Movie Review: Wonder Woman (2017) *Spoiler Free*

Movie Review: Wonder Woman (2017) Spoiler Free

Wonder Woman is by far the most satisfying of the DCEU film series to date. By the end of the movie the thought passed through my mind that if Zac Snyder had given Superman a similar optimism (he's credited as both a Producer and co-writer on Wonder Woman), that character would be in a better place now.

That isn't a totally surprising thought as director, Patty Jenkins, has not only stated that her Wonder Woman takes some inspiration from Richard Donner's 1978 Superman movie but also Superman is a character she'd like to make a film about too.

As much as I'd like to see Patty's version of Superman, here's hoping she will stick around to complete Wonder Woman 2, now that she isn't tied to an origin story and can set any subsequent movie within the modern day DCEU.

All that aside, if you're a fan of Gal Godot's Wonder Woman from Batman v Superman, this movie will certainly cement that fandom by clearly defining exactly how awesome the live action version of the character can be.

If you haven't seen Batman v Superman then you may not get as much out of the modern day book ends of the film as you might have but it won't affect your enjoyment or ability to understand the plot.
The main story is completely self contained, following the origin of the character along with her first foray into World War One ravaged 'Man's World' after leaving the protected sanctum of her home island of Themyscira.

The set up to the final confrontation is clearly spelled out in the first act but the journey to that confrontation is less obvious and will keep you guessing as to how that might play out.

Going into this movie I was initially concerned that the naive, new to the outside world, version of Wonder Woman might not be quite as exciting or capable as the modern day, self assured version but it was barely an issue. Gal's Wonder Woman (and Diana Prince) carries herself with such confidence that she is never disadvantaged or weighed down by her inexperience of the outside world.

At the same time she never comes across as being arrogant or so naive to the point of silliness. For the most part Wonder Woman comes across as extremely capable even in unfamiliar situations. Gal's Wonder Woman doesn't waste time with words, she just gets things done... and it's amazing to witness.

Chris Pine's Steve Trevor is equally capable, if a little more cautious (understandably). There's clearly a chemistry between him and Diana but, more interestingly, it's his attempts to manage and contain Diana's confidence of purpose that gives the film its humor.

I would've liked to have spent more time with Diana Prince because I enjoyed the scenes between her, Etta Candy, Steve's Secretary, played by Lucy Davis, and Steve when all three were in scenes together.

The action scenes of this movie are as good as any I've seen in a DCEU movie. The bigger fights clearly are heavily reliant on CGI (that was a little less seamless in places than you'd hope) but overall great to watch. Particularly Wonder Woman's major fight scenes that, I feel, make Batman's warehouse fight in Batman v Superman look positively ordinary on the awesomness scale.

Gal Godot completely sells her character as both Diana and Wonder Woman despite people's concerns that she seemed too skinny to be an Amazon Warrior. Why people think Wonder Woman needs to be a muscle bound hulk of a woman is beyond me. There are Amazon Warriors in this film who are just that if you want a hint at what that kind of Wonder Woman might have been like.

Gal never feels weak in her battle scenes because she exudes confidence at all times. As she begins to discover her powers it's clear her physical strength is not entirely on the same level as the average Amazon warrior.

Overall, Wonder Woman is a solid entry into the DCEU. I wouldn't say it's a perfect Superhero movie but it succeeds greatly because the film's creators have really understood the title character as a positive force for change.

As I said at the beginning of this review, a similar treatment for Superman could go along way in restoring that character's place as an iconic hero worthy of standing along side Wonder Woman. Based on what I saw in this film at least, Wonder Woman could probably slap some sense into cynical, emo, "why do I even bother", Superman and not even break a sweat.

I enjoyed this movie and, if you're a fan of the character, there's no reason why you shouldn't too.

Comments

How to Transfer Any Line Art to Your Griptape - Easy Skateboard Griptape Art Tutorial

Dog Star Griptape Art by TET Griptape art is once again gaining popularity amongst modern skateboarders. For those of us who have tried to create our own griptape art, using paint pens, you'll know reproducing your design onto the grip, without making any mistakes is incredibly challenging. Mostly because you just have to go for it and draw the design freehand, with paint pens, directly onto the griptape. You can make the odd mistake here or there but if you get the proportions of the design completely wrong, it can be very difficult to fix. Often you just have to live with the mistake. To address the problem I've come up with an easy way anyone can transfer a line art design to their griptape, removing almost all the anxiety of getting the proportions wrong. In fact, you could do this with any line art design, even if you have no drawing skill at all. Watch the video below to see my technique in action and/or skip past the video where I highlight the basic steps to get your de

Guest Post: New Novel - Alias Jeannie Delaney - Book 2 - The Outlaw's Return

A lmost a year ago I featured Go West Girl , Book 1 of author, Kit Mackenzie's Alias Jeannie Delaney series. Now, the next book in the series, Alias Jeannie Delaney - Book 2 - The Outlaw's Return , is soon to be released in August, and is available for pre-order on Amazon. If you love a powerful female lead in a traditional western packed with action and adventure, this is the novel for you. The story centers on Cowgirl Jeannie Morgan who grew up in Coyote Creek, Wyoming, where she became persecuted for her lethal gun and a sexuality that swings both ways. Tomboy beautiful and tough as the nails in a miner's boots, she is on the run with a bunch of boys who would die for her. Her snake strike gun, soul-slicing gaze and dangerous magnetism leaves a trail of intense emotions, killings and would-be death threats in her wake. Heading south, she finds herself becoming a legend. She's in deep trouble, but her home town demands her return and they pin a badge on her. It'

Skateboard Trick Tips: Two Ways to Ollie North (Ollie One foot)

You have to be quick to see my Ollie Norths! Ollie One Foots, otherwise known as the Ollie North, is one of those skateboard tricks you learn and then tend not to do very much as more interesting trick challenges grab your attention. However it does look really cool if you learn how to kick your front foot well past the nose of your skateboard. Still shot from Braille Skateboarding's Ollie North tutorial. I was inspired to make my video below, showing two different techniques to achieve a successful Ollie One Foot, when I not only saw that Braille Skateboarding's Tutorial used a different method to the one I had learned but also, when I looked at various other video tutorials, I discovered yet another technique, with no one using the method I had originally learned. Braille's method is to simply Ollie and drag your front foot past the front of your board. The second method I came across in several video tutorials is to Ollie, drag your front foot and tap your

I'm Joining the Illuminati Brotherhood By Personal Invitation of Hiltom Rothschild... Wait, What?

How special am I to have finally come of age (53 years young) and am now eligible to participate in building the world alongside other members of the Illuminati Brotherhood... Yes I've received the call by way of an email, which I'm sure is real because I had to translate it from the Dutch language and it was personally written by Hiltom Rothschild, one of the non-existent members of the Rothschild family (or perhaps deep undercover because Google has never heard of them?). A Transcript of the email below: To: etourist From: Illuminati Brotherhood Subject: Illuminati Broederschap (Illuminati Brotherhood) I am Hiltom Rothschild, a member of the Rothschild family, one of the 13 families of the Illuminati brotherhood. I'm here to let you know that you've come of age and are eligible to participate in building the 🌎 world. It is a calling and a privilege to honor him with pride and gratitude as not everyone will ever be chosen by the LIGHT, many are called but few are ch

Robot Uprising Update: Robot Waiter, Fasta Pasta, South Terrace, Adelaide CBD, South Australia

On the second evening of my partner, Enigma, and I's weekend stay in Adelaide we decided to have dinner at Fasta Pasta . Strangely enough our hotel staff, at the Alba, had not mentioned Fasta Pasta as an option for an evening meal while their restaurant is closed for refurbishment, even though it is literally next door on the corner of South Terrace and Pultney Street. You may be aware that Fasta Pasta is an upmarket Italian restaurant franchise with its beginnings in Adelaide. Currently they have 19 restaurants Australia wide (with the majority in South Australia - we even have one in Gawler, our home town). I've never had bad food at a Fasta Pasta, and their food never looks like a franchise meal. You always feel you're at a restaurant that's a little bit more quality than your typical hotel/motel meal. Maybe it's because you don't see as much pasta based meals on an Aussie pub menu. Despite the name, it's not all pasta. I went with a basic plate of fish a

Four Years into a Post Pandemic World and Secondary COVID-19 Might be a Thing?

Social distancing 2020 style. A fter not being too far from COVID-19, potentially patient zero in Australia back in 2020. Four years later my partner finally tested positive for the virus. Then I inevitably caught it as well. You might think, so what, but I'm honestly surprised we've lasted this long. My partner works at an aged care facility that has fought off numerous outbreaks over the years, and continues to do so. Workers at her facility take RAT tests daily so you know pretty quick if you test positive. Workers then have to isolate at home for at least seven days until they're clear. COVID-19 symptoms can vary in intensity and you may not get the full range (at least to my knowledge and experience). My partner seemed to get it fairly bad with tiredness, aching joints, loss of taste and smell, along with cold and flu like symptoms (sore throat, congestion etc). While we did try to social distance, keeping our distance, hand washing, and not sleeping in the same room

The First US Presidential Debate 2024 - America You're Standing In It

M ost of the time I get my fill of American political news from clips of The Daily Show , which I know many people accuse of being more political left leaning than balanced with its humour. As such it was my first port of call when looking for commentary on the recent, first US Presidential debate for 2024. I say first because I don't know if they'll do another one. I'd strongly advise they don't. Getting your news from a comedy show isn't ideal, even one as arguably intelligent as The Daily Show, because they're focussed on what can be laughed at, more than serious analysis. As such their coverage very well could be making both candidates look more foolish than they may actually be. As such I decided to watch the full replay of the debate so I could get more of a sense of who both candidates are and how they come across in, what should be, their ideal platform - debating the opposition. Before Donald Trump became President I was a fan. I watched every season o

TET.Life (The Extraordinary Tourist Life)

Search This Blog