Leigh Ann Rassler
WONDER. POWER. COURAGE.
[box type=”shadow” align=”” class=”” width=”420px”]Release Date: June 2, 2017
Running Time: 2 hours and 21 minutes
Rated PG-13 for sequences of violence and action, and some suggestive content
Directed By: Patty Jenkins
Grade: A-[/box]
It is our sacred duty to defend the world. It is what I am going to do.
Princess Diana, daughter of Queen Hippolyta of the Amazons, was raised on the Island of Themyscira. After her meeting with Bruce Wayne at Clark Kent’s funeral, Diana receives a package from Bruce containing a photo of her from World War I with an invitation to hear more about her past. Diana reminisces about her upbringing on Themyscira and her mother’s opposition to her being trained to become a warrior by her aunt Antiope. Queen Hippolyta feared that if Diana’s strength increased then the god of war, Ares, would find her with dire consequences. Having known from a young age that she was meant to be a warrior, she defies her mother’s wishes and becomes one of the strongest women on the island. Her fate is forever changed when Steve Trevor’s plane is shot down by the Germans and lands near the island. Upon questioning with the Lasso of Truth, Steve reveals that he is a spy who has evidence of Dr. Maru and General Ludendorff’s vile plan to conquer the world with a special weapon. Diana has to make the choice to leave Themyscira and join Steve to fight ‘a war to end all wars’ with the illusion that if she destroys Ares, then there will be peace on Earth.
I will fight, for those who can not fight for themselves.
The movie Wonder Woman is Sensational! After 76 years, the character finally gets her day on the big screen in the first live action feature film starring Israeli actress Gal Gadot, best known for her role as Gisele in the Fast and Furious sequels.
I confess that I have not read a comic book since I was a child and therefore do not critique whether the film includes certain characters and other details. Instead, I view it through unfiltered eyes. I want to be wowed and I want to be engrossed in the story. Directed by Patty Jenkins (Monster), Wonder Woman is everything you hoped for and more. It is a refreshing addition to the comic book superhero genre.
Jenkins does an excellent job creating the origin story for Wonder Woman. I especially love the link to Roman and Greek mythology. Diana or Artemis as she is also known was the goddess of the hunt, the moon and nature. She is a demigoddess, an immortal fathered by Zeus. In Wonder Woman, she is a warrior princess known as Princess Diana of Themyscira and daughter of the great Amazonian Queen Hippolyta. She possesses superhuman strength, speed and outstanding combat skills.
Kristy Carlson (Man of Steel and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice) did a terrific job casting Gadot and Chris Pine as the legendary spy Steve Trevor. Their on-screen chemistry is seamless. I enjoyed the way they interact with each other. I was also delighted to see David Thewlis, best known as Remus Lupin in the Harry Potter series as Sir Patrick Morgan.
The cinematography by Matthew Jensen (Game of Thrones and True Blood) was breathtaking. Principal photography took place in England, France and Italy. The landscapes on the island were extraordinary with sweeping beaches with crystal clear waters, emerald green meadows and jagged mountains. Unfortunately, the theater I screened it in had sound issues so I can only imagine how incredible this film is going to be when I watch it again. The camera work was first-rate. The action scenes and CGI were faultless.
Oscar winning costume designer Lindy Hemming (Casino Royale, Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets) has to receive accolades for the brilliant redesign of Wonder Woman’s iconic costume and supporting wardrobe. It depicts her as a true warrior princess. The costumes for the Themyscira and the period pieces reflective of the World War I era are also worth mentioning.
Wonder Woman is a fantastic movie with a well-crafted origin story along with great acting and directing. The film’s runtime is two hours and 21 minutes, but it is well paced and worth every minute. I can’t wait to see Wonder Woman reunite with the Justice League in November. ~ A.S. MacLeod
You have been my greatest love. Be careful, Diana. They do not deserve you.
The fourth installment in the DC Extended Universe is definitely full of wonder, courage, and power. Led by the first female superhero director, Patty Jenkins (Monster), the colorful back story of the future Justice League member is as captivating as the performance rendered by Gal Gadot. Chris Pine also does a fantastic job of portraying Steve Trevor. His boyish charm combined with his precise delivery of his cynical realist lines perfectly complements the idealism of the main character and left me pining for more Steve Trevor.
Written by Zack Snyder, Allan Heinberg, and Jason Fuchs, the storyline weaves Greek mythology with the DC Comics New 52 reboot while paying homage to the 1975-1979 TV series. With amazing direction by Jenkins, Gal Gadot brings the character to life, while exploring how the superhero developed her ideals and passion for justice. Taking a step back from the incredible ensemble of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Wonder Woman breathes new life into the franchise as critics have not favorably reviewed the first three films.
Now, after having experienced the origin story of the cryptic photo revealed by Bruce Wayne, I am even more ready to return to the ensemble adventure fantasy fest that will be displayed in Justice League on November 17, 2017. Gallop on into to the theater to be awed by this wonderful addition to the DC Comic Extended Universe! ~Movie Buffette
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