Wonder Woman Reviews

I was in two minds of whether this animated version of Wonder Woman would work, and to my delight it absolutely did. The dialogue between the gods at the beginning wasn't as good as that of the rest of the movie, but this is not enough to hurt the movie too much. The animation is wonderful, very like Justice League but that is a good thing in my eyes, with detailed backgrounds, fluid character designs and bold and atmospheric colours. The action is well paced and compelling, and never feels choppy or flabby. The music has a cool and catchy vibe to it, while the writing is funny and witty yet intelligent and sometimes tense and the story is entertaining and suspenseful. The characters are very likable and you do identify them from the get go, the women especially the titular character are really beautiful especially. The voice acting is very dynamic and expressive. All in all, a great movie and I agree it's one of the best DC movies. 9/10 Bethany Cox

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

When fighter pilot Steve Trevor crash-lands on the peaceful island of Themyscira, home of the Amazons, Princess Diana is tasked with bringing him home again. But a second purpose is soon added to her mission when Ares, god of war, escapes from his prison and sets out to regain his power.
I have to admit, I'm having trouble structuring my thoughts on this movie. But in short, I really liked it.
I don't read comic books, but I still understand the essence of the Wonder Woman character, and this movie seems to stay pretty true to it. Besides, it's right up my street anyway, since I'm a huge fan of Greek mythology. :)
It's a dark enough movie that I really wouldn't recommend it for young children – in fact, right off the bat, it starts with a surprisingly brutal battle scene – but it's not completely mean-spirited. There's a brilliant dry sense of humour to the whole thing. I especially love the scene where Steve is speaking his mind completely honestly, then realises it's because his foot's in the Lasso of Truth! :D
Speaking of comedy, as soon as Diana and Steve arrived in New York, I was expecting a lot of painfully awkward attempts on Diana's part to interact with the real world. But, to my huge relief, that didn't happen! :)
So on the whole, I'd definitely recommend this to non-comic readers as an introduction to the character. It's equal parts funny and intense; it takes itself seriously, but not too seriously.

My rating: 80%

Wonder Woman is quite possibly the best of the direct-to-DVD animated features from producer Bruce Timm. Not only does it cover the origin of DC’s second most powerful superhero (only Superman surpasses her in sheer might), but it finds the correct balance between action set pieces, romantic comedy and dramatic moments. This is a most deserving film for the premiere female comic book character.

The opening sequence presents the most intense battle in the entirety of the DC animated series, both in these stand-alone features and the beloved DCAU. The war between Ares, voiced to deliciously evil perfection by Alfred Molina, and Queen Hippolyta, voiced by Virginia Madsen as a tough female solider, rages intensely. Hippolyta fell in love with the wrathful god, produced a son against her will and sought revenge. Zeus interferes and prevents her from killing him (this is a plot point that continues to annoy me throughout the film – how does one kill a god?), but Hera gives her the tools to imprison him. The Amazons are given their own island, eternal youth, strength and beauty and protect from the world of man. It is here that Hippolyta molds Diana out of sand and gives her life with her blood. A gift from the goddess that have taken favor with the Amazons, Diana is blessed with intelligence, strength, beauty, the ability to fly, etc. When Steve Trevor lands on Themyscira, a contest is held to see who is the strongest, smartest and bravest of the Amazons. The winner shall be both ambassador to man’s world, and the person who takes Steve Trevor back home. Going behind her mother’s back, Princess Diana wins the contest and is given the items and costume we have come to know as the ‘Wonder Woman’ look.

A vast majority of the film finds Diana and Steve engaging in a battle of the sexes, and Diana trying to comprehend post-feminist theories and ideas. Keri Russell, of whom I was apprehensive of as the title character, nails it. Being capable of projecting both a strength and a femininity that makes Wonder Woman so interesting as a character. And Nathan Fillion is perfectly cast as Steve Trevor. They generate sparks and romantic tension despite only being cartoon characters.

Unlike Superman: Doomsday which couldn’t rise above its script imperfections, Wonder Woman has a few plot inconsistencies but the fantastic vocal work and animation make them easy to look past. The most egregious of these inconsistencies is the notion that a god, who is immortal, could be killed. But somehow, inexplicably really, Diana is capable of decapitating Ares during the final battle. But with so much to recommend a few minor flaws are easily bypassed.

So, basically this movie is the origins of Wonder Woman. But it is a lot more than that.

In the past WW has sort of been... a bleh, you know? It was as if she was only created as a "Here's a Super Female Hero" to shut the feminist up. With her ordinary powers (super strength, flight) and her rather laughable accessories (Lasso of Truth? and the Invisible Jet which she doesn't really need because she can fly) she wasn't even that good of a superhero. But WW is awesome in her own right - and this movie is a step towards the right direction.

The movie starts in battle, the Amazons against the monsters of Ares (God of War). Hippolyta (Wonder Woman's mother) and Ares crosses blades with the Amazon Queen rising as victor. As she's about to make the final blow, Zeus interferes. And Ares becomes their prisoner instead. But for their grief, Hera gives the Amazons an island of their own- Themyscira and in addition, Hippolyta is given a daughter - all of this in the first 9 minutes of the movie.

To make things short and to make sure I don't spoil the goodies of this movie, basically Ares escapes and the world is in peril and Diana (Wonder Woman) wins the right to go over to man's world and save the day.

The score of this movie is amazing. The voice actors are wonderful fits to their characters most notably, Alfred Molina as Ares, Rosario Dawson as Artemis, Oliver Platt as Hades and Virginia Madsen as Hippolyta. To be honest, Keri Russell's voice didn't exactly fit for the lead, but really it can be easily looked over.

It's action after action and dull moments are none-existent. What's particularly interesting are the Amazons - each butt-kicking one of them (well all except for one) and the Amazon zombies nearing the end (though really were rather useless but still awesome). I particularly found their interpretation of Hades delicious - renewing an old over-used character.

However, there are a few things I didn't exactly care for. One, making Etta Candy (Wonder Woman's best friend) thin and air-headed. I thought that was a horrible thing to do. A butchering of the true Etta Candy. Two, the romance with Steve Trevor. I know Steve Trevor is pretty much like the Lois Lane of Wonder Woman but still. It just seemed a little forced. Though I have to say, the makers of the film did this rather tastefully. Three, Alexa the Amazon. Personally I don't think she can even be considered an Amazon. She's the annoying cliche little character foil and boy did she get on my nerves.

But apart from that, Wonder Woman is an amazing movie. It's really quite a shame that animated films don't get the same weight or the same regard as ordinary ones. I recommend this to everyone. Honestly guys, cartoons aren't just for kids.