It’s wonderful to have Diana Prince and her superhero alter ego Wonder Woman back on the screen, but I lament not being able to see WONDER WOMAN 1984 on the big screen where it deserves to be seen.
The sequel shifts much of the focus to Diana herself, undercover, making her way as an independent career-minded woman at the Smithsonian in Washington, DC. Kristen Wiig and Pedro Pascal are welcome additions to the cast; Kristen especially shines as Barbara Minerva.
My biggest critique of the film is how Steve Trevor is introduced back into Diana’s life. Whether intentional or not, the film has a major consent issue front and center. In a film that features both Diana and Barbara ward off creepy advances from men, how Steve fits into the story feels shoe-horned in a way to give Chris Pine a role here. Pine is great, but does Trevor really need to be in this story? Hint: He doesn’t.
The score, effects, and action sequences of WONDER WOMAN 1984 are deserving of a big-screen debut, and my hope is that some folks somewhere are able to experience that safely. Diana and Steve’s story will pull at the heartstrings of many, including my own, but I’d trade that to get more of Wonder Woman in costume, in action. While there is some really major villainous mojo that Wonder Woman needs to confront, the film, unfortunately, doesn’t quite deliver on the sacrifices Diana is taking – whether it be in her everyday life, her relationship with Steve, or those she needs to take to save the day.
Fans of Wonder Woman should watch this as soon as they can, but for others, watch it before it leaves HBOMax at the end of January 2021.
