Wonder Woman (spoilerfree) script review!!!! done by Batman-on-Film.

[boywonder13]

http://www.batman-on-film.com/script-review_wonderwoman_jett_2007.html

Let me preface this review by saying that I’m not that big of a Wonder Woman fan. Yeah, I watched the old 70s TV show which starred Linda Carter when I was a kid, but I’ve never once read a single Wonder Woman comic book. I’m just not into female superheroes and while I’m a big supporter of DC COMICS-based movies, I certainly haven’t been leading the parade of advocates for a live-action WONDER WOMAN flick.

Until now.

I was given the script for WONDER WOMAN by a FOBOF (“Friend of Batman On Film“) and was able to read through the thing’s 130 pages rather quickly -- that’s should be indicative of how good I think it is.

WONDER WOMAN was scripted by Matthew Jennison and Brent Strickland with story credit going to Matthew Jennison, Brent Strickland and Kevin Shawley. It was written on spec and was quickly snapped up by producer Joel Silver and Warner Bros.-- again, indicative of how good it is.

Oh yeah, that, and the fact that Warner Bros. and Silver parted ways with writer/director Joss Whedon ---- who had been developing WONDER WOMAN for Warners without success -- almost the second they stumbled upon this script. Or so it certainly seems.

Anyway, here’s the slinny: WONDER WOMAN is a period piece set in 1943 at the height of World War II. I love that era of history, so the whole “WWII Flick” thing hooked me from almost the get-go. Remember I said that I’m not too keen on female superhero flicks? Well, WONDER WOMAN certainly is that, but it also has a cool male lead in the form of the classic Wonder Woman character Steve Trevor. Dude’s a man’s man and a spy. And all of us guys think spies are cool, right? Right!

So the bottom line here with this dynamic is that you’ve got your Wonder Woman film, but it is also a World War II/spy action-adventure flick. Plus, Wonder Woman is hot as hell -- what’s NOT to like?!

I’m going to keep this review spoiler free, but I will supply you with the basic plotline, descriptions of the lead characters, and other pertinent bits of info that I think is important for this review.

It’s 1943 and World War II is raging. Steve Trevor (30) is described as being “…tall, handsome son of a senator, but made it on his own.” And as I said previously, he’s a spy and he’s spying on the Nazis. But before we meet Trevor, we get a quick history lesson on the Amazons and how they made their way to Themyscira years ago.

The other main character is of course Princess Diana, AKA Wonder Woman. She’s described as “…barely twenty; she’s beautiful, with long black hair.” And based on the way she’s introduced, she’s one badass Amazon.

So how does she find herself in America as well as getting hooked up with this Trevor? Well, Trevor crash lands a Nazi concept jet in Themyscira that he stole from back in Germany. The Amazons find him and Diana saves his ass. Of course, they end up fleeing the island and head off to the good ‘ol US of A. And I’m sure you can guess in which vehicle they make their leave from Diana’s homeland.

The second act provides us with the set up for the rest of the film. Diana and Steve partner up to defeat the Nazis (who of course are bastards) -- who are up to even more no good in addition to being up to the typical Nazi no good usually depicted in such films. They head to Germany and a good portion of Act 2 is set in Berlin. Also, Diana has her own reason for helping Steve and fleeing to America with him. I won’t spoil it, but it has something to do with the Nazis being up to the extra no good that I previously mentioned.

It is during the second act -- and on page 86 -- we are finally introduced to “Wonder Woman.” Here’s how she’s described: “[Her costume is a] combination of her Amazon battle gear and the American flag, the costume we all know as Wonder Woman but slightly more combat ready. SHE LOOKS HOT!” And I loved the way she was makes her first appearance -- it’s totally NOT cheesy.

The 3rd act consists of a no hold’s barred battle between the good guys (Wonder Woman, Trevor, Amazons) and the bad guys (the Nazis). The battle takes place on Themyscira (seems they have something the Nazis want) which is how and why the Amazons get involved. While the ending is indeed the conclusion of this story, things are clearly set up for a sequel.

Frankly, I am surprised that I liked this script so much as I just wasn’t feeling it for a Wonder Woman flick. I have now done a complete 180 and will be banging the BOF drum in support of this project.

I know that some will have reservations about WONDER WOMAN being a period piece set during WW II. One can assume that the “contemporary take” on the character that was being developed by Mr. Whedon simpy wasn’t working. Even though I’m not a “Wonder Woman fan” per se, the character seems to work better as a live-action film when done in the manner as depicted this script (a WW II era period piece). Hell, even her costume makes sense in respect to the story’s 1943 setting.

To Warner Bros., this is the one to go with, trust me. I was a total skeptic when it came to believing that Wonder Woman could work as a big budget, live-action, superhero film. And as I’ve said, I’ve been converted.

Go out and pick a director that has the same passion and respect for the character as Christopher Nolan and Bryan Singer have for The Batman and Superman respectively.

So what do you say? Flip that greenlight switch and let’s get this thing on the big screen soon!

 

[The Guard]

Yeah, that sounds like he actually read the script. He may have. I say this only because in his review, he touches on almost the exact same points that previous script review of the script did (is there nothing else but battles?), manages to say almost nothing about Diana's characterization other than "she looks hot", say nothing new at all, and somehow provides less information overall, even taking spoilers into regard. Come on, Jett. Even without spoilers, you could go a little more indepth about a script you supposedly loved so much.

 

[warren_sparta27]

i really hope this thing gets made in the near future, using this script, WB really need to get there act together with making some awesome superhero films.

 

[Joker]

if it's as good as he says it is, I'm all for a WWII flick to start it out...then you can jump ahead to modern times easily (WW is almost f**king immortal, just say she went back to Thymscira till recently or something)

 

[Speedball]

Sounds cool.
It'll be like the first seasons of the TV show, which I love. And I like seeing people kicking NAZI ass, seeing Wonder Woman do it makes me even happier.

 

[warren_sparta27]

if it's as good as he says it is, I'm all for a WWII flick to start it out...then you can jump ahead to modern times easily (WW is almost f**king immortal, just say she went back to Thymscira till recently or something)

the only thing that wouldn't work there is Stever Trevor, if the second film jumped from 1945-2007 he'd be around his 80's, if not dead by then, that's the only problem i could see them facing, but i'm sure there are ways of getting around that. they probably did in the comics, i just don't know WW's story well enough.

 

[DrayvensCrow]

How about replacing Steve with Diana Trevor and then the sequel can bring in Steve????

 

[TheComicbookKid]

Yeah, that sounds like he actually read the script. He may have. I say this only because in his review, he touches on almost the exact same points that previous script review of the script did (is there nothing else but battles?), manages to say almost nothing about Diana's characterization other than "she looks hot", say nothing new at all, and somehow provides less information overall, even taking spoilers into regard. Come on, Jett. Even without spoilers, you could go a little more indepth about a script you supposedly loved so much.

I noticed that too. No explanation of what her feelings and character are. I don't think they really care to be honest.

 

[hippie_hunter]

I'd rather have Wonder Woman set in the modern day, I'm hoping that Warner Bros is getting these guys to modify their script and have it set in today's era like Batman and Superman are.

 

[The Shredder]

Sounds good.

I certainly wouldnt mind seeing a Wonder Woman film set in the 40's during World War II, but unfortunately I sincerely doubt that would be the case. After checking out Latino's review of the script, and now B-O-F's review, this script definatly sounds like a step in the right direction to finally seeing a Wonder Woman film hopefully one day getting the greenlight.

 

[Lestat74]

That's two glowing reviews now for this script. I'm actually encouraged that two non Wonder Woman fans liked it so much, as they are the target, non the few thoudand hardcore WW fans ( of which I include myself ) While I would prefer a modern day setting, the WWII setting doesn't bother me all that much at all. Frankly, in this glut of super hero movies, the period setting would help it stand out from the pack. I know a lot of Wonder Woman fans are upset about the notion of the WWII setting, claiming that neither Superman nor Batman are stuck in that era when it comes to movies. What people don't realize is that although there were some war-oriented stories in Superman and Batman comics in the 40's, Wonder Woman fought Nazi's and Japanese far more than Superman and Batman ever did. And unlike Superman and Batman, her origin directly ties into the events of the time. The WWII setting is just a much bigger part of her mythology.

If this script is that good, then Warners should start making it as soon as possible. It sounds like Joel Silver is the one standing in the way at this point.

 

[Steelsheen]

i have my reservations since it was done by Jett, who until now says that Batman doesnt really belong to the Justice League

i wish i could've read the script myself, but a trusted buddy who did who is as huge a fan of WW as i am gave me a pretty detailed account. its essentially a Steve Trevor movie featuring Wonder Woman. i wouldnt be really interested in a WW movie like that.

 

[Ring Deacon]

First off yet another great review by Jett. I would love to see this movie. I basicly grew up on the TV series and this pays great tribute to it storyline wise, but on the big screen they can up the action a notch. I see it being Saving Privite Ryan with Wonder Woman trown in. WB needs to make this movie.

On to the sequels. I don't see why they can't flash forward to 2007 in the sequel. Diana is basicly immortal, as for Steve he really doesn't have to be there. But if you do put him there here is a way to do it without having him be in his 80's.

The plot of WW 1 is that the Nazi's want something that is on Themyscira. What they want could be the foutain of youth. We already know Steve crashes there. Well lets say he is close to death and the only way to save him is for him to drink from the fountain. This will make him pretty near immortal like Diana. Sounds a little SciFi but remember we are talking about a moive about a woman that is a desendent of Greek Gods so it works. And why else would Hitler want something that near Gods own if not to have an army that lives forever.

 

[breyfogle_rules]

I’m psyched for this, but...

BIG ISSUE HERE

Wonder Woman should be a woman’s movie. Something that is anchored in motifs about fluidity, harvest cycles and the tides. Focusing on the idea of conquest as being a series of awakenings as opposed to the phallic "hunt". Basically, the common pagan values of classical antiquity. I want to see the black blood of vestal demons gushing down Diana's bronze spear. Athena swooping down and crushing the enemy using sweaty Amazonian warriors like chess pieces. I want to see an ancient, sublime and compelling moon goddess commensurate with The Iliad and Odyssey.
Because that’s what she is. And if the writers are afraid to touch upon that, I hope their quill pens dry up. Any writer worth his salt should have a corner of piety in his soul for the golden era of man when we were carried and mystified by the many Gods, not guilt ridden and dumbed down by the one.

Oh. And give us some bad-ass rope bondage fetish scenes while you’re at it. THAT’S Wonder-Woman.

 

[TheComicbookKid]

^WTF. You need to watch Xena for that.LOL


Gods should play a role, but more like Gargoyles (Puck) playing behind the scenes in the modern day world to get what they want.


If what Steelsheen said is true, then that's a shame. Maybe that's why Silver didn't want it. Great action and set pieces, but no heart for WW.

 

[The Shredder]

Oh. And give us some bad-ass rope bondage fetish scenes while you’re at it. THAT’S Wonder-Woman.

And which would make William Moulton Marston proud.

 

[TheComicbookKid]

And a lot of Feminist angry.t:

 

[The Shredder]

But hopefully not Bret Easton Ellis "American Psycho" angry.

 

[terry78]

To be honest, Wonder Woman's adventures are more fantasy based than Superman's and Batman's. Granted, the latter two have thier share of science and alien encounters, but Wonder Woman is about mystic magic and otherworldly entities, so there has to be more for her than just nazi fights.

 

[Joker]

well the more evil than usual that the nazi's are up to might be like, Indiana Jones style evil, with them going after some sort of greek god weapon or something

 

[Lord Blackbolt]

I'd love a cap movie set totally in WW2.....I'd love the same for WW. It would set it apart from the other DC movies

 

[warren_sparta27]

I'd love a cap movie set totally in WW2.....I'd love the same for WW. It would set it apart from the other DC movies

i just hope that if both films are planning to be totally set in a WWII environment that which ever film comes later isn't ruin or claim by the general public to be copying the other.

 

[The Shredder]

i just hope that if both films are planning to be totally set in a WWII environment that which ever film comes later isn't ruin or claim by the general public to be copying the other.

Unfortunately, that will more than likely be the case. Even if the films are much different besides the general World War 2 setting. Back in 1996, I remember alot of people saying that Mars Attacks was in some ways copying ID4. Which was ridiculous considering the short time span between both of the films debuts, but thats the case when you have two films involving Space Invaders opening up in the same very year. And I dont expect anything differently with two Superhero films, possibly opening close to one another, that just both happen to be set in WW2 either.

 

[StorminNorman]

My review of the review is that Jett isn't the sharpest tool in the shed - but that is like pointing out that Hitler would't a pleasant guest at your Uncles crazy passover party.

The script, however, sounds fairly good - I too would prefer a modern day deal, but whatcha gonna do.