Wonder Woman

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.