2020 has been a rough year for superhero movies. Many have been pushed to 2021 or future release dates. However, it is a good chance for DC to finally take the spot at the box office for their movies, since Marvel movies like Black Widow have been pushed back to 2021. With the anticipated release, fans can watch “WW84 or Wonder Woman: 1984.”
Unfortunately, not being screened in theaters, Warner Bros premiered it on HBO MAX, at no extra charge for subscribers.
“WW84” first opens with a flashback to young Diana at Themyscira, competing in the island’s own version of American Ninja Warrior. By young Diana, I am referring to young Diana (portrayed by Lilly Aspell, from the 2017 film). She manages to perform well against the more mature Amazons, however during a part of the race, she takes a shortcut and ends up losing the race. She is then lectured by her Aunt for cheating, and that “no true hero is born from lies.”
Fast forward to 1984, Diana is now working for the Smithsonian Institute as an anthropologist and fighting crime on the side, as Wonder Woman. After stopping an armed robbery, which showcases how one incompetent robber can ruin everything, she works with Barbara Ann Minerva to analyze the stolen artifacts from the robbery.
One of the items they analyze is called the Dream stone, an ancient stone with the ability to grant wishes to users. Both Diana and Minerva inadvertently use the stone, Minerva wishing to be like Diana, and Diana wishing for her love, Steve Trevor, to return.
With both wishes coming true, Steve Trevor returns alive and well and Diana is ecstatic. Minerva becomes more like Diana, becoming popular with coworkers and attractive, while gaining her superpowers as well, such as strength and agility.
The stone however attracts failing businessman Maxwell Lord, who wishes to become the stone and grant wishes to people, while gaining something in return. He uses this to help his business and become a very influential person.
It seems everything would be fine, but magic has a price. The stone itself takes something from the user in return. For Minerva, it makes her cruel and vicious, as opposed to her usual kind self. For Lord, it takes a toll on his health and sanity. As for Diana, it slowly takes away her superpowers, making her more vulnerable and weak.
The stone is also responsible for the collapse of many civilizations such as Rome and the Mayans, which is the most cliche. troupe in the book. However, it is enough to get Trevor and Diana to go on a mission to put a stop to Max Lord before the world ends.
What is good about this movie is even though it’s set in 1984, it doesn’t try to ride the nostalgia train like a lot of other films and TV shows set in the 80s do. For those not wanting to be bombarded with 80s references, you are safe.
Due to Diana’s vulnerability, she is restricted on what she can do but is great at working through her weaknesses. Hans Zimmer made the movie great and was the best part in specific scenes. The final fight scene though, between Wonder Woman and Cheetah was fairly underwhelming. The gold armor portrayed in posters made an entrance, however, it was underutilized, over-exaggerated, and didn’t have a big part in the movie.
Pascal and Wiig do a great job as the villains in this movie, providing a different take on them. Pascal’s take on Lord is interesting. In the comics, Lord is a manipulative psychic, great at convincing people to do his bidding. Pascal’s take feels like a mixture of a sly wall street investor, with hints of the devil inside of him, offering special deals and using his silver tongue to woo clients, but hinting at the price to pay once their wish is granted.
Wiig is a great actress, so seeing her play a villain was great. She does a phenomenal job highlighting the transformation of a timid desk clerk, to a cold, menacing villain. She was very convincing in her role and felt relatable.
The movie was good, but it wasn’t as great as the original, which can be said for other sequels. Gal Gadot and Chris Pine do an excellent job in their respective roles, and the chemistry between the two was very heartwarming, and sometimes heartbreaking at times. It’s a decent entry in the DC Universe, but perhaps a better plot that is less cliched would be better, along with fewer potholes.
I give this movie 2.5 out of 5 stars.
Ryan Hill can be reached at [email protected]