Wonder Woman - Review Thread [TAG SPOILERS]

You make a great point. It is a great adventure movie.

 

8.5 out of 10

 

I may as well get straight to the point. It's the best DC film since The Dark Knight. It's not even a contest. This film has that one thing both MoS and BvS lacked - heart. This film defines exactly who Diana is and never once questions why she believes what she believes. A leader, an inspiration, a bright light in a dark time, it's someone who wants to change things for the better and the film embraces that. Patty Jenkins has captured the essence of who Diana is in all her glory.

I'll preface everything by saying the film is not without it's faults. The first 20 mins or so feels incredibly clunky as the story tries to fit in who the Amazons are and what their history is. And the lack of any real exploration of Themyscirca was also disappointing. Overall I feel the Amazons were short shifted a little bit with very little time given to really develop relationships, especially between Diana and Hippolyta. It almost feels like a weird prologue that doesn't really fit with the rest of the movie

But the film picks up once Steve Trevor arrives and Diana leaves with him for London. Anyone worried about Marvel-like humour needn't worry. The fish out of water elements that bring out most of the humour works much like the levity in The Dark Knight, nothing feels written for the sake of making the audience laugh and instead feels like the kind of humour that comes naturally in conversation.

It's during this time that Diana slowly learns how this world works, she questions the decisions made during times of war and the effects it has on people, never once being satisfied with the answers she's given. It's here where her inspiration to others start to take effect as she literally charges across a battlefield. It's this type of thing that has been missing in the last couple of movies, a character who wants to help and doesn't take no for an answer.

In terms of cast, I was never won over by Gal in BvS and none of the trailers lead me to believe anything was going to be different. I still feel there's a clear level of difference between her and the rest of the cast, and she still has limitations in terms of her range, but overall she does well. She has good chemistry with Chris Pine, it might be one of the best superhero relationships that's been capture on film, and she undoubtably has a warmth that comes through on screen.

For the action it's pretty good for the most part, although Patty seems to have taken a few too many Zack Snyder slow-mo pills which makes some of the sequences feel awkward, and there's some noticeable CG elements that feel distracting. The final set piece feels a little all over the place at times but not to the point of ruining the movie. The score blends in with the film pretty well, but that annoying guitar theme music does make an appearance though which felt completely out of place with the tone of the film.

Overall, this is oh-so close to being a great movie. A few changes here and there and I think it's as good as TDK or Logan, but alas it falls ever so short. Agonisingly short. There are clear influences from both Superman: The Movie and Batman Begins, it seems fitting the first movie from Wonder Woman would follow in those films footstep.

8/10

 

i saw last night, perfect, a masterpiece, 10/10 better than any DCEU movies and almost every MCU too easy.

 

Initial thoughts: http://forums.superherohype.com/showpost.php?p=35285801&postcount=379

I agree with you jmc- the movie was actually quite plot-driven that it didn't spend much time in Themyscira. It didn't stop to give much of a huge backstory to the Amazons (just what was needed for the plot re: the gods.) I wanted to see more of the relationships on Themyscira too. The other Amazons. Though I guess there is time in the future...But there is a whole complex history and society there that WW fans know especially, so probably won't be satisfied with the amount shown.

The Steve and Diana relationship works really well. I see Patty's work all over that. Like you see in "Monster". "Monster" also had some issues on the pacing/technical side, but it hits you like a gut punch. Patty does something similar here, making the characters the focus, the central relationship believable.

Steve and Diana's love story is also great because the TV show never fully explored that. A lot of the comics didn't either (in such a way). These are classic characters and as a WW fan, to see that, it was great.

Visually, Patty of course isn't as unique as Zack Snyder. But her focus is clearly on emotion and character.

The villains were probably the least developed. I am not surprised there are no deleted scenes. It looks like they had to add more with the re-shoots.

It is a bit noticeable that the budget isn't as big as say MOS and BvS. But what Patty did with it was very impressive.

There are some odd cuts such as

Spoiler

when Diana loses her sword then retrieves it to fight Ares

and some clumsily-staged scenes. But, again, the characters save it.

There is a bit of an over-reliance on CGI where the Amazons fighting look a bit rubbery.

The momentum of the plot sometimes seems rushed and unclear.

But the impact of this movie was incredible and the audience I was with felt it too.

Despite some technical faults, emotionally it works so well, all in all I will give this movie

8.7 out of ten.

There is room for improvement obviously but it is a great start and I want a 9 WW movie at least, next time.

Also, Gal was great, she was different than I expected, as I said, more forthright and confronting, whether to civilians or to enemies.

When she

Spoiler

killed Ludendorff I was shocked and wondered if that would be considered controversial at all.

Pine had a substantial part, not just a love interest at all. And the male characters were prominent and well-drawn too.

 

I was tossing up between 8 and 9, but I give it a 9.

My main quibbles are quibbles that I have for pretty much every single superhero / comic book film:

- an over reliance on CGI, especially for action beats / scenes which could be filmed with stunt doubles, wire work or clever camera angles
- a poor, one dimensional "evil" villain who has minimal screen time and no real attempt to make them sympathetic or understandable in the slightest
- an overly chaotic, messy, dark and CGI heavy climax where it's difficult to follow the action and which seems to go on a little too long

But, as noted, they're all pretty common criticisms.

The brightest spots for me we're:

- Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman. She may never be as muscular as I would like and I still think the costume is a little impractical, but Gal Gadot is Wonder Woman and acquits herself very, very well. One or two moments could have used another take or stronger direction from Patty Jenkins. And I wish they'd let her be something other than drop dead gorgeous in every scene with perfect hair and makeup
- Wonder Woman's character. Diana is a really interesting mix of contradictions, but she's ultimately very likeable and loveable
- pretty good humour throughout
- a nicely balanced tone throughout - juggling light and dark moments with equal aplomb
- Dr Poison. It won't happen, but I'd love to see more of Dr Poison. A charismatic actor and a compelling character
- Themyscira. Sure, it's not as advanced as I would have liked to see, but it was beautiful and I wish we'd gotten to know more about the Amazons
- *that* scene in No Man's Land. Very nicely done
- Chris Pine as Steve Trevor. I think he played well off Gal Gadot and didn't try to overshadow or outshine her, even though a more arrogant A List actor probably would have tried to do so
- Steve Trevor in the bath (or rather out of the bath)

Ultimately, I think the film could have been a bit stronger. I probably would have ditched the trio of supporting comedic characters in favour of more screen time for Steve and Diana. And I would have used the same villain, but with different characterisation and a different finale that was truer to Wonder Woman's ideals.

I'm looking forward to seeing it again very soon.

 

Best DC movie ever!!!!! I just love it! This is probably the first DC movie that I can consider as one of my favorites! And I just love that like Superman/Batman, her debut solo film turned out to be great and that won't change regardless if the upcoming DC movies turn out to be inferior.

Gal Gadot was just so fierce! I love how she was fish out of water in human world. She was really fierce. I love the costume reveal so much. My weave fell off during that scene, she was just a Goddess. And the fight scenes... She slayed so much!!! Whip it girl! And I just love relatable she is. I just love how compassionate she is and I like the believing part and the thing about love. So real and true! Love it!

9/10

And something at the end made me cry

 

Like your weave, I couldn't keep still during that scene either.

I even got a bit teary thinking about the ending on the way home

 

They could not have made a more perfect WW origin movie if they tried. Like Batman Begins, it's clear that everyone involved just gets Wonder Woman entirely. Party Jenkins did an amazing job. And Gadot is WW in the same way Reeves was Superman, Jackman wa Wolverine and RDJ is Tony Stark. It's almost impossible to picture someone else in the role, having seen her in it now.

 

Just got back from watching. I thought that it was great and fantastic.

I was disappointed when

Spoiler

Antiope and Steve Trevor die. I did not expected it.

I thought the twist

Spoiler

on the villain is great. I did not see it coming. At first we thought Ludendorff is the main villain. Then it turns out to be Sir Patrick and I was like, "What???" I thought Ares is supposed to be young,dashing and handsome. I did not expect him to be a miggle-aged old man.

 

And the battle scenes were great too.

At first I thought

Spoiler

that Diana's fight scene with Ludendorff is a bit too short since he is the "main villain". Then it turns out that he is the decoy villain, and then it starts to make sense to me."

I thought it was hot that Chris Pine

Spoiler

is totally naked during the shower scene. You can see his back?? He just has his towel covering his genitals.

I thought it was weird that Diana

Spoiler

has sex with Steve so quickly. They barely know each other well, and she is ready to sleep with him?

 

I was thinking

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how badass Antiope was and then she dies. It's too bad we won't see her anymore (unless they have flashbacks.)

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They show quite a lot. I didn't expect that! And the dialogue was funny.

I didn't mind that. The plot does move pretty fast in this movie.

Spoiler

But with a lot of WW comics and especially the old TV show, I was glad that it finally happened instead of the prolonged flirting. The TV show especially started with the idea of their love story and decided to drop it. So to see it happen in live action was great. To me it was like in the original Terminator, Sarah and Kyle fall in love pretty quickly and they aren't together long. But it matters.

 

I skipped the final trailer and the second trailer of this film. So seeing those shots, in the bjg screen, like the metallic boots, up to her head to toe look had so much effect on me. I haven't seen a DC movie in a theater twice before and I am planning to watch it again this weekend!

And oh yeah Chris Pine was so good too. I liked their chemistry together.

Oh I also love the DC logo at the start!!! Yas! I feel like Dceu should have been the Harry Potter series of Wb this decade with consistently good movies, and ugh if only at least Superman/Bvs were as good as Wonder Woman (I don't care about Ss), this would have Been more exciting for DC as a whole. But I really hope with Aquaman/Batman/Cyborg/Corps they could be as good as Ww.

Wonder Woman is such a game changer. It's a really good film and seeing Wb finally succeed is such a pleasant surprise.

 

I agree with this review. The good things about the film far outweigh the negatives.

[BLACKOUT]I would add that I thought David Thewlis was miscast as Ares. He just didn't sell me on being an ancient god or villainous in nature.[/BLACKOUT].

 

I felt a bit like I had seen too much in the trailers. Wish I had gone in not knowing/seeing some stuff.

There were parts of Man Of Steel that I loved. But with the pall over DC with BvS' reception, there was a lot of stress and pressure with the WW movie going in. The positive buzz (including my own enjoyment of it) has just been a relief. I don't need that stress with DC movies, I just want to sit back and relax.

I hope the DCEU continues on the up and up.

 

I don't mind Antiope and Steve Trevor

Spoiler

die, if this is what happened in the comics. Otherwise, it will be kind of unnecessary. Because they won't be back for the sequel.

I thought the final battle with

Spoiler

Ares is great. One of the best fight scenes ever. Throughout the movie, I thought Ares is just fictional. I didn't expect him to turn out to be real in the end.

I thought the twist on the "God-killer" is great

Spoiler

You thought that the sword is the "God-killer" but it turns out that it is Diana herself.

 

I thought it was funny when Diana told Steve that she had read

Spoiler

the 12 book series of human flesh pleasure?? And that men is necessary for procreation but not necessary for human flesh pleasure??? Kind of ironic since later on, she sleeps with Steve.

And I stay back till the credits

Spoiler

but there is no after-credits scene.

 

8.5/10

Enjoyed myself quite a bit.

Okay first act, very good second act (the second best middle act after TDK IMO), not that great last act.

Gal was good and she is the modern-day Reeves in the manner she brought an iconic comicbook character to life. Pine, however, was the biggest standout for me.

 

8/10

Easily the best DCEU film. While there are some problems, the film works because the two lead actors are terrific. Agree with all the Donner/Reeves comparison. While the film lacks somewhat in originality, you're willing to forgive that for the sheer magnitude of these films that are out.

The only things I didn't like was the action scenes weren't that great IMO, tired of the Snyder type fight scenes, and the villains pretty much suck in this film. Also I thought the Themyscirians trying to copy Gadot's natural Israeli accent sounded fake and annoying at times.

But I loved the shots of Themyscira and I loved the more comic-booky color palette of this film. There's some much needed humor in this film, and the light hearted approach to the movie. Much needed after the dark brooding suly MoS and BvS.

 

I loved this film, surpassed my expectations, check out my review non spoilers here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfOr9vnBoP4

 

Just finished watching it. Overall it's a good film, but not without some flaws.

Spoiler

There were parts of the movie that seemed too visually dark. It could've been my cinema screen, but I sometimes just couldn't make out the detail and felt as if my eyesight was failing. I think they should've shot more scenes in the daytime.

The part I liked best was Themyscira. That was really beautiful and really popped. The sea looked enchanting, and the village sometimes reminded me of something out of Lord of the Rings. I wished they could've spent more time there and on the relationships. I wouldn't have even minded if the final battle took Diana back to the island as it would've been certainly more picturesque than where the battle did take place.

I think they could've shot the final battle during the day. Or when Ares took Diana to that imaginary place while he had grabbed hold of her lasso, I thought that she might fight him there, which would've been a lot easier to see than this dark WW1 setting.

Gal was great as Diana. The part where she got excited because she saw a baby sounded just like normal Gal. I can imagine she would normally be like that in real life.

There were parts in the 2nd act where it dragged a bit, particularly when they got to London. I also think that they could've established Sir Patrick a little more, especially since he turned out to be the villain in the end in a surprise twist that I didn't see coming. I thought that Ludendorff was simply going to rise from the dead and assume his true form of Ares, not that it was someone else.

There were too many damn people going to the toilet throughout the movie and obscuring the scene. Were they taking the piss?

I think I should never watch a trailer ever again. I only watched the first one and abstained from all the others, but I still felt I had seen too much and knew some of the beats of the film. Apart from the final battle, I had already seen parts of each of the action set pieces such as the charge through No Man's Land.

I didn't like the slow motion too much, especially where it really became bullet time and stopped in mid air. I don't think it needed that at all and felt like something out of the Matrix. I hope Jenkins cuts that out next time round.

While there were some parts that were slow paced, there were other parts that didn't feel developed enough and almost rushed. The scene at the ball could've had more of Diana interacting with others and simply being charming while in that blue dress instead of just going straight to kill Ludendorff. I wish the dancing scene between them had more verbal sparring too.

Were the bookended parts of the film meant to be from the same time as BvS? I can't even remember if she was in Paris or the Louvre in that film.

It was great to hear the WW theme kicking in every now and then. It really adds to the film. Did they play it during the final battle? I forget now.

Overall it was good, and certainly the best DCEU film. It reminded me a bit of Captain America the First Avenger the most. I don't know if it's the best comic book movie ever. I'm not sure if the hype and my expectations were so high that nothing could ever meet them. Maybe I might appreciate it more on repeated viewings, and particularly watching it at home instead of in a theatre where I might be able to see more and also not have people constantly getting up to go to the toilet because they drank too much.

 

Really? Because

Spoiler

the film totally does that when she thinks people are mean because they are possessed by Ares buy she discoveres that's not the case. She was really baffled about that at the tower after the dialogue with Steve.

 

Oh, one thing I was disappointed about was

Spoiler

that she was never referred to once in the movie as Wonder Woman. I wish that someone gave her that name. Either Etta Candy or one of the other members of Steve Trevor's team as a nickname. If they've already given Dr Isabel Maru a nickname of Dr Poison, then why can't Diana have one too?

But it was cool to see

Spoiler

that the tank poster wasn't just a publicity shot but that she actually did lift the tank in the movie like that.