Filled with action, humor and excitement, Wonder Woman is the best DC film since Nolan's Batman trilogy

Rating: 9/10 (5 June 2017)

I grew up watching Lynda Carter as Wonder Woman, and the initial previews of this filmic rendition had me worried after the spate of lackluster DC-themed superhero films that have left me feeling cold and unimpressed. My initial worries mostly related to the dour seriousness of previous DC films (even Suicide Squad was bleak and depressing), and the visual tone seemed to suggest Wonder Woman was going to follow suit.
Thankfully, Patty Jenkins proves my reservations were unwarranted. Wonder Woman is an exciting, clever, and humorous introduction to the character, one of the best origin stories we've ever been gifted. After an admittedly rocky start (with some pretty terrible CGI), Jenkins turns this into a superbly assured film. Gal Gadot more than adequately steps into the boots of Lynda Carter -- she makes this Diana Prince her own, reminding me in ways of Christopher Reeve as Superman. She's awkward and gawky as she tries to blend in with the rest of human civilization. In one of the movie's more memorable scenes, Diana tries on clothes, wondering how anyone is supposed to fight in such restrictive "armor".
Chris Pine has proved his leading man status several times over, but his chemistry with Gadot is instant and charming. His secretary Etta Candy is played by scene-stealing Lucy Davis, who befriends the Amazonian princess quickly, admiring her strength and refusal to placate the male-dominated culture. Robin Wright makes an excellent and strong impression as Diana's personal trainer.
However, Gal Gadot is truly what makes Wonder Woman the success it is. This is her chance to prove her star-making turn in the otherwise woeful "Batman v Superman" was not a fluke, and she delivers in spades. Director Patty Jenkins handles all of this with an assured hand, making the action scenes fluid and comprehensible without resorting to flashy or distracting editing. I normally despise transitions from fast-to-slow motion, but Jenkins gets this right too: there's just enough to see Wonder Woman's super-human feats without falling victim to the Zack Snyder effect of removing all excitement from the scene.
Not just one of the best superhero movies out of the DC universe, this is one of the best superhero movies period.