By Katherine Mueller
Staff Writer
“Wonder Woman 1984” delivers classic and brilliant action scenes all operating under a colorful aesthetic, re-immersing viewers into the world of the astounding heroine.
The film bolsters an important message, yet it is executed inefficiently, leading the overall viewing experience to become rather predictable and less hearty compared to the first installment. Additionally, the film’s effort to create new, memorable characters simply does not work out, despite its talented cast.
“Wonder Woman 1984,” pushed back from its original summer release date of June 5, was released as a Christ- mas Day treat, featuring its marvelous frontrunner Gal Gadot, along with a stupendous cast including Kristen Wiig and Chris Pine.
The film follows the life of the mysterious Diana Prince, now living in the bustling world of the 1980’s.
However, upon working as a curator of artifacts, Prince comes across a mystical object that threatens her livelihood and that of the entire human race. She meets new, powerful foes and even connects with an old flame along the way.
In this film, protagonist Diana Prince displays more ordinary and human characteristics, while still solidifying herself as a strong and fierce female super- hero. Though she is faced with various dilemmas throughout the film, including leaving loved ones and detriments to her personal strength, she perseveres in-dependently through all of it, inspiring viewers to do the same. Through team-work and strength, she also learns more about herself and her own abilities, which is a prominent theme.
One of the new characters introduced in the film is curator Barbara Minerva, played by Kristin Wiig. She is characterized as a shy and lonely woman, and upon meeting Diana she is stunned at her beauty and confidence, clearly setting up a jealousy dynamic that soon takes a dark turn. Though her character is relatable, it is neither com-plex nor surprising and adds very little to the film despite being presented as a key factor.
The message of the film was strong, but the way it was carried out felt confusing and pointless, as it was simply used to heighten the storyline of the film. Everything in the film felt rushed, yet dragged out at the same time, leaving the viewer feeling drained and unsatisfied by the end. This also led to quite a few half- filled plot holes, which further contributed to the uneasiness of the film. This is due to the lack of freshness within the plot, as well as the formulaic use of story-telling devices.
Though the film is set in the ‘80s, if not for the memorable fashion used throughout, one would barely be able to tell the time frame. The previous film had a strong sense of timeliness, but there were barely any references to the iconic ‘80s era in this sequel, which would’ve added so much more charm and energy to the film.
Despite particular disappointments from the film, the movie clearly shows its adept-ness in cinematography. The film takes place in various scenic areas that add a heroic greatness to the film, with the many action scenes being fantastically shot and executed. Additionally, the color filters used in the film deliver an effective and warming vintage atmosphere.
Overall, though the movie kept up the illusion of a complex and worthwhile blockbuster, much more could have been done to make the film feel more timely and unique, especially in comparison to the original, which was far more impressive.
Released on Dec. 25, “Wonder Woman 1984” is streaming for free to HBO Max subscribers until Jan. 24, at which point it will require renting or purchase.
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