Film - Wonder Woman


The tagline may state that "The future of justice begins with her" but, to Steve Taylor-Bryant, it's the start of the future of so much more as he watched Wonder Woman...

It appeared in the build up to release that the world was expecting much from Wonder Woman, and to be fair, it didn't disappoint. It needed to stand on its own merits whilst being part of the bigger picture of the DCEU, it needed to have the 'look' of its DCEU counterparts whilst being somewhat different and, after decades of waiting for a Wonder Woman on the big screen, it had to be epic. No pressure then!

Before she was Wonder Woman, she was Diana, princess of the Amazons, trained to be an unconquerable warrior. Raised on a sheltered island paradise, when an American pilot crashes on their shores and tells of a massive conflict raging in the outside world, Diana leaves her home, convinced she can stop the threat. Fighting alongside man in a war to end all wars, Diana will discover her full powers... and her true destiny.

The film itself is not without its flaws. There are moments when the CGI is notably a bit rough and the over reliance on slow motion during, what felt like every action scene, was perhaps too much but I'm being picky. As an event movie, you'll be waiting a very long time to see a superhero story on the screen better than Wonder Woman. What Patty Jenkins has unleashed on the world is spectacular. The setting, the Amazonian world in particular, is a beautiful thing. The contrast in light and dark between the peaceful world of Diana's and the war torn world of Steve Trevor helps set the scene and the story flows nearly without fault. Gal Gadot as Diana Prince and as Wonder Woman is spellbinding, full of love and compassion but capable of such rage and DC, who may have had casting issues in the past, have chosen their lead perfectly. Some recent DCEU films have been accused of not having enough humour or light relief in them so step forward Chris Pine who adds a wit and charm missing in other films and whose on screen chemistry with Gadot nears perfection.

But Wonder Woman is more than great casting, it's more than being a female directed film, it's more than just another chapter in the DCEU. It's a way 'in' for a generation, the almost lost generation in cinematic terms, it's the first superhero film that my daughter genuinely watched with mouth open and an unnerving ability to not blink. Awe and supreme happiness were etched across her face during and afterwards. Cinema has a responsibility to entertain but it's also vital in inspiring people. Whether it inspires love or hate, political energy or apathy, it has to inspire something. My daughter got home from our screening and drew a comic book. She created something. She was so inspired by what Patty Jenkins et al had made for her that she wanted to be involved.

I've always loved Wonder Woman and was excited by the film. I wasn't expecting to be forever grateful to it, I wasn't expecting to see a radical change in someone so young, I wasn't expecting such emotion. Thank you to all involved, you've made more than a film.

Follow Steve on Twitter @STBwrites

Image - IMDb



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