After seeing Gal Gadot be the best part of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016), I was excited to hear Wonder Woman would get her own movie. She was the most unique part of that film, came across intriguing (give us a back story!), had awesome theme music which carried over into this film, and the trailers for this film made it look like she kicks ass. A larger spoiler alert is below, but here is a little one, yes she does kick ass. The character is played compassionate, brave, and is still learning about the world around her, and I wanted the movie to keep going, (which was a surprise and a compliment to the film at a runtime of 2 hours 21 minutes). Chris Pine is given a larger role than what was advertised and he was good, just wish they could’ve given some of his screen time to more back story of Wonder Woman or her people. Most of the action pieces felt so refreshing with images we have not seen much on camera, with lots of flips, twirls, swords, and a lasso. The villain and plight of the movie was good enough for a part one, but I really hope they can come up with a more personalized or charismatic villain for any future films (why is this not already greenlit and with the same director Patty Jenkins?). This film compliments the current DC film world and will certainly have a positive impact on the studio’s future plans.

2017, PG, 2h 21m
Distributor – Warner Bros.
Budget – $149 million

Cast & Crew
Director Patty Jenkins burst into feature films writing and directing Monster (2003 which earned Charlize Theron to an Academy Award for best actress), directed some tv shows and most recently, the tv movie Exposed (2015 starring Mary Elizabeth Winstead). Screenwriter Allan Heinberg most recently wrote all 20 episodes of the tv show The Catch (2016-2017), and has written episodes of Grey’s Anatomy, The O.C., and Party of Five. Gal Gadot was busy last year, appearing in Batman v Superman, Triple 9 (with Casey Affleck), Criminal (with Kevin Costner), and Keeping Up with the Joneses (with Jon Hamm), and will be seen again as Wonder Woman in the next two Justice League movies. Chris Pine also had above average parts in last year’s Star Trek Beyond (his 3rd as Captain Kirk), Hell or High Water (with Jeff Bridges), and The Finest Hours (with Casey Affleck), and will next be seen in A Wrinkle in Time (2018 with Reese Witherspoon). Connie Nielsen keeps busy with international productions, recently appearing in Ali and Nino (Azerbaijan), The Confessions (Italy), Løvekvinnen (Norway), and will soon be seen in Stratton (United Kingdom). Robin Wright was last seen in Everest (2015 with Jason Clarke), is currently on the tv show House of Cards (2013-2017 with Kevin Spacey), and will next be seen in Blade Runner 2049 (with Harrison Ford).

Links
IMDB – 8.2

Box Office Mojo

Wikipedia

Spoilers
(please do not continue reading if you have not seen the movie and do not want to read a spoiler)

With such a unique character, (how many lasso, sword, and shield using Amazon women super heroes do you know?) I wish they would have spent more time on the island where she is from. They hinted at the greatest warrior their people have every had was Robin Wright, then show me why. Show us that battle (which was animated in a hurried plot up to now segment) and then we understand the shoes that Diana has to now fill as the fiercest warrior. I cheered when I saw her pick up the sword (that’s where she got it from, love these moments like Doctor Strange recently had) and then I was soon confused when the god of war (was anyone else picturing Kratos?) destroyed the sword with a talk to the hand. The glowing lasso was so cool to see on camera, like a glow in the dark skipping rope that Diana easily tossed people around with. That is also not done often so please use it more, including the moments of truth when people are touching it. Chris Pine was good and nonthreatening (why an Amazon didn’t shoot him with an arrow on the beach is beyond me) but he ended up being the reason that shapes Diana’s outlook, again I wish that someone (a woman!) from her own culture could have imparted wisdom here. I liked that Diana’s intent was constant throughout the film, she wants to take down the bad guy. Even when she has to play dress up, she still brings the sword with her, and the scene is thankfully not played in a, what will she do now with not knowing the culture, kind of way. As much as I do not get tired of seeing (anyone/anything) bash Germans in World War times, I do look forward to what justice Wonder Woman can bring to the modern world.