Power and Wonder!!!! DC's Female Led Superhero Flick is Fun, Simplistic and Powerfully Provocative!!!!
Review By Brandon Porter
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| The future of justice starts with her. |
Story Description
On the distant tropical island of Themyscira, the tribe of female Amazonian warriors led by Queen Hippolyta (Connie Nielsen) live in harmony away from the modern industrialized world. But when an American Pilot named Steve Treavor (Chris Pine) crashes near the island, he warns the queen and her warriors of a massive war taking place that could potentially threaten human kind. Looking to preserve and defend the world being torn apart by violence and destruction, Princess Diana (Gal Gadot) leave her home in hopes to restore peace. The journey will challenge and shape her into the warrior of justice she's destined to become...no matter the inevitable cost.
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| Diana and Steve with their team in London |
Critical and Financial Analysis
The fourth entry in the DC Extended Universe has been surrounded by equal pressure in addition to hype. After three of its predecessors ended up on the wrong side of acclaim from critics, fans, and casual moviegoers, Wonder Woman found itself not only trying to deliver a great film but be a jolt in the arm for a franchise struggling to find its footing. The initial results however sees that things are turning around in more ways than one. Wonder Woman came into the summer movie season with hype as well as skepticism but the reception has proved overwhelmingly positive and historic. The film scored an outstanding 93% certified fresh rating from critics via rotten tomatoes making it not only the most critically praised film in the DCEU but one of the most critically acclaimed films of the year. Critics praised the movie for being thrilling, fun, and boasting with powerful emotion and ambiance. Financially, the movie broke several major records in multiple categories. In addition to a dominating box office haul of $100.5 million in its opening weekend, the film nabbed the top spot internationally bringing its global total up to $233 million worldwide with inevitable rises set to culminate in the coming weeks. The film also is nabbed $35.9 million on Friday making it the biggest single-day gross for a female-directed film while also having the honor of biggest opening day for a female-led comic book superhero film. With universal acclaim from critics and fans as well as historic accolades across the board, Wonder Woman looks to be a phenomenon in itself that signals a turning point for the DC Extended Universe as well as for women in cinema.
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| A warrior harnesses her true power |
Film Review
No other film in the DCEU has had more pressure on it than Wonder Woman. With the franchise clinging to maintain relevancy amongst it's competition, DC needed a sure fire hit to save the franchise from critical and cultural obscurity. After seeing Wonder Woman in IMAX, I am beyond proud of how this film, despite all the weight and pressure it had on its shoulders, turned out. For a film set in such a vast universe that feels so crunched together, Wonder Woman sets it self apart from its predecessors by essentially separating itself from the other films. There is all but two scenes that connects the film to the others and this is established early on in the film and near the conclusion. Once the story takes form, the movie is refreshingly contained in its own world and story structure with little connecting it to the rest of the cinematic universe. This really allows the film and its stars to truly shine without having the responsibility of trying to connect all the pieces of a universe still trying to come into fruition. In the acting realm, there are standouts across the board with the obvious one being Gal Gadot. From the moment she was cast, fans speculated on weather of not she had the physicality or acting ability to play one of the most iconic female superheroes in history. While Batman v Superman showed she could look good in the role, this film really shows her ability to play this character with confidence, grace, and charisma. Gadot's performance is truly fun to watch as she commands the attention of the audience every moment she is on screen. Her performance truly shows she not only can play this character, but deserves to as well. Chris Pine is equally awesome as Steve Trevor. Full of wit, humor, and charisma himself, he is a real standout in the film along with Gadot. Between their banter and growing relationship that progresses nicely on screen, the chemistry between the two of them really help the film's emotional fiber and makes the story all the better for it. The action in the film is great in its own right but the thing that really allows Wonder Woman to shine is its ability to balance its various cinematic elements. Its funny when it needs to be funny and emotional when it needs to be emotional. Nothing is forced or out of place making for seamless, simplistic, and very well structured storytelling thanks to solid writing and Patty Jenkins' directing. In the end, Wonder Woman is one of the most narratively strong, funny, powerful, and simplistic films in the DCEU. Without having to bear the burden of connecting the universe it dwells in, it allows the film and its stars to truly be at the center of attention resulting in a satisfyingly captivating entry in this ever growing heroverse.
Rating and Final Thoughts
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Simplistic, thrilling, in addition to being emotional and funny in all the right places, Wonder Woman is
the obvious champion of the still growing DCEU while standing out as a powerfully
satisfying cinematic experience.
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| Justice never felt or looked so good |
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