Gal Gadot Triumphs as “Wonder Woman”

Gal Gadot at Comic-Con in 2016 – Image Credit: Gage Skidmore (CC by SA-3.0)

After over 75 years of publication history, DC superheroine Wonder Woman finally stars in her own feature film. Israeli actress Gal Gadot reprises the role after her brief appearance in last year’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Directed by Patty Jenkins, the film explores the title character’s origins on the mythical island of Themyscira, as well as her eventual introduction to the wider world. Screenwriter Allan Heinberg has wisely moved the action of the story away from its original World War II setting, and instead sees Princess Diana enter “Man’s World” during World War I. This allows for both diminished comparisons to Marvel’s Captain America franchise as well as increased opportunities for character development, as Wonder Woman becomes increasingly disenchanted with the grim conflict. Gal Gadot plays Diana with a real strength that is not compromised even when the character faces challenges from outside her own culture. Chris Pine is also charismatic as US pilot and love interest Steve Trevor. The film features inspired scenes of swashbuckling swordplay even amongst the backdrop of early 20th century warfare. Through created by controversial psychiatrist William Moulton Marston in 1941, Wonder Woman is still a relevant icon in today’s feminist landscape.