Wonder Woman is One for the History Books

Rating: 9/10 (16 January 2019)

Superhero movies are so prevalent today that it can often be difficult to see the differences when the similarities between the movies are so prominent. A childhood trauma or adversity overcome with determination and a little luck. Extravagant movies that differ in location and character but share many of the same qualities. Of course, superhero movies tend to have the most vocal and supportive fans across the movie genres, perhaps due to their feel good messages of good conquering over evil. While message is true in movies like Black Panther and Wonder Woman, their unique stories provide the audiences with a fresh take on the ever popular superhero movies.
The film kicks off in France at the Louvre, where Diana Prince, played by Gal Gadot, receives a package from Bruce Wayne. In the package, a picture and a note saying "I found the original. Maybe someday you'll tell me your story." The majority of the movie is a flashback, first transporting the viewers to the magical and exquisite island of Themyscira and focusing on Diana's childhood. When Steve Trevor (Chris Pine) stumbles upon the island, bringing German soldiers with him, the Amazons have their first encounter with the modern world. Steve and Diana set off to Europe with both hoping to end the war. Although the Wonder Woman comics are originally set during World War II, Director Patty Jenkins opted to change the time period to World War I, or the "war to end all wars" as it is referred to in the movie.
Gal Gadot masterfully creates the earnest and naive Diana, a refreshing twist from the usual angsty superhero movies, which exist both in Marvel and DC comics. Her belief that by defeating Ares, all of mankind will stop fighting shows the best. Her complete and perhaps unearned belief that mankind is inherently good, only serves to add to her naivety. Steve spends either in awe of Diana and incredulous. Chris Pine adds more passion and heart to the movie with his portrayal of Steve.
This is not to say that Wonder Woman is flawless, with a run time of around 2 hours and 30 min, it is rather long, not that most fans would have any objection to this. Jenkins also opts to include the overdone final fight scene at the end of the movie, however she does a nice job helping the audience to feel the emotions that the characters feel.
Danny Hurston, playing Ludendorff, the evil German general, along with Elena Anaya as the mad chemist intent of creating the largest weapon of death ever seen, are the main villains that both Chris and Diana are intent on stopping. Diana believes that Ludendorff is Ares, the Greek god of war, while Chris clearly doesn't believe the same. The two enlist a misfit band consisting of the "Chief" (Eugene Brave Rock), a black market smuggler, Charlie (Ewen Bremner) a struggling marksman, and Sameer (Said Taghmaoui) an undercover operative.
Director Patty Jenkins does a wonderful job of mixing humor in with the depressing aspects of war. One scene that does a great job of adding humor is when Steve's secretary Etta (Lucy Davis) takes Diana shopping for clothes, as her Greek clothes do not blend in well in London. Diana's insistence on the ridiculousness of the fashion trends, as well as her trying to properly move in the clothes does a nice job of adding humor to the film.
The costume designer, Lindy Hemming, did a wonderful job of creating costumes that convey the magical feel of Themyscira, and changing Wonder Woman's original costume with high heels to one more practical for fighting.
Overall, Wonder Woman does a fabulous job smashing the mold of a typical superhero movie, filled with angst and the overdone trope of overcoming a difficult event. Any flaws that exist do not detract from the viewers enjoyment. Jenkins does a masterful job of adding emotions and a realistic view of human behavior and life. This movie is refreshingly different, while still maintaining the aspects that make a superhero movie great. Wonder Woman is a must watch movie for the most avid superhero fans, as well as those who have never seen one.