I truly enjoy Gal Gadot as DC Universe’s Wonder Woman. I remember her debut in Batman vs Superman; hearing her theme music take over the theater as she appeared from the smoke and debris, to protect Batman from Doomsday. 

Then, a year after that debut, we were given the well done origin film “Wonder Woman.” It seemed that after #WW, DC had figured it out, and continued to give pretty decent films leading up to 2020’s “Wonder Woman 1984,” so it was only natural that the excitement and interest in the film would be extremely high. 

Again, I truly enjoy Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman. It is just so unfortunate the “league” of writers didn’t do her “justice” this second time around. 

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Below are my grades for key components in #WW84 that I find to be key in any story/film—Theme, Plot, Pacing, and Character Arc/Development.

Additionally, I have added an entertainment factor scale to help you determine whether or not the film is something you’d be interested in taking time out of your weekend, evening, or day to watch. The scale range consists of: Worth the $$, Matinee Only, Stream It, & Don’t Rush.

I have also added a few non-spoiling thoughts, wonderings, and comments as I watched the film to help give some rationale for my grades and entertainment scale. 

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Theme: C

Plot: D

Pacing: C+

Character Arc/Development: B

Entertainment Factor: Don’t Rush

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The Takeaways—(BOLD = Thumbs Up/Pluses & Relaxed = Thumbs Down/Missteps):

1. I liked the portrayal of the villain. His motivation was clear enough, and he was delivered well. 

2. Kristen Wiig’s character was also very enjoyable. 

3. Although I enjoyed the opening scene, it made no sense for young Diana to be engaged in an event with grown women…no matter “who” she is/was. 

4. To piggyback off #3, that moment also doesn’t make sense with what we know about the mother’s sentiments regarding the relationship between young Diana and her aunt..

5. Something about the pacing when compared to the first installment felt very 1990s episode of Power Rangers—almost comic book campy, and I don’t think it was the best direction to take… 

6. Now WHOOOOOOOSE lil boy is this? Who is the mother? Chile, they tried it… … 

7. The introduction of her “aircraft” was clever.

8. However, to piggyback off #7, the team should’ve taken some time to come to an understanding of what it means to be “invisible…” Yes, the moment/scene was beautiful, but that didn’t make any sense… no one on the team saw X-Men? 

9. I have not read the comics, so I am not sure how foundational the idea of “love interests” are to the DC Universe, but I found myself on the fence about that “major, and particular” component of the plot… 

10. Now, Chile… How far away is the White House from the Black Gold Cooperative building? Because that was quick… … … 

11. Unlike the first installment, there was nothing “extraordinary” about “him” to make a plot that mimics the origin plot… Talk about centering mediocre white men… sheesh. 

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Overall, I give it a solid C. It’s entertaining enough, and paced pretty well to hold your attention; but if you are looking for a solid follow up story… that’s where the ball was dropped.