Wonder Woman - Review
Director: Patty Jenkins
Cast: Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Robin Wright, David Thewlis, Danny Huston, Connie Nielsen
She's an icon. Everyone knows her moniker. But it's taken 76 years for Wonder Woman to make her solo debut on the silver screen. In that time, both Batman and Superman have undergone eight different portrayals on film and television each and now finally, the third point in the DC trinity is getting her turn.
Princess Diana (Gal Gadot), who grows up on the Amazon island of Themyscira, is a compassionate but fearsome warrior who has been sheltered by her mother Queen Hippolyta (Connie Nielsen) her whole life. However, when American pilot and spy Steve Trevor (Chris Pine) crashes offshore the island and has to be saved by Diana, he informs her of World War 1 and she desires to leave her home and end the war to save mankind.
Gadot's Wonder Woman was most certainly the highlight of 2016's Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice, a film that was overwhelmed by its duty to establish the DC Extended Universe (I mean, it had to introduce the members of the Justice League, create a duel between the two most iconic superheroes and weave in a monumental storyline ripped straight from the comics). Meanwhile, Suicide Squad was similarly overwrought with its obligations to create a shared universe and in an effort not to belay the eventualities, Ayer and co disappointed many. Both pictures stumbled at the gun shot but now the baton has been passed to Patty Jenkins and Wonder Woman to peel Warner Brothers/DC's reputation off of the ground and carry them to the finish line. To the relief and rapture of all those concerned, Jenkins has delivered the female-led superhero film that we all deserve. Without the burden of setting up a forthcoming feature or riddling the flick with Easter Eggs, Wonder Woman is given room to breathe and organically tell the origin story of the titular character. As a result, the pacing and development of the story is excellent, although the film's first act which ends with Diana leaving Themyscira suffers from a lack of closure.
The efforts exerted into superhero films these days can often feel a little somnambulant, with studios taking advantage of brand loyalty and recognition, but the World War 1 setting in which the majority of Wonder Woman takes place is a refreshing choice that provides opportunity for deeper and more provocative conversation. Outer-earth beings and soulless robots are frequently the foes that our heroes must contend with, thereby painting a very black and white depiction of who's right and who's wrong. Although we all know which side of the war was the correct one to fight on, Wonder Woman herself forces us to examine the mentality of the soldiers in the opposition and in one fantastic scene, Diana passionately berates the government officials who dictate the orders to progress the war but don't stand and battle alongside their soldiers. It's a message that hits home.
Playing a character that exudes such love and positivity could run the risk of becoming one-note and grating but Gadot defies all potential missteps and gives and incredible performance. She balances Diana's inexperienced naivety and relentless belief about the goodness of man kind with such ease, and the character's complete lack of cynicism is a welcome subversion of what seems to be the dominant trait in fictional protagonists nowadays. The yin to Diana's yan, Steve Trevor, is portrayed charmingly by Chris Pine; he's the hardened spy who has been tainted by the atrocities he has witnessed and teaches Diana about the complexities of war. She in return teaches Steve about the value of every single life and the importance of optimism. Their partnership is one centred around mutual trust and respect which eventually blossoms into romance, although their dynamic evokes that of a screwball comedy duo - Diana comically (and adorably) fails to adapt to 20th century customs and ideals and Steve is left to explain/excuse her at times oddball behaviour. Unfortunately, the film's villain fail to match the dazzling protagonists and are unsuccessful in making a lasting impression or registering as worthy foes to the deserving Diana.
Not without its flaws, Wonder Woman is a film that preaches about love and is made with love and has undoubtedly changed the superhero game. It's thought provoking and even cheesy at times, but it has a soulful, beating heart to boot. All in all; it's wonderful.
EB
Cast: Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Robin Wright, David Thewlis, Danny Huston, Connie Nielsen
She's an icon. Everyone knows her moniker. But it's taken 76 years for Wonder Woman to make her solo debut on the silver screen. In that time, both Batman and Superman have undergone eight different portrayals on film and television each and now finally, the third point in the DC trinity is getting her turn.Princess Diana (Gal Gadot), who grows up on the Amazon island of Themyscira, is a compassionate but fearsome warrior who has been sheltered by her mother Queen Hippolyta (Connie Nielsen) her whole life. However, when American pilot and spy Steve Trevor (Chris Pine) crashes offshore the island and has to be saved by Diana, he informs her of World War 1 and she desires to leave her home and end the war to save mankind.
Gadot's Wonder Woman was most certainly the highlight of 2016's Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice, a film that was overwhelmed by its duty to establish the DC Extended Universe (I mean, it had to introduce the members of the Justice League, create a duel between the two most iconic superheroes and weave in a monumental storyline ripped straight from the comics). Meanwhile, Suicide Squad was similarly overwrought with its obligations to create a shared universe and in an effort not to belay the eventualities, Ayer and co disappointed many. Both pictures stumbled at the gun shot but now the baton has been passed to Patty Jenkins and Wonder Woman to peel Warner Brothers/DC's reputation off of the ground and carry them to the finish line. To the relief and rapture of all those concerned, Jenkins has delivered the female-led superhero film that we all deserve. Without the burden of setting up a forthcoming feature or riddling the flick with Easter Eggs, Wonder Woman is given room to breathe and organically tell the origin story of the titular character. As a result, the pacing and development of the story is excellent, although the film's first act which ends with Diana leaving Themyscira suffers from a lack of closure.
The efforts exerted into superhero films these days can often feel a little somnambulant, with studios taking advantage of brand loyalty and recognition, but the World War 1 setting in which the majority of Wonder Woman takes place is a refreshing choice that provides opportunity for deeper and more provocative conversation. Outer-earth beings and soulless robots are frequently the foes that our heroes must contend with, thereby painting a very black and white depiction of who's right and who's wrong. Although we all know which side of the war was the correct one to fight on, Wonder Woman herself forces us to examine the mentality of the soldiers in the opposition and in one fantastic scene, Diana passionately berates the government officials who dictate the orders to progress the war but don't stand and battle alongside their soldiers. It's a message that hits home.
Playing a character that exudes such love and positivity could run the risk of becoming one-note and grating but Gadot defies all potential missteps and gives and incredible performance. She balances Diana's inexperienced naivety and relentless belief about the goodness of man kind with such ease, and the character's complete lack of cynicism is a welcome subversion of what seems to be the dominant trait in fictional protagonists nowadays. The yin to Diana's yan, Steve Trevor, is portrayed charmingly by Chris Pine; he's the hardened spy who has been tainted by the atrocities he has witnessed and teaches Diana about the complexities of war. She in return teaches Steve about the value of every single life and the importance of optimism. Their partnership is one centred around mutual trust and respect which eventually blossoms into romance, although their dynamic evokes that of a screwball comedy duo - Diana comically (and adorably) fails to adapt to 20th century customs and ideals and Steve is left to explain/excuse her at times oddball behaviour. Unfortunately, the film's villain fail to match the dazzling protagonists and are unsuccessful in making a lasting impression or registering as worthy foes to the deserving Diana.
Not without its flaws, Wonder Woman is a film that preaches about love and is made with love and has undoubtedly changed the superhero game. It's thought provoking and even cheesy at times, but it has a soulful, beating heart to boot. All in all; it's wonderful.
EB
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