Wonder Woman Review

Wonder Woman
Director: Patty Jenkins
Cast Headliners: Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Connie Nielson,  David Thewlis, Danny Huston, others
 Original Release Date: June 2nd, 2017


Finally after all these years several important marks are made in this film. The first Wonder Woman movie ever in the big screens. The first (to summarize this review) good quality female led superhero movie. It's also the first time DC Comics has a solo, flashback origin movie in the DCEU since Man of Steel's starting it. Wonder Woman does well in most regards and the fact that it is anything but a wreck is something to be celebrated as there were those risk factors either unproven or with poor precedence. This movie is a mix of unique and tropes but the combo makes for mostly fun.
The main arc of the film takes us back to what could be any amount of time to the land of the Amazons on the “paradise island” of Themyscira. The young daughter of the queen gets into various hi-jinks and learns of the lore of this all female  society. This opening portion has some nice colorful visuals but drags on for a bit of awhile and packs the first of many cheesy moments in the film. But how can one not have some cheese when it comes to a mix of pulp , history, and myth in one. There is a standout, painterly sequence where the tale of the fascinating background lore of Ares, Zeus, and the other gods is told.
After some more training an older Diana , as she is known, Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot) finds her world turned upside down when a  American/ British spy in Steve Trevor (Chris Pine) crash lands on the island on the heels of a German army. This is about the last we see of a decent performance in aunt Antiope (Robin Wright, always fierce) and her mother queen Hippolyta (Connie Nielsen, less memorable but also decent). Events transpire to where instead Wonder Woman ends up in the world of the rest of humankind and World War 1.
Here is where the true movie starts both in plot and quality. World War 1 may at first seem like a basic setting (and one of several influences from competitor's 2011 Captain America 1 and even Thor 1 in its fish out of waterness) but it ends up proving its worth. The movie is a fine period piece, with nice background visuals and costuming and feel. This makes it perhaps the most visually distinct film in the DCEU yet for uniqueness.
Whether it be in action, drama, or humor one of the most memorable highlights of the film is Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman. This was already seen in 2016's Batman Vs Superman but here it is aided moreso but the “origin aspect” as she is more naive both in grounds for character growth as well as some good humor in learning the ways of WW1 Britain . Although her accent gives a stark contrast to most of her co-stars it works considering her homeland, fictionally that is. It does not hinder the several , emotional scenes she has whether confrontational or impassioned. In action, she is sleek and cool looking... the iconic warrior as ever. She doesn't need to talk much, as she carries a presence with her in all occasions much like the best work of one such as Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Her co-stars are also very solid. Chris Pine is great as Steve Trevor. He brings all of the charisma, swagger, humor, and well meaning as he does in a role like Captain Kirk in the new Star Treks with perhaps a new level of coolness. The “soldier squad”, often a trope of these kinds of movies is slightly extra memorable whether its the charming actor Sameer (Said Taghmaoui), manic sniper Charlie (Ewan Bremner), and the chilled out smuggler Chief (Eugene Brave Rock). The chemistry between heroes is great, particularly between Gadot and Pine. Worth mentioning as well is the brief appearances by assistant Etta Candy (Lucy Davis) who brings some quirky humor. David Thewlis is also great in his role as Sir Patrick Morgan, with some good speeches and an important role that should be seen firsthand as the mostly enticing plot unfolds.
The villains are mostly generic German and some Ottoman soldiers but they are led by some memorable antagonists. There's the odd and vile Dr.Poison (Elena Anaya) and the stoic, if a bit (although not without merit) cartoonishly evil General Ludendorff(Danny Huston). These opponents are typical but effective. Ares may also appear at some point, and when he does his role is fearsome and epic..although that too should be seen firsthand for full effect.
This is actually only the second theatrical film by director Patty Jenkins. Which is surprising, because she has a talent for excitement. For the most part the action is frenetic and plentiful. Special effects at times make things seem right out of the comic panels with vibrant color and crazy movement in a manner much like Snyder although at times more grounded. Select slow motion adds to the importance of scenes. However, the main negative aspect of this movie is that sometimes the slow-down is NOT a plus. Exciting moments will be either disrupted in their midst or subsequently ruined by something that's either too slow or (in one circumstance) too fast in speed. These add to the cheese amongst other things that suspend disbelief in even a comic film.  However these moments do not bring the whole experience down and are in the semi-minority.
Overall this movie offers a fun, exciting , and at times darkly emotional and epic origin story for Wonder Woman. It looks and moves nicely in its high points aide from some weaker or trope-ish portions. The importance of fhis film should be noticed though and that aspect makes things in a way even more enjoyable., Wonder Woman brings a majesty and glory to the war front with her, and one should enjoy these battles in this tale.. and hopes for even better battles ahead. 8 out of 10