'Wonder Woman' Movie Review

Hello, fellow moviegoers!
   Wonder Woman is directed by Patty Jenkins, and it stars Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Connie Neilsen, Robin Wright, and Danny Huston. It tells the story of Diana, an Amazonian warrior, and Princess of her home, Themiscrya. When the rampages of the fist World War come to the shores of Themyscira, Diana travels with a man named Steve Trevor to Europe in an attempt to bring an end to the "War to End All Wars".

   The new DC Extended Universe that Warner Bros is attempting to build has gotten off to a bit of a rocky start. Though I absolutely love 2013's Man of Steel, it was met with relatively mixed reviews from critics and fans alike. The two sequential films (Batman v Superman, and Suicide Squad) both failed to live up to many peoples' expectations. So as a result, there is a lot riding on Wonder Woman to really get this franchise in gear. Thankfully, Wonder Woman delivers a film going experience that will both entertain you, and stick with you long after you've left the theater.
   The best thing I can say about Wonder Woman is that it is a lot of fun. From start to finish, this film never failed to be witty, original, and an overall joy to watch. The action scenes are exciting and fast-paced, but most of all, they're focused. By this, I mean that you can always follow what's going on. They're not like the fight scenes of the Transformers franchise where it's just a massive CGI mess all over the screen. No. Every move that Wonder Woman makes in her fight sequences can be tracked by the audience, and therefore delivers a full effect. Every gunshot fired by Steve Trevor and his companions is followed to show exactly what it was they were shooting at. The focus of the action scenes is best seen with the Amazonians themselves. When they fight, you can see and comprehend every swing of the sword and throw of a spear. The fight co-ordination in this film was nothing short of magnificent, and that's only a testament to the fantastic directing by Patty Jenkins.
   Contrary to what you might think given what I just said, this isn't an action packed movie. The fight scenes are there, and when they are, they're fantastic. However, it's between fights that this movie really excels, and that is due to all of the great characters. In Wonder Woman, we are presented with a cast of characters that everyone can relate to and route for. From the moment we meet the likes of Diana and Steve,  the audience is automatically connected with them. You can't help but get attached to these characters. That's because they seem like actual people, not drawings ripped from a comic-book page. They have flaws, but they also have good things about them, and that's why we love them.
   There are a lot of really good themes to be had in this movie as well. Aside from the most prominent theme of female empowerment, there are big themes in this film about war, pride, and what it really means to be a human. Though she travels a lot, the journey Diana goes on in this film is ultimately one of her learning what humanity really is. This film shows the good and the bad about who we are, and the audience gets to experience that through the eyes of someone who has never experienced it. 
   Gal Gadot gives a performance in this movie that is likely to be considered one of the greats in superhero films far down the line. Not only does she nail the physicality and strength of Wonder Woman, but she also brings a lot of emotion to her character. There is one scene early on specifically that the emotion of her performance really drove home, and I honestly started to get surprisingly emotional. Gadot loves playing this character, and it's easy to tell while watching the film. She's having fun making Wonder Woman, and in turn, we have fun watching it. Chris Pine, in my opinion, is the most talented of the Hollywood Chrises (Pine, Pratt, Hemsworth, and Evans). He proved that in Hell or High Water, and he proves it again here in Wonder Woman. This guy really sells every scene he's in. His comedic timing is fantastic, and the way he delivers his lines throughout the movie was always on point. 
   The most admirable thing about Wonder Woman is its setting and the way it is handled. The film takes place in the heart of the first World War which, as you can imagine, is pretty bleak and depressing. However, Director Patty Jenkins is able to bring the colorful, innocent character of Wonder Woman into that setting and make it work extremely well. The contrast of Diana's hopeful attitude against the grim background of WWI ends up emboldening both of them and making the movie as a whole even more powerful. 
   Wonder Woman is a great film, no matter which way you look at it. It features relatable characters, a compelling story, exciting action sequences, heavy-hitting themes, and above all, manages to be a lot of fun. The only real complaints I have are the visual effects were a bit spotty at times, and the villain was a little cliche. That's it. Wonder Woman is a fantastic example of how to make a superhero movie. It's the type of film that most strive to be. I'll definitely be seeing this one multiple times.

9/10

   So what did you think of Wonder Woman? Did it live up to your expectations? Let me know by commenting on this post! Also, if you enjoyed this review, share it on Facebook and Twitter! It really helps! Don't forget, I post every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, so check back then for more movie reviews and other miscellaneous movie thoughts!

Thanks for stopping by!