Wonder Woman 84 flies but not soars (Movie review)

December 26, 2020

Wonder Woman 84 flies but not soars (Movie review)

MILD SPOILERS AHEAD: Gal Gadot's latest Amazonian outing is now streaming but it does not really reach the potential it could have.

Set in the "Age of greed" (the 80's) I mean, the plot could take place anytime before Batman V Superman and still have the same effect. (Greed is timeless after all) The movie starts with the tone and message right at the beginning: "truth" which is shown via an American Ninja Warrior CGI fest in Themysciran style where lil' Diana (Played by Lilly Aspel) wins by cheating.

The movie then brings you to a retinal piercing 80's where Diana is living at the Watergate Building in Washington DC and superheroing at malls occasionally. The mall and 80's production design are well executed and tick all the required nostalgia boxes which by now, due to the visual oversaturation we have seen in countless media, has lost the novelty factor (Heck! Walk to your Target's Funko Pop section and there it is!)

Gal Gadot hasn't lost any of the connection with the audience, and her portrayal given the environment is more relatable and vulnerable, not only mentally but physically due to her own personal choices. We are treated to a side of Wonder Woman we have not yet seen and is to me, one of the highlights of the movie. Her statuesque complexion, is only enhanced by the costume design and the gowns she wears. I'm here for Gal, and for Gal I stay. Even though I have to wait one hour after the mall scene to see her donning the Wonder Woman costume again.

We are then introduced to mousey Barbara Minerva (Played by Kristen Wiig) who does what she can with the character she is given, and does it well. I mean Cheetah? That is a tough one! It gives her the chance to showcase her comedic abilities, as well as her dramatic ones, and let's face it, it's always satisfactory to see the transition from puny to mighty but again, we have seen that. The novelty is gone.

Then Mr. Mando himself, Pedro Pascal plays Maxwell Lord. A typical 80's con man living beyond his means selling Ponzi schemes. His personality is a mix between Gary Vaynerchuck, Tony Robbins and all the cocaine of the 80's mixed in one. It's played mildly at the beginning but goes way over the top near the end. Not sure if this was a direction Pedro was given or a choice he was allowed but hey, at least is refreshing to see him out of the helmet.

Steve Trevor (Played by Chris Pine) makes an appearance as well. This time however, the roles are reversed where the fish out of water/damsel in distress is him and it's Diana who has to show him around. The pair has not lost their chemistry, and there is even an 80's costume montage.

Where WW84 feels lackluster is the plot: The McGuffin here is a stone that grants wishes. This feels like a plot pulled out right out of the 80's and it belongs in the 80's. The main characters all make wishes, and when they immediately materialize, they are faced with the consequences of such wishes. The climax is then reached by multiplying the wish granting times: "Everyone on Earth" and that is where the wheels come off. I can see Rhonda Byrne cringing and heading for the exit. What the hell....

Diana then does the required "Final act costume change-because-we-need-to-sell-toys" for no apparent reason (Even after having acquired an ability that makes the suit pointless. Said ability has not been featured in later movies) CGI night time final fight against Cheetah, Lord and is curtains.

Wonder Woman 84 is a fun, whole hearted narrative conundrum. By now we are accustomed to get more out of our superhero movies and unfortunately WW84 will not give you that. Not sure if it will help sell more McFarlane figures but at least it does not damage the brand. Something that Warner desperately needs if it wants to reach the lucrative narrative level of Marvel. Wonder Woman instead will grant you 151 minutes of Cheeto munching escapism right in your couch. Some say the running time is too long, but in the year of our lord 2020 we take such indulgencies where we can find them.

Stay for the mid roll credits scene. It's a homage WELL deserved. Kudos to Warner for that one.

Wonder Woman 84 is now playing on select "pandemic" theaters and on HBO Max.

Chris "Hunter" Diaz

-Chief editor-

GEN

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