Good morning, Readers!
This has been one of my most anticipated films of the year. I went into the cinema anxious, because DC doesn't have the best track record when it comes to cinema. Cue the rest of the review:
My Quickie Review
I loved this film. It was so fantastic to watch Wonder Woman kick arse all over the screen. That said, I honestly think that this film is only as groundbreaking as it is because of an utter lack of well-done female-led superhero films. It's a fantastic film, and it means so much to me personally. If things were more equal, I feel like it would be just another great summer superhero flick, instead of the monumental thing it has become.
My Longer Review
This film is gorgeous! It's genuinely stunning to look at. The use of colour to highlight the difference between Diana's homeland of Themyscira (incidentally, there is an actual ancient Greek city by the name of Themiscyra, so the spelling of the DC version threw me for a loop), which is vibrant and bright, and the world of men, which is dull and grey, was masterful.
The fight scenes were beautifully done, my favourites being the battle on the beach between the Amazons and the Germans, and the liberating of the town of Veld. That sequence was pretty spectacular. I have to admit, watching Diana cross No-Man's Land, and hearing the soldiers in the trenches exclaim, "She's gone and bloody done it!" did things to me. Diana kneeing a soldier through a window was one of my favourite shots of the film.
The fight scenes were beautifully done, my favourites being the battle on the beach between the Amazons and the Germans, and the liberating of the town of Veld. That sequence was pretty spectacular. I have to admit, watching Diana cross No-Man's Land, and hearing the soldiers in the trenches exclaim, "She's gone and bloody done it!" did things to me. Diana kneeing a soldier through a window was one of my favourite shots of the film.
Fucking. Epic.
Gal Gadot as Diana was brilliant. I had my doubts when they announced the casting, fretting that it wouldn't really be believable. I was very wrong. Gal Gadot manages to come across as powerful and confident, while also perfectly portraying open-hearted naiveté. While I credit the writers for creating a character that is three-dimensional, Gal Gadot's performance really brought that to life. It was absolutely believable that this beautiful young woman who loves babies and ice-cream can also body slam a church bell tower.
Also as a tribute to Gal Gadot, and without spoiling too much, I was less impacted by the death of a character than I was by Gal Gadot's portrayal of Diana's reaction. That was when the death hit me.
Chis Pine's portrayal of Steve Trevor was also sublime. Once again, credit to the writers for creating a male character whose masculinity does not depend on being superior to his female counterpart. Steve Trevor's abilities are not diminished because Diana can, well, body slam a church bell tower. And he's masculinity is not threatened by such a woman. In fact, he accepts her abilities without injury, trusting Diana to get the job done (as evidenced by his use of an Amazonian tactic during the liberation of Veld). The character is sweet and fragile, while also being clever, capable and strong. In short, he's an entire person.
This is lacking in a lot of films of this genre, not just female-led ones. Gender norms constrain male characters as much as female ones.
In fact, Captain Trevor is an outright hero in this film. His courage is second to none. That is not diminished by the fact that no one but Diana can face off against a literal god.
This parity was really refreshing to see.
I also really enjoyed the use of humour throughout this film. Diana and Steve have a number of scenes that are hilarious, with brilliantly delivered dialogue on both parts. I was laughing a lot at various points throughout the film. Considering the subject matter, that laughter was very welcome.
I loved Chief, as well. It was wonderful to see a First Nations character as an actually integral part of a unit, and not just random cannon fodder. I loved his character, and how they didn't shy away from the fact that he was aware of and impacted by what happened to his people.
I love the character of Sameer, who wanted nothing more than to be an actor. But, he was the wrong colour. The film didn't shy away from this issue either, and though it was only mentioned off-hand, it was nevertheless quite sobering.
This film made me want to cheer, and loudly, not least of all because of Diana's heart. Her courage was rooted in her determination to do what was right, often despite the people around her telling her to do otherwise. In fact, this whole movie could really be summed up thusly:
Everyone: Diana, don't do the thing!
Diana: I'm doing the thing!
*does the thing*
It was great!
Also as a tribute to Gal Gadot, and without spoiling too much, I was less impacted by the death of a character than I was by Gal Gadot's portrayal of Diana's reaction. That was when the death hit me.
Chis Pine's portrayal of Steve Trevor was also sublime. Once again, credit to the writers for creating a male character whose masculinity does not depend on being superior to his female counterpart. Steve Trevor's abilities are not diminished because Diana can, well, body slam a church bell tower. And he's masculinity is not threatened by such a woman. In fact, he accepts her abilities without injury, trusting Diana to get the job done (as evidenced by his use of an Amazonian tactic during the liberation of Veld). The character is sweet and fragile, while also being clever, capable and strong. In short, he's an entire person.
This is lacking in a lot of films of this genre, not just female-led ones. Gender norms constrain male characters as much as female ones.
In fact, Captain Trevor is an outright hero in this film. His courage is second to none. That is not diminished by the fact that no one but Diana can face off against a literal god.
This parity was really refreshing to see.
I also really enjoyed the use of humour throughout this film. Diana and Steve have a number of scenes that are hilarious, with brilliantly delivered dialogue on both parts. I was laughing a lot at various points throughout the film. Considering the subject matter, that laughter was very welcome.
I loved Chief, as well. It was wonderful to see a First Nations character as an actually integral part of a unit, and not just random cannon fodder. I loved his character, and how they didn't shy away from the fact that he was aware of and impacted by what happened to his people.
I love the character of Sameer, who wanted nothing more than to be an actor. But, he was the wrong colour. The film didn't shy away from this issue either, and though it was only mentioned off-hand, it was nevertheless quite sobering.
This film made me want to cheer, and loudly, not least of all because of Diana's heart. Her courage was rooted in her determination to do what was right, often despite the people around her telling her to do otherwise. In fact, this whole movie could really be summed up thusly:
Everyone: Diana, don't do the thing!
Diana: I'm doing the thing!
*does the thing*
It was great!
Finally
Much credit goes to the writers of this movie. They did a spectacular job with creating characters that were believable and lovable. The story was typical for superhero stories, but still managed, largely in part to the acting, to feel fresh and interesting.
I still, however, stand by my assertion that this movie would be less marvellous, were it not for the fact that good female-led hero movies are entirely lacking in pop culture. This was a huge step for film, and it is rightly being celebrated as such. I just think it's a shame that, in 2017, this movie is such a big deal.
Still, go see this film. I absolutely adored it.
I still, however, stand by my assertion that this movie would be less marvellous, were it not for the fact that good female-led hero movies are entirely lacking in pop culture. This was a huge step for film, and it is rightly being celebrated as such. I just think it's a shame that, in 2017, this movie is such a big deal.
Still, go see this film. I absolutely adored it.
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