Wonderful

Rating: 8/10 (23 June 2017)

Wonder Woman was always going to stand out. In a huge burst of superhero fervor that's lasted for decades it's the first time since Elecktra that a superheroine has had her own movie and it's the first time since Punisher: War Zone that a woman has directed a superhero movie. Combine that with the fact that it's the first superhero movie starring a woman to be directed by a woman AND the fact that despite being an iconic and beloved superheroine it's the first time that a live-action Wonder Woman has made it to the big screen you have a movie burdened down under the weight of some heavy firsts.
The good news is that even among so many game changing stats Wonder Woman holds it own simply as a movie. I love action movies but I don't go to too many. Simple fact being that between the cheesy, often lazy dialogue, the blurred action scenes that go by way too quickly to even understand what's going on and the terrible to non- existent characterization, it's often not worth the price of the ticket. But Wonder Woman has a great script and is lovingly directed by Patty Jenkins. This may only be her second feature film but Jenkins has spent the time between this and her 2003 debut film Monster handling big budget TV pilots and cutting her teeth behind the scenes on small studio shorts to test whether she was superhero director material. Is she ever!
Wonder Woman is a introduction to WW the character and, aside from two clumsy bookends, pretty manages to stand on its own as a movie. It tells the tale about how Diana, princess of Themyscira, grows up on an all female matriarchy. Sheltered by her mother, the adventurous Diana defies her orders and trains as a warrior under the guidance of her aunt. Her peaceful existence grinds to a halt one day when Steve Trevor crashlands in the waters of the island. After she rescues him and ascertains he's a man, the island is attacked by WWI German soldiers who bring with them guns, which the Amazons have never seen before. Horrified by the consequences of this weapon Diana decides to go with Steve to do what she was trained to do and stop the war, reclaiming peace and love for mankind.
That's the gist of the plot, which doesn't sound that great when I put it down in writing. Trust me when I say that the world building and characterization really amp up the value of this simple story. I had my doubts about Gal Gadot, who plays our titular Wonder Woman, but she truly steps up to the plate and inhabits the role with oodles of charm and grit. This is a Diana who is naive but not stupid, kind hearted but determined, who is willing to go the extra mile and do the right thing because that's what she believes in. The other characters are really wonderful and charming too. Chris Pine is given a lot to do as Steve Trevor but he is a good and ultimately supporting player to Diana. Lucy Davis kills in a tiny role as Etta Candy, Steve's secretary. Out of all the Amazons Robin Wright really sticks out as a fierce warrior who is clearly having the time of her life in a really epic battle scene that I wish had gone on even longer! Trevor's crew of misfits, despite being given little screen time also have their own unique traits and values and Jenkins, the actors, and the screenwriters succeed in making you care for them over their short amount of screen time.
Ultimately while this film is about two and a half hours long the time just flies by. It's elegantly paced, and if anything could have done with an extra half hour to fully flesh out the end. I gave it an 8 as a rating, rounded up from what would be a 7.5 if IMDb allowed half stars. Why not higher when I'm full of praise? Ultimately though the film is charming there are some bones to pick here and there with the film. Nothing that detracts from it being an overall great experience, but not enough to boost it to a higher score. And ultimately, as fun and as charming as the film is, it doesn't really do anything to reinvent the wheel. It is a simple story beautifully told. It's just a pity that more action films aren't able to meet the bar of being decent.
Definitely give this one a watch. You won't be disappointed.