Wonder Woman - movie review

Wonder Woman

Plot: Before she was Wonder Woman she was Diana, princess of the Amazons, trained warrior. When a pilot crashes and tells of conflict in the outside world, she leaves home to fight a war to end all wars, discovering her full powers and true destiny.
Cast: Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Robin Wright
Director: Patty Jenkins
Certificate: 12A (moderate violence)
Runtime: 2hrs 21 mins
Release Date: Thursday 1st June

It's astonishing to think that the last solo female superhero film we had was Elektra in 2005 and the one before that was Halle Berry's Catwoman. Neither of which are exactly prestigious landmarks in the superhero repertoire. However, as well as that, we are yet to have a film in the DCEU that has been universally liked. Here comes Wonder Woman who obliterates those underwhelming records as a film that seemingly unities fans and critics of the DCEU and serves as the one to give this universe the kick that I think all can agree it needed. Cue the kick-ass theme music...

She's got the X Factor.

Way back when Gal Gadot was first cast as the Amazon princess, the reception was largely negative. With modelling and a minor role in the Fast & Furious series being her only notable career highlights, casting Gadot as one of the most well-known superhero characters, let alone the first female one to have her own solo film in recent memory, was a risk to say the least. Then, as we came to the release of Batman V Superman, the critics of Gadot were pretty much silenced as she became the best thing in a movie starring both Batman and Superman. Her introduction to this universe was BAD-ASS and I don't think anyone can deny that, even the BvS haters out there. However, retrospectively, Wonder Woman was simply just an extended cameo in BvS so eager fans were still waiting to see if Gadot had the capability to lead her own film. With the film now released, it is my joy to inform you all that she most certainly can. I won't lie - Gadot isn't exactly the greatest actress that has ever lived and I'm hesitant to say that she was born to play this role because there are other talented actresses that could have also played Wonder Woman as well as Gadot did but I have not a single quarrel with her in the role. Having a clear ambition to give this role justice and honour the character's legacy, she does everything in her power to nail all the complex emotions that Diana may come across in this new world but more importantly, she perfects the physicality of the character. 

Actual footage of Gal Gadot blocking her haters.

When circumstances within the story call upon Diana to become the Amazon warrior she was trained to be, Gadot doesn't disappoint. In one phenomenal sequence that is likely to join the hall of fame of superhero movie moments, Diana steps onto the the WW1 battlefield, No Man's Land to be specific, and causes all the audience members jaws to drop in complete awe. The trailers have only begun to show how incredible that sequence is and once it draws to a close, you realise you've been holding your breath the entire time in a confused mix of tension, excitement and borderline arousal. But it's not just Gadot kicking butt and looking good whilst doing it. Easily, the most fascinating part of Wonder Woman and the most gorgeous scenes are those that take place in her homeland of Themyscira. The opening half an hour of Wonder Woman feels like Kenneth Branagh's Thor whenever the action took place in Asgard. As the film progressed, it then became more of an ode to Richard Donner and Christopher Reeve's classic Superman and then, finally, similar to Captain America: The First Avenger in respect to its finale and approach to a war setting. That all being said, Wonder Woman does stand on its own two feet as a superhero film. Those comparisons are peanuts in retrospect. As we discover Themyscira, we are awarded with an insight into their culture, politics but most important and impressive of all, their badassery. Queen Hippolyta (Connie Nielsen) and fellow Amazon warrior Antiope (Robin Wright) leap off the screen and are sure to be beloved by all. Wright, especially, revels in the action choreography making her the standout in one particular beach combat sequence in which the Amazon soldiers face off against the German army. One of the main thoughts circling around in my head upon leaving the screen was the desperation for a standalone film focusing solely on Themyscira and the Amazon inhabitants. Unfortunately, our time spent in Themyscira is brief but nevertheless, leaves us craving for more.

Diana's doing her best Clark Kent impression. Or is that Sue Perkins?

FACT: Gal Gadot was a part of re-shoots for the movie (including stunts) while being 5 months pregnant. Her baby bump was visible, so the crew created a costume which had a green screen around her belly, which was later removed during post-production.

It is when Gadot encounters pilot, Steve Trevor (Chris Pine), that the story takes a turn as we witness Diana fly her coup and embark on her adventure to become the hero she was destined to become. In the lead up to Wonder Woman, some of my uncertainty revolved around Chris Pine's character of Steve Trevor, who looked like a discount Steve Rogers before the drugs. Despite Pine being a likeable actor, the trailers made him look like a typical goody-goody who bears not a single fault. Thankfully, Pine brings charisma, charm and humility to the character of Steve Trevor making him much more of a three dimensional human being. His relationship with Diana is one of the strongest parts of the film and the chemistry between Gadot and Pine is adorable. Their bond is also enhanced thanks to the snappy and clever dialogue that the two share when the film has it quiet moments. Trevor also introduces us and Diana to a ragtag group of fellow soldiers who accompany the two of them on their mission and they too, are characters that have weight to them and feel human and developed. More importantly, their comradeship brings some much needed light and humour, not just to this film, but the DCEU in general. One of the major problems that the film's before this keep tripping up on is that they're all either overly serious or not serious enough *ahem* Neon Orgy aka Suicide Squad *ahem*. Wonder Woman, in places, is really funny and brings a smile to your face in kindhearted and genuine touching moments. Even Gadot praising an Ice Cream vendor just makes your heart melt. Much of this has to do with Patty Jenkins and her incomparable direction. It's clear that she had her own mindset for this film and stuck by her guns. Her love for the character is evident but more than anything, she has done what we've all been hoping the DCEU would do for years. She's put the quality of the film first rather than focus on satisfying comic book fans and forget about storytelling. Man Of Steel is the one exception because I'm in the minority that thinks it's just shy of a masterpiece but BvS and Suicide Squad (specifically BvS) were trying to be too many films at once and attempting to set up what is to come rather than deal with the present. Wonder Woman has stepped away from events dealt with in BvS and doesn't preoccupy itself with setting up Justice League. This is, undeniably, a Wonder Woman film through and through and that is what it should have been. It's that much of a standalone that it doesn't bother with a mid or post credits scene. That's right everyone. When the credits roll, it is safe for you to leave.

The batteries for that lasso must cost a fortune.

As for flaws, there are a few. Despite being the much needed turnaround that the DCEU was hoping for, Wonder Woman isn't perfect and doesn't quite reach the calibre of other comic books films that would find themselves in amongst my favourite of the genre. The story itself isn't exactly pushing many boundaries. Upon leaving Themyscira, it becomes a generic war/spy film that just so happens to feature a superhero lead. The politics of creating a peace treaty and armistice seems to be brushed over and the villains are frankly underwhelming. The main two are evil German officer, Ludendorff (Danny Huston) and Doctor Poison (Elena Anaya) both of which are tragically overacted. Huston, who usually has no problem playing a convincing villain, seems to get too caught up with his accent than portray a threatening enough villain. As for Doctor Poison, she's about as scary as her paper-mache made mask. There is also another villain, introduced in a way that many films have become too relaxed in implementing. The whole trope of having a big twist and character revelation has now reached the point where it has been overdone to death and the same goes for Wonder Woman. I called it from the offset and as the twist came, it didn't surprise me in the slightest. As for the final act itself, it does fall short of what's come before, considering the previous set pieces were astonishing, and sways into CGI overload territory but there are impressive elements to it and I was a big fan of the way it all ended and the ballsy decisions that were taken. However, and whilst this has nothing to do with the film specifically, the fact that this film has finally been released and what it means to many, is fantastic. Many of you may know but for those that don't, I work in a cinema so I've been able to witness those that go to see Wonder Woman. As usual, it reaches all kind of demographics but the most amazing aspect is seeing the wide array of females, more specifically, young girls who now view Wonder Woman as a role model. We've had countless superhero films come and go at the cinema and each and every time, I see boys dress up as those characters but there's something really refreshing and awesome about watching a little girl come out of seeing Wonder Woman and say to her mum, "I wish I could be just like Wonder Woman when I grow up". But the character of Wonder Woman isn't just empowering for females. She transcends gender, race and upbringing. Wonder Woman is empowering for all and this film is a testament to that belief.

Her choice of hiding place for the sword wasn't that conspicuous.

Filled with fully fleshed out characters, a lead hero that will become an icon for years to come and a very safe and effective story, Wonder Woman is the dream that DC executives have been praying for. Is it the most profound piece of filmmaking that completely changes the game for superhero movies? No, but it didn't need to be. It's full of action, humour, heart and, as cliché as it may be, wonder.

My Verdict: 8.5/10

What did you think of Wonder Woman? What is your favourite DCEU movie so far? Sound off in the comments below.

If you like what you've seen here don't forget to share this with everyone you know, comment below and check out my other reviews. Thanks for reading!!