PositiveNewsCorner

Review by Rishi Kapoor

Marvel Cinematic Universe’s first standalone woman superhero film, and the stakes were high as the DC universe already brought out Wonder Woman, starring Gal Gadot.

The old and stubbornly held Hollywood belief that a superhero movie starring a woman would flop was bolstered by some painful evidence: the critical and financial failures of Supergirl (1984), Tank Girl (1995), Catwoman (2004), and Elektra (2005). Enter Wonder Woman in 2017, a triumph by every measure for DC and Warner Bros., and the conversation shifted.

This movie is also an original story with a difference, as we meet Larson first as Vers, a member of the Kree Civilisation’s ‘Starforce’. Given her powers that involve her shooting photon lasers from her hands, Vers is being mentored by Yon-Rogg (Law) as one of the prime soldiers for Kree. The Krees, in turn, are fighting the Skrulls, led by Talos (a wonderful Mendelsohn), who it seems have been exterminating species across planets and seizing control.

The dreams that she dreams and the flashbacks that she has have Vers convinced there is more to her than this life.

Directors and co-writers Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck’s slightly off-kilter sensibilities give the film a much needed extra dimension among all of the standard issue stuff. At the same time, it still brilliantly layers in themes of family and friendship, as well as prescient real-world problems of immigration, the refugee crisis, and political power and corruption.

The cinematography is good and the film switches between several aesthetics – with nifty homages to not just ‘90s buddy cop movies, but also ‘90s action (Top Gun) and ‘90s sci-fi (Armageddon).

Larson is fabulous as Captain Marvel, who has to juggle between understanding her superhuman equalities and gain control of her emotional past. She receives support from actors like Jackson and Jude Law. The cat named Goose is the surprising show-stealer in the film as well. And of course stay for the end credits, as it contains a crucial plot point for Avengers: End Game.

Apart from some good action sequences , the film’s humour and empowering, yet subtle messages of humanity gives it an edge. I had a good time watching this superwoman flick and it’s a good watch for all the moviegoers.