In 1941, psychologist William Moulton Marston, working as an educational consultant for National Periodicals and All-American Publications, created Wonder Woman. Debuting in All-Star Comics #8, she has since become an iconic character in comics and pop culture in general. Actress Cathy Lee Crosby first donned the role in a made-for-tv movie in 1974 meant to be a potential pilot. However, it was the 1975 TV series starring Lynda Carter that she became a mainstream sensation for audiences worldwide. Ivan Reitman (Ghostbusters) was attached to produce and possibly direct a live-action movie in 1996, but that fell through. After years of development hell, Warner Bros announced plans in 2010 and hired Patty Jenkins in 2015 to direct. After being cast in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Gal Gadot was brought onto the character’s first solo film. Finally, June 2, 2017, saw the release of Wonder Woman on the big screen.
%
Rating
Synopsis
On the island of Themyscira, a race of warrior women, the Amazons, live a peaceful life isolated from modern civilization. Suddenly, American spy Steve Trevor (Chris Pine) accidentally crashes his plane near the island while being hunted by Germans. He’s rescued by Diana (Gal Gadot), daughter of the Amazon Queen Hippolyta (Connie Nielsen), but the Germans soon follow. After stopping the invaders, Steve is interrogated, revealing that the Germans are developing a gas capable of wiping out millions. Moved by his story, Diana decides to accompany him, believing that Ares, the God of War, is somehow involved. They arrive in London, Diana seeing what the world of man is like and how different it is from her’s. The deadly gas is being developed by German chemist Dr. Isabel Maru (Elena Anaya) with General Erich Ludendorff (Danny Hutson). Will Diana be their hero, or is Ares even at play?
Review
While certainly not the first female superhero movie, Wonder Woman is arguably the best one to date, though not perfect. As mentioned in my Batman v Superman review, Gal Gadot embodies the character effortlessly, both in looks and personality. Not only does she nail the look of the character, but she gives off a sense of compassion and strength. Chris Pine is also excellent as Steve Trevor, he and Gadot having fantastic chemistry and playing off each other well. Danny Huston makes for a great villain as per usual, though Anaya also has an intensity to her. Patty Jenkins does a great job at directing the massive action sequences, making them feel epic without feeling overcrowded. There are some Zach Snyder touches used, such as going between slow and fast motion, but it works here. It’s one of the best-made and best-acted superhero origin stories in recent years.
Unlike Batman v Superman and Suicide Squad, which felt choppy and gutted, this felt complete, just as the director intended. The story moves at a brisk pace and is a great mixture of serious drama and lighthearted humor. The humor never felt forced, and the “fish out of water” elements weren’t as grating as they could’ve been. However, as strong as the first two acts are, the third act is where it starts to fall apart. It quickly turns into heavy CGI action akin to a video game, and it took me out of the experience. That being said, I was hooked by the first two acts that I was able to look past those moments. After three entries that ranged from mediocre to downright messy, this one gets it right, though not without its issues. Overall, Wonder Woman is the film this character and this franchise deserved.
Buy Wonder Woman from Amazon: https://amzn.to/34x7YZD
