WONDER WOMAN
(PG-13)
MOVIE: ***1/2 (out of 5)
DVD EXPERIENCE: **1/2 (out of 5)
STARRING
Keri Russell as WONDER WOMAN
Nathan Fillion as STEVE TREVOR
Alfred Molina as ARES
Rosario Dawson as ARTEMIS
Marg Helgenberger as HERA
Oliver Platt as HADES
Virginia Madsen as HIPPOLYTA
Studio: Warner Bros. Animation
Directed by: Lauren Montgomery
BY KEVIN CARR
WHAT IT’S ABOUT
Continuing the string of PG-13 adventures with the DC Comics superheroes, “Wonder Woman” is a one-shot film telling the origin of the legendary Amazon warrior. The Amazons have lived without men for centuries, but when Ares, the God of War, escapes, they must try to capture him. The Amazon Princess Diana wins a competition to be the one to go after Ares and, with the aid of a fighter pilot who crashes on the Amazons’ invisible island, she tracks Ares to the world of men in an effort to return him to the underworld.
WHAT I LIKED
While I was very much into the DC Comics universe when I was a kid and in college, I never read the “Wonder Woman” line. Superman and Batman were more my style, with some of the more mystical characters like The Spectre and Deadman. So aside from some occasional crossover material, the most I encountered Wonder Woman was in the guise of Lynda Carter in a swimsuit on the CBS television series from the 70s.
After watching the new “Wonder Woman” movie, I wonder why I never got into that series. After all, I love beautiful, strong, dominating women, and if that doesn’t describe Princess Diana and her Amazon clan, I don’t know what does. The amazing thing about Wonder Woman through all these years is that this character managed to be independent, beyond feminist, but she never lost her feminine side. She was definitely the kind of girl you wanted to take home to mom, even if you might need a first aid kit the next day.
Like the DVD releases that Lionsgate has given us for the Marvel line, “Wonder Woman” brings the uninitiated up to speed as to who she is and what her character does. It definitely opens the door for potential sequels and other DVD movies. The movie is exciting with plenty of action, and there’s significant drama as Wonder Woman deals with the internal politics of her sisters. The fight scenes are intense, and they’re creepy as well as Wonder Woman goes up against an army of the undead. Unlike the recent “Hulk Vs. Thor” DVD movie that had to give the viewer the necessary background on Asgard, Wonder Woman’s home lays in the more familiar realm of Greek mythology.
The voice talent is pretty good, with familiar actors like Keri Russell as Wonder Woman and the always funny Nathan Fillion as pilot Steve Trevor. Other stand-out performances come from Alfred Molina as Ares and Oliver Platt as Hades.
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
With any “Wonder Woman” subject matter, it’s hard to strike the perfect balance of dealing with her female-only upbringing and political preaching. For the most part, this movie doesn’t delve too much into the political side of women’s rights, but it does make the leap from time to time.
DVD FEATURES
The single-disc version of the “Wonder Woman” release includes commentary from the film’s creative team and a first look at the upcoming (and for me, highly anticipated) “Green Lantern” animated film.
WHO’S GOING TO LIKE THIS MOVIE
Wonder Woman fans and people who like these new PG-13 animated films from the DC Comics line.