The DCEU franchise has been underwhelming because of either directors' visions not coming together or studio interference from Warner Bros. But, there is also another problem occurring in the realm of filmmaking is that many fans (female fans) have been clamoring for a female superhero film. It is true we have not had one since Catwoman and Elektra and those were terrible movies, especially the former. I thought Catwoman was one of the worst superhero movies ever made. But, in these cultural and sensitive times, superhero movies have changed for more of the better than the worse because we have gotten almost a very good movie every single year. Now, Logan still sets the bar and Guardians is entertaining, but now, calm down, DC fans, Wonder Woman keeps hope alive for its universe and is the best movie of the summer so far.
Young Diana (Emily Carey) lives on the island of Themyscira, a luscious island that is surrounded by female Amazonian warriors. She dreams of becoming one but her mother, Queen Hippolyta (Connie Nielsen) forbids it. Diana disobeys her mother and has her aunt, Antiope (Robin Wright), to train her. There is a bit of a montage as she grows up to become the beautiful and skillfully-trained adult Diana (Gal Gadot) as she gets better. One day, she watches a plane descend into the ocean and crash and rescues a pilot named Steve Trevor (Chris Pine). German soldiers pursue him and land on Themyscira as Amazonian warriors engage and kill all the German soldiers pursuing him.
Afterwards, Steve is interrogated with the Lasso of Truth, revealing that he is an Allied spy in World War I, stealing information from the Germans, which produces a deadlier form of mustard gas. Certain that Ares is responsible for this war, Diana defies her mother's orders and takes with her the sword, shield, Lasso of Truth and costume and she leaves with Steve. They leave Themyscira and arrive in London, which is a "place is not for everyone".
Again, this is the answer to all prayers for both a very good female superhero movie and a very good DCEU movie. Way to go, DC and Warner Bros. This is also a very solid origin story that is in ranks of Iron Man, Batman Begins, Superman and Deadpool. What I liked about is that it sets the stakes in an alternate universe in which a warrior from a different world can change things for the better of mankind. It is what describes the superhero.
What I was worried was that Wonder Woman is going to be represented as just a shield that has basically there to make everything better and be represented as a perfect specimen that is solely to be good at everything. In my opinion, it is not the case because this is a violent superhero film that is full of dangers and horrors of war that Wonder Woman witnesses with men suffering and women and children crying. Plus, her mission to save the war and save humankind is not as easy and is not gift-wrapped neatly. Her mission extends on the truth of the matter that I cannot spoil but also that the corrupt evil of men is what triggers war and makes the violence not go away and can potentially become more worse. There is innocence and vulnerability to Wonder Woman that meets the eye.
Gal Gadot submits to the role with great professionalism as she conveys both graceful vigor and humorous innocence. She is a "fish out of water" that is dealing with the politics and settings of WWI London. Chris Pine is fantastic as the pilot as he also displays some drama and comedic affection. He is charismatic. And, also the chemistry between Gadot and Pine is sublime and I thought it was more romantic than I thought. In addition most of the action, the romantic aspect is the key to what drives the movie forward. Also, the supporting cast is quite good with Robin Wright, Danny Huston, Connie Nielsen, David Thewlis and Lucy Davis.
It is rather odd as to why director Patty Jenkins was not offered any movies since her solid film, Monster, 14 years ago, which garnered Charlize Theron an Oscar. She did a fantastic job display Wonder Woman as a symbol of hope but more with a big silver lining. However, Jenkins displays empowerment and war as external realism but also it is not a woman vs. man film, she wanted to convey that both men and women can work together to make the world a positive place. The movie is not perfect as a fighting sequence towards the end looked a bit silly and the villains are not as memorable. Also, the pacing is a bit lackluster in the second half as the filmmakers could have shaved off 10 minutes. However, influential films such as Casablanca and Superman propels this origin film as a taut, well-acted and a well-balanced movie filled with action and humor. Nevertheless, this movie is in the conversation of one of the best superhero movies ever made. Yet, it is certainly one of the best superhero origin stories ever produced on-screen. Well done, Patty Jenkins and Warner Bros.
***1/2
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