Wonder Woman (2017): A Cinematic Game-Changer
Sometimes, a movie’s value transcends its plot and characters. It becomes a milestone in film history, not just for its entertainment but for its impact. Wonder Woman (2017) is one such film.
It wasn’t the first superheroine on the big screen, but it was the one that mattered. Released at a time when superhero fatigue was setting in, Wonder Woman breathed fresh life into the genre. More importantly, it boldly declared that women could have action icons too, and a movie with an Amazonian warrior as the lead could appeal to all audiences.
A long time in the making, Warner Bros. began exploring the idea of a Wonder Woman film in 1996. Several attempts to develop it failed until Patty Jenkins took the helm in 2015. Jenkins, known for her 2003 film Monster, brought Wonder Woman to the big screen after over 70 years of waiting. While Superman and Batman had numerous film adaptations, the third part of DC’s Trinity had to bide its time. Its immense box office success sent a clear message that female-led superhero stories were not just relevant but also lucrative.
Wonder Woman shattered records, grossing over $800 million. It became the highest-grossing origin story, the top-grossing film directed by a woman, the second-best superhero movie opening in 15 years, the highest-grossing film in the DC cinematic universe, and the biggest summer release of 2017.
Critically acclaimed, it holds a 93% rating from critics and an 83% audience rating. The film combines compelling storytelling with aesthetic excellence, making it one of the standout entries in contemporary superhero cinema. Gal Gadot’s performance as the titular character shines, and it’s no wonder it drew comparisons to Marvel’s classic Captain America: The First Avenger (2011).
In retrospect, Wonder Woman was more than a blockbuster; it was a game-changer. It proved that women could be superheroes and that their stories resonated with audiences worldwide. If you miss it tonight, you can catch it on HBO Max.