Exactly What the DCEU and World Needs

Rating: 9/10 (1 June 2017)

To say Wonder Woman is exactly the film we need right now is understatement. Not only is the DCEU in the midst of 2 critical bombs, off-camera issues, and desperate fans, but the world itself needs a bit of saving. There's so much hatred in the world that seeing a character like Wonder Woman set such a beautiful example in her ways is incredibly inspiring, and I mean both the character and the film itself. Action-packed, funny, and surprisingly touching, Wonder Woman is not just the film to save the DCEU, but it could very well reinvigorate the superhero genre once again.
I might as well say upfront that Gal Gadot kills it as Diana Prince/Wonder Woman. Even after an all too brief appearance in last year's Batman v Superman, I had my doubts that she could lead a franchise on her own. While I can still see some room to grow, her charisma, physicality, and chemistry with Chris Pine is the backbone of this film. Her smile is infectious, her punch is fist pump worthy, and her stature is awe inspiring and admiring. It's almost to the point where I'm having a hard time seeing anyone else in the role.
I hadn't seen any of Patty Jenkins work before this, and I became instantly interested in checking out her other work after watching what she did with Wonder Woman. There's definitely some carry over from Zack Snyder's style in the previous DCEU adventures, but I think Jenkins brought in some much needed humanity to this story. Just by looking at the tone of Wonder Woman you can see the clear difference between this and any of the 3 DCEU films. It more closely resembles the heart that Man of Steel brought to the table, but perhaps with a little less bleakness.
The film does struggle a little with pacing in the first half, but it does surprisingly well developing characters. I hate to keep comparing it to other DC or Marvel films, but I would have a hard time thinking of a first superhero film (or Origin story) that did this well developing and writing characters. The supporting characters each had their own respected arcs and the relationship between Steve Trevor and Diana is truly something special. It reminded me a lot of Peggy and Steve's dynamic in The First Avenger, innocent and charming. The writing is so good, in fact, that it allowed me to forgive a lot of the late game CGI and green screen, because at that point I was already invested in all the characters.
But even with all the action, laughs, and fun characters, it's all about the message. The power of love has been done over and over again in films, but it's rare that it is executed as well as it is here. We fall in love with Wonder Woman's innocence in the situation she's in, and she falls in love with human's drive to do what's right. It's a really powerful message and takes Wonder Woman to levels that I'm not sure most superhero films are able to match. So yes, the film is one of the best action films of the year, and certainly is up there on the all-time superhero list, but it's way more important than that.
+Writing/directing
+Gadot leads with charisma
+Funny and heartwarming dynamic between Steve & Diana
+Great action
-Pacing a little slow in the beginning
9.3/10