WONDER WOMAN

Fantasy adventure. Diana (Gal Gadot) grows up on a secluded island populated by warrior women. When she saves the life of a World War 1 pilot (Chris Pine) who crash-lands nearby, she learns of the conflict and vows to stop it.

When DC Comics decided to create a series of interconnected superhero films, Wonder Woman had seemed the most problematic character. Batman and Superman films had been mostly successful, but how to make a movie about a demigoddess who wields a lasso of truth without it being ridiculous?

The answer is to take the subject just as seriously as a crime-fighting millionaire dressed as a bat, or a super-strong alien whose only weakness is a green rock. Director Patty Jenkins (Monster) seamlessly blends many disparate elements and effortlessly switches between action, drama, comedy and fantasy.

It’s also largely thanks to a great cast that she pulls it off so impressively. Gadot is a commanding presence, easily making you believe in her multifaceted heroine, while Pine brings charisma to what could have been a dull role. Connie Nielsen and Robin Wright also provide strong support as Diana’s mother and aunt.

The intelligent script subverts gender roles while still delivering lots of fist-pumping moments. Cynical viewers might scoff at the central message, but it’s refreshing to find such a hopeful outlook in a blockbuster. 2017. 135 MIN. 10-12PG V. ALSO OUT ON DVD.