Wonder Woman DVD reviewed
As I’ve mentioned before, Wonder Woman has always been an enigma to me. I feel that I should like her. After all, not only is Wonder Woman the first and greatest of all superheroines, but her origins are steeped in Greek mythology. Still, I never understood the appeal of the character, or her motivations… until last week when I finally watched Wonder Woman, the 2009 animated film from Warner Bros. and DC.
Wonder Woman is arguably the best and most enjoyably adult-orientated of DC’s direct-to-DVD animated films – which, for the record, also include Justice League: The New Frontier, Batman: Gotham Knight and Green Lantern: First Flight, among others.
Featuring an all-star voice cast, the animated Wonder Woman film is an excellent showcase of the character, and highlights the immense potential of making a live-action film centred on Diana, the Amazonian Princess. As the film reveals, there is enough thematic depth in the original depiction of Wonder Woman, without needing to revamp her as more streetwise, urban and therefore supposedly more “relevant” to 21st Century audiences.
From the outset, Wonder Woman proves its intensity with a violent battle sequence set centuries in the past. There’s blood, dead bodies, decapitation and even allusions to rape. The film, which initially landed an R-rating for violence, certainly earns its final PG-13 age restriction.
Wonder Woman is surprisingly badass!
Loosely based on George Perez’s “Gods and Mortals” arc in Wonder Woman comics of the 1980s, the film is essentially an origin tale. In compensation for the suffering and loss they experienced in defeating God of War Ares (voiced by Alfred Molina), the Amazonians are given the magically protected island of Themyscira where they can guard Ares and lead immortal, isolationist lives far away from depravity of mankind. The Olympus-sent daughter of Queen Hippolyta (Virginia Madsen), Diana (Keri Russell) is a young woman who yearns to explore the outside world. Diana receives this opportunity when Ares escapes, and she is chosen to escort crashed American fighter pilot – and ladies’ man – Steve Trevor (Nathan Fillion) back to the United States. And so begins a fish out of water tale as Diana attempts to negotiate our modern world while searching for Ares.
This said, the simplistic “fish out of water” description probably doesn’t do Wonder Woman justice, as her outsider status is one of the character's most interesting, defining features.
Diana is definitely not Superman. Although highly principled, first and foremost she is warrior – she breaks limbs, she kills, she teaches little girls how to eviscerate their opponents. Her values are those of Themyscira. As a result, Diana is also cynical and distrustful of the world of man. Gender roles and relationships between the sexes cause her endless consternation… and simultaneous amusement for the audience. One of the funniest scenes in the film sees Diana quizzing a secretary as to why she needs a man to help her move a desk. “You seem to be healthy and strong?”
Wonder Woman demonstrates a surprisingly strong sense of humour in the midst of all the action, and it comes through especially well in the flirtation between Diana and Trevor.
These positive aside, there are a few gripes that can be made about the film. These include the ease and speed with which characters cross the Atlantic Ocean, and the inconsistent depiction of Diana’s strength – as one minute she struggles against Trevor in combat, and the next is lifting heavy objects one-handed. Then, of course, there’s the inclusion of the invisible plane (from the original comics), which appears completely nonsensical given that the Amazons seem otherwise content to use centuries’ old technology, spears, bows and a smattering of magic, to get by. Finally, the concluding battle is also quite limp when compared to the film’s gripping opening sequence. After focusing for so long solely on Diana and Trevor, expanding the cast for the final fight causes the film to lose some of its energy.
Regardless of these flaws, Wonder Woman is highly entertaining, and it impressively manages to avoid pandering to the kiddies. Even if a live-action Wonder Woman film is made, I think it will struggle to dethrone this very well-made animated production as the definitive Wonder Woman movie. Definitely worth checking out of you're a comic book fan - or interested in learning more about the most powerful DC heroine!
Wonder Woman is arguably the best and most enjoyably adult-orientated of DC’s direct-to-DVD animated films – which, for the record, also include Justice League: The New Frontier, Batman: Gotham Knight and Green Lantern: First Flight, among others.
Featuring an all-star voice cast, the animated Wonder Woman film is an excellent showcase of the character, and highlights the immense potential of making a live-action film centred on Diana, the Amazonian Princess. As the film reveals, there is enough thematic depth in the original depiction of Wonder Woman, without needing to revamp her as more streetwise, urban and therefore supposedly more “relevant” to 21st Century audiences.
From the outset, Wonder Woman proves its intensity with a violent battle sequence set centuries in the past. There’s blood, dead bodies, decapitation and even allusions to rape. The film, which initially landed an R-rating for violence, certainly earns its final PG-13 age restriction.
Wonder Woman is surprisingly badass!
Loosely based on George Perez’s “Gods and Mortals” arc in Wonder Woman comics of the 1980s, the film is essentially an origin tale. In compensation for the suffering and loss they experienced in defeating God of War Ares (voiced by Alfred Molina), the Amazonians are given the magically protected island of Themyscira where they can guard Ares and lead immortal, isolationist lives far away from depravity of mankind. The Olympus-sent daughter of Queen Hippolyta (Virginia Madsen), Diana (Keri Russell) is a young woman who yearns to explore the outside world. Diana receives this opportunity when Ares escapes, and she is chosen to escort crashed American fighter pilot – and ladies’ man – Steve Trevor (Nathan Fillion) back to the United States. And so begins a fish out of water tale as Diana attempts to negotiate our modern world while searching for Ares.
This said, the simplistic “fish out of water” description probably doesn’t do Wonder Woman justice, as her outsider status is one of the character's most interesting, defining features.
Diana is definitely not Superman. Although highly principled, first and foremost she is warrior – she breaks limbs, she kills, she teaches little girls how to eviscerate their opponents. Her values are those of Themyscira. As a result, Diana is also cynical and distrustful of the world of man. Gender roles and relationships between the sexes cause her endless consternation… and simultaneous amusement for the audience. One of the funniest scenes in the film sees Diana quizzing a secretary as to why she needs a man to help her move a desk. “You seem to be healthy and strong?”
Wonder Woman demonstrates a surprisingly strong sense of humour in the midst of all the action, and it comes through especially well in the flirtation between Diana and Trevor.
These positive aside, there are a few gripes that can be made about the film. These include the ease and speed with which characters cross the Atlantic Ocean, and the inconsistent depiction of Diana’s strength – as one minute she struggles against Trevor in combat, and the next is lifting heavy objects one-handed. Then, of course, there’s the inclusion of the invisible plane (from the original comics), which appears completely nonsensical given that the Amazons seem otherwise content to use centuries’ old technology, spears, bows and a smattering of magic, to get by. Finally, the concluding battle is also quite limp when compared to the film’s gripping opening sequence. After focusing for so long solely on Diana and Trevor, expanding the cast for the final fight causes the film to lose some of its energy.
Regardless of these flaws, Wonder Woman is highly entertaining, and it impressively manages to avoid pandering to the kiddies. Even if a live-action Wonder Woman film is made, I think it will struggle to dethrone this very well-made animated production as the definitive Wonder Woman movie. Definitely worth checking out of you're a comic book fan - or interested in learning more about the most powerful DC heroine!
Comments
I am going to argue this. And no I am not even going to say that it was Gotham knight since that had a way bigger budget than the others. My favorite is Crisis of Two earths. Love the story of infinite earths and every decision you make, the other ones you didn't make gets made in another dimension.
Anyhoo, I can understand why chicks(i am pc like that) dig wonder woman, she is a strong aggressive female that kick's ass and can still be sexy while doing so.
You should look out for the red hood dvd that should be available soon. that is going to be so rad!
And yup, I'm really looking forward to Red Hood. It looks fantastic:)
That said, I've always been more of a fan of the super-stars Batman and Superman, but after watching this, I think I'll give some Wonder Woman comics another chance (I did just buy a fantastic WW figurine, so that's also incentive to do so!).
Thanks for the recommendation.