Wonder Woman Review - Finally

It seems that after a string of mediocre to poor efforts from the DCEU where they've made themselves look like loathsome idiots, we've got something that qualifies as a film. A watchable, enjoyable film. Irritating supporting characters? Nope, we've got a chuckle worthy Lucy Davis. Abrasive soundtrack? Nope, we've got a stirring Hans Zimmer/Junkie XL leitmotif that's only mildly jarring. Unfocused and misguided direction? Nope, we've got Patty Jenkins. 

Best of all, an affable Gal Gadot in the titular role makes a massive improvement on her bland extended cameo in Batman Vs Superman: Dawn of Luke Laugh In Anger And A Child In The Cinema He Was In Because It Was Too Dark For Kids. She perfectly sells both the lighter moments of Diana/Wonder Woman's naivety about the world and the more dramatic moments as the effects of war weigh on her. Steve Trevor (Chris Pine) is a WWI Allied spy who crash lands on Diana's Amazonian home. His presence drives her to seek out Ares, the God of War. Pine as Steve never feels useless despite the Gods around him, and his inevitable romance with Diana feels earned, unlike a certain, recent Pirate-related film.

Danny Huston as the steroid-fueled villain General Ludendorff is fairly weak though, and using a historical figure seems slightly unusual. Fun fact: Hitler attempted in a coup in 1923, intending to place Ludendorff in charge. There is more to the film's villain than meets the eye, and while unexpected, they throw around uninspired threats in an overly CGI'd climax. As for the other heroes, we have a group of rag-tag multi-national soldiers. They are rather one note, and the native American known as 'The Chief' only really contributes smoke signals. Tad racist. Moreover, thematic heavy-handedness on well worn ideas about the horror of war and humanity, how we can redeem ourselves and love conquering all is a slight let down.

This group bears a notable similarity to the Commando group from Captain America: The First Avenger. On top of this, a shockingly similar plot point in the third act to one in that Marvel film. Anyway, Patty Jenkins does a superb job of directing action for someone with virtually no experience in the genre, conjuring memories of Peter Jackson with Lord of the Rings - in the best way possible - as Amazonians bound around firing arrows. In close quarters, seeing the well-intentioned Diana thump soldiers with her shield and stand up to pigheaded misogyny is always delightful. So to reiterate, it's less of a mess than previous DC efforts, better acted, better directed and generally more enjoyable, but does go awry occasionally.

FOUR STARS. Nice homage to Richard Donner's Superman in the alley scene.
Side note: terrible to hear about Zack Synder's current situation.