Wonder Woman

“It’s not about deserve, it’s about what you believe.”

There is an enormous and unprecedented amount of pressure on this film. In the months leading to its release, the internet went wild with rumours of it being a "mess" (which was subsequently denied by Director Patty Jenkins), criticisms about the lack of marketing and thinkpieces about the titular hero’s armpit hair. But above all the scrutiny, Wonder Woman is a spectacular superhero film that is going to please fans and critics alike.

Wonder Woman is a harmonious blend of fantasy, action, comedy and romance. The film is infused with earnest optimism that challenges our perception of heroism. Jenkins and Godot did a commendable job at portraying Diana Prince as a multi-dimensional individual. She is painted as naive, curious, devastated and honourable. By marrying the idyllic world of Themyscira and the gruesome reality of the war, we get to witness Diana’s progression from an innocent warrior to a wise hero. Bolstered by a charismatic performance from Gal Gadot, the vivacious empowerment in the film is refreshingly irresistible. The score by Rupert Gregson-Williams blended in with the action like a befitting ornament.

At the heart of the film lies a universal and genuine message that mankind is flawed but it is still our duty to help those who cannot defend themselves simply because we can. The film isn’t telling us to wait for a superhero to save us or dictate who gets to be saved but that we have the power to choose how we live with the light and darkness in us. That is a choice no hero can make for us.

Stories about heroes are pleasurable to watch not because it’s fun to see them flash their gears or agonize over their pain but because of their ability to shed all of that away, and still be kind and compassionate. Wonder Woman is a much-needed reminder that, in the thick of all the good and bad, we are all capable of heroic deeds just like the heroes we conjured up in our stories. That is the power of make-believe. I believe Wonder Woman is the uplifting triumph we’ve all been waiting for.

(Originally posted on 3 June 2017 @projectunwrapped)