Hype has it that this is the best DC film, thus far. It has even been compared to Captain America: The First Avenger. Well, I’m here to tell you that both are sort of, kind of true. Wonder Woman is a spectacle with raw emotion by our superhero, and justified action. DC’s most dominate female hero, Wonder Woman has finally been brought to life, thanks to the extraordinary direction of Patty Jenkins. It’ll be hard not to mention that this inspiring movie has a five month pregnant Gal Gadot at the fore front. Both women do an incredible job in their respective fields.

It all starts with a special delivery from Wayne Enterprises to Diana’s (Gal Gadot) office within the Louvre in Paris. Upon opening it, it reveals the photo we were introduced to by Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck) in the Batman v Superman movie. It’s of Wonder Woman and what we assume are her four male side-kicks, in what looks like a war torn country in the ‘40s. With the image, came a note stating, ‘maybe one day you’ll tell me your story.’ And so, this heart-warming introduction takes us in to the life of Diana and her female dominated island home. We meet little Diana, her mother and queen of the Amazons, Hippolyta (Connie Nielsen), and the fiercest trainer Antiope (Robin Wright). It is these two women who quickly make it obvious that it’s all not what it seems to be for Diana. She is more than what they make her out to be. Diana doesn’t know this yet.

What we know as Greek mythology is these Amazonian women’s reality. They are made from clay, brought to life by Zeus to soothe the heart of men. But, they are threatened by the god of war, Ares, because of his jealousy. When Zeus struck his own son to his downfall, he also created a weapon strong enough to kill a god. We are made to believe the God Killer is a sword and only one woman can yield it.
The island the women live on, that looks like a Greek paradise itself, is protected by an invisible shield, which turns out, when found, anyone can pass through it. This is the fate of war spy, Steve Trevor (Chris Pine). Trying to fly away from the Germans he was assigned to steal secrets from, and who are on his trail, he flies through the invisible shield and is rescued by Diana. This however, brings on a war between the Germans who found themselves through the barrier, and the Amazonian women. 

It is here where we meet the full exquisiteness of Jenkins direction. The fight choreography is fluent and is married together with stunning camera work. It slows down perfectly as a sword makes its way to its target, and speeds back up at the precise time when the sword makes contact.

Trevor tells Diana about this war that is taking place – World War 2, and Diana is convinced that this is the work of Ares and that she will be the one to free everybody from his influence. Trevor thinks she’s delusional but takes her back with him to the front line of the war anyway, as demanded by Diana and refused by her mother. In order for this to be as safe a passage as possible for them, he recruits old friends, Sameer (Said Taghmaoui), who can speak many languages, Charlie (Ewen Bremner), a former top marksman who we meet drunk, and The Chief (Eugene Brave Rock) a Native American Indian who uses the methods of his ancestors to get his way through the war.

We also meet another woman, Dr Maru (Elena Anaya) or other wise known as Dr Poison. Her loyalty lies with the Germans and one in particular who wants to take over the war so that it never stops, Ludendorff (Danny Huston). Dr Poison plans to create the most distractive poison that will destroy their enemies. It is easy to see that she is underplayed. All we know about her is that she creates poison. There is a lot about her that is missing from the film, and there are bits that could have been cut, to add a bit of backstory on her. However, it’s hard to decipher if she is the enemy Diana needs to bring down, together with Ludendorff, or someone else. It does become clear after all, but that ones a spoiler I rather not give. Nevertheless, it’s not clear how she came to be, and how and when she got the scar on her face which forces her to place a prosthetic on top. She doesn’t say much throughout the film and kind of just runs off at the end, but there is a story behind that mask and confused look she constantly has.

Seeing Zack Snyder’s name on the writing credits worried me a lot. He hasn’t had many technical successes and frankly, he’s not very good. Though, there are times where dialogue could exceed further than what the audience is given, what we get works much better than what we’ve seen so far from him.

I realise that there are three ways this film can possibly be reviewed.
Firstly, we must put it up against every superhero film we’ve seen thus far, despite the studio it comes from. I love the introduction films to all our new superheroes. Knowing their backstory gives the movies to come a backbone. It gives you the feeling of not being left out. I’m also slowly getting over big cities being destroyed and those big fancy explosions and all that comes with it. So, this is a bit of fresh air. It still has a lot of big stunts and big action movie moments, but they aren’t so overly done. However, it is the emotional side of our main character that shines through. Diana/Wonder Woman is passionate, thoughtful, nursing and empathetic. Call it what you like, but it took a main female protagonist to make a movie that is more than just big guns, big balls and big egos, and that’s from the male characters equally of this film.
Secondly, how does this DC Comics film fair up with this new universe Warner Bros. is trying to create? Well, if you’ve read my reviews on Man of Steel and Batman v Superman, Wonder Woman is in a league of its own. It has a storyline that can actually be followed and isn’t choppy like those two films. Suicide Squad was the best of the three, but not with a fourth contender. It’s giving it a run for its money.
Thirdly, we must put all DC films together, and still to this day, Nolan’s Batman movies do not compare to anything else. They are the perfect superhero movie. But, Wonder Woman is very close behind.

The only reason you’d compare this to Captain America: The First Avenger is because of the war theme. There hasn’t been much since the Marvel film that is set in the World War era. Wonder Woman is just the only one since that has used the theme in the superhero cinematic universe. There’s nothing else really to it.

My biggest criticism for the film, and call it minor, is the final battle scene with Ares. I believe it goes two minutes too long. It starts getting frustrating because we know she will defeat him, and despite his enormous power, she has the God Killer power, so the fight can end a little earlier and it still can have the impact of a well fought fight.

I do love Gadot as Wonder Woman, but I have a confession to make. I never was a fan to start with. I imagined Wonder Woman to be a little bigger in the hip, just by going with what I knew of the Amazonian women, and more seductive with her way of fighting. I didn’t think she would be able to embody her. I was wrong and clearly didn’t know who Wonder Woman was meant to be. I think the image I had was more sexualised and I regret having those thoughts. Gadot does truly become Wonder Woman. She is fierce and emotional, and Gadot does a magnificent job at portraying both sides of this powerful woman.

Speaking of, it’s also really important to mention how Diana/Wonder Woman is not sexualised here. It’s such a welcoming relief to know that Hollywood is finally investing in more strong female leads where the camera doesn’t scan her body from the feet up, as though we are stalking her. Yes, she wears a short skirt, but that’s not where the eye wonders. The film is able to minimise all this, well.

There’s plenty of twists and turns, humour where needed and a wonderful story to finally see.

Wonder Woman is a good one for DC, but I can only give it 3 and a half out of 5.