Despite some backlash toward the lead actress, Gal Gadot, “Wonder Woman” is truly a dream come true. This film is significant and special in so many ways, where do I even start?
Since I was younger, I’ve always been fascinated by mythology. My appreciation for the subject developed once I took a College Now Classics course while I was still in high school, in which I learned about Greek and Roman Mythology. I was intrigued by the Amazons, in particular, focusing on the mythology of these one-of-a-kind women warriors for my final research paper in the course. The Amazons were noted for being brutal and aggressive; they went against societal views toward femininity. They were fearless, strong and exceptional warriors. In 2017’s “Wonder Woman,” the Amazons are presented in their full glory, with many responses toward the film describing how badass these women are.
The film depicts the Amazons and Wonder Woman as being brave, strong, beautiful, powerful, fearless, and more. The film presents a noteworthy view for women of all ages, not just young girls, in regards to the beauty and strength of a woman. The capabilities of women are endless, and “Wonder Woman” is a remarkable presentation of the power of women. The film also shows that a woman doesn’t need a man to be powerful, or strong, or any quality we already have within us that we may have yet to fully bring to the surface. Women are forces of nature, and we should not forget it.
In addition, “Wonder Woman” features epic battle sequences consisting of women with impressive athleticism. Such scenes are often only focused on men with special effects thrown into the mix when it comes to superhero movies. Whereas, “Wonder Woman” shines the spotlight on the physical strength of women, with a focus on their skills in tactics, hunting, and combat. The fight sequences early on in the film are especially breathtaking and have never been done quite so spectacularly, with women at the forefront.
The film, overall, is successful in not only its display of powerful women but also in its dismissal of using women for the male gaze or as sexual objects. Wonder Woman can stand on her own, embracing her strength, and also shows men for a change how women are not to be messed with. This is also without using her beauty as a main source of power, because her strength does not lie in fitting social standards of femininity or using her beauty to her advantage. And that, among everything else, has me completely in awe of this film. This is undoubtedly a badass feminist film. Even though it took 76 years (!?) for this live-action film to come to life since Wonder Woman’s debut in 1941, I am beyond grateful for the efforts of Patty Jenkins.
“Wonder Woman” is the first major female-fronted superhero film, and it’s the first superhero film with a female director. In 2017, DC is making history. As much as I love Marvel, they better step it up.
