Wonder Woman 84 isn't quite perfect but it's the most wholesome and least cynical superhero film since the early days of Christopher Reeves' Superman run and for that reason it feels like a breath of fresh air. Plus it's going to be the film that brings the shellsuit/bumbag combo back and for that reason I hope it makes a billion dollars. It won't but I can always wish.....or should I?
66 years after she saved the world by killing the evil Erich Ludendorff and Patrick Morgan, Diana Prince (Gal Gadot) is living in a very familiar building in Washington D.C. and working in the Smithsonian institute. She adores her work but spends her evenings alone, pining for her long dead lover Steve, who died helping her back in the Great War. A co-worker called Barbara Minerva (Kristin Wiig) has come across an ancient stone that unbeknownst to them is a lucky charm that grants it's owner their greatest desires. Quiet, shy Barbara has her wish to be more like Diana granted and her new found confidence catches the eye of businessman Max Lord (Pedro Pascal), who's also on the hunt for the charm. His reasons for wanting it are rather more nefarious.
Wonder Woman 1984 hits the spot. Of all the delayed blockbusters supposed to be released this year I'm glad we got to see this one before the year ended because aside from it's entertainment value it's optimism is something that's been sorely lacking this year and christ does it feel welcome. Diana Prince might be able to beat seven shades of shite out of whoever gets in her way but her USP among superheroes has always been her ability to see the good in people and here she uses that power in spades making WW84 feel pretty different to the usual comic book formula of blow everything up and pick up the pieces later. With Diana facing two villains the films gets to have it's cake and eat it too by giving us a vicious face off before hitting us with a climax that feels a lot more satisfying. We get a city being wrecked of course but this time it's in a more realistic fashion.......well as realistic as you'll get in a comic book film.
It's also fitting that we get a Trump like villain onscreen just as the gobshite himself is on the way out. Pedro Pascal's Max is a conman disguised as a TV personality who craves fame and power. He'll step over anyone to get his way and when he gets his hands on the lucky charm the story really kicks off. As does Pascal's performance. Here he's broad and hilarious as his powers take hold, especially when they begins to take their toll on his body. Wiig as Barbara starts off as his exact opposite, meek and mousy and watching her get a magical glow up is a joy, especially when she starts using her new found skills to deal with the little problems women have to face everyday. But with great power comes great responsibil..........ok, never go full Marvel while talking about a DC film. Eek. Wiig rocks the part and watching her kicking secret service agents around the American Capitol city will bring a smile to your face. Those geeky performances in Bridesmaids and Ghostbusters feel a million miles away now.
It's Gal Gadot's film though and her turn as the world's most famous Amazon once again injects the film with a warmth and heart that's sorely lacking in other blockbusters. She's not just there to crack wise inbetween beatdowns. Yeah she has great fun lassoing bad guys in a shopping centre and taking on a convoy of Egyptian bodyguards but it's her quieter moments that will stick in your mind, that smile during a 4th of July night flight (which brings back one of the sillier bits of the 70's tv show in a way that crazily works), a wink at an awed child or her anguish at a heartbreaking decision. She makes these little things her own. The source of that anguish btw, I won't go into it but it's just one of the many many things that work in this film. Something that leads to a fashion show of 80's styles that will crease you up. PLO scarves and pastel sports jackets. Jesus. What a combo.
There's a few lapses in logic throughout and at least two scenes near the end feel slightly confusing and choppy (you'll know them straight away) but WW84 will win you over with it's sheer exuberance and it's message of hope. It's a joy seeing a usually male dominated story beginning with a young girl showing off her skills and ending with a warrior woman showing off hers. Hopefully director Patty Jenkins will be back soon with part 3.
Wonder Woman 1984 is out in cinemas now.
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