Filled with dazzling special effects, female empowerment and a heartwarming underlying message, 'Wonder Woman' is one of the best films of 2017 so far.
Gal Gadot takes centre stage as the powerful centrepiece to this action-packed two-and-a-bit hour film directed by Patty Jenkins. It tells the story of Diana (Gadot), who lives on the hidden utopian island of Themyscira with a group of females called Amazons, away from the supposed evil of mankind. We watch Diana grow up and learn about being a warrior. Special mention to Lilly Aspell who plays young Diana brilliantly.
When a captain of the US Army, Steve Trevor (Chris Pine) breaks through the barrier between the two worlds and enters Themyscira by accident, Diana feels the need to join him in his return to the great war happening on the outside.
The film has some gripping and very memorable moments, most of which I cannot give away. A scene where Diana realises her power and decides to take a stand in the midst of violence and destruction is particularly fierce, beautifully shot and sends chills down my spine. There are also some genuinely breathtaking fight scenes where Diana is shot in slow motion as she engages in battle over a pounding musical score. Hans Zimmer's 'Wonder Woman Theme' deserves its own round of applause.
The strength, courage and fearlessness of Wonder Woman is portrayed without a hitch by Gadot, who is incredibly striking and able to seamlessly sway between sweetly innocent and ruthlessly unforgivable in her actions throughout. An underlying theme of the film is one that addresses the importance of love in our world. In the current state of politics and global conflict, 'Wonder Woman' seems very well-timed.
Chris Pine is charming as Steve Trevor, as he walks Diana through society and how people operate in a world filled with chaos. He and Gadot share wonderful on-screen chemistry, working as a team with their allies to bring peace to the innocent people around them.
'Wonder Woman' is the thrilling tale of a powerful woman with the desire to fight for freedom and happiness and Gal Gadot simply nails this role. Pair her with Chris Pine, add in a cast perfectly fit for a superhero movie (Robin Wright, Connie Nielson and David Thewlis to name a few) and a gripping plot... You've got yourself a cinematic triumph.
★★★★★
