Hello Community,
Generally speaking, I'm a very demanding genre critic. Thus far DC hasn't hit their mark between their quixotically shade-of-gray Superman and Batfleck. I'm one of the few who thought Suicide Squad (2016) was not only good, but very good with it's multiple twisting character arcs, each written by specific writers who impacted those characters. However, that's another post.
I really only let myself get excited for one or two genre film/TV/comic events per year. That comes from my current life status; the days of the crew taking over a theater to celebrate every new film release has waned and there's just so many out there now. Who thought in the 90's when X-Men was coming what was about to happen with comics and sci-fi completely dominating Hollywood?
One of those events is the upcoming Wonder Woman on June 2, 2017. As a reader of the comic, I strongly believe this is the first DCEU movie that will actually have something to do with the character's lore. The WW I setting is perfect considering how seldom it's used compared to World War II. Out of Wonder Woman's rogue's gallery, Ares is her mightiest enemy, and him running around during WWI makes for him at his most cunning (they called it the war to end all wars for a reason). The fact that she actually has a theme to reprise in movie's score is a big plus compared to Warner's quixotic decision to can the two most iconic themes in super hero history (John William's Superman and the late Shirley Walker's Batman for which Danny Elfman stole the credit). I can already spot comic book assets in the trailers that will go over most people's heads (nice to see Godslayer made it in).
I'm so thrilled with Patty Jenkins serving as the film's director. She's something of an outsider but possesses conviction. When offered the dreadful "Thor: The Dark World (2013)" she had the integrity to walk away from what have been her first blockbuster over the dramatic changes removing all of the charm and wonderment of the first film. She plead her case to the boardroom and soon after left for "creative differences" which is Hollywood code for knowing what's being demanded will bomb.
Steve Trevor is well cast by Chris Pine and his part of Wonder Woman's origin story is true to the real thing, just moved up a war. I love that Edda Candy, played by Lucy Davis, made the cut since she's become more irrelevant in DC's constant reboots over the past decade. The jury is still out on David Thewlis as Ares (I'm keeping an open mind). Danny Huston’s General Erich Ludendorff and his masked sidekick, Doctor Maru (Elena Anaya), are boss! Then there's Gal Gadot, probably one of Warner's more spot on casting choices. She is a hero and a role model to young women and young men. She comes across as iconic and takes the responsibility of her fame seriously. I wish we had more like her in the age of anti-heroes.
Here's Gal Gadot's Wonder Woman profiled against "Harry Potter" actor David Thewis (to play Ares, The God of War)
In a wonderful display of not taking themselves too seriously, the United Nations made her the Honorary Ambassador for Women. Not only was the idea fun but it also allowed her to be a beacon to the work to inspire others. Sadly it all fell apart when the politics of anti-semitism came before the young girls who had a hero and were posed to learn more about how the U.N. works. Gadot is an Israeli veteran and some holdovers from the 20th Century die hard with the U.N.'s Eastern European members. What a shame.
Of course I won't end this commentary without a clip. Here's the official origin trailer from Warner Brothers and it looks fantastic!
https://youtu.be/INLzqh7rZ-U
What are your thoughts? It's time to unleash my fellow Geekanerds!
Anyone around Quakertown, PA (AKA, Bethlehem-Lite) who wants to see an epic in June should let me know.
Many Blessings,
MidnightX
