Wonder Woman

Rating: 8/10 (11 June 2017)

It's taken decades to happen, before Lynda Carter was the only incarnation that comes to everyone's mind, but now finally the DC Comics creation hit the big screen in this highly anticipated solo movie, directed by Patty Jenkins (Monster). Basically on the hidden island of Themyscira, is the home to the Amazon race of warrior women, created by the gods of Mount Olympus, to protect humankind against the god of war Ares. In the distant past, Ares slew his fellow gods, until his mortally wounded his father Zeus struck him down, before succumbing to his injuries, Zeus left the Amazons a weapon capable of killing his renegade son: the "Godkiller". Diana (Gal Gadot) was born and raised on Themuscira, but she was forbidden from training as a warrior, but defied her mother Queen Hippolyta (Connie Nielsen), training in secret with her aunt General Antiope (Robin Wright), they are eventually discovered, but Antiope convinces her sister to allow the training to continue. One day, off the coast of the island, a plane crashes into the sea, Diana rescues American pilot Captain Steve Trevor (Chris Pine), soon after the island is invaded by German soldiers, the Amazons engage and kill the invaders, but Antiope dies from a bullet shot. Interrogated with the Lasso of Truth, Steve reveals that he is a spy working to stop the great war, i.e. World War I, and he has stolen a notebook belonging to Spanish chief chemist Isabel Maru aka "Doctor Poison" (Elena Anaya), working under the orders of General Erich Ludendorff (Danny Huston) to create a deadly form of gas. Diana believes that Ares is responsible for the war, she arms herself with the ceremonial sword, which she believes to be the "Godkiller", Diana is unaware it is actually her that is the great weapon, she is also given a strong armour, and leaves Themyscira with Steve to find and destroy Ares. Diana and Steve arrive in London, they deliver Maru's notebook to Steve's superiors, including Sir Patrick Morgan (David Thewlis), who is attempting a negotiation with Germany for a formal agreement to end the war, Diana translates the notebook, it reveals the Germans plan to release the deadly gas at the war front. Steve is forbidden by his commanders to act, but with secret funding from Sir Patrick, he recruits spy Sameer (Saïd Taghmaoui), marksman Charlie (Trainspotting's Ewen Bremner), and smuggler The Chief (Eugene Brave Rock) to help him and Diana infiltrate enemy lines and prevent the gas from being released. The team reach the Western Front in Belgium, enemy machine guns stop them from crossing No Man's Land, but Diana pushes alone through the battlefield to the village of Veld, the Allied forces rally with behind her, the team celebrate with a group photograph, and it is implied, after a kiss, that Diana and Steve spend the night together. The team learn of a gala being held at German High Command, Steve infiltrates the party, intending to locate the new mustard gas and destroy it, but Diana believes Ludendorff is Ares and killing him will end the war, Steve stops her to avoid blowing their cover and jeopardising the mission. The gas is released on Veld, killing all of its inhabitants, Diana blames Steve for intervening, and pursues Ludendorff to a military base where the gas is being loaded into a bomber bound for London, Diana fights and kills the general, who was using another of Dr. Maru's gases to become physically enhanced, but she is dejected when his death does not stop the war. Sir Patrick appears, he reveals that he is actually Ares, although he has subtly given the humans the ideas and inspirations, it is ultimately the decision of humankind to cause war and violence. Ares destroys the ceremonial sword, and reveals to Diana that she is the "Godkiller", she is the daughter of Zeus and Hippolyta, and therefore Ares' half-sister, he attempts to convince Diana that humanity is inherently corrupt, and that she should help him restore paradise on Earth and destroy humankind. Diana and Ares battle, while Steve and his team destroy Dr. Maru's laboratory, Steve sacrifices himself by piloting the bomber carrying the gas, taking it to a safe altitude, stopping it reaching its destination, and exploding in the sky, Ares tries to influence Diana through her rage to kill the helpless Dr. Maru. But Diana's memories of Steve inspire her that humans have good within them, she spares Maru out of mercy, and is able to overpower and destroy Ares, in the end the team return to London, the nation celebrate the end of the war. Finally, in the present, Diana Prince has not aged, she is a curator for the Louvre's Department of Antiquities, she receives a message from Bruce Wayne, containing the group photo, she is reaffirmed of her mission to protect all life, as Wonder Woman. Also starring Lucy Davis as Etta Candy, Florence Kasumba as Senator Acantha, Eleanor Matsuura as Epione, Lilly Aspell as Diana aged 8, Ann Ogbomo as Philippus, James Cosmo as Field Marshall Haig, Martin Bishop as Kaiser Wilhelm II and Rainer Bock as Von Hindenberg. Gadot was one of the only good points worth mentioning from the atrocity that was Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice, she proves perfect casting as the beautiful warrior princess with ferocious principles, and there is great support from Pine, Thewlis, Huston and Wright. This fourth entry in the DC Extended Universe, following three movies with mixed results, works well as an origins story for the Amazonian superwoman, with plenty of punch and personality, with a good message of feminism, and a stirring insight into all elements of warfare, with a terrifically crafted script and plenty of exciting special effects ladened fight sequences, this will not disappoint, a most entertaining superhero action. Very good!