Hi Movie Fans!
It's been a while since I've reviewed a film, so what better time than now? OK, truth to tell, I've been watching lots of movies at home, particularly past series, including Fargo, which is great and must be discussed at another time.
Wonder Woman!
Who would've guessed this comics-to-film story would be such a hit? I have not seen the various iterations of Batman or Batgirl since, well, Michael Keaton knocked the role out of the park many years ago with Kim Basinger at this side.
So what got me to see the supposedly mindless action film? Just the HYPE! How often do we go online and see rave reviews, nearly all in the 90 percent approval range, for a comic books caper that is half animation, half acting, and probably all forgettable?
Forgettable? Wrong!!!
There is nothing forgettable about Wonder Woman.
It's a huge, ambitious film, with extraordinary action scenes, beautiful people on screen, and a story that sort of grabs, in a sci-fi way. A must if you go: Put aside any prejudice you have about the Batman or Superman or Wonder Woman genre, suspend your disbelief, and enjoy!
What's not to enjoy? First, the most beautiful actors you might have seen on screen. Chris Pine seems to be a knockout for the ladies. Curiously, his only really big roles have been in the Star Trek franchise. He played Captain Kirk in the 2016 version. He is center screen, finally, in Wonder Woman. So ladies, enjoy his good looks.
Then there's Gal Gadot, Oh my, what a knockout! She reminds me of a young Elizabeth Taylor, or Ava Gardner, or Laren Bacall. She won Miss Israel in 2004, and she has been on the cover of Cosmo and other major glamor magazines for years. She dazzles! Talk about a "wonder"! Yes, she's wondrously pretty!
OK, so much for the eye candy. Is there anything else noteworthy about the film?
Well, sort of. The plot is bold and daring: the writers combine the Wonder Woman prequel with a WWI story. Crazy? Yes. But somehow, the story works. We learn about how Wonder Woman grew up being trained as a warrior, left her idyllic island, joined a world war, and kept her ethics pure in spite of some seriously negative experiences!
The special effects will blow your mind. You'll see folks flying, ropes glowing, planes crashing, bullets flying in slo-mo, and so much more! My prediction: The film will win the Oscar for special effects.
Is it a masterpiece? Hard to say. It offers some deep philosophy to accompany the out-of-the-box story: What is the true nature of mankind? Are there gods in charge? Can anyone change the violence that is inherent in man? Can a few brave souls change history? Are women warriors equal to men? Hmmmm....
True to my purported movie reviewing form, I have given away little of the plot. It's for you to discover!
Should you go?
YES!
It's fun, and you'll never think the same way again about "mindless" comic book stories that appear on the big screen.
AND: You'll find that the movie is so entertaining that it "flies" by! (Pun intended)
Great to see you in text and image again, Brother David! Nice post. Guess I'll have to give this a look-see. I find nothing in this summer film offerings so far. Every flick seems aimed at 14 yr. old boys or toddler girls. Sigh. But am seeing very promising titles for fall. Hoping later in summer choices will improve. What better way to spend a 115* day than in a cool theater? P.S. I did enjoy using my Wonder Woman postage stamps recently!
ReplyDeleteFor me, it's hard to find hero action films that are original and worth my time. This one I liked! Reasons: Its was not without a storyline with substance. It was not without fairly well-developed characters. It was not without humor (not taking itself too seriously). For me, it was too long, but I appreciated that it wasn't constant fight scenes; they were well-placed and necessary. And of course, any time you can make the Nazi and Pre-Nazi Germans the bad guys it gets interesting. I did find every scene with Dr. Poison to channel Mel Brooks or Seth Meyers, but oh well... Got too preachy and cliche at end. The strong and powerful women? Actually brought out emotion in me. Power on!
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