Item: Wonder Woman 1984
Rating: 9
Author: JimmyO

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

PLOT: Diana Prince has found her place in the world decades after the previous film. Now we see her living in the 1980's where, after discovering an unusual artifact, she finds herself up against the wickedly tough Cheetah, and a dangerous conman by the name of Max Lord.

REVIEW: Patty Jenkins and Gal Gadot created on-screen magic together with the 2017 hit Wonder Woman. While many were concerned that the film wouldn't work early on, audiences and critics alike welcomed the stand-alone superhero blockbuster wholeheartedly. When a film finds that kind of success, the sequel is likely to fall short when it comes to bringing the character back to life for another adventure. And for many, the expectations of a new movie featuring this Amazonian princess fighting bad guys, and occasionally saving the world, were through the roof with anticipation. The good news? Wonder Woman 1984 is a resounding success full of heart, loaded with action as well as intriguing villains, and a fantastic premise.

Decades after what took place in the majority of the previous film, Diana Prince has settled into her new life. It is 1984, and while she still longs for Steve Trevor (Chris Pine), she has managed to keep her hidden identity intact. Yet things get interesting when a shy co-worker named Barbara Minerva (Kristen Wiig) discovers an unusual relic. Seemingly worthless, this so-called "Dreamstone" may be far more destructive than either of the two realize. When a desperate con-man by the name of Max Lord (Pedro Pascal) learns of its whereabouts, the realization that something huge is about to place the world in chaos falls upon Diana. Even more problematic, the one thing that she desires more than anything else has come true, something that may stand in her way from destroying the very thing she needs to. There's much more to the story, but I'll let you experience that for yourself.

Wonder Woman 1984 is a glorious return. The opening sequence featuring a young Diana (Lilly Aspell) learning a hard lesson makes for a rousing spectacle. It also works beautifully as a precursor of what's to come. Patty Jenkins doesn't miss a beat by crafting a rich and bold tale that is as much a personal story as it is an impressive action-packed one – with a healthy dose of solid effects with only a slim amount of overtly obvious CGI. Yet it may be the magical moments when they take to the skies that truly bring the most stunning images to the screen. Many other critics have said this, and that's simply because it's true, out of all the recent superhero movies, this particular story feels very close in tone to the classic 1978 feature Superman with Christopher Reeve. There is hope, humor, adventure galore, and something rarely seen in modern cinema as of late, not an ounce of cynicism.

Gal Gadot – who is also a producer on the film – continues to bring everything she can to the role. The actress was the perfect choice for this iconic character in every single way. Not surprisingly, her work only continues to impress. Without spoiling too much, the chemistry that sparked with Chris Pine in the first film is very much alive once again. Much like what Diana faced when sailing into England, Pine's Trevor must learn to ingratiate himself into this modern world. Even the explanation as to how Steve returns works. The similar pattern of a stranger in a strange land may sound a bit too familiar, however, the film does a fine job of not simply repeating itself. This is a new and satisfyingly unique superhero story, one that is inspiring, with pulse-pounding excitement, and an emotional core that is especially impactful.

Another superior element to the film would be the villains. Kristen Wiig is perfectly cast as Barbara/The Cheetah. The trailers for the film offered a glimpse into what she would bring to the role, but that's only a part of it. Barbara's arc is one of the most successful aspects of the story. Why she ultimately becomes The Cheetah, and everything leading up to that helps achieve a fleshed-out and charismatic baddie. As well, Pedro Pascal makes for an entertainingly crooked conman looking for his big break. Even for him, his reasoning behind his actions still feels like an honest growth in his lust for power. Humanity is not lost on either of the two, and this only raises the stakes for all involved. While the story is simple enough, the impressively written characters help make this an easy two and a half-hour feature to sit through. You'll hardly notice the length as it moves quickly to its fantastic finale.

There's very little here that didn't work. Frankly, I can't think of much that I didn't appreciate. One thing that may surprise some viewers is the lack of 80's music. You may notice that one trailer for the film heavily featured the New Order hit "Blue Monday" which is certainly a staple from the Eighties. Aside from the excellent score by Hans Zimmer, you won't find a heaping of classic tunes to tap your foot to. Even still, Jenkins captures the decade with its look and costumes from the period. Even without the tunes, it still revels in the decade that introduced us to Madonna, Prince, and Michael Jackson's huge solo career. It's a bold and bright choice that only brings more charm to the stunning sequel.

Wonder Woman 1984 is something special. From its breathtaking opening sequence to the refreshingly original final act, there is much to rejoice in. This is a joyful and thrillingly engaging sequel, one that manages to connect to everything that worked the first time around. Yet it still feels fresh. Gal Gadot brings such incredible grace and heroism to the role, and it's more than evident that she enjoys playing the character as much as fans enjoy watching. This is a spectacular sequel. And while it is certainly disappointing that many of us cannot currently enjoy it with a large audience in a packed theatre, you're still in for a massive adventure that is at times, quite intimate and effective. Whether you can make it out to a theatre, or you plan on enjoying it in the safety of your home on HBO MAX, WW84 is everything it could have been and more.