Wonder Woman Sets New Paradigm for Women In Film

Rating: 9/10 (23 June 2017)

Let's start with what must not be overlooked.
"Wonder Woman" is the vision of Director Patty Jenkins who is the first woman to direct an action film with a budget that topped $100 million.
Jenkins, who did a superb job on this super film, is the real Wonder Woman here. She pulled it off BIG time.
As I sat in the theater and marveled at this film, I kept thinking that not only should parents rush their little girls out to see it, they should rush their boys out as well. Wonder Woman really sets a new paradigm for how women can and should be seen in film.
Why?
Now keep in mind that this is a man talking, but I loved the fact that Gal Gadot's Wonder Woman is such a lovely mix of intelligence, power, strength, beauty, empathy, humor, vulnerability, righteousness, integrity and yes, love.
I dare say that I think we're still living during a time when many people confuse strength and meanness in women. Far too many men think ill of strong women and I think, ironically, a lot of women do too.
However, the fantastic news with "Wonder Woman" is that even in these cynical times, there isn't a trace of "the B word" to be found in this characterization.
Somehow, I've also equated meanness with fearfulness, but Woman Woman is SO confident and powerful that she need not be either.
Oh, and another thing. Wonder Woman is probably the least exploited, strong woman character that I've ever seen on film. In that sense, she's somewhat like Emma Peel from "The Avengers" television series, but on superhero steroids.
However, having said that, both women are totally hot. They just don't "lead" with their "hotness."
Gal Gadot's Wonder Woman has power that doesn't lie in her sexuality – although, believe me, she has that – but rather in her personal integrity, strength of character, superhero strength and intelligence. It's a winning combo that no strong man who's sure of himself wants to miss.
I'm glad I did not.
There's no doubt that a male director would've "tarted up" Wonder Woman. Doing so would give men some sense of control over this powerful and threatening female figure. However, that's not the case here.
Yes, Wonder Woman is a symbol, but Patty Jenkins and Gal Gadot obviously worked hard to make her human and real and they've completely avoided compromising her power by making her an object. Mission accomplished.
If I weren't too long in the tooth, I'd get a Wonder Woman poster for my bedroom wall  However, if I did, I'm sure she'd be angry and would come bursting through the wall and beat me good for it.
In the next film, I'd love to see Wonder Wonder tackle Neanderthal Man.
No contest. Michael Corbin, www.ArtBookGuy.com