'Wonder Woman' is a Sensational Origin Story: A Retrospective

“Wonder Woman,” the first female-lead superhero film in a decade and the first such film directed by a woman, exceeds expectations of the tried and true superhero origin story by bringing artful visuals, incredible action, compelling characters, and a moving storyline to the big screen. With the release of “Wonder Woman 1984” on Christmas Day 2020, the first solo installment to Diana’s story is well worth a revisit.

Aesthetically speaking, this is a beautifully stylized film. Cinematographer Matthew Jensen uses distinct color palettes to denote different time periods and locations. For example, when viewers are whisked away to Wonder Woman’s mystical home of Themyscira, the screen is filled with brilliant shades of vibrant greens and rich golds. This is contrasted with a moody palette of hazy blues when Diana leaves her homeland for the mortal world of war-torn 1910s Europe. These colors also serve as powerful contrast to the effectively used flashes of orange during the film's climax when the sun rises over Diana's final victory over Ares.

In addition to the film's striking color choices, the production and costume design are equally incredible. Each set felt well developed, regardless whether it was wholly fictional or historically based, and there were plenty of design easter eggs throughout the film. Additionally, the costumes were highly commendable. The costumes for the Amazons were a solid mix between practical and elegant (unlike the overtly sexualized versions of the Amazon’s costumes in “Justice League”). Diana’s costumes in particular really worked to embody her poise and power, and these visuals were a much needed break from the male gaze perpetuated in many superhero movies. Her costumes brought the motifs of Wonder Woman’s traditional costume, with navy blue, crimson, and golden bronze as primary colors, and gave them an updated look without sacrificing viability — her armor looks like actual armor that gives some protection, rather than just serving for visual enjoyment.

Though the aesthetics of the film made for an experience full of wonder, the movie is itself spectacular because of its well-written characters and storyline. Gal Gadot gives a standout performance as Diana. Balancing the grace, love, and ferocity that Wonder Woman is known for, Gadot gave such a passionate performance that it’s nearly impossible to imagine anyone else in the role. Her co-star, Chris Pine, also gave his all as Captain Steve Trevor; he's lovable to a fault, and boasts electric chemistry with Gadot along with his ability to nail both moments of humor and moments of sorrow. Gadot’s and Pine’s performances were bolstered by the immense talent of the supporting cast, as well as by the striking acting of the film’s villain Ares, played by David Thewlis. Thewlis brought a deep-set sinisterness to his antagonist: He was the kind of villain that could convince you he was anything but. Thewlis’s Ares was impressively juxtaposed with Gadot’s perseverant optimism.

The many fight scenes are excellently choreographed. It is absolutely enthralling to see the impressive fighting skills of Diana, and each fight has purpose and adds something to the movie. There is no gratuitous violence for the sake of gritty aesthetics, which has been a feature of some DC Comics movies past. Though slow motion in these scenes is overused, it does find its place when Diana crosses No Man’s Land in the film's most poignant sequence.

Lastly, these classic elements of a good origin story are supported by an iconic score. The music is memorable and energizing. It doesn’t distract from the events of the movie, but rather amplifies them and keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. The repeating motif found in the Wonder Woman theme as she charges into battle is particularly empowering and exciting in the scope of the film’s soundtrack.

"Wonder Woman" is a brilliant example of what a superhero movie should be. There’s a stellar combination of drama, dialogue, and action. The stakes are high, with the world at war and Diana's quest to defeat Ares. Though the dialogue can be cheesy and sometimes dwell into the realm of slapstick humor, the audience remains compelled and entertained throughout. Though it is a superhero story, the core values this film pushes to the forefront are, at their core, refreshingly realistic. Diana comes to realize that the human world is full of complexities, and the duality of human nature means that every person holds the capacity for both great good as well as great evil. Diana does not fight for the world because she thinks it is perfect, nor because she thinks the problems of the world are solvable by a single hero. Instead, she stays to fight for love and for the just world she knows can exist. This message was powerful upon the film’s 2017 release, and it’s just as necessary of a message today.