Wonder Woman

I’ve seen this movie two or three times before, and saved it in my DC binge for when I needed a break from mediocrity. It continues to be one of the better DC films, although some of the weaker elements stand out more on repeated viewing. The movie starts slow, with an overlong introduction to Diana’s life as a child on Themyscira. Also, Gal Gadot is not a great actress, but playing a naive foreigner hides some of her flaws.

Once Chris Pine makes his entrance and Diana leaves to the mainland, the movie is consistently entertaining. Chris Pine plays the standard roguish hero that he plays in most movies, but he shines in the role here and steals the show. The action sequences are exciting and quick enough that they do not drag on, which is often the big problem in blockbuster superhero or action films.

The story is well done. Diana, a princess from a utopian island who is thrust into Europe in World War I, believes that all evil in the world is caused by Ares, the god of war. Chris Pine and his misfits are very lightly presented as contrast to Diana’s views that all people would be good without Ares, and it is a nice touch added upon the normal “we’re good guys and they’re evil” approach that DC movies in particular frequently rely upon.

Although I’d avoid all of the other movies involving Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman, this is a legitimately good movie.