Upon my second viewing of this female-led box office smash, I was surprised to find that the film had lost quite a lot of its luster. Without the ability to surprise or entertain as only a first viewing can, Wonder Woman’s plot came across as rather choppy (goodbye Themyscira, shopping break!, to the front!, wait—no one’s noticed that giant sword sticking out of her dress?, so did she hear Steve’s final words or not???). It didn’t help that the genre was trying to tow the line between fish out of water comedy, war epic, and superhero origin story—each entertaining in its own respect, but roughly sewn together.
So why, with all these flaws, did I still enjoy the movie? Because this time around, I was able to home in on the common thread of all these elements, a thread with undeniable power and charisma: none other than Wonder Woman herself.
It is essentially the character of Diana, the performance of Gadot, that makes this movie, well, wonderful. Whether she’s growing up in a matriarchal paradise, figuring out life in London, or fighting on the war front, Diana is a woman with a singular purpose: to fight for peace and love. She rebuffs the “brooding hero” stereotype and instead carries with her immense self-esteem and outspokenness for her cause: the betterment of mankind. And instead of making her out to be judgmental or rude, this filterlessness highlights her earnest and endearing nature—we know that whether she’s trying on outfits, yelling at men in charge, or excited by the presence of a baby, she’s 100% committed to her mission, and to who she is as a person. This not only draws together all the dramatic, comedic, and action elements, but also the plot and tone at large. For this movie truly is Wonder Woman’s debut—she’s discovering the outside world for what it really is, the good and the bad, despite what she’d been taught on her island for so many years.
Diana is told “no” and “get out” countless times upon arriving in London, by people alternately trying to protect her and themselves. And long before that, she had to deal with an overprotective mother—so she does as an adult what she did as an child, which is what she thinks is best. She is motivated in every instance to help people, and will literally do everything in her power to accomplish that noble goal. It’s quite astounding that she doesn’t come off as pushy or bossy or even a renegade know-it-all. Her earnestness saves her from those negative stereotypes. We see Gadot’s expressions grow increasingly frustrated and incredulous as time and time again, she tries to help someone and is told “no, that’s not your concern” or is dismissed on account of her gender. This barely shakes her. If anything, it just bolsters her commitment. She continues to offer her services as a translator, as a warrior, and as a bringer of hope. And as everyone’s been saying, this is what makes her “no man’s land” scene so powerful—it’s her first “letting loose” of her powers, since taking the equally challenging and meaningful plunge to leave her home of Themyscira earlier on. Her awesomeness is no longer confined to alleyway scuffles or lecture halls or bar fights—she’s on the battlefield, showing more courage and gumption than anyone out there. She believes in herself and her quest wholeheartedly, and as a viewer, all you are asked to do is follow along and cheer.
This is why the third act is so thematically perfect. Sure, the reliance on CGI and super-duper-poweredness is a bit much, but the visuals and even the fight itself aren’t my main concern. I relish the third act because of what Ares represents: a contradiction to Wonder Woman’s core ideals. In his final speech, he coalesces all that Diana’s been learning through her journey, all that she’s been writing off as Ares’ influence on man; Ares sneers that men have inherent evil in them, causing Diana to flashback to the forewarning “they don’t deserve you” message from her mother. What else would be the perfect final challenge for an unreservedly righteous, clear-eyed heroine, than to throw some mud in the water? Everything she’s been taught, everything she believes, everything she is, is cast into doubt. Do men deserve her? Is humanity doomed? What is her purpose? That one-track mind that’s been driving her—and the movie—from the start, is totally knocked off the rails. And for a moment, Diana leaves Steve & co. to the wolves. She’s shaken. She’s not as bitter as Ares, to be sure, but the one thing she thought she knew, the way in which she framed the world and her role in it, is no longer so certain.
Given Diana’s powers, the physical battle was never the primary arena. (I mean, what can’t she do?) No, her struggle was mental. Moral. Once she again rights herself and chooses a firm path, she easily defeats Ares, just as she did the General before him, and the German soldiers before that. And like the Fifth Element before her, she decides that mankind is indeed worth saving, for they all have the chance to turn to love rather than hate, to peace rather than war. And that’s worth protecting. So no, her introduction to human society wasn’t all that she’d hoped or expected, and in fact came with a big disappointment. But it was one that she could deal with, readjust to, and keep fighting, clear-eyed and singular-purposed as before. So what if mankind isn’t the kindness-loving bunch she’d expected? Their capacity for love—her capacity for love—makes them worth saving. Makes them, and makes us, deserve her.