a wonder to behold

Rating: Null/10 (5 June 2017)

The first solo live-action Wonder Woman film is brought to the screen in impressive fashion by director Patty Jenkins. A prequel of sorts, the film chronicles young Amazonian warrior Diana Prince who trains for the impending return of Ares, the God of War. A chance encounter with American military pilot Steve Trevor leads her to believe that she can locate the unscrupulous Ares herself, so she leaves her homeland and finds herself in WWI era London still determined to complete her mission. Unlike previous DCEU films, this managers to tell a compelling—and coherent—story with splendid visual effects, a vivid sense of time and place, just the right blend of action, drama, and humor, along with believable (and engaging) characters. Follows an origin tale formula yet still feels fresh and exciting, and Gadot is magnificent in the central role; a definite step in the right direction for the expanding universe. ***