DIRECTOR: Patty Jenkins
PRODUCERS: Patty Jenkins & Gal Gadot & Charles Roven & Deborah Snyder &
Zach Snyder & Stephen Jones
WRITERS: Geoff Jones & David Callahan & Patty Jenkins
PERFORMERS: Gal Gadot Chris Pine Kristen Wigg Pedro Pascal Robin Wright
Connie Nielsen
I had the good fortune to see this film on Christmas Day on HBO Max, even though I wanted to see it in theaters. I remember seeing the first film in theaters for the first time, absolutely incredible film and very well told, so much more superior to the dreaded 'Batman vs. Superman'. I knew a sequel was in order and I was very excited for it, but then the pandemic broke out and things started to change. Even upon the theater options being limited, this sequel turned out to be more than a crowd pleaser, but a worthy follow-up to it's groundbreaking successor.
"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air." - 1 CORINTHIANS 9:24-26 NIV
Taking place several decades after the first 'Wonder Woman', we see Diana (Gal Gadot) embracing her role as the Amazonian Warrior in the golden age of pop culture 1980's. Gadot really shines here as the titular character as she goes from fearless savior to vulnerable hero. The beginning of the film is proof of that as we see her as a child before shifting into present day 1984.Her journey throughout the whole film is seen like a race she's trying to win, but learns that in order to win it, you have to sacrifice your wants for your needs (). The script might have been a little off compared to the first one but this one really tries to hold a candle to it despite the many flaws. Like 'The Amazing Spider-Man 2' or 'Batman Forever' you have your side characters portrayed as vastly unappreciated characters who end up becoming side villains and this one is no exception. Kristen Wigg, while not that bad, carries on that tradition in this film as she plays a awkward employee who wants to be more than she is and ends up becoming something she isn't when she wishes for it. We all know that old saying 'Be careful what you wish for' something that tends to get overlooked even by the best of defenders. While it was nice to see Steve Trevor back, it was also confusing considering his fate in the first film. I somehow managed to work with the reincarnation of Trevor being in another being's body but I can understand why others found it disturbing.
What's critically interesting about this film is that there were no real villains in this film, only misguided people who made bad decisions while the hero had some learning of her own to do on her part as well as letting go. When the oil tycoon starts becoming more and overwhelmed with wishes it drives him over the edge. But he doesn't go completely over the top, instead he goes from one personality change to another and one thing I always seemed to miss was his son wanting to be with him (PROVERBS 10:28). The things we do to make our kids proud of us, right? Whenever we wish for something, they always turn out to be the wrong ones to make and later on, when they take affect, they affect those around you and even yourself. Diana learns this when she realizes the error of her wish and is faced with a heart wrenching decision to make things right (JAMES 4:17). Even with the themes as seen in past superhero films such as 'Superman II' or 'Spider-Man 2' this really doesn't match with them, but touches on them to a degree where you start to enjoy it more. Even the payoff in the end is just as groundbreaking as visually stunning, I just wish that the Cheetah character could have been more explored instead of just thrown out there for show. But for Diana's part she's the only who takes her lessons to heart while the others just come and go even after everything is said and done. I wouldn't want to call that a waste of character development, but nobody's perfect anyway and neither were they.
Patty Jenkins really developed an interesting character arc with 2017's Wonder Woman and frankly, I wouldn't have it any other way. What she brings to the story and it's direction is just flawless and perhaps the only best thing about the DC universe I've seen so far. Now if Warner Bros and DC had more people like her, DC wouldn't have to struggle so much in trying to keep up with the Marvel films that clearly know how to do a good superhero film. While I enjoyed WW84, I think the first one was better because it had more heart and more chemistry feel to it than this did. What this one did have were some heavy lessons that made it worth watching and worth learning from, like you can wish for what you want, but beware of what it can cost you. You don't need to be more than you are, just who you are and be proud of it. Mostly, we can hold onto the past for so long, eventually we have to let it go (PHILIPPIANS 3:13-14). Those things about the film I did enjoy and I'm going to give the film a thumbs up for visually stunning entertainment and overall a slight recommendation. There's a cameo in a post credits scene that had me stoked when least expected so keep an eye out for that one! And that concludes the review of WW84!
Happy New Year everyone and 2021, here I come.