Movie Review: Wonder Woman...Amazonian for the most part

DC was badly in need of resurrection. Apart from the hugely successful Nolan directed Batman franchise, there's really nothing that DC's been able to pull off which has lingered in the memory in recent times (well, at least not for the right reasons). With Wonder Woman, the good news is that at least the first steps in that direction seem to have been taken. This in spite of the fact, that Wonder Woman has a laughably bad climax after doing all the good work for the most part.

Right from its beginning, the movie has a definite sense of flow to it. Scenes meld into each other beautifully and even though the lore is a bit long drawn, it is wonderfully rendered in its animation. Few movies have captured the anguish and sheer despair of war as Wonder Woman surprisingly manages to. For a superhero movie it does feel incredibly real. The action is well presented with liberal and yet justifiable use of slow-mo effects.From the dark and brooding presentation of its previous movies, DC does up the ante on the humor, though its nowhere as smooth as that of the MCU. Still at least its a start in that direction

Jenkins, the director, clearly gives Wonder Woman her day in the sun. Her powers are on full display as is her athletic prowess. Gadot plays it really well as well - the tough exterior with the soft heart. Her accent goes well with the foreign background of her character, though she does struggle a bit with the emotional pieces. When I first saw Gadot, many moons ago, as a sidekick love interest in a Fast & Furious movie, I didn't put much stock on her. With Wonder Woman though, she stamps her authority as the first female superhero. Chris Pine is wonderfully natural, more so than perhaps his now trademark, Star Trek avatar.

And then..there's the climax... after making a wonderfully realistic and true to life origin story, what possessed Jenkins to go in completely the opposite direction, perhaps only she can say. The impact though, is that it all but undoes the good work done by her in the movie up to that point. Its not as bad as the same mother name stopping the supposed clash of the titans in Dawn of justice. I know that's not saying much and unfortunately that's all that can be said for it.

I know the reviews have marked this one as not to miss and put it up there with the likes of Batman Begins. I'd say that's a stretch. Given DC's track record though, Wonder Woman is a breath of fresh air and with a befitting climax it would've been amongst the better superheroes movies even across the Marvel universe. Despite its bad start with Dawn of Justice, the Justice League sets up well with its introduction of Wonder Woman. Let's hope DC can maintain the standard.