Selena
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Odinsdottir
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Original Join Date: February 13, 2003
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Post by Selena on Jun 10, 2017 2:06:00 GMT
legends.gamehiker.com/?p=433^ Green Goblin's review is here, of course. For me? It was a solid superhero movie. On par with Marvel's better movies. I really liked Gal Gadot's performance. She is the right combination of honorable optimism, courage, and humorous honesty. She also has some nice moments of conflict in the late stage of the film, where she second-guesses herself for logical reasons. My favorite moments in the movie were all hers. Namely, her wandering through London and trying not-very-hard to fit in. And her utter excitement at seeing a baby for the first time. And I'm glad they put in that ice cream gag from the animated universe. Action sequences were good, though perhaps a little too much slow-mo for my liking. I guess they were trying to do a 300 thing. Maybe. I found the story lacking in the back half. It uses a lot of superhero cliches. Which is fair. I just don't like most superhero movies. Actually, being totally honest, I think Guardians of the Galaxy is the only "superhero" movie I get legitimately excited about -- and that's mostly because it's a sci-fi movie pretending it's a superhero movie. Origin stories are especially tricky. Everyone already knows the gist of what will happen, so they're automatically the least interesting to tell. Although I guess a "safe" origin film is better than sequel that falls apart (see: many Marvel sequels that exist merely to set up future films). Diana stands above the other DC heroes in no small part because she's the only one who isn't a brooding douche and she actually has a sense of humor. Very personal opinion here, but I also HATE mythological gods being put into superhero movies. I'm not sure why. I feel like their inclusion lessens the impact of the actual heroes. I dislike Thor's universe for the same reason (though Thor and Diana are both cool characters). Which is to say nothing of how Amazonian mythology goes -- provided they weren't lying about absolutely everything. Anyone with a passing knowledge of Greek mythology surely had a loud mental chuckle when Zeus was portrayed as even vaguely wholesome. I think it's also fair to mention something from my better half's perspective, since it's unique to her: She genuinely liked the film more than I did, but was absolutely infuriated by the Native American character -- who is literally a combination of almost every single Native stereotype you can find. Right down to tomahawk throwing, being a good "tracker," using smoke signals to communicate, to being nicknamed "Chief." She utterly hated it. There's also no reason the "squad" needs to exist, since they do almost nothing worthwhile. It takes screentime away from the leads. It's okay to have a film with just a couple big characters. But she still came away with a net positive view of the film. So, after having her heritage shit on, she does kinda roll her eyes at some of the people swearing not to watch it for one small, specific reason or another.
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Post by DarkJuno on Jun 11, 2017 4:07:54 GMT
Beyond being better than the last three DC Movies, I thought this movie was awesome. Agreed about the second half being a little more shakey than the first, but despite the climax being a giant CGI-fest like the other three movies, actually giving a crap about the characters involved made it that much more bearable and entertaining. More important than anything, they totally nailed Diana as a character, and Gal Gadot does an impressive job playing her in a pretty wide range of emotions and stages in her personal growth. She's great at being wistful and wanting to know more, being eager to help, adorable at seeing new things, and a total badass when it comes to being a warrior. Also great at doing the other half of Wonder Woman that everyone forgets about in being incredibly empathetic and kind hearted to others. She even does great in showing her naievity break down but rather then turn into the king of all murderous douchebags like Batman or unfun brooding hobo like Superman, she just reframes her views realistically and still sticks to her guns instead.
I just like it when superhero movies have the hero acting heroic. Doesn't mean they can't be gritty or grounded or not corny and cheesy, but they still have to be heroic. She actually is, and it's completely believable, and that's insane that that's a breath of fresh air in the DCEU.
As for the mythology bit, yeah, that's just par for the course in how they get used in comics. If it helps any Heracles is a complete and utter rapey jerkwad to the Amazons (and......everyone else) so that much is right? Funnily enough, I started reading the current DC Rebirth run of Wonder Woman and it's basically about how her origins and use of Greek Mythology is confusing and completely at odds with what scholars have discovered even within the DC Universe itself.
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Leo
Member
I don't believe in the moon, I think it's just the back of the sun.
Posts: 280
Original Join Date: September 30, 2008
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Post by Leo on Jun 11, 2017 4:25:06 GMT
My biggest gripe was Ares being a super boring, half-dimensional villain, there was almost no substance to his character other than, 'I'm not actually a bad guy, I just wanted us to have the world to ourselves again without these stupid humans.'
Other than that it was as good as people were saying. Both Gal Gadot and Chris Pine were great in their roles - they did a good job IMO of Steve Trevor educating Diana on the modern world without it becoming ridiculous.
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Jinn
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Posts: 73
Original Join Date: April 4th, 1984
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Post by Jinn on Jun 16, 2017 10:57:07 GMT
Surprisingly the most likable character for me in this movie is Etta (I think that's her name).
That's right. Steve Trevor's secretary. She seems to know her stuff and her brand of pluckiness has just the right amounts of feisty and comedic nuance for her character to not become annoying. I particularly like the part of the plot where the situation unexpectedly (to both her and the audience) puts her in the role of Logistics Officer at the British office while the team executes the tactical parts of "the plan" out on the front lines. Its quite a deal this new responsibility. Its a powerful "hey you got to suck it in and step up to the plate moment" that we've all faced at some point. The potential was there for her to work through whatever jitters or self doubt, and grow as a person and hero in her own right.
Unfortunately, her arc pretty much stops there and she isn't given much screen time or even the slightest of importance thereafter. This could have made for some very powerful subtext. Especially considering the tone of the movie. I guess there was only room for one wonderful woman. Haha.
Cringiest part of the movie? the rag tag team of soldiers does nothing for the movie other than to set up the picture scene from BvS. They are a largely uninteresting two dimensional lot. Its ironic that they seem to compete in the Oppression Olympics, but yet are crude stereotypes themselves haha. Though it would have been cool to explore the Scot's PTSD as a contrast to Diana's sheltered upbringing and life.
Anyway Gal Gadot is exceptional, bringing a lot of ferver and grace to the role of Diana. She makes a very believable Wonder woman in the context of her athletic ability and the culture shock she experiences in the middle act. She and Chris Pine's character have good energy and believable chemistry though slightly forced at times. My only real qualm is the fact that her character never really sheds her child-like approach to situations. Even at the final act where she is supposed to be'less naive'. But that's the fault of the director I suppose. Its forgiven only because its an origin story, and I can't wait to see her in 'truer form' for a sequel.
From a narrative point of view, I wasn't expecting too much. However I should note: I don't see why such a simple straightforward story could fall victim so much big plot gaps/holes and continuity issues. Its further compounded by a pretty weak twist followed by the DC movie curse - reveal of a boring new CGI villain whose only purpose is to serve as a "grand battle". The movie itself is very well done visually and moves at a pace fast enough so that the audience glosses over most of the shortcomings.
All in all. Its a decent popcorn flick. Stylish but shallow.
Edit: I'll give it 3 out 5 stars
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Selena
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Odinsdottir
Posts: 318
Original Join Date: February 13, 2003
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Post by Selena on Jun 16, 2017 14:38:03 GMT
That's true, I really liked Etta's character and thought she was one of the most entertaining aspects of the movie. Her walking around with the sword and shield made me laugh. She and Diana had a really fun dynamic. I would have loved to see more of her. If they keep doing Wonder Woman movies set in the past, then Etta would be the ideal Alfred/associate/superhero-buddy.
Because you do kinda have to explain where Diana was during WWII -- which was bigger -- and the conflicts that followed. Her solo movies could all be from an earlier time period, while the ensemble Justice League movies could be in the near-future.
Of course that assumes Justice League won't be awful and they'll keep trying to make another one. Right now Diana is, in true hero fashion, the only one keeping this franchise alive.
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Jinn
Member
Posts: 73
Original Join Date: April 4th, 1984
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Post by Jinn on Jun 21, 2017 9:50:38 GMT
Selena, I recommend checking this Wonder Woman story arc. I came across it recently while browsing and thought why not share here. I think basing a sequel on this absolves alot of the shortcomings of the first part while building on its strengths. Its set during WWII - but mainly on Themyscira during a bout of civil unrest. Which would explain her absence from the rest of the world during that period and not interfere with the JL narrative too much. Etta is there to serve as sidekick to the Diana Prince alter ego. Diana has to return to the island for whatever reason and exercises the Wonder Woman persona there. Hippolyta and Artemis are really fleshed out as characters. Some Nazis are thrown in for good measure but serve as tertiary antagonists to move the plot along. The civil unrest explores conflicting philosophies of the Amazon, providing a great opportunity to explore alot morally grey ground and themes. Also proving why superpowers is not why Diana is the wonder woman. There is also the emotional aspect of things; Hippolyta giving into her biological urges and eventual succumbing to empty nest syndrome, the rebel band of Amazons that view Hippolyta's actions as weak and blasphemous. Diana's guilt for the death of Antiope (also provide some moments of mourning for Steve - after all she can easily get the feels while on the beach she first met him), the growing jealousy Artemis displays toward Diana's having achieved 'best island warrior evar' status when Diana departed. Its all pretty solid. While a sequel will more than likely be approved, it will be a while considering WB's roster line up. Who knows though...
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JRPomazon
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Posts: 162
Original Join Date: 14 Jul 2003
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Post by JRPomazon on Jun 30, 2017 22:47:30 GMT
Haven't seen it, want to see it, how much better a movie would you say it was compared to Guardians of the Galaxy 2 (another movie I fear I've missed)
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Selena
Admin
Odinsdottir
Posts: 318
Original Join Date: February 13, 2003
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Post by Selena on Jun 30, 2017 23:05:10 GMT
Guardians 2 was my "movie of the summer" because of it's not-taking-itself-too-seriously entertainment value. It's just pure fun. Definitely see it. I loved it.
Wonder Woman was very good but had a couple noticeable weaknesses. It still ranks with most of the good Marvel films.
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Post by Rova on Jul 3, 2017 0:11:52 GMT
Yeah Ares was super boring and not at all a compelling villain, I agree Leo.
Man, I said I was gonna write up a post about what I didn't like about this movie when I saw it, then I got lazy and never did it and now it's been so long since I've seen it the details have faded :''')
I dunno, I was really excited for a WW movie, and I guess maybe I over-hyped myself? I really wanted to like it and just felt disappointed. I liked Gal Gadot a lot, I think she did a good job. I don't give a shit about Chris Pines at all, and the movie didn't do a good job of making me care about him, so it annoyed me that Diana did lol. And this is probably pretty nitpicky, but it bothered me that she...never got dirty? She came out of every battle scene looking like she just left the salon. She fuckin!!!! Jumped INTO the side of a building!!! Not a scratch or speck of dirt anywhere on her!!!! And related to that, while the fight scenes were certainly PRETTY, and the only parts of the movie I actually enjoyed watching, they felt....flat? It just never felt like Diana was ever in any danger, there was no uncertainty about what the outcome would be, she would win, no doubt. So it just sorta felt like watching violent dancing, I guess, lol.
I DUNNO THESE ARE JUST LIKE MY OPINIONS MAN
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