More than a year after its original release date and coronavirus-related delays, Wonder Woman 1984 is finally here. And it’s expected to bring in some joy and thrill as this troublesome year comes to an end.
The delays haven’t hurt the film – so far – as loyal DC and Gal Gadaot fans await to watch the Wonder Woman sequel. The highly anticipated movie hits UK theaters on December 16, US theaters and HBO Max on December 25 and Australian theaters on December 26.
Vietnam can watch the film as early as December 18 – yep, TGIF.
In mid-November, WarnerMedia made the surprising and unprecedented decision to release the superhero sequel into theaters on Christmas Day and also simultaneously release it on HBO Max in the US. This is considerably the first time a mega-budgeted superhero film will be put straight onto a streaming service and subscribers will not be charged extra to watch it.
Wonder Woman 1984 shuttles Gal Gadaot’s warrior to the era of Regan economics, parachute pants and “Rio”, according to a review from the Associated Press.
Like its predecessor, Wonder Woman 1984 is spirited, purposeful and blessedly lacking in grandiosity. And both films do not put Wonder Woman under a burdensome (and somehow impossible) task to save the world or the universe.
Gadaot’s character is more a moral and muscular counterweight to ego-driven male misdirection, steering history through the repeating pitfalls of people intoxicated by power.
The optimistic charms of Wonder Woman 1984 lie on its rebuke of the current political and cultural landscape. The film wasn’t scared to be socially relevant, much like it’s its predecessor. All thanks to Director Patty Jenkins.
The film opens with an Amazonian flashback to an obstacle course race on the island of Themyscira, where a young Diana (Gadaot) learns the value of truth.
Fast forward to decades later, Diana is now working as curator of ancient artifacts Washington, D.C., trying to balance a quiet life and the consequences of being an immortal. She’s also dealing with the loss of not only her love interest Steve Trevor (Chris Pine) but nearly all the people that are important to her life.
In the midst of loneliness, Diana befriends co-worker Barbara Minerva (Kristen Wiig). Her endearing comedic persona provides a nice contrast to Diana’s stoic character. But Minerva loses much of her charm as she reveals her true character.
Main villain Max Lord (Pedro Pascal), a struggling entrepreneur/TV personality, steals an ancient gem – “dream stone” – from the Smithsonian (where Diana works) to get his wishes fulfilled.
While a chunk of the movie doesn’t give major action sequences we all would have preferred, Wonder Woman 1984 is still a delight, aesthetically speaking. Diana’s powers offer plenty of visual variety, enhanced by the use of epic them music to get viewers excited.
And as Diana meets Steve again (probably won’t spoil how he’s gonna come back from the dead), the couple sends viewers to a fun tour around 80s Washington, D.C. The colorful and vivid setting gives the film a warm, nostalgic feeling.
Wonder Woman 1984 lasts for two hours and 31 minutes, and is rated PG-14 by the Motion Picture Association of America for sequences of action and violence.
It may seem the film’s too long for its story, it can be a worthwhile watch. Many critics who have seen the film’s early screening were quick to post their positive reactions on social media.
CinemaBlend’s Eric Eisenberg tweeted, “Wonder Woman 1984 is fantastic! The story is excellent and it has a great, timely message; it packs in a ton of surprises. Amazing work is done with both Cheetah & Max Lord (Wiig & Pascal are both stellar). Get hyped, because it’s the real deal.”
ComicBook.com’s Brandon Davis tweeted, “Patty Jenkins literally made an 80s movie in every way, making it so unique for today. It feels both bigger than the first WW while simultaneously more contained. Lots of Diana Prince and some epic Wonder Woman moments as Gal Gadot literally soars!”
At a time when theaters were closed on most part of the year and film releases were postponed, Wonder Woman 1984 comes in to spark some hope and fun to an otherwise bleak, joyless year.
For Vietnamese fans of Wonder Woman, check out these cinemas for the screening times:
