Film Review: Wonder Woman
Move over Batman, Spiderman, Superman—-! In the DC comics, Wonder Woman is of Greek nationality. In this, the first female superhero film in 12 years and the first to be directed by a female director, the protagonist is the gorgeous Jewish, Israeli–born Gal Gadot (Fast and Furious, Batman v. Superman : Dawn of Justice).
It’s the beginning of the 20th century and WWI is on. Diana is the Amazon princess, daughter of Zeus and Queen Hippolyta (Connie Nielson) and trained by the Queen’s sister General Antiope (Robin Wright). Having been brought up on the island of Themyscira, she’s trained as a warrior — besides being proficient in ‘over a hindered languages’ — to protect herself from the evils of men and gods. It’s an island inhabited only by women and Diana has never set eyes on a man.
Things change when Capt. Steve Trevor (Chris Pine) of the US air-force crash-lands in the waters off the island pursued by the Germans. The Amazon warriors — of all colours and races — outclass the Germans. The crux of the story begins when Trevor briefs the Amazonians of the atrocities committed by the Germans in the war and Diana decides to do her bit (transforming into Wonder Woman) for humanity’s sake, sailing for London where Trevor plans to return the diary (containing the formula for a deadly gas) which he had stolen from Gen. Erich, Ludendorff before escaping over the high seas.
The first half of the film which establishes Diana’s lineage and her training under her aunt, is absolutely engrossing and rises above the pedestrian nature of this sci-fi genre. The second half which Diana transforms herself into Wonder Woman whenever the need arises and flashbacks of Trevor stealing the diary from the Germans starts well but then regresses into the familiar scenes of the superhero genre, with an overdose of VFX and CGI. The leggy Israeli model/actress Gal Gadot seems the perfect choice as WW. The writing of the scenes, especially the ones between her and Trevor are sparkling, particularly the ones where they discuss the male anatomy, admitting to never seeing a man before.
Now, if only India had a Wonder Woman to safeguard HER borders !
