For those of you who may (somehow) not know, Wonder Woman is about Diana, an Amazon (Greek warrior lady) princess who grows up to leave her island and live among the puny humans so that they stop fighting so much.
"Stop fighting!" she says as she slams her shield across a guy's face. "It's not productive!"
Many, many people were in high anticipation for this film, despite the fact that Zack Snyder (more like Slyder amirite) is still somehow directing movies for DC.
*edgeways look at DC* Are you all in your right minds? After Batman vs. Superman?
In case you missed my review of that movie ^
I'm not going to delve into a detailed plot summary or any such spoilerific content, but I would like to discuss some of the philosophy in this movie (from a Christian perspective)...so
PHILOSOPHY ALERT
Let's start with the Amazons. The Amazons are an ancient Greek tribe of warrior women who, in somewhat awkward opposition to DC's portrayal of them, were allegedly the kids of the war god Ares and a wood nymph.
First of all, any tribe that is comprised of only one sex limits itself. That is simply a fact of nature. But to further grasp the wrongness of the concept, we as Christians should consider that God created man and woman for each other, to complement each other's strengths and weaknesses. Taking the right and good (and great) relationship that God designed between the sexes and tearing it in half never leads to any good (as can be evidenced by our culture today).
But to add to that, the roles of women as warriors in battle - as the Amazons are - is one that is not supported by Scripture.
Now hold on, back off, don't tear my head off just yet - let me explain. There is, quite simply, no mention of women in combat in the Scriptures, nor teaching to support that concept. The closest you can get is Deborah in the book of Judges, but she doesn't participate in battle, just directs Gideon as commanded by God.
To be clear, I do not think women should be combatants. I don't believe it's a biblical concept. Certainly, women can be in supportive roles (that is, after all, where they are needed the most and where they can contribute the most), but I don't think women should be on the front lines shooting guns (UNLESS we're about to be taken over by zombie Nazis and there is literally no other resort).
For a clearer dissertation on the topic of women in warfare I would point you in the direction of this article from Answers in Genesis, which I think does a brilliant job outlining the whys and why nots on the subject.
After all those assertions, I would like to accompany them by acknowledging that misogyny is absolutely a reality, particularly back in the days of World War I and especially back in Greco-Roman times where the Amazons originally existed. Denying women the opportunity to occupy themselves with work while being single or cast votes as an active citizen is wrong. But I think we've swung the pendulum a liiiiittle too far to the other side.
So! I bet you're tired of all that rambling on feminism and whatnot. Let's move on to the other issue with this movie - its trash morality.
Have I seen this before?
Wonder Woman is, by a lot of standards, a good person. I would go so far as to say a great person. She shows concern and compassion for the evils people are suffering, and you can see how disappointed she is that, despite all her desire to help, she can't help everyone. She's a regular old Captain Amer-
oh, erm, I should...
I meant...
it's like...
not that DC is...copying anyone or....anything...
yeah...
Does that mean Diana is going to...
heeeeeeeyyyyy...
She's got good morals, sure. But what we as Christians should realize is she has a pathetic foundation for them. As is so profoundly stated in the movie:
"It isn't about what you deserve...it's about what you believe."
Whoa there DC. You've gone so deep I think - oh wait, never mind, you haven't even stepped into the shallows yet. In fact, I'm not even quite sure where you are. The desert, perhaps?
Even the desert has more growth than that chain of thought.
END PHILOSOPHY
The movie was, overall, fine work, despite its director *edgeways glance*. The characters were interesting, fun, and the humor was (for the most part) enjoyable. The movie did play out a lot like Captain Amer-
Captin Amur-
Capitan Am-
...that other movie about a righteous superhero who gains amazing powers and ends up fighting a world war with their band of misfits and rogues behind enemy lines in an attempt to destroy an enemy superweapon and who loses someone dear to them on a vital mission.
Music was great. I don't care for Zack Snyder's directing, but the music to his movies never ceases to satisfy. I want the soundtrack. Will buy/10. As for visuals...I mean, it's a Snyder film. Visuals are as good as my scrambled eggs - meaning delicious.
The story was solid, though not too incredible. There were some parts that seemed somewhat cliche, but it was investworthy enough.
As far as cleanliness goes, there is definitely some stuff that I could do without, including a scene with almost full-frontal male nudity, a rather open discussion of the birds and the bees between an unmarried man and woman (as they lie right next to each other), and taking the Lord's name in vain twice (o - m - g fashion).
Wonder Woman's outfit is also not the best. I called it a glorified swimsuit in my Batman vs. Superman review - which it is, and I stand by that title unashamed. Of my skill in denouncing stupid uniforms, that is.
"But Michael, it gives full range of motion," I hear you whine. You know, that's a brilliant idea. Let's just give it to the guys, then!
What? No, they already have pants? Shame. If only women could wear pants too.
I give Wonder Woman a 7/10 - could watch in theaters once, and only once. Wouldn't mind to own it or borrow it from the library, but it is definitely not my favorite superhero movie.
