DC meets expectations on 'Wonder Woman'

Rating: 9/10 (4 July 2017)

The DC Comics universe is finally on an upswing after being repeatedly outdone by its Disney/Marvel Studios rival for years, with 'Wonder Woman' being the latest effort that has found an audience.
Now the highest-grossing film directed by a female director (Patty Jenkins), 'Wonder Woman' is a powerhouse that is more a war film than it is a superhero one. After having been introduced to Gal Gadot's Diana Prince in 2016's 'Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice,' we get to see the Amazonian woman's origin story, from her upbringing on a secluded Mediterranean island to her direct impact on fighting the "world to end all wars." After rescuing a downed American spy (Chris Pine) and fighting off a wave of Germans, we get to see Gadot's character go through many experiences that change her life in a short period of time. As she's bent on defeating the god Ares, who she is convinced is behind the death and destruction ravaging the globe, Diana discovers her godlike powers and realizes how unique she really is.
While Gadot is clearly the main attraction in 'Wonder Woman,' there are some strong supporting performances by the likes of Robin Wright (Antiope), Connie Nielsen (Hippolyta) and David Thewlis (Sir Patrick). Sure - there is something to be said about the inconsistent accents, but these are not as distracting as they could have been. Again, perhaps 'Wonder Woman's best attribute is that it is not over-the-top and is first and foremost an action-drama set in WWI-era Europe. Despite the serious backdrop, there's plenty of laughs to go around, as well, most of which revolve around Diana's unfamiliarity with the modern world.
But everything about 'Wonder Woman,' from the way it was filmed to the special effects, is first-rate when compared with other films in the genre. There were plenty of critiques and high expectations to go around before its release, whether deserved or not, and it's good to see 'Wonder Woman' really lived up to the hype.
If it had been poorly received, this could have been the nail in the coffin for the current DC Comics film series, but it appears 'Wonder Woman' was just the jolt that was needed.