Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Spluttering sequel lacking in Wonder
But great Gadot still packs a punch
Wonder Woman 1984 DVD ●●●●● Hot on the heels of Zack Snyder’s Justice League comes the home entertainment release of Patty Jenkins’ muchanticipated Wonder Woman sequel.
With its predecessor regarded by many as the DCEU’S finest flick thus far, there was much to be excited about with this 1980s set follow-up.
Reviews during its Christmas release on HBO Max, and in limited cinemas, were largely negative, though, so I was wary of what lay ahead when I popped on the DVD.
My overall thoughts fall somewhere in the middle of both camps; Wonder Woman 1984 is nowhere near as good as its forebear but nothing like the turkey many decried.
With its bright colours and often jokey – even downright campy – tone, it’s a world away from the first flick; no better summed up than with a jaunty shopping mall-set sequence.
This sequel’s biggest strength is Gal Gadot’s returning heroine. An inspirational figure for the modern age if there ever was one, she never gives up, no matter the odds, and isn’t afraid to make sacrifices to save the day.
Chris Pine’s Steve’s return from the dead was shrouded in secrecy ahead of the movie’s release and while his character’s resurrection is lazily executed – and a little creepy – it’s fun to share in him and Gadot’s winning chemistry again.
An Egypt-set chase scene evokes memories of Indiana Jones and at one point the White House suffers more damage than it did during Trump’s presidency.
Like the film itself, the villains are a bit hit and miss. Kristen Wiig’s (Barbara) arc from dowdy, downtrodden loner to supercharged feline might be very Selina Kyle in Batman Returns, but the Bridesmaids star impresses to make her role more than one-note stuff.
However, her final incarnation as classic comic book character Cheetah is a letdown.
Pedro Pascal’s smarmy “oil guy” Maxwell Lord has a few interesting wrinkles but amounts to little more than a generic baddie desperate for power.
A way too convenient Macguffin drives the plot – and everything the characters do – and the overstuffed narrative is more manic than memorable.
Wonder Woman 1984 splutters rather than soars, then, but be grateful we live in an era when it’s fun rides like this that are regarded as comic book movie failures rather than genuine duds like the 80s’ Howard the Duck, Supergirl and Superman IV.
●What are your thoughts on Wonder Woman 1984? Pop me an email at ian. bunting@reachplc.com and I will pass on your comments – and any movie or TV show recommendations you have.