Wonder Woman 84, despite its flaws, is a fun, retro snapshot that’s most concerned with emotional arcs



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1987 Wall Street had Michael douglassGordon Gecko says, “Greed is good. Greed is right. Greed works. The 1980s were a time of haute couture, the birth of MTV and excess. This statement is evident in American society of the haves and have-nots. This period is perfect for a character like Wonder Woman – an embodiment of all that is good. His credo is that of honor and truth transmitted in his lineage. The question arises as to what would happen if the two mighty forces met and what would ultimately win. Wouldn’t our heroes be sensitive to the intensified basic human desires?

Director Patty jenkins presented his version of Diana Prince (represented by Gal gadot) in 2017 Wonder woman during the horrors of the First World War, when the place of a woman was much less than it is today. An interesting dynamic unfolded where Diana learned about the modern world, while also keeping the lessons of Themyscira and rejecting society’s place for her. Wonder woman 84 takes place in Washington DC in 1984, with neon colors, tubular socks and large shopping malls. Diana is an anthropologist at the Smithsonian while still being a specter of heroism as Wonder Woman. However, the weather has not been good for his emotional state. She lost her war friends due to her old age, and most importantly, Steve Trevor (Chris Pine). For someone who can literally do anything, she would give that up to find a person.

Thanks to this work, she meets Barbara Minerva (Kristen wiig) who is very eccentric and uncertain of herself. She idolizes Diana as someone she wants to be – beauty, confidence, and sympathy. Lord Maxwell (Pedro Pascal) is a self-proclaimed Black Gold Cooperative oil mogul who sells dreams of wealth through television infomercials. Once a stone which grants the one who holds it a wish is introduced, everything is turned upside down. The story becomes a personification of consumerism, of the consumption of the 80s, mixed with the development of these characters in this space. Maxwell, in all his bombshell, hides that he is inherently flawed. Barbara, despite her unique personality, covets and envies someone else. With wishes there is always a downside. For the gain of one person, many will lose.

Just like Diana was a fish out of water Wonder woman, WW84 does this backwards for Steve Trevor. Including a fun montage of him trying on various’ 80s fashions with fanny packs. Diana becomes his virtual guide through this unknown world. It’s a nice inversion and serves as a role model for them to share memories through a more modern lens. The film takes its time studying how illusions, appearances and aversions to the truth change both the characters and the world as a whole. Even though this movie is set in the 1980s, it doesn’t become a gimmick – it’s almost an integral part of the story. It all happens with the specter of the cold war hanging in the background or an action car scene occurs that feels like a Indiana Jones flavor to it.

Pascal’s portrayal of Maxwell Lord is exceptional, where you almost understand why he does things. The Lord’s rise to power begins with his wanting to live up to something healthy in this life. This then moves away from the edge as it gains more power. He loses sight of things and himself. Kristen Wiig does a great job showing Barbara’s transformation from nervousness to blinding vanity. Every aspect of her appearance changes and she gradually accepts it. You will wish you had more of Barbara. Jenkins wanted to challenge Diana in different ways – both physically and mentally. While Diana has a lot of great action scenes and a few new powers to boast of, a lot of the weight is on the woman outside of the armor. Gadot shows a charming and vulnerable side to the character of Diana Prince. That way, Wonder Woman doesn’t feel that far away from us. She embodies the compassion and love that ultimately brings the main story together. Diana and Steve’s story comes into play, and it’s good to see them together again. Now that same story falls into the tropes of a quintessential romantic comedy that weighs heavily in the midst of World War II. Sometimes it takes a little while for it to restart when it switches characters and themes.

Parts of this film will have some points of contention. The essence of how Steve Trevor is brought back in this story might be a headache for some. The opening scene of WW84 is a flashback to young Diana where Hippolyta (Connie nielsen) and Antiope (Robin wright) instill a valuable lesson in him. Such a lesson conflicts with Steve’s very existence. Does wanting something or something despite the impermanence of death justify neglecting the obvious? Also, the finish seems almost anti-climatic in nature. As the film attempts to tie together the story threads of its main actors, they really felt the most fulfilling for a particular character.

Wonder woman 84 does not choose to follow the previous foundations of what superhero sequels have been. Some that just turn up the volume of the things you liked in the previous movie. He’s at least trying to do something different to tell a more emotional story rather than just direct action. The lessons that are told within the time frame applicable to date. It almost feels like fate has delayed this movie from its original release date of December 19, 2019. Despite things that can keep it from being a home run, Wonder Woman 84 brings a fun and emotional brevity. It brings an overall story that shows greed will never be more satisfying than doing the right thing. Moving on often reveals the best version of ourselves, as difficult as that may be. Diana Prince might be a God, but what makes her human is what will motivate you.

Photo credit: Warner Bros / DC.

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