Wonder Woman

SPOILER-FREE – PG-13, June 1, 2017

Teenage memories … I enjoyed the Wonderwoman Comics, and my favourite Heroes were Green Arrow and Flash. Yet those Comic books were so difficult to get hold of, therefore I had to switch to the “usual” Superhero / Detective-in-Batsuit stuff that was easier available. Heard of the TV series only as an adult…

The latest movie incarnation of Wonder Woman had already impressed me in the Superman vs. Batman-adventure where I had hoped for more screen time for her. Therefore this Wonder Woman movie was a must anyway.

And to say it right away: A star is born.

Gal Gadot, Israeli actress, martial artist and model, is simply stunning, likeable and impersonates Wonder Woman so  authentically that probably not only the male audiences will immediately fall in love with her. She is strong, headstrong, a warrior – but also funny and vulnerable. And she’s insanely beautiful. I do assume that she will enter the Hollywood hall of fame right away …

The story: Before she was Wonder Woman she was Diana, princess of the Amazons, trained warrior. When a pilot crashes and tells of conflict in the outside world, she leaves home to fight a war to end all wars, discovering her full powers and true destiny.

Chris Pine, the first man on the Amazones’ island, has shown his qualities in the Star Trek reboot already: a fighter with boyish appeal and warmth. Expect a roller coaster ride of CGI effects, action and emotions. There are LOL scenes for the females, and others with a male LOL moment. And I would pack some tissues.

The rule of DC offering much darker movies than Marvel is once again confirmed. The story is set into the First World War scenario, with all its cruel brutality. Rather realism than “comic book” version of it. Well, those 300-ish slo-mo-fights are far from “realistic”, yet who does not enjoy to see a fantastic woman taking out the bad guys …

Despite the fantasy background – Amazones, Olympic gods etc – the story seems pretty “real”. Thanks to director Patty Jenkins (e.g. Monster) and the authors Allan Heinberg, Zack Snyder, Jason Fuchs and William Moulton Marston. And a great cast who does not leave anything to be desired (e.g. Robin Wright, Connie Nielsen, David Thewlis, Danny Huston, Lucy Davis). A pleasant derivation from the usual Superhero/ine plot – some things are even getting turned upside-down. Surprises, twists – and even some philosophical issues will give you stuff to think and talk about way after the credit rolls. And, as mentioned, don’t forget the tissues.

Summing up: A must-see, and preferably 3D. And „To Be Human“ (Sia feat. Labrinth) needs to be mentioned – simply great. Only because there was no extra scenes in the credits, I refuse the top score…