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Wonder Woman

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Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman. (Warner Bros)
Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman. (Warner Bros)

MOVIE:

Wonder Woman

OUR RATING

4/5 Stars

WHAT IT'S ABOUT:

Before she was Wonder Woman, she was Diana, princess of the Amazons, trained to be an unconquerable warrior. She was raised on a sheltered island paradise, and, when an American pilot crashes onto their shores and tells of a massive conflict raging in the outside world, Diana leaves her home, convinced she can stop the threat. Fighting alongside Man in a war to end all wars, Diana will discover her full powers and her true destiny.

WHAT WE THOUGHT: 

Patty Jenkins directs this movie which is the newest addition to the DC/Warner Brothers universe and her incredible skill is undeniable. From the first moments of the film – set in a dreamy women only landscape – I knew I was in a world that was a step above every superhero film that I’ve watched over the past few years. The only way I can convey the feeling is to say it’s the difference between silk and sand paper.

Jenkins crafted the world that her leading woman, Gal Gadot inhibits with grace and ease. Gal is everything you want a caped crusader to be. She’s strong, she’s witty, she’s sexy and she’s cool. There’s not a moment where she stumbles in carrying this colossal studio film and that is a feat that not even Ben Affleck as Batman can pull off so she should be applauded for it. I also have to do a little hat tip to Robin Wright whose screen time might be limited but man oh man does she make an impression. Her version of Antiope makes Gal’s version of Diana richer and more interesting. 

Gadot and Jenkins work together to make it so that the imperfections in the film, which are noticeable, are not what I walked away remembering. This is not a perfect movie, but it is a movie that delivers in all the ways that it promises to. For those expecting the train wreck that was Batman vs Superman or Suicide Squad, you will be happily disappointed. This is so much better because it doesn’t try to be those films.

What were the imperfections?

Sometimes the dialogue and plot were predictable (because I have watched animated and live action superhero movies for the past 20 years of my life). I also felt that the male lead Steve Trevor (played by one of the better Hollywood actors named Chris, Chris Pine) was a bit unnecessary. Yes I know, he was in the comic books and almost every reimagining of this popular story, but the times when he was an important plot device were so far and few between that a puppy would have sufficed. Ok, maybe that was a bit harsh, a full grown service dog would have sufficed. I know what you’re thinking and no, I am not just saying this because this is a female driven movie. I feel the same way about this same trope when it is used in male driven movies; where the female character is not fully fleshed out and little more than a blatant plot device to move the film along and/or illicit emotional responses from the lead.

Anyway, I’m a big fan of letting people like what they like so if you enjoy sexy men taking off their clothes and pouting a lot then Chris will give you what you like and that’s fine. I just feel like he didn’t have to be there. 

I would say you should strongly consider watching this film. Perhaps even more than once, it’s incredible. I will stop short of telling you what to do because Wonder Woman taught me that people will do what they want to do. That, and that the world doesn’t deserve the amazing Wonder Woman. 

WATCH THE TRAILER HERE:

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