Wonder Woman

At long last, DC's leading lady gets her own feature film.  Wonder Woman is the story of Diana, an Amazon born of Zeus and Hippolyta.  Living an idyllic life on the magically-concealed island of Themyscira, the Amazons get a rude surprise when a World War I conflict washes up on their shore.  Steve Trevor, an American spy in British employ, is captured and pumped for information.  His news gives all pause: the Germans are developing powerful weapons to turn the war in their favor at the last hour.  The death toll will be in the millions unless someone can intervene.  Diana has a choice- does she remain among her people, or step into the world of man to save the world?

There's a lot to like about this film.  The characters, music, and effects are good.  The humor is decent.  The themes are excellent (see next paragraph).  I had a few problems with the plot, though.  I especially struggled with the film once Wonder Woman & co. ended up at the WWI front line.  For some reason, superhero injections into real conflicts bother me (I had the same problem with Captain America in WWII), perhaps because I'm familiar enough with the history to critique the portrayal of the conflict (outside of the superhero element, which I expect to be far-fetched).  Also, I'd have liked to see the minor characters developed more.  Overall, though, this is worth your time.

Wonder Woman deals with two main themes:

1. The nature of the world and humanity.
• The movie opens with the contrast of the world's beauty and darkness.  "I used to want to save the world, this beautiful place. But the closer you get, the more you see the great darkness within."
• The Amazons believe that man is weak, cruel, and selfish, but was created good and then corrupted by Ares, Greek god of war.  They think when he's gone, all will be restored.  
• Ares only sees the dark side of man; Diana says "they're everything you say, but so much more," implying that man was created for much more than he has become.
• Steve Trevor argues instead that people aren't always good, and "we're all to blame," as everybody's fighting for their own.
2. Our duty in the midst of it.
• It is the Amazons' sacred duty to defend the world.  And Wonder Woman states that she will "fight for those who cannot fight for themselves."  However, given its darkness, multiple times this concept of what we deserve is discussed.  Wonder Woman knows people don't deserve her (and is told that multiple times).  Her response?  "It's not about what you deserve- it's about what you believe."
• Steve Trevor's thought: "If you see something wrong with the world, you can do something or nothing.  And I've already tried nothing."
• Wonder Woman ends with the quote of the movie: "Only love can truly save the world." 

I commend the film for exploring these themes and getting things (at least partially) correct.

Rating: A-