Wonder Woman (2009)

I forget how I first came across this film but what got my attention was the animation, the use of dialogue, the story and vocal performances. The first cut of this animated "Wonder Woman" film did receive an R-rating but some additional editing fixed that. The level of violence and other risqué scenes are still discomforting but the film makes it clear from the start that the target audience is not children.

The story follows Wonder Woman's origin story from the Golden Age of the comics but it has been modernized as opposed to taking place during WWII. As mentioned, this is no Saturday morning cartoon. This becomes apparent during the opening battle scene but the level of violence however would normally warrant blood to be on the swords of the warriors. The reason this was not done was to prevent an R-rating. While I approve of that, it is a distraction when you see an opponent slain but the sword of the victor is clean. Another awkward moment is Steve's first sighting of the Amazons. I felt that kind of crossed a line. There is also a major plot hole with the invisible jet because we are not shown or informed of its origin. Maybe the Amazons pimped out Steve's damaged ride? Despite all this, it is hard to deny some of the good qualities of "Wonder Woman". I loved how well written the dialogue scenes are. One example is the scene in the hospital. A film like this is obviously going to have a political message and it isn't as subtle as I would have liked but you can't really call the entire story feminist. Steve's rant after Diana is injured demonstrates how feminism is becoming a chauvinist movement itself. We can't stand up for women's rights by ignoring gender equality. As Steve says, "not everything a man does is to further some misogynistic agenda. We don't hold doors open or pull out chairs for women because we're trying to keep you down." Chivalry is not to about men being superior to women but rather about being respectful and grateful. The story also has some noteworthy moments. One might question why Hippolyta is not surprised or angered by her daughter's win in the tournament. My theory is that she probably could tell it was Diana in disguise towards the end. Another question you might ask yourself is why Zeus did not show mercy to Ares the second time. It is because Ares forfeited that right when he had his bracelets removed. The style of animation in "Wonder Woman" is striking. It reminds me of the style used previously in "Superman: Doomsday" and subsequently in "Batman: The Killing Joke".

Keri Russell did her job well and the same can be said for the other actors. My favorite character was Steve because I thought he was pretty funny as performed by Albertan Nathan Fillion. I loved Steve's line, "Nobody messes with Lincoln!" This wasn't the last time Fillion would voice a character in animation nor appear in a comic book movie. I liked his later performances in Joss Whedon's "Much Ado About Nothing" and Pixar's "Monsters University". Alfred Molina as the villain is always enjoyable. Rosario Dawson, who voices Artemis, would later voice Lego Batgirl. There were other familiar names in the cast including Oliver Platt, Tara Strong and John DiMaggio. "Wonder Woman" is yet another example of how talented Warner Bros. Animation in depicting the DC Universe. The look of the movie, the story, the lines of the characters and the acting were impressive. What might have made this movie better is if it was made for all ages.

3.5 Stars out of 5