Wonder Woman

Wonder Woman

(2017)

Directed by: Patty Jenkins
Written by: Allen Heinberg, based on a story by
Jason Fuchs, Allan Heinberg &
Zack Snyder, based upon 
William Moulton Marston's comic
Starring: Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, 
Robin Wright, Connie Nielsen
Rating: PG
Release Date: June 2, 2017

Gal Gadot finds a target in Wonder Woman
Image Source

     In a whirlwind year where fascism has seemed to once again rear it's ugly head, there's been a lot to be angry, frightened or simply stunned about. However, as with all things, there's always a silver lining. With the rise of xenophobia, sexism, racism and calls to violence in the United States, there's been a much larger resistance to it, with lawyers fleeing to help refugees, free of charge, at airports, protests in solidarity with black lives matter movements, and even pro-sports companies, (notoriously anti-political), standing out against hate. What a welcome surprise, then, that in a year of bipolar politics and world leaders acting like faeces throwing bonobos instead of reasonable adults, that a mature, progressive and absolutely thrilling blockbuster film is released. With Wonder Woman, director Patty Jenkins has made a 21st century masterpiece.

     Wonder Woman follows the eponymous woman, Diana, in her homeland, a mysterious, lush island hidden somewhere in the middle of the ocean. Literally; her home, populated by a band of fierce, all female warriors is hidden by a veil that shields the paradise from outsiders, unless they happen to blindly fly through the membrane-like shield, which is exactly what Steve Trevor does. Trevor, (Chris Pine), is an American expat and British spy, undercover and on the run from German forces. It's World War One, and while Trevor is in awe of the Amazonian women's prowess, he's also keen to get back to the front and deliver sensitive information regarding chemical warfare to his superiors. Raised since birth on the Island, Diana has only heard of the outside world through myths and legends, in terms of Zeus and Ares. Although Trevor and Diana doubt each other, it seems the truth of the war, their destiny and duty to protect their innocent fellow men and women drive them to escape the island, in search of a way to stop the war. In order to survive, both of their worldview must converge; to understand the true nature of war, humanity and sacrifice. With a premise that covers Greek mythology, the history of the Great War, chemical warfare, and philosophy, Wonder Woman seems to shoot for the stars. As a viewer, I wasn't sure they'd even hit the moon. To my surprise, Patty Jenkins and Gal Gadot rocket into another galaxy. 

   The comic book genre has seemed to pretty much consume filmmaking from the inside out; taking the best actors, writers, directors and turning them into the next franchise machine. Like Nietzsche once said of God, I say "film is dead, and Spiderman has killed him." Thankfully, like the best artists, Jenkins has taken a tired formula in an dull genre and given it new life. Wisely leaving the connecting tissue for the franchise elements of Wonder Woman, (it's part of the god-awful "DC-Universe"), to the beginning and end frames of the film, Jenkins and company showcase the story of Wonder Woman, as something that stands on its own. It's elements of the timeless Greek mythos and connection to WWI history also give it a firm root in the history of the real world. Like Thor did with it's ancient myth callbacks, Wonder Woman's assists from classical literature helps to elevate the material. As well, the definitively feminine tone of the film, and refusal to overly sexualize Diana or portray her as helpless immediately sets the film apart. In the opening scenes, we're treated to a ripped Robin Wright killing Nazi soldiers with weapons and fighting moves, and the Amazonian women ruthlessly interrogating a confused Steve Trevor. It's not only in their actions; Gadot's Diana flirts with Pine's Trevor in a way that doesn't demean either character, Trevor's secretary Etta likens her job to slavery, (which it kind of was), and that it's beyond ridiculous that during WWI women still didn't have the right to vote, (they didn't get it in Canada until 1919, and in recent history have still suffered major inequality; marital rape was legal until 1983, and the gender wage gap still exists). In one of the funniest lines of the movie, Etta (Lucy Davis), subverts the trope that states beautiful women in glasses aren't pretty, when she sarcastically remarks, "oh yeah, put a pair of glasses on Diana and the prettiest woman in the world magically disappears." It's this ability to show Diana and her female counterparts in a multitude of historically male dominated roles and show them as strong or stronger than the average man would be, that makes Wonder Woman so interesting. The women of Wonder Woman are unapologetically self-dependent and strong, and it's absolutely refreshing to see characters that I know in real life exist on the big screen; and about god-damn time. 

     Much has been said about equality for orientation, gender, race, wealth and more, and that's why I thought it apt to open this review of what's ostensibly a comic-book popcorn flick, with a political tone. Jenkins took the comic book formula and did something bold - she made a great film that touches on equality, love, hate, fascism, strength in the face of horror and the duty to help others - out of what I thought would be "just another superhero film." Wonder Woman as a standalone film is brilliant, and the fact it's based on a comic only serves to elevate the genre. Some reviewers have heaped sexist rants on the film, and it's easy to connect the dots of alt-right/nazi idiots thinking the film is dumb simply for featuring a female hero. If you have a problem with a female hero, I have to ask - why? Does a female hero threaten you? How fragile must a male ego be when it can't accept even the most minimal of challenges - a film featuring a strong female lead. In a time of political darkness, it's important we remember the horrors of the two Great Wars in the twentieth century. Fascism is a tricky, sly beast that hooks it's rotten claws into the dumbest, most ignorant and worst educated. It's no surprise that Trump's pick for education secretary is a moron, That his nepotism knows no bounds,  that he's unabashedly a white supremacist , and that he's a misogynist, chauvenist and sexual predator. It would seem Trump is trying to create a 21st century fascist America. Wonder Woman is just a movie, yet it can stand for so much more. In a time of uncertainty, 'just a movie' can inspire hope, and compel our future leaders to be so much better. Wonder Woman,  for all it's brilliant writing, acting, directing, cinematography, (and even sound editing), has done that thing movies rarely do - say something.

GRANT'S RATING: 5/5 STARS

Gal Gadot tries on an ill-fitting cliché in this Wonder Woman clip: