If you want Wonder Woman on Blu-ray raise your hand!

Is WONDER WOMAN 1984 deserving of all the negative feedback from early reviews? Not really. Was it on par with the first Wonder Woman film? No. Did it bring justice to the DC universe? Yes and more. In a year when we have had to live by the little screen this first blockbuster of a flick should have us all thankful this Holiday season. Diana Prince (Gal Gadot) is a strong character and sure this might not have been the best script to highlight that. Bottom line it is entertaining, action packed, and a solid option to chill on the couch and watch with the family this Christmas. You can be grateful or wish for greatness… but be careful what you wish for.

Wonder Woman 1984 (2020)
PG-13 for sequences of action and violence | 2h 31min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy | 25 December 2020 (USA) on HBO MAX | Synopsis: Rewind to the 1980s as Wonder Woman’s next big screen adventure finds her facing two all-new foes: Max Lord and The Cheetah.

A lot of time has past for Diana Prince and she lives her life alone, pining for her lost love Steve Trevor (Chris Pine). Diana doesn’t age so she has spent her years gaining knowledge and studying ancient artifacts. When a mystical stone shows up with the ability to grant wishes the world spins into chaos and only Wonder Woman can save the day. Standing in her way is a megalomaniac (Pedro Pascal) and a wall flower (Kristen Wiig), both who use the stone to become a powerful force.

A message throughout this story is making sure that what we most desire is worth the price it will cost to obtain it. Some of these wishes have inconvenient costs while others are life altering. There are more plot holes than I dare to count, and global catastrophes are always tough to keep into perspective. I feel silly saying you have to suspend belief in a super hero movie. As if Avenger’s End Game seems completely plausible.  I should note here that I am in no way compering these two films. I will not be watching WW84 over and over. But, even in the most unbelievable moments we should remind ourselves what we are truly watching.

The main thing missing from Wonder Woman 1984 is the 1980s. Other than a mall scene and a few moments of fashion critiques there is not much 80s to be nostalgic about. The film could have been dropped in the 70s or 90s and had just as much impact. In fact the 70’s might have been even more fun to play around with. Steve Trevor shows up in 1984 – which is an important part of that fore mentioned message – and we get to see it through his eyes. Not unlike Captain Steve Rogers after he is unfrozen. But there is just so much more about the 80s that were glossed over. If you are going to put the year in the title then you better dang well represent.

The four main characters are delivered with different levels of enthusiasm. Pedro Pascal is just, well, you have to watch it to really understand it. If anyone in the history of cinema embraced a villain with vengeance it is Pascal in this role.  He is a lot. Chris Pine just looks old – my wife said I had to mention this – and seems as shocked to be in a new movie as Steve does to be in the 80’s. I adore Gal Gadot. What she has brought to this character in the earlier films elevated the entire DC Universe. Here she just seemed sort of sad. I understand that Diana has been living a life long after her friends and family have moved on. But I feel like that melancholy carried over to every scene. I wanted more spunk and swagger. I wanted Wonder Woman not just Decent Diana. The stand out performance comes from Kristin Wiig. She nails every bit of her characters transformation. Regardless of the intensity it always felt believable. She never slummed it during the weak parts nor went over board in the action sequences. She showed as much diversity as we have seen from her in the past.

Look, we all would love nothing more than to head to the theater, grab a giant popcorn, coke, and watch a blockbuster on the big screen like every other Christmas. But that is not our world right now. But sitting on the couch with the fam and watching Wonder Woman reminded me that we will get back their someday. Until then this filled a void and I am thankful for that.