Flash Movie Review: Wonder Woman

I have chosen to believe there are more people on this planet who want to do good than those who wish to do harm. Granted there have been times where I did not think that was the case. From time to time I still remember a kid in elementary school who tortured and killed a cat. Though “they” say people can change, I have my doubts about this person. Just as I was leaving for the office this morning I heard on the news authorities found baby coyotes drowned in a bucket of water. It seems the past several weeks only horrific news of people taking the lives of others has been reported. I can tell you it is not easy to stay positive with what has been taking place around all of us. However an example will come by that renews or restores my faith and give me hope that good will overpower evil.     RECENTLY after seeing this film I was watching a news magazine type of television show. A segment was devoted to a woman who has devoted her life to protecting elephants from poachers. She even moved her family to Kenya so she could commit more time to her efforts. I was amazed as I watched this woman negotiate with the village elders to help by reporting to the authorities any sightings of poachers in their area. If I remember correctly she helped set up a program to help captured poachers get rehabilitation and find them decent employment opportunities. They even showed 2 poachers who were sworn enemies that now are friends, working as forest rangers. All of this woman’s efforts were geared to protect elephants from being slaughtered for their tusks. One of the things I find fascinating about individuals who devote such energy towards goodness is where their motivation comes from. Is it something they are born with or does it come from a series of events? Not being familiar with the Wonder Woman character I was totally impressed by her motivation to do good in this action adventure fantasy.     WHEN a plane crashed off the shores of her homeland Diana, played by Gal Gadot (Fast & Furious franchise, Keeping up with the Jones), the princess of the Amazons discovered there was an evil force in the world wanting to do harm. She quickly realized what she had to do. With Chris Pine (Star Trek franchise, The Finest Hours) as Steve Trevor, Connie Nielsen (One Hour Photo, Gladiator) as Hippolyta and Danny Huston (Children of Men, The Aviator) as Ludendorff; the script to this story was well thought out. I learned about Diana before she became Wonder Woman. The humor, action, drama were beautifully blended for a thoroughly entertaining movie experience. The soundtrack even had a bit of a throwback acknowledgement to the TV show. While the special effects were fun, they had a comic book vibe which was enjoyable to me. Keep in mind my only exposure to this superhero previously was the actress Lynda Carter, where she would spin around to change into her Wonder Woman garb. This was a well done picture that came from a female’s sensibilities; in fact, I understand it earned the highest weekend opening for a film directed by a woman. If that is not enough to convince you to see this picture, I want you to also know everyone in the theater where I saw this film applauded at the end.

 

3 ½ stars

 

 

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About moviejoltz

From a long line of movie afficionados, one brother was the #1 renter of movies in the country with Blockbuster, I am following in the same traditions that came before me. To balance out the long hours seated in dark movie theaters, I also teach yoga and cycling. For the past 3 years, I have correctly picked the major Oscar winners... so join me as we explore the wonder of movies and search for that perfect 4 star movie.

Posted on June 5, 2017, in Fantasy/Sci-Fi and tagged , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink. 50 Comments.

  1. It’s not too many that get that kind of reception at the end … we’re seeing it this weekend … soooooo looking forward to it! 😀

  2. I wasn’t thinking I wanted to see this movie, but after reading your review – I am definitely going to go to it. Thanks!

    • Please do Judy; I do not think you will be disappointed and I would love to hear back from you afterwards. Thank you.

      • You will! I saw Paris Can Wait this weekend and enjoyed it. Will hope to see you review that soon. 😊

      • Thank you Judy and I just saw Paris Can Wait, so the review should be coming out next week.

      • I just came back from seeing it. It definitely held my interest, even though action movies usually aren’t something I enjoy. She did a great job. It just felt a little long and the battle scenes began to get boring for me. I did wish she went back to visit her family at the end. Uh, oh – feel free to delete if I’ve given away too much!

      • Thanks for telling me your thoughts Judy and yes, please do not mention details about a film. Have a great weekend.

  3. Loved this! I totally agree and my original WW persona was not harmed. In fact enhanced by the actress who played her so well. The only part I thought was a little long was the fight at the end, throwing things at each other, not for me. Ten yr old loved it and so did her mom and sister. Great stuntwomen finally get to show their stuff! Even with cgi.

    • So thrilled you and the family went to see this and had such a good time. I am glad you mentioned the female stuntwomen, though I read Gal was under heavy martial arts training for this role. Thank you for the comments.

  4. Yes. Goodness rules :o) … ( but there are some who don’t know … because love is something unexpected … ) … Greetings full of hope from the Old World! (Am curious to see Wonder Woman now … !)

  5. I love it when people applaud at the end, even if I always feel a bit awkward to do it myself

  6. I am quite enjoying this renaissance of strong leading female characters at the moment. My own daughter is inspired by characters such as Rey (The Force Awakens) and she asked me to take her to see Wonder Woman this weekend. To be honest, I don’t know who is more excited 🙂

    • I agree about the surge of strong leading women characters. I cannot wait for you and your daughter to see this movie. Please tell me what you 2 thought of it afterwards. Thank you for the comments.

  7. Getting an applause has instantly heightened my opinion of this movie. We didn’t get one but i enjoyed it so much

  8. I saw this the first day and went to a matinee and was amazed to see a crowded theater and likewise, everyone was thoroughly entertained. I was waiting to see your comments on it and I’m delighted you enjoyed it. Yes, there were some flaws but they were not distracting to the story. I appreciated the humor as well and Chris Pine and Gal Gadot were both just right.

  9. No applause from the audience at the end for us, but I sure enjoyed the movie thoroughly. I was a little nervous prior being a WW fan, but super loved how the movie turned out – kudos to a great work relationship between actor Gal and director Patty. They really brought out the best in her story. Chemistry really is everything!

  10. Nice write up! I am a fan of Wonder Woman since I first encountered her in comic books in the 1940’s. Loved her ever since. Very happy to see the positive reviews and also the +$100 million gross. Looking forward to seeing it. Must say I had my fingers crossed since she appeared in that dark dark Superman/Batman thing. In fact, she was the only bright spot in that.

    • I am with you on her being the only good thing about that Batman/Superman disaster. I hope you see this one soon and I would enjoy hearing back from you to hear how you liked it. Thank you for the comments.

  11. Wonderful.i m fond of hollywood movies.

  12. I’ve been awaiting this movie. Nothing but great reviews. A woman directed it and women are saying that it’s not the usual T&A. I’m dying to see it. 🙂

  13. I saw it yesterday and liked it very much. Gal Gadot is superb in the roll, charming and deadly, super combo. Loved her naivete in ‘men’s world.’ Loved most of the action scenes. Only disappointing ones were at the end with Ares. Too bad they went for over the top violence. Would have liked her to defeat him with something not violence. I know she recognized the love in humans late, but they still had to go rock ’em, sock ’em. I bet the studio demanded that. Anyway, I would give the film 8 out of 10 stars. Definitely recommend it.

  14. I went with my daughter and granddaughter and we LOVED it.

  15. I am not a huge fan of super hero movies, but I thoroughly enjoyed Wonder Woman. I think the character portrayal was very strong. Gadot served in the Isreali army for three years as a combat trainer and learned more than one martial art for the role. Incredibly strong, she has a martial spirit she was able to bring to the film. I also see films like that in a etphorical way and felt there were messages for modern times. I would see it again. I notice there are quite a few super hero films this year. Maybe we need some men and women of steel right now.

    • I am so happy you enjoyed this movie and agree Gal was a perfect choice based on her background.

      And I would agree with you, we could really use some decent super heroes about now. Thank you for your comments.

  16. Anindita@A Bohemian Mind at Work

    I so want to watch this movie. Love Gal Gadot since Fast and the Furious. Awesome review.

  17. Thanks so much for the review. I look forward to see this movie!

  18. I like to go back and comment if I happen to see a movie that you’ve reviewed. I generally wait until I can get it on CD, but this is one of my favorite characters.

    From a woman’s point of view, I liked the directing, but the script could have been better. Most men want immediate action. Women like a bit of a buildup, a feeling of intimacy with the characters before the world starts blowing up around us. By the end of the movie, I felt cheated. The screen play was written by a man (Allan Heinberg) from a story by Zack Snyder. And a male influence shows throughout the movie.

    Gal Gadot and Chris Pine were the perfect choice. She is the first Wonder Woman who looks like she’s a warrior and not an office worker going to Comic Con. I also liked Robin Wright in a role I hadn’t seen her play before (it’s amazing to see a 60 year old woman in that great shape! If nothing else, that kind of role-model for those of us over 50 is well worth the price of admission). The actors were perfect, the scenery was perfect, and I loved the special effects slowed so that Wonder Woman’s movements could be examined better by the skeptical feminine eye. And her statement about “no man’s land” made me chuckle.

    From a woman’s point of view, I enjoyed Diana trying to find clothing from that era that she could fight in — and it was humorous. But the “deeply philosophical” aspects from a man’s point of view of what a woman wants to hear needed to be left out. The end spells out the problem better than anything. Wonder Woman goes into a rage, she tells Aries that LOVE has given her strength. Hypocrisy! Say it like it is. An enraged woman is no one to be trifled with. And she was enraged with good reason. To say it stemmed from love is like trying to hide an arsenal of explosives behind a Buddhist.

    The script needed to be written by someone who understands the complexity of a woman through the eyes of a woman. I hope next Wonder Woman movie will be directed by a woman and the script written by a woman. A singular talent like Gal Gadot needs a singular script. 🙂

    • Thank you so much for coming back to share your views. I was a bit nervous you were giving too much away to those who have not seen this wonderful film yet.

      I totally agree with your Robin Wright comment; she was amazing and as for Gal what more needs to be said. In real life she was an Israeli soldier, represented Israel at the Miss Universe competition and a lawyer. Perfect choice for this role.

      I hope they do use women to write the sequel which I have to assume they will based on the success of this first one.

      Thanks again for your comments.

  19. A great write up of Wonder Woman. Critics are hailing this as the best superhero film since The Dark Night. Let’s hope sequels have as much success as this one does.

  20. It was a really good movie, I very much enjoyed it. The emotion and meaning behind the ending was a little over the top for me and the surprise didn’t make much sense but it is a superhero movie after all!

    • HI Matt and thank you for stopping by. I am glad you enjoyed the film. Any faults with it I attributed to it being the 1st of a potential series. Thank you for the comments.

  21. Great review on this one. I want to see it but was worried it would not libe up to the hype. I am going to watch this one now. Thanks

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