Complete A-Z list


WW84 (Wonder Woman 1984)

6/10

Stars: Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Kristen Wiig, Pedro Pascal, Robin Wright, Connie Nielsen, Lilly Aspell, Oliver Cotton, Lynda Carter

Director: Patty Jenkins

This superhero blockbuster is certainly an improvement on the first film, even if director Jenkins allows too many patches that are only barely interesting, in an overlong runtime of just over two and half hours. Still, the second half is a lot better than the first, and Israeli-born star Gadot's acting has definitely improved.

The film begins well, then falters. As the title indicates, the action has moved on from World War One to 1984. The main villain is Max Lord (Chilean actor Pascal) who, understandably given the title, basically wants to be Big Brother. A failed would-be oil entrepreneur, his luck changes when he encounters the film's McGuffin, a magic artefact from 4000BC.

The artefact, like the genie in Aladdin, has the power to grant a wish (only one, it seems) and has already been used by Diana Prince (Gadot), alias Amazon warrior WW, wishing for the return-from-the dead of her pilot lover (Pine), for whom she still pines (sorry), and by her mousy work colleague Barbara (Wiig), who wishes to be strong and resourceful like Diana.

In no time at all, Pine is back and Wiig (more fun being ditzy) is kicking ass, although the latter soon goes over to the dark side and supports the now all-powerful and more-than-a-little-nutty Pascal.

It seems a long time before we get any real action, but fortunately the film comes into its own in the last hour. And a word for little Aspell, who plays Diana as a feisty child, and does all her own stunts. She helps make the first 10 minutes some of the most exciting in this uneven picture.

David Quinlan

USA/UK/Canada/Spain 2020. UK Distributor: Warner Brothers (Sony). Colour by Company 3.
151 minutes. Mainly widescreen. UK certificate: 12A.

Guidance ratings (out of 3): Sex/nudity 0, Violence/Horror 1, Drugs 0, Swearing 0.

Review date: 22 Dec 2020