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Review: Wonder Woman 1984

This review was viewed via Rakuten TV

After plenty of pandemic related delays, Wonder Woman 1984 finally attained it’s release, but unfortunately, it wasn’t really worth the wait as it just slides in to the DCEU as yet another missed opportunity.

Diana Prince lives quietly among mortals in the vibrant, sleek 1980s, an era of excess driven by the pursuit of having it all. Though she’s come into her full powers, she maintains a low profile by curating ancient artefacts, and only performing heroic acts incognito. But soon, Diana will have to muster all of her strength, wisdom and courage as she finds herself squaring off against Maxwell Lord and the Cheetah, a villainess who possesses superhuman strength and agility.

And so begins the disappointingly mediocre sequel to the brilliant Wonder Woman. For the best part of 2 and half hours we are subjected to hum drum, over long, messy affair that barely makes you sit up and take notice other than when man of the moment Pedro Pascal is on screen, however even that wears thin after about 20 minutes.

The plot is muddled and messy, and it just sways from side to side until it thinks it has something, which ultimately Wonder Woman 1984 doesn’t. The main crux of the plot involves Pedro Pascals Maxwell Lord granting wishes to everyone, which utilises a sub plot in the Jim Carrey vehicle Bruce Almighty where he grants everyone’s prayer requests and the entire world descends into chaos. Here they undo it all by simply revoking their wish. It’s also not entirely clear how Diana manifests hers, although we see the effects of it, shortly thereafter. Also, Kirsten Wiig seems to be channeling Peter McNicol as Dr. Janosz Poha in Ghostbusters II but without the accent throughout, before the Cats make up team get a hold of her and turn her into Cheetah for all of about 3 minutes of the 2 hours and 20 minute run time.

Patty Jenkins was being hailed as the saviour of the DCEU entire in the build up to this, which is not hard, considering you a following on from Zach Synder’s heavy handling of the previous movies. His finger prints are all over this one too, as we have the inclusion of the continuing ‘Mom!’ moments that weigh down the various other DCEU entries, however Wonder Woman 1984 turns that on it’s head with the ‘Dad!’ twist. Other signs of Synders involvement is the horrible telegraphing of one of the villains, with the excellent opening in which flashback Diana is caught and told off for cheating and that “no hero is born from lies” so we get it Zack and Patty. Cheaters don’t win… Get it? Cheetahs don’t win.

There is some fun to be had here, Gal Gadot is simply terric as Diana/Wonder Woman, Pedro Pascal, the opening action sequences and some of the later sequences at the White House and the finale, but they are too far apart and it’s all bogged down with exposition for the rest of the movie. The cut scene cameo is great little addition for those of the audience who are old enough to get it too. It also has another towering score from Hans Zimmer which meakes proceedings that much more tolerable. Chris Pine has his moments with the ‘oh my’ moments of the wonderous advances of the 80’s although Im fairly certain fireworks were around in the 40s and 50s.

It feels like they were going for a Superman II vibe (Loss of powers, having to make the decision over love or savings the world. Seemingly unstoppable villains imbued with the same powers as the titular hero) however what they have ended up with is actually Superman IV with double the run time.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5.

Wonder Woman 1984 is in cinemas now and available to rent via home premiere across most streaming platforms.

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