Wonder Woman (2017)

Director: Patty Jenkins

Writers: Allan Heinberg (screenplay by), Zack Snyder (story by)

So I may be a little biased as I am a huge DC fan, but that doesn’t mean every DC film gets the top rating from me, because I know that most of the DC films, somewhat especially as of recent, haven’t quite grasped the ability to merge comic book elements with great film elements….this film has nailed it.

Gal Gadot has brought the character of Wonder Woman, a.k.a Diana Prince, to the big screen with such power that is unmatched by any other female comic book character. She’s strong, sexy, charming and innocent to the ways of the world outside of Themyscira. Gadot’s portrayal brings the character we all know and love to life with her own version that is somewhat more humorous than previous adaptations, but in a good way. In most adaptations, Princess Diana enters the world of man and suddenly knows everything she is meant to from the start, whereas in this film, every step is a learning curve and the only thing Diana truly knows without hesitation or thought, is how to fight. There’s humour that is brought forth through Diana’s innocence of the world outside of her home on Paradise Island. She learns the devastation of the many deaths that the war has brought to the world, but through her companion, Steve Trevor, she learns of the joys of how life was before, and how it could be again, when there is no more war.

The effects of this film bring to the big screen, some stunning visuals, a dull colour overtone to add to the atmosphere of the effects of war on the world that really make you aware of just how important the situation of the world is, and why Diana has truly been sent to help. The team of brilliant minds behind this film have managed to bring the glowing lasso, the powers of Wonder Woman herself, and the deviating effects of war into a perfectly organized combination that makes you feel like you’re watching a war film with comic book fantasy elements, not just a comic book film that contains a war in the story.

The film is full of moments that make you want to laugh, cry or watch in awe as Wonder Woman proves to the men, that women are not as weak and frightened as they thought at the time. It’s hard for her not to in her own film, but she truly steals the show, and you want nothing more than to see her kick ass. The choreography of the fight sequences are sleek and beautiful in themselves. The fight on Themyscira reminded me somewhat of 300, if the Spartans were all badass Amazonians with bows and arrows, and horses. The beautiful slow motion shots are used to portray the power of these beautiful yet dangerous warriors, and the best slow motion shot takes place in the war, at No Man’s Land.

This scene in No Man’s Land is cinematic beauty! Wonder Woman steps up the ladder and stands strong as she makes her way across No Man’s Land, deflecting bullets and proving that whilst no man can cross, She can, and will! Gal Gadot’s beauty shines through amongst the dim and dull overtones of the film and she truly portrays that she is a Goddess amongst the world of men as she turns the tides of war in a graceful walk across a battle worn land.

This film also has an incredible cast that all bring their own unique and memorable character to life, from Chris Pine’s brave and brilliant Steve Trevor, to Ewen Bremner’s PTSD stricken Charlie who has a heart of gold, as well as the villainous Lustendorff portrayed by Danny Huston, and whilst I love David Thewlis as an actor, I believe his Ares portrayal was let down not by him, but the CGI in the final act of the film. The armour made of scraps of CG metal from the airfield didn’t quite suit the character as it didn’t bring a sense of dread to the Greek God of War. A practical effects suit would have done a better job and should have been used to give the final battle a more realistic feeling and bring Ares to life on the big screen. Thewlis’ performance was excellent as he was very manipulative and sneaky not just in his dialogue but in his performance. From the way her moved, to the way he expressed his emotions, he felt like a devious God in human form and it was excellent but the final battle is the only thing that I didn’t fully enjoy in this film.

Overall though, I highly recommend this film! You’ll laugh, you’ll cry (possibly…unless you’re​ a robot), and you’ll sit in awe of Wonder Woman as she kicks ass and proves that you shouldn’t send men to do a woman’s job. More than that, it opens up a world in which DC films prove people wrong by creating content that is exceptionally different and well made, especially after some of Warner Brothers earlier entries into the DCEU such as the less than popular and very controversial ‘Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice’.