Image Credit to Wikia
The film in its whole is a celebration. When Diana first uses her Bracelets of Submission, we celebrate. When she first experiences the gift that is ice cream, we celebrate. When the music kicks up and Wonder Woman—in slow motion—destroys her enemies, we’re so deliriously happy that the celebration only pauses when we close our eyes for bed.
Witnessing Diana’s origin story was a highlight of the film, and if it was without it, the travesty would be unthinkable. We were introduced to the Amazon’s, and besides the natural badassery that they exude throughout Wonder Woman, they also embody something else entirely. In Themyscira, Amazon’s teach peace, love and strength. The existence of these ideals are dependent upon each other. It is women, together, who forge this message and it resonates because of that. Plus, it also helps that they do so with swords, bows and arrows, and glorious training/fighting sequences that leave you wanting more.
Patty Jenkins, the director, also accentuates Diana’s femininity, but doesn’t objectify her. The camera doesn’t linger and move across her body like in most films that feature females. In fact, if anyone is objectified it is Steve Trevor, Diana’s sidekick.
His role in the film was quickly established as a comic relief, then as a means to an end, then as a friend, then as a love. But the best part about Steve Trevor was that he new that Diana can take care of herself, and that she could protect and fight for anyone better than he could. When he inevitably says “no don’t, its too dangerous!” She rolls her eyes, leaps head first into danger, and prevails.
This highly anticipated film had moviegoers reciting “please don’t be bad, please don’t be bad…” over and over again because before it even was released, we knew it was important. It’s important not just for women, but because when Diana thought she defeated The God of War, and saw soldiers still going off to battle she yelled “why is everyone still fighting?!” It’s in that moment when the audience took a collective sigh and asked themselves the same question.
No other superhero film was succeessful in asking the important questions in a way that produced such postitive opinions and possibly new found outlooks.
Wonder Woman has earned a total of $334.9 million, while continuously standing tall above her oppressors, and with conviction proclaims “I’m here.” We are listening, we agree, and we’re beholden.
She’s here.
