It’s 2017 and DC Comics is STILL struggling to find its cinematic universe identity. The “guys across the street” operate like a well-oiled machine while Warner Bros. has been playing a futile game of catch-up. Director Patty Jenkins has been given the keys to the castle and an opportunity to a superhero cinematic splash. Wonder Woman hopes to rope in fans by the boatload to experience her origin
While many of us have already been briefly introduced to this particular Wonder Woman in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016), there are still quite a few that will be experiencing this character for the very first time. Wonder Woman hits the rewind button and jumps all the way back to early years of the Amazonian princess. Covering her life as a very young child and beyond on her people’s hidden island, Diana (Gal Gadot) hones her skills as powerful warrior. Her mother, Queen Hippolyta (Connie Nielsen), wants her daughter to lead a quiet life but fate, as well as Diana’s natural desire to fight prove to be too much to be contained. An unexpected male visitor to the island will be the catalyst for what will eventually assist Diana into answering her call for greatness.
Steve Trevor (Chris Pine) is a British spy on the run with valuable intel and it turns out that Diana is the key to victory. The pair form a powerful bond as both learn from one another and aspire to reach a common goal. If Diana is to stand a chance in this fight, she must rise above the odds in order to liberate the world of an ungodly evil.
DC detractors will quickly find themselves disappointed in that there will be no reasons to hate on Wonder Woman. The weight of the world is on this new chapter’s shoulder as Warner Bros. is still looking to shake the underachieving stench that seems to follow all of their recent releases. The story is solid, the acting is stellar and entertainment is superb. Gal Gadot was not seen as an ideal fit to wear the crown of the DC classic but she continues to prove the negative naysayers wrong. Of all of the new DC Universe characters, hers is the best fit when all is said and done.
Wonder Woman goes all in and comes out smelling like roses. Aside from its lead actress, Chris Pine, Connie Nielsen, Robin Wright, Danny Huston, David Thewlis and David Thewlis all bring great value and depth to this story. And in a surprising, yet very welcome twist, DC FINALLY gets the subtle comedy relief part right. It’s pretty much a collective effort in bringing the lighthearted tone but it’s Lucy Davis, who plays Etta, that really steals the show.
June heats up quickly with what Wonder Woman is cooking and you’ll want to make sure that you don’t miss this one. DC Entertainment should have listened to Margaret Thatcher when she famously said, “if you want anything said, ask a man. If you want anything done, ask a woman.” The teaming of director Patty Jenkins and actor Gal Gadot prove that these words couldn’t be any truer in this case. It’s a shame that we’ve had to wait so long for a featured female superhero to get her own movie but that chance was certainly not squandered. If you’re even slightly considering heading out to your local cinema over the next few weeks, this is definitely one that should not be missed.
