Wonder Woman (2017) Movie Review

Rating: 9/10 (27 June 2017)

It's about time a movie within the DC Extended Universe garnered some favorable reviews from both critics and fans alike. Not only has director Patty Jenkins and star Gal Gadot's 'Wonder Woman', managed to do just that, it has been praised and hailed as one of the best comic-book movies to date, and the best made under the DC banner since Christopher Nolan's 2008 masterpiece, 'The Dark Knight'. I agree wholeheartedly, and I'm proud to say that I absolutely loved Zack Snyder's 'Man of Steel' and the 'Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice' Ultimate Edition.
There's something about 'Wonder Woman' that really makes it stand out from the crowded sea of superhero films that have flooded the market over the past few years. Actually, there are a number of things. First and foremost is the performance given by Israeli actress Gal Gadot, who absolutely owns the role as Diana Prince. In every line she speaks and expression she makes, the emotional weight of the story on her character and the people are her is visible and palpable. Diana's innocence and desire to protect the world and make it a better place are perfectly displayed, as is her strength and skill in the movie's amazing fight scenes. Gal Gadot simply is Wonder Woman. Chris Pine as Steve Trevor also gives a great performance, playing off of the innocence of Gadot's Diana Prince very nicely, succeeding in creating a believable relationship between the two. The rest of the cast, including Connie Neilson, Robin Wright, SaÃ¯d Taghmaoui, Ewen Bremner, and Eugene Brave Rock, among others, do a very fine job in their supporting roles.
As with any superhero movie, and with ones within the DCEU specifically, the action sequences are one of the most important aspects of the film- and the fight scenes and action sequences in 'Wonder Woman' certainly do not disappoint, (even if one or two of them features some CGI that isn't absolutely perfect). The choreography throughout the film is amazing and the scenes are enhanced through an incredibly emotional score by Rupert Gregson-Williams, both during action sequences and during slower moments. Not since Hans Zimmer's work in 'The Dark Knight Rises', 'Man of Steel', and 'Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice', has a film's score stood out to me so magnificently. You will not soon forget the action and music in this movie. Not a chance.
While I'm not one of the many who believes the DC Extended Universe has been a complete mess up until this point, I will absolutely agree that the franchise needed win with both critics and fans- and 'Wonder Woman' delivers in full. The entire movie is a success, and from start to finish provides a sense of wonder similar to that of the 'flight' sequence in 'Man of Steel'. Never before have I felt so much genuine emotion and passion from an actor or actress than what Gal Gadot provides in 'Wonder Woman'. This is the perfect superhero movie, and if the rest of the coming DCEU films are anything like what Patty Jenkins and her crew have done with this movie, then we're all in for something truly special.
A success in every way, 'Wonder Woman' is something truly special- cementing itself as one of the greatest superhero movies yet to be created, and Gal Gadot's performance as one of- if not the best, superhero portrayal of all time.