Wonder Woman - copyright: DC Comics (characters and original stories), DC Films (movie) and Warner Bros. Pictures (publisher)
Determining whether or not a movie is good is a
difficult task. Besides many technical aspects, the personal opinion is always
a key factor. That is why professional movie reviewers must (at least
theoretically) ignore their own preferences and evaluate the film by itself.
Obviously enough, the public opinion may under or overestimate movies using
only personal convictions or personal tastes. Even specialized sites grades may
be influenced sometimes.
One of the most recent movies that falls in
this category of “exaggerated evaluations” is Wonder Woman, which is also the
present review subject. As I just write about things that I like, do not expect
a bad review here. On the other hand, I must be loyal to my opinion about fair
reviews. Actually, that why I have written this text: to expose (or try) a
neutral evaluation of a great movie, that is so full of exaggerated evaluations
in the internet. The review summary? Wonder Woman is not near perfection, but
it is far from catastrophe.
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| There is many wonders in Wonder Woman |
Released in June 2017, Wonder Woman is the
movie about the homonymous super heroine from the DC comic’s universe. Along
the years, her origin was reinvented many times, which may create some
confusion about his story. However, the main facts never change, both in the
comics and in the movie. Diana was raised among the Amazons like a gift from
the Greek gods. The Amazons were a group of women living at a mystically hidden
island, aside from the rest of the planet. They received the gift of eternal
youth, and should be always ready to defend the world when needed. One day, an
American soldier called Steve Trevor lands in the island, running from Germans.
After discovering the Great War in the patriarchal world, Diana decided to help
the allies, being named Wonder Woman by the media in her first appearance.
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| George Perez's Wonder Woman stories lent some ideas for the movie |
The movie was able to show this origin well, and
develop a great plot in general. Considering the different changes in the
character story over the years, the movie has some of the greatest elements
from Wonder Woman’s universe. For example, the spirited Etta Candy (played by
Lucy Davis), one of the first Diana’s friends in the patriarchal world,
originally appeared in the year 1942 comics. Another great moment, without
telling any spoiler, is a major plot twist that is based in the modern Wonder
Woman comics from the New 52 series.
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| Etta (left) and Diana (center) buying some "patriarchal" women clothes |
Wonder Woman has great abilities, even for an
amazon, being very fast, skilled and strong.
The action scenes were well designed and performed in general, for both
hand to hand combats and war zones shootouts. Wonder Woman is a complex
character by essence: she is naturally charming and lovely, a person who hates
to hurt other people; on the other hand, Diana is a true warrior, and has no
hesitation in starting a fight to defend the justice.
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| Gal Gadot is really the Wonder Woman |
The actress Gal Gadot played a very convincing
Wonder Woman, being capable of showing these two conflicting sides of the
character. Besides Wonder Woman, the other characters are great, especially
Steve Trevor (played by Chris Pine). They really look like a couple, just like
in the comics. Trevor is like Diana: kind and fair, but also brave and
merciless when necessary.
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| Pine and Gadot make a lovely couple |
I just talked about the good aspects until now.
Therefore, the movie is not perfect, even if many people and sites consider it
“the best super hero movie of all time” or “a flawless adaptation of a great
comic’s story”. I respectfully disagree on these evaluations, as they are
strongly motivated by the “strong woman protagonist” and/or the “first good DC
Extended Universe movie” effects.
For me, there are three main cons in Wonder
Woman. The first are the Amazons fighting scenes, or the “dancing” scenes, as
some called. I expected some unusual fighting style from an ancient isolated
country, but their movements were just weird, like an exotic ballet. In the
second place there is the CG (computer graphics). Sometimes, the special
effects are really poor, as the movie was a low cost production. Besides that,
some scenes, as the main villain battle, could be more physical, with real
interaction between the characters.
The third con is the movie plot in general,
full of different mistakes. For example, some parts of the movie, as Diana’s
childhood, for example, are excessively long. Another problem is that she is,
at the same time, naive and wise, which may be confusing in some scenes. Finally,
the movie ending was completely obvious and frustrating. Even if you are
expecting that final, I believe that the story could be more creative and
deliver some (good) surprise in the end. There are some other minor problems,
as the contradiction between Wonder Woman’ speech (she hates violence and loves
peace) and her actions (she fights and kills her enemies). Although she always
had this dual nature, the movie was not to balance them properly.
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| The Amazon island Themyscira: some of its scenes could be better paced |
Wonder Woman is a respectable movie. It is
really a difficult one to review, and probably that why it has so many
different (and extreme) opinions. It has a lot of action, a decent adventure,
some good jokes and a competent cast. Gal Gadot really is “Wonder Woman”, and I
believe that she can become a better one after the feedback received from the
public and with a better movie script. The plot has some holes, some scenes
were confusingly filmed and the CG may be a bit lackey sometimes, but it is
nothing that compromises the entire movie. If you are looking for a good movie,
and not a cinema master piece, Wonder Woman is a great choice.