I have always liked Wonder Woman as a character, always enjoyed her on screen mostly from the Justice League animated series. This movie takes that admiration to another level.
This is the origin story of how Diane came to become the Wonder Woman that we know from recent DCEU films. Its set in World War 1 era and goes through her struggle to keep her inherent love and integrity against all the odds in the man's world.
Gal Gadot’s chemistry with Chris Pine was a joy. They played very well off each other. You see them adjust to each other’s differences in a wonderful way. Gal brings innocence and genuine candor to this iconic comic book character. She is beautiful, inquisitive, rebel and feisty and cute all at once and Chris plays the WW1 spy role to perfection and their conversations bring out the levity in scenes too. At times I could feel the inexperience of Gal as an actor but that was where Chris’s Steve helped Diana out. And it worked because Wonder Woman coming from such a stoic Amazonian heritage would act exactly as she did when faced with the complicated world of man.
The action is just mind blowing and the Wonder Woman theme music blend that kicks in during those scenes add to the treat. Patty Jenkins directs every scene and action although the slow motion if used for any other movie could have become repetitive but not for this one. It worked better to show the truth power and heroics of a character people haven’t seen in theaters in its long 75 year history. I was skeptical as to how the music we heard in BvS would fare in this period piece but Rupert Gregson-Williams did a good job of adding his own touch to the original Junkie XL/Hans Zimmer theme. In fact, I got chills hearing that even after coming out of the theater (Yes, I heard the soundtrack multiple times). Some of the scenes like her rising up from the sheds to reveal herself in full costume with shield and the sword are what you can call epic .
This movie had influences from the first Superman movie starring Christopher Reeve and filled me with so much happiness. And of course there are comic book references too. The most I liked was Steve Trevor on a bike , the way I remember him from the animated series. I had a smile on my face the entire time and some tears were shed…almost. The cinematography and costumes too showed so much range depending on the environment be it the colorful Themyscira or the deprived rest of the world. Kudos to the cinematographer Matthew Jensen for his work.
I could feel this movie did not have the responsibility to tie with other DCEU movies which gave the director the freedom to tell her story. While people are bound to get excited for future movies after watching this one, I would still advise contained enthusiasm and above all the this will give the WB film makers hope for their films. The story is nothing new as is often the case with these type of movies which is why how it's told is so important. The third act is filled with action but there is a scene which gives you time to think as I did along with Diana when she was contemplating whether to give into her rage. It was an amazing scene.
Excellent movie.
Wonder Womannnnnnnnn!!!