Saturday, June 17, 2017

Wonder Woman - A Film to Wonder and Ponder for DC!

Until Diana surfaced as Wonder Woman (WW) in the disastrous Batman Vs Superman, I can say it with full confidence that not many would have known about her other than the hard-lined comic book lovers. After a quick background check on her through an anim movie, WW was a strong female character in the DC's arsenal unlike Marvel which do not boast of a lead woman role. Some might say Black Widow as a potential competitor to Gal Gadot. Unless and until, Scarlett Johansson gets a movie for herself, it's like comparing chalk and cheese and giving the verdict that cheese is better as it can be used in a tasty Pizza!

Gal Gadot was simply gorgeous - be in it her killer looks, ravishing smiles, charming naivety or sophisticated urban dresses - The scene where she was forced to have a change in attire so as to mingle with the crowd was brilliant especially when she gets that "perfect" dress. Smokin hot! A worthy mention is her flowing flowing hair as well. It's not just about her beauty but her talents as well that lit up the screens big time like the climax! Be it her growing up in the island as an idealistic learner or in the real-world where she becomes her own master of fighter in the ugly world, Gal Gadot was exceptional particularly where she takes on the soldiers by breaking down the barriers and running at full throttle towards them. It was a deeply inspiring and encouraging sight for all those around her to pluck up their courage and charge at their enemies who were holding them up for many days.

Also, the theme for her was like a wailing banshee at the top of her voice! It was electrifying and you could feel a surge of energy bursting throughout your body whenever it was played in the background. The only area where she could improve in her acting is when Gal had to emote for her dying teacher. You don't actually feel the loving bond between them despite being shown how close they were. Her Truth Lasso, Indestructible bracelets and her fierce fighting abilities were put to good effect using excellent special effects though the climax with Ares could have been 20 minutes trimmer. 

This seems to be a recurring problem. Even GotG 2 had the same glitch. For wanting to finish off on an outstanding note, the production houses seem to pour in millions of dollars into the final CGIs without understanding that the VFX should add value to the scenes and not be a visual cacophony which stretches on forever like an unsnappable rubber band. Sadly, WW also suffers from the similar fate as you either keep on checking out your watch or yawn or do your hand stretches when it is a foregone conclusion that Ares will be routed and WW will come out on top in the concluding battle between them.

Pine as Trevor did justice to his role which enables Gal to summon up her powers against her apparently invincible foe. Likewise, the humor element was like a water in a scorching hot desert! Unlike their Marvel counterparts who emphasize more on rib-tickling humor courtesy Stark's sarky comments or Dead Pool's crude and foul laughable antics, DC has never shown the lighter side of their superheroes ever since the revamped journey began even when Chris Nolan helmed the Batman Series. It was too serious, dark, sombre, gloomy and stoical. However, WW was refreshing to see that the script writers and director had put in their efforts to ensure that the completed product has undertones of lighter moments and overtones of high action throughout the movie.

WW should serve as a serious introspection to the DC universe so as to give a tough fight to their enemy - Marvel - in the real world. In my humble opinion, this movie was heads and shoulders above the Superman and Batman Vs Superman movies as these films had the mighty, pun intended, colossal twin brands as their leads but let down by terrible screenplay. WW may not be in the same league as SM and BM as far as the revenues were concerned, but the content and narration was way better than these iconic superheroes earlier flicks.

PS:
I am neither a DC nor Marvel hard-core individual. Simply a good fan of good super hero movies.


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