- this woman carries the movie's spirit. Her steadfast commitment to being guardian of the earth is what draw us to her. Sprinting fearless across no man's land dodging bullets, Diana is the protector that the human needs. Her trust issues are another area where the picture excels, coming from an all-woman nation of good and honest people, these men and their war continually test her intentions. Even Steve and his rag-tag crew of misfits (Ewen Bremner, Said Taghmaoui and Eugene Brave Rock) are not far from her suspicions. While the movie might fall down with a hard-hitting but predictable ending, Patty Jenkins has created a character who truly is a wonder.
Gal Gadot is the glue that holds this film together and her brave turn is simply magnificent. A smart and deep character, Diana is a woman compelled to save despite her misunderstanding of humanity's savage nature. Beautiful, battle born and capable of heavy emotional lifting, few woman will make a bigger splash than Gadot in 2017. Chris Pine makes full use of all his Captain Kirk charm and rings in a fine supporting turn as Steve Trevor, An 'above average' human, his romance with Diana is one that will capture hearts. A man dedicated to his mission even when trapped in the 'Lasso of Truth' Pine once again has a fine presence in a big blockbuster.
Many DC Universe fans might have feared the worst- but fear not because Wonder Woman is the first great movie this summer has to offer!
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