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06/15/2017 12:01 AMRated PG-13
Wonder Woman possesses considerable skills, along with her super powers. She wields a sword, is proficient in martial arts, fends off bullets with her shield, and leaps so high it seems she flies like Super Man. Her abilities almost make fans not miss the invisible jet from her comics version. And, when she crosses her arms, she blows you away in a whoosh of a wind. The DC Comics character, played this time by Israeli actress Gal Gadot (Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Fast and Furious 6), becomes a trained Amazon warrior before she, known as Diana, evolves into Wonder Woman. Gadot is as striking and strong as Linda Carter, the Wonder Woman most audiences knew from the TV series. Equipped with today’s special effects, Gadot out-maneuvers Carter’s Wonder Woman, and is streamlined in appearance and action.
Director Patty Jenkins, known for Monster and The Killing, spends time on Diana’s origin story. The beginning focuses on the strong Amazons in Diana’s life. The warriors have been tasked with restoring peace and love to the planet that the God of War, Ares, has disrupted and continues to destroy. Her mother, Antiope (Robin Wright: Everest, TV’s House of Cards), who sculpted Diana from clay, is reluctant to train her daughter, but her aunt, Hippolyta (Connie Nielsen: The Confessions, TV’s The Good Wife) secretly prepares her for battle. Antiope and Hippolyta both hint at Diana’s hidden powers, but they are kept from the viewer, and the young Amazon, until much later. Both Wright and Nielsen make their characters compelling, forceful role models for the princess.
Jenkins assembles actors well-versed in superhero fantasies. Chris Pine, known for being the latest Captain Kirk in the Star Trek ventures, comes on the scene playing Steve Trevor when his plane plummets into the ocean off the Amazons’ island. Now a sense of time is introduced when, after Diana saves him, she learns that he is a World War I pilot fighting the Germans. She is destined to become embroiled in the Great War when she believes Ares is at its heart, and returns with Steve to join the battle and her destiny.
At their first meeting, to emphasize her unworldliness, Diana says, upon looking Steve over, unimpressed, “You’re a man.”
He retorts, “Don’t I look like one?”
Although Pine adds levity to the deadly serious narrative, his sidekicks take further steps to brighten the ominous situation. They add a welcome dimension to Gadot’s lack of real chemistry or spark with Pine and her somewhat bland responses. In seeing snow for the first time, for example, she comments, “It’s magical,” without any real awe or depth to her expression. She does play fierce well and remains stunning.
Sad Taghmaoui (American Hustle, Vantage Point) plays the self-mocking Indian, Sameer. Scottish actor Ewen Bremner (Trainspotting, T2 Trainspotting), adept at playing to any actor, is Charlie. In the background, Eugene Brave Rock (The Revenant, Hell on Wheels) takes on The Chief. All bring needed wisecracking and wordplay to the forefront. Veteran actor Danny Huston (X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Frankenstein) plays the ruthless German, Ludendorff, almost tongue-in-cheek, so he also broadens the characters’ eccentricities.
In spite of the top-notch special effects, in which Diana streaks through the explosions, Wonder Woman needs the characters who remain on the ground to add luster to the dialogue and sense of comradery. Jenkins provides a solid balance, and some twists, to set up a strong sequel for the feminine hero.
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