WONDER WOMAN (2017)

                                                                                          Critic - No.111

Director: Patty Jenkins

Casts: Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Robin Wright, Danny Huston

Language: English

Genre: Action / Adventure / Fantasy

Plot:

‘Wonder Woman’ tracks the superhero’s backstory when she was Diana, the princess and trained warrior in the Amazons. When a pilot crashes and tells of the conflict in the outside world, Diana leaves home to fight and end all wars, discovering her full powers and true destiny.

Review:

Patty Jenkins certainly must have been in pressure after series of mediocre films in the DC extended universe franchise. Even seasoned directors have been carried away by its grim and metaphysical nature but Jenkins has shrugged all the doubts by crafting a sensible and substantial DC flick with so much of heart.

Jenkins has understood the theoretical nuances of DC and has tried her best to stay faithful to it. Set in 20^th century, we are introduced to some of the philosophical angle through the world of Amazons who are hidden by the Gods of Mount Olympus from the real world as a protection against the Ares, God of war.  

Throughout the film, the moral line between good and evil, violence and love, life and death is being echoed through. Wonder Woman’s character is consistent, poignant and heroic. When you minus off the Superhero aspect away, ‘Wonder Woman’ stands tall as a period war drama with so much of details and emotions.

Even in fight scenes in the Amazon, Jenkins has ensured that they are captured in great detail prowess of the lady warriors, tasteful manner without any distractions from heavy CGI works or gimmicky quick cuts. For the first time in DCEU, the superhero actually displays ethos rather than raging and regretting. Not perfect but quite relieving to see a well constructed action set pieces. 

Unlike the other DC super hero flicks, ‘Wonder Woman’ has a few situational gags intelligently weaved into the screenplay that both lightens the proceedings and thickens the character.

Gal Gadot is charismatic, fiery and elegant. I couldn’t imagine anyone in the role except her. Not only in exhilarating stunt sequences, she flexes her versatility in scenes that warrants complex emotions especially in the climax. Chris Pine is charming and apt as the superhero's own dashing 'hero'. 

As much as it is substantially strong and unique, it enters a little into the cliché surface level love track sequences that get more duration than needed. This acts like a speed breaker at times. Despite the powerful pay off, the romantic angle could have been handled with more depth, provided the significant theme of love the film carries. In addition, the pre-climax scenes look abrupt and contrived. 

Patty Jenkins not only have revived the DCEU franchise but also has stamped a feministic empowerment in it, putting all the other male superheroes to shame.

VERDICT: 

‘Wonder Woman’ reinvigorates the faith for

DC extended universe in a spectacular scale with its honest balance of philosophy, love and exhilarating action.

CELLULOID METER – 3.5/5: