Wonder Woman

It’s here, it’s finally here, Wonder Woman’s first live action feature debut. You may be worried that the latest entry into the DC Extended Universe would follow the trend of their less than great previous films, but worry no more, Wonder Woman is the superhero film the studio needs right now, but more importantly it’s film the world needs right now! Read on and find out why.

This film tells us the origins of Wonder Woman, a long time before the events of Batman V Superman, during WW1, when a pilot crashes on the mysterious island, Themiscyra, he tells the young warrior who saves him, Diana, of the war to end all wars and without hesitating she joins him to help bring an end to the fighting.

In the wide range of superhero films on offer today, Wonder Woman is kind of generic, it’s a good mix of Thor and Captain America but is able to stand on its own two feet. Its main strength lies in the films message, this is what makes it stand above the rest, delivering a solid superhero origin story that commentates and criticises our world, views and values. When Diana first ventures from her island, it’s her first interaction with ‘man’s’ world. She’s naïve and obviously there is comedy to go with that but there is also a fresh look on the way we do things, which in her eyes isn’t all that good and throughout the film she begins to learn that men aren’t all bad but they’re also not all good. Diana’s arc throughout this period of realisation is one that insights hope and joy within the viewer and that’s what brings this film home, elevating the formulaic superhero film into something more special.  

Playing the icon is Gal Gadot and boy does she bring her A game. She truly carries this film and breathes life into Diana, making the character her own and diminishing any doubts audiences may have had about her taking on the role. She owns Wonder Woman. Everybody in this film does a great job, even with the little amount that some characters get. Up there with Gadot though is Chris Pine as Steve Trevor, the two have amazing chemistry and together they steal the film, creating real emotional connections between the two characters in the space of a couple of hours, you care about these characters and what happens to them.

My favourite element of this film is the action. The action is so badass, it’s so cool, it looks beautiful with great cinematography and sounds awesome with an excellent score. The theme we heard first in BvS is truly earned in this film and when it arrives, it really does deliver. Wonder Woman in full costume, in all her glory, taking out bad guys is a moment to be experienced on the big screen, it gave me goosebumps and I have read barely any Wonder Woman comics.

No matter how much I’ve raved about this film, it’s not perfect. It’s a tad too long for a start and the CGI does not always hold up, which is shame considering previous DC films have been pretty good with this element to date. And as I’ve stated before, it’s a bit generic, it doesn’t take many risks or feel much different from previous superhero films, but also as I’ve mentioned, because it works the tropes so well and has a message worth spreading, it is still able to stand above many that have come before it. Talking of other DC films, if you liked the grim tone and serious nature of this films predecessors then you may not like where they take this one, this one has jokes, is uplifting and is a film where the hero is heroic.  

Patty Jenkins, the director, should be applauded for bringing Wonder Woman to the big screen in such glorious fashion, a job I’m sure brought a lot of pressure on getting it right. Finally, we have a female led superhero film that is great and will hopefully usher in a new era of equality within the genre. This truly is a film and a hero the world needs right now, not flawless but still great, a solid 4/5. Go see Wonder Woman now!

I'm actually a little excited for Justice League now, even if it is just to see Wonder Woman again!

What did you think of Wonder Woman? Have the DCEU taken a step forward or backwards, let me know in the comments below.

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Jesse Eisenberg Cast as Lex Luthor

So it's just been announced that Jesse Eisenberg has been cast as Superman's arch nemesis Lex Luthor for the upcoming Man of Steel sequel, so I thought I would let you know my opinion on this casting.

Jesse Eisenberg is a good actor if not a little monotone for my liking. He was awesome in The Social Network but would he be as good as Lex Luthor? I don't think so. First of all he's too young in my eyes even though he is 30, but he does not look it! I want someone who looks like an intelligent but also quite menacing businessman and also someone a bit older then Superman. Although I could buy him as some young hot shot, he doesn't come across as the type of person who could stand up to the likes of Batman and Superman. I can't see Eisenberg stealing every scene as well as Heath Ledger did! It's an odd casting which has me interested to see how he plays him but I am not entirely happy that he has been given the chance in the first place. Warner Brothers have been casting people for the film that so far haven't been all too pleasing. The least they could do would be to give us someone like Bryan Cranston or Joaquin Phoenix to keep us looking forward to the now 2016 release date. I can take Batfleck and I can take Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman but Eisenberg as Luthor, I don't know, it's going to take way more convincing!

In addition to Lex, we also get to see Alfred again, this time played by Jeremy Irons. Apart from his stupid comments on gay marriage which he has now apologised for, I don't mind him playing Bruce Wayne's butler. Can anyone see him doing a better job than Michael Caine did though?

There is now way I won't see this film, but they really do need to release something pleasing like a picture of this supposedly awesome Bat suit to keep my interests up. I don't mind the odd controversial casting but has Warner Brothers taken it too far this time?

What are your thoughts on the latest casting additions to the Batman Vs Superman film? Let me know in the comments below.

Thanks for reading!