When the great war comes to the island of Themyscira, Diana decides to leave the island to go end the war, a war she believes Aries is causing. In doing so, she discovers her heritage and full power...
The DC film universe has got off to a rocky start. Despite being financially successful, the films to date, Man Of Steel, Batman v Superman and Suicide Squad haven't been warmly received by anyone other than DC fans. Personally, while the films were flawed, I did like them. However, what most people did concede, was that Wonder Woman's role in Batman v Superman, while small, was a highlight.
Over the years, Warner Bros. and DC have tried to get a film made of Wonder Woman. Joss Whedon came close a few years ago, but the project fell apart over disagreements between Whedon and the studio. However, about 75 years after being created by William Moulton Marston, she finally gets her first big screen film.
Normally, this would simply be a case of adding it to the never ending list of superhero films coming along these days. But Wonder Woman, has added pressures piled upon it, some I feel are unfair. It's the first female superhero film for years. It's the biggest budgeted film ever to have been directed by a woman. For some it has to put the DC film universe back on track. And after the poor showing at the box office of last year's female led Ghostbusters reboot, it has to show that women led blockbusters can do well at the box office.
Like I said, it's a bit unfair to pile all that on to one film, but sadly that's the way film companies, fans, critics think.
So, the question is, does the film somehow pull it off and succeed? The simple answer it hell yes it does.
The story for the film comes from Zack Snyder, Allen Heinberg and Jason Fuchs, with the film written by Heinberg.Although the film opens and closes with modern bookends, the film is set in 1918, as the Great War nears its end, although German General Ludendorff has plans to unleash a devastating gas attack that will turn the war in Germany's favour, despite the armistice talks beginning.
American spy, Steve Trevor, finding this out escapes and crashes onto Themyscira, where the Amazon's who live there get dragged into the war, when the German's arrive. The battle on the beach that follows is superbly staged, showing the Amazon's as the warriors they train to be, even if facing more modern weapons.
But even before this, for the opening part of the film, as we see Diana as a young girl beginning to train, despite her mother's (Hippolyta) concerns. Theses scenes as we see her train, with her aunt, Antiope, are among the best in the film, as Diana, is trained to be the best warrior she can be.
Once she leaves the island, the film settles down for a bit, developing Diana's relationship with Steve Trevor, which never feels forced at all. In London she soon discovers that the world is not what she is used to, certainly the way it treats women. This comes to a head in one the best moments of the film as when she reaches the front line and see the carnage and devastation happening she decides to do something about it. What follows is one of the best action scenes in any superhero film as Diana goes into No Man's Land and inspires the men to follow her into battle. Its stunning to watch.
In a number of ways, what we get in this film isn't that different from most superhero films. It does have the fingerprints of Zack Snyder all over it, with its use of slow motion at times in action scenes and the way the film looks. However, there is one key difference and obvious difference and that is, of course we see see it all from Diana's perspective.
Now, better writers than me can go more into the feminist aspects of the film. But what I will say is that as a hero, Diana is totally unique, when compared to Superman and Batman in the DC film universe. Superman through MOS and BvS is developing but isn't yet the beacon of hope he is in the comics. Batman, of course, is dogged by the death of his parents and his determination to prevent that happening to others. Wonder Woman though sees the way the world is and is determined to change it, not just for woman and children who are often the innocent victims in war, but for men too. In many ways in this film she becomes the hope of the world She refuses to accept nothing can change and will stand up to any man who tells her otherwise.
It helps that Gal Gadot is sensational as Diana. As we saw in BvS and here, she handles the action set-pieces superbly. But it's in the other scenes Gadot shines. Her optimism shines through as well as her determination. It's a wonderful performance.
Chris Pine brings humour and charm to the role of Trevor. The interactions between them are often humorous, but never feel forced, while in the second half of the film, like Gadot, he handles the action well. Crucially, the film never makes him become the hero, although he does get his heroic moments. This is a Wonder Woman film after all and the film never forgets that. In fact, if anything she saves him far more than he saves her.
The supporting cast are good too. Connie Nielsen and Robin Wright as Hippolyta and Antiope are superb. There are smaller roles for Ewan Bremner, Said Taghmaoui and Eugene Brave Rock as associates of Trevor's. Lucy Davis adds humour as Etta, Trevor's secretary. Danny Huston plays Ludendorff and isn't bad as is Elena Anaya, who plays the scientist creating the new chemical weapon. David Thewlis has a small but key role too.
The action is very well staged, the score is pretty good, the film is well designed. There's little to dislike here. Yes, a late on plot reveal is not needed and the final act succumbs to the CGI overload that many other superhero films fall into.
But the key to the films success is Patty Jenkins. She directs the film superbly. It's the little moments that make it work for me. The look of determination on young Diana's face as her mother tells her about the 'God Killer' sword. The pain Diana feels when the innocent suffer. It might be the big action scenes that sell the film, but it is the little moments that make the film and Jenkins nails them.
Without doubt this is the best film in the DC film universe. I'd go so far as to say it is the best Warner Bros/DC film since Batman Begins. It is certainly the best superhero film since Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
The DC film universe was launched with Man Of Steel, the idea being to base it around Superman I imagine. After Batman v Superman, it was thought Batman would be the focal point. But after this film, they should base it around Wonder Woman, she has certainly the capacity to carry it on her shoulders.
We next see Diana in the upcoming Justice League film. If it carries on this vein, then perhaps the DC film universe might work.
In the meantime, go see this, you will not be disappointed.
In the past, if you wanted to save the world, you had to call on them male heroes to do it. Wonder Woman shows a woman can do it just as good....and in some ways much, much better at it.
I loved it.
Rating - 5/5
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