The best DC movie yet. But is that saying a lot?
Superhero movie of the year? Or overhyped drivel?
Gal Gadot, be still my beating heart.
Before she was Wonder Woman, she was Diana, princess of the Amazons, trained warrior. When a pilot (Chris Pine) crashes and tells of conflict in the outside world, Diana leaves home to fight a war, discovering her full powers and true destiny.
The only interesting character in Batman Vs Superman. Bearing in mind; I had no idea who she was or what she was actually doing (and why for that matter?)
Now we finally get some answers. Sort of.
The best DC movie outing but that doesn’t say much.
The opening origin story with young Diana was entertaining enough.
I never read the DC comics and knew only a little of the TV show with Lynda Carter. I don’t remember all this God stuff BUT the writers even managed to make the Lasso of Truth a believable (and lethal) weapon.
The 300 style training montage with the glorious Greek goddesses kept things ticking over as Diana defied her mother’s wishes by training to fight.
Robin Wright (House of Cards) and Connie Nielsen (Gladiator) were both underused as Diana’s sparring mother and aunt. One desperate to see Diana reach her potential, the other weary of it.
It was a little cheesy BUT it hit the spot as Diana grew stronger. The truth about her abilities rearing its ugly head just as a WW1 plane crashes into their safe haven. Opening a whole new world for our heroine.
The film was injected with the right balance of humour and heart. Something sorely missed in the other DC efforts . . . So far.
One particular highlight involving Diana, clad with sword and shield, strolling through a department store perplexed at the “battle” attire women wear.
The WW1 setting was a perfect focal point for our heroine. The film delicately handled sexism and politics quite well as Diana demanded to know why women couldn’t fight, vote or speak.
Not bad for a superhero movie.
The 3D was disappointing and hardly worth the ticket price BUT the special effects and action pieces were superb.
The No-Man’s land battle sequence was fantastic.
The chemistry between Gadot and Pine was perfect. A great duo. Steve’s bewilderment and Diana’s defiant (if slightly naive) approach to achieving her objective was the glue that kept this piece together.
The banter and bubbling tension helped drudge the meandering pace (which tragically could have been cut by a good 20 minutes).
I loved the supporting cast. It was great to see Lucy Davis (The Office) back in the limelight. She was hilarious as Steve’s long suffering secretary. Diana’s reaction when she was told the purpose of a secretary was brilliant; “So you’re a slave?”
Of course, Diana and Steve couldn’t achieve their mission alone. They needed a rag tag team of misfits. Said Taghmaoui (American Hustle) was highly comical as Sameer.
I was elated to see ol’ Spud (Ewen Bremner -Trainspotting) as the drunk and disillusioned Charlie.
Eugene Brave Rock was a little weak as the poorly titled Chief. BUT he was nowhere near as weak as the villain.
Danny Huston (X-Men Origins: Wolverine) was dreadfully bland and not quite as sinister as I had hoped. Reduced to popping pills and gurning some serious faces. Shame.
Elena Anaya (The Skin I Live In) drew more chills as Dr Poison (A terrible name!) with her scar and scary mask.
The finale was drawn out. It felt like the Man of Steel; once you’ve seen one super being smash another through set piece after set piece, it soon got a little repetitive.
Plus it rushed to such an abrupt ending that I was left wanting. Good in one sense but bad in another.
The only problem was that from all the hype, I also expected something a little more.
I have nothing against a strong female character taking the helm and to adapt a dated 70s TV show and make some of the sillier aspects into something empowering and less farfetched was a great feat.
BUT the drawn out pace and plot holed story line hindered an exhilarating blockbuster.
I was left asking questions (POTENTIAL SPOILERS, maybe?); if the Amazonian island was shielded away from the world – why was Trevor’s plane the one to break through? Explain the other wars after WW1 if Wonder Woman’s mission was to stop the God of War? What was she doing for the next century? Surely not sitting in a museum?
BUT for all its flaws, WW was still entertaining, engaging (if a little long at the tooth) and DC’s best effort to date.
There might be some hope for them after all.
3.5/5 (Just)
*DON’T SIT THROUGH THE CREDITS – there are NO extras, teasers, NADA*
The MAD MOVIE RANTER 
You must be logged in to post a comment.