DC finally gets it right!

Rating: 8/10 (5 June 2017)

We can all exhale, DC finally got a movie right.
WONDER WOMAN is the DC movie that we have been waiting for. It has it all - a good cast, good action, pathos, high stakes and - ready for this? - humor! With a central character that is easy to root for and real chemistry between the two leads, this film is entertaining from start to finish.
Director Patty Jenkins hits a home run with this one and nearly avoids almost all of the traps of a Comic Book SuperHero Origin film - almost. The biggest issue I had with this film is the first 1/2 hour, the time that Wonder Woman grows up on the hidden island with the Amazon women. Young Diana is precocious and inquisitive and is raised to be a warrior by her Queen Mother, Hippolyta (a serviceable Connie Nielsen) and her Warrior Aunt, Antiope (an interestingly cast Robin Wright). This part of the film was a pretty "by-the-books" origin film and is fine, but not more than that. However, this film picks up speed when Chris Pine's spy/pilot, Steve Trevor, crashes onto the scene.
If you wonder if there is such a thing as film chemistry, check out the scenes, banter and verbal sparring being Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot - more on her later) and Pine. The screen crackles when these two are together and I really, really wanted them to get together and loved spending 2 hours with them. Chris Pine is a "no doubt" movie star, commanding the screen with charisma, charm and poise.
But Gadot's Diana Prince is his equal in every way. The biggest concern I had about this film was whether Gadot could fill the screen for a full film, after being the best thing (by far) in the BATMAN V SUPERMAN film of last year. My fears were calmed as Gadot was able to hold this film together as her Diana Prince was fierce, vulnerable, funny, sad, charming and confused - often at the same time. She really has captured this role - and the film - and is the main reason that it is so strong.
Director Jenkins and screenplay writer Allan Heinberg populate this world with rich, muted tones, representing the WWI setting of the story while populating this world with interesting supporting characters - mostly the ragtag group that Pine's Trevor recruits to help Wonder Woman complete her task. Said Taghmaoui (Sameer), Ewen Bremmer (Charlie) and Eugene Brave Rock (The Chief) were welcome companions on this journey - as were Lucy Davis as Trevor's ass't, Etta and good ol' David Thewlis who chewed the scenery very well as Sir Patrick. The only actor who did not fair well was Danny Huston as the main villain - a bit cartoonish and one dimensional. But, of course, this is a comic book film, so I guess I should not have expected more.
As for the action - Jenkins direction was revelatory to me - her choreographing of the action was solid, simple and well thought out. When Diana Prince finally rises to the occasion as WonderWoman - in a thrilling sequence right in the middle of the film - I was grinning from ear to ear and was cheering her on. It was the uplifting, positive SuperHero moment that the dour DC films have been missing. I hope they learn to keep that up for the next installment in this Universe - JUSTICE LEAGUE.
But, if not, I look forward to WONDER WOMAN 2!
Letter Grade A-
8 (out of 10) stars and you can take that to the Bank (ofMarquis)