Wonder Woman, Director: Patty Jenkins

There’s an infinite number of considerations when attempting to write a review of the new Wonder Woman movie. How could Gal Gadot ever fill the iconic Lynda Carter’s bustier? Why is this the first time she has been brought to the big screen in her own feature film? Is Wonder Woman too sexy for girl power? Then there is the curious question of the Amazons living for centuries without men on a secret island. But let’s forget all that for the moment and just talk about the movie – because regardless of your (or my) opinions on all of the above – Wonder Woman simply rocks!

The movie opens in the present with Wonder Woman’s alter-ego Diana Prince receiving a package from Bruce Wayne (presumably as a result of their teamwork on 2016’s Batman vs Superman.) The package contains a grainy, black and white photo taken about a hundred years ago, drawing Diana back to the past, where Wonder Woman’s origin story and the entire movie take place.

We meet her as the only child of Amazon Queen Hippolyta (Connie Nelson) and beloved niece of the mighty warrior Antiope (Robin Wright, in a much too brief role) residing with several hundred fellow Amazons on the honey-tinged, fog enshrouded mystery island, Themyscira – hidden by the Greek god Zeus to safeguard the ‘god killer,’ the only weapon that can defeat Ares, the god of war.

The only child on the island, Diana is raised to be an invincible warrior, though she is unaware of her destiny. At least until a handsome American World War One pilot Steve Trevor (Chris Pine) crashes into the waters off the island and Diana rescues him. He is followed by the reality of war, and against her mother’s wishes, Diana decides she must follow her destiny and save the world.

To be honest, this back story to the back story ran a bit too long, but once we get to WWI London, the pace picks up and the previously ‘by the numbers’ Diana is utterly charming as she faces the unexpected complexities of 20^th Century life, from trying to find an outfit to wear on the street that she can also fight in, learning to dance with a man, or trying to understand which humans are good and which are evil and how people can sometimes be a mix of both.

Director Patty Jenkins (Monster, 2003) has a firm grip on Allan Heinberg’s script, with a determined vision of both the film and on who Wonder Woman is. Recent DC Extended Universe flicks have earned restricted ratings for their dark portrayals of superheroes. Jenkins was determined to deliver a movie with enough action and adult content to keep DC fans engaged, but also one that parents could bring their daughters and sons to see.

With a budget in excess of US$100m, the special effects and action scenes set in World War One battles are exquisite and Gal Gadot delivers a superhero with genuine depth of character – strong but gentle, intelligent but still curious, and passionate about her mission but willing to bend to human conventions if necessary. At 2 hours and 20 minutes, it calls for the big bucket of popcorn but it’s a sheer pleasure.

Can’t wait for the sequel!

Veronica McLaughlin

Watch the trailer here: