I liked this for completely different reasons, I was a teenager in the 80's in Washington DC, so to see Commander Salamanders briefly in the film, and the Landmark Mall in Arlington Virginia was pure nostalgia.
These are my impressions of this much-delayed production.
The movie starts out with a young pre-adolescent Princess Diana, the character later to be Wonder Woman, in some sort of competition that I felt was a bit of a rip off of the Quidditch matches in Harry Potter films. The CGI in this sequence is overdone and somewhat unrealistic, but the performance of the young actress that played Diana, Lily Aspell, was one of the best in the entire movie. She was reprising the role, having also appeared in "Wonder Woman" (2017).
After that pre-credit sequence the action shifts to Diana as an adult, well played once again by Gal Gadot, but now in the year 1984. Yeah, kind of expected from the title, but it didn't look all that much like the 1984 I remember. What the hell has she been doing for the 70 years since the last Wonder Woman movie we are never told. The comic books in the 40s had her fighting Nazis but there is no hint that happened in this movie. We are treated to scenes of Diana doing random good deeds like those done in "Superman: The Movie" (1978) while attempting to remain anonymous, like Superman, but as a worker in the Smithsonian rather than a reporter. There are later scenes that are relatively lifted from "Superman." Patty Jenkins and the other screenwriters certainly have watched that one as they borrow quite a bit from it. Following these brief early appearances, Diana Prince doesn't appear in costume as Wonder Woman for about an hour and a half. Maybe this movie should have been titled "Princess Diana 1984" instead ?
The plot thickens when an antiquity, a stone object, is conveniently taken to the Smithsonian for identification after it is taken in a failed robbery of a jewelry store. This "Dreamstone" apparently has been responsible for destroying multiple great civilizations over thousands of years, and now it will threaten the entire world in 1984. It channels a god of lies who grants a person any wish they ask, but with a downside ala "The Monkey's Paw" ... a price to pay. Chaos increasing ensues when a narcissistic, failed, broke businessman, TV personality, meglomanic con man gains possession of it. Was he intended to remind us of anybody in our current era? What of a different character, the President of the United States at that time, who adores an arms race above all else? Who was president in 1984? This is heavy-handed unsubtle stuff. Having just endured a real narcissistic egomaniac intent on having more and more power I didn't need to live through the same thing in mindless entertainment vehicles like this one.
This movie got more and more confused as it played out. I sat there thinking it was about a 6 out of 10 during the first third, then I thought in the second third perhaps a 5 out of 10 (Orca Grade), then followed by about 3 out of 10 to the end. "Orca Grade" is what I call a dead average movie, named for "Orca" (1977).
There are not many likable characters in this movie, with men in particular generally being portrayed in a negative light. The script seems permeated with sort of an anti-male feminism. Almost every man is depicted as an oversexed sexual predator who will accost women whenever given the chance. But there is a caveat to this, as a major character, Barbara Minerva (Kristen Wiig), who is obviously very attractive but is introduced with a somewhat unkempt hairstyle and frumpy clothes, is totally ignored by everyone until she starts dressing provocatively. Then all men she encounters start salivating and fawning over her when she appears. "Wonder Woman" (2017) was praised for presenting a female superhero girls could relate to and emulate as a role model. What message is being sent in this sequel?
But it gets worse. This movie has one of the most uncomfortable sex scenes I have ever seen. One of the parties involved has been used without consent. The only young man other than Steve Trevor (Chris Pine) not a letch in this movie has essentially been sexually abused. But hey, it is a guy, so this seems OK with the filmmakers. Men are just sex-crazed bastards so the assumption appears to be that at worst he gotten an enjoyable free ride. I will not go into details as it would involve plot spoilers. Parallels include such films as "Ghost" (2000). I read years ago that Chris Pine had been cast again in this sequel, and I had no idea how the filmmakers could work his long dead character into a plot in 1984. Of all the ways to do this probably the worst one was chosen.
In Greek mythology having sex with a god seldom leads to happiness. "Superman II" (1980) sort of played out this theme by having Superman lose his super powers beforehand. Here the sex comes before diminishing of Wonder Woman's powers. The inspection of this theme in "Superman II" was done much better.
In addition to being misdirected, with questionable morals, the script for this movie is appallingly weak, and confusingly full of plot holes. The movie is also weakly directed, without confidence. The pacing in a couple of key moments about the central relationship seems rushed, with them sort of orphaned in middle of action sequences. Patty Jenkins both co-wrote and directed this mess. She did a much better job with the first movie. Hopefully she will do better with the next sequel which has already been announced.
Some more observations:
1) A couple of times Diana's costumes materialize out of nowhere. The presence of one of them in particular, the gold-winged armor one on the posters, makes little or no sense.
2) Visually some of this is pretty to look at, especially in a scene in Wonder Woman's plane flying in the night sky of July 4th over Washington D.C. with fireworks. But this confused the heck out of me as the movie had been set in winter up to that point and would return to being set in winter after it. Any excuse to show CGI fireworks?
3) The action scenes are mostly poorly blocked out, and defy the laws of physics even more than usual for movies of this type.
4) The performances in general are over the top or conversely underplayed and barely there, so in general the acting is not very impressive with the exception of the two actresses playing Diana.
5) I think there are some problems with cultural stereotypes, particularly in the way Egyptians are depicted.
6) It has some interesting filming locations. Much of it is set in Washington D.C. with a lot of it photographed there. Two or three times the Watergate complex is shown, with action taking in an apartment there. Why use this famous place? I instantly recognized when Diana and Steve entered the station of the Washington D.C. Metro (subway), I didn't ride this much, and that was decades ago, but it think it was one in Arlington, Va.
I tend to now ignore the majority of movies taken from comic books, but of those that I have seen this is one of the poorest I have ever watched, and yes, "Superman 4" is significantly better in my opinion. It is about on a par with "Superman 3" in my opinion.
If you watch end credits, as I do, you will see a short intra-credit sequence with a guest star. But my guess is few will see this as most people do not read end credits and since this movie at 151 minutes long is at least 45 minutes too long, some might feel a relief when it finishes.
These are my impressions of this much-delayed production.
The movie starts out with a young pre-adolescent Princess Diana, the character later to be Wonder Woman, in some sort of competition that I felt was a bit of a rip off of the Quidditch matches in Harry Potter films. The CGI in this sequence is overdone and somewhat unrealistic, but the performance of the young actress that played Diana, Lily Aspell, was one of the best in the entire movie. She was reprising the role, having also appeared in "Wonder Woman" (2017).
After that pre-credit sequence the action shifts to Diana as an adult, well played once again by Gal Gadot, but now in the year 1984. Yeah, kind of expected from the title, but it didn't look all that much like the 1984 I remember. What the hell has she been doing for the 70 years since the last Wonder Woman movie we are never told. The comic books in the 40s had her fighting Nazis but there is no hint that happened in this movie. We are treated to scenes of Diana doing random good deeds like those done in "Superman: The Movie" (1978) while attempting to remain anonymous, like Superman, but as a worker in the Smithsonian rather than a reporter. There are later scenes that are relatively lifted from "Superman." Patty Jenkins and the other screenwriters certainly have watched that one as they borrow quite a bit from it. Following these brief early appearances, Diana Prince doesn't appear in costume as Wonder Woman for about an hour and a half. Maybe this movie should have been titled "Princess Diana 1984" instead ?
The plot thickens when an antiquity, a stone object, is conveniently taken to the Smithsonian for identification after it is taken in a failed robbery of a jewelry store. This "Dreamstone" apparently has been responsible for destroying multiple great civilizations over thousands of years, and now it will threaten the entire world in 1984. It channels a god of lies who grants a person any wish they ask, but with a downside ala "The Monkey's Paw" ... a price to pay. Chaos increasing ensues when a narcissistic, failed, broke businessman, TV personality, meglomanic con man gains possession of it. Was he intended to remind us of anybody in our current era? What of a different character, the President of the United States at that time, who adores an arms race above all else? Who was president in 1984? This is heavy-handed unsubtle stuff. Having just endured a real narcissistic egomaniac intent on having more and more power I didn't need to live through the same thing in mindless entertainment vehicles like this one.
This movie got more and more confused as it played out. I sat there thinking it was about a 6 out of 10 during the first third, then I thought in the second third perhaps a 5 out of 10 (Orca Grade), then followed by about 3 out of 10 to the end. "Orca Grade" is what I call a dead average movie, named for "Orca" (1977).
There are not many likable characters in this movie, with men in particular generally being portrayed in a negative light. The script seems permeated with sort of an anti-male feminism. Almost every man is depicted as an oversexed sexual predator who will accost women whenever given the chance. But there is a caveat to this, as a major character, Barbara Minerva (Kristen Wiig), who is obviously very attractive but is introduced with a somewhat unkempt hairstyle and frumpy clothes, is totally ignored by everyone until she starts dressing provocatively. Then all men she encounters start salivating and fawning over her when she appears. "Wonder Woman" (2017) was praised for presenting a female superhero girls could relate to and emulate as a role model. What message is being sent in this sequel?
But it gets worse. This movie has one of the most uncomfortable sex scenes I have ever seen. One of the parties involved has been used without consent. The only young man other than Steve Trevor (Chris Pine) not a letch in this movie has essentially been sexually abused. But hey, it is a guy, so this seems OK with the filmmakers. Men are just sex-crazed bastards so the assumption appears to be that at worst he gotten an enjoyable free ride. I will not go into details as it would involve plot spoilers. Parallels include such films as "Ghost" (2000). I read years ago that Chris Pine had been cast again in this sequel, and I had no idea how the filmmakers could work his long dead character into a plot in 1984. Of all the ways to do this probably the worst one was chosen.
In Greek mythology having sex with a god seldom leads to happiness. "Superman II" (1980) sort of played out this theme by having Superman lose his super powers beforehand. Here the sex comes before diminishing of Wonder Woman's powers. The inspection of this theme in "Superman II" was done much better.
In addition to being misdirected, with questionable morals, the script for this movie is appallingly weak, and confusingly full of plot holes. The movie is also weakly directed, without confidence. The pacing in a couple of key moments about the central relationship seems rushed, with them sort of orphaned in middle of action sequences. Patty Jenkins both co-wrote and directed this mess. She did a much better job with the first movie. Hopefully she will do better with the next sequel which has already been announced.
Some more observations:
1) A couple of times Diana's costumes materialize out of nowhere. The presence of one of them in particular, the gold-winged armor one on the posters, makes little or no sense.
2) Visually some of this is pretty to look at, especially in a scene in Wonder Woman's plane flying in the night sky of July 4th over Washington D.C. with fireworks. But this confused the heck out of me as the movie had been set in winter up to that point and would return to being set in winter after it. Any excuse to show CGI fireworks?
3) The action scenes are mostly poorly blocked out, and defy the laws of physics even more than usual for movies of this type.
4) The performances in general are over the top or conversely underplayed and barely there, so in general the acting is not very impressive with the exception of the two actresses playing Diana.
5) I think there are some problems with cultural stereotypes, particularly in the way Egyptians are depicted.
6) It has some interesting filming locations. Much of it is set in Washington D.C. with a lot of it photographed there. Two or three times the Watergate complex is shown, with action taking in an apartment there. Why use this famous place? I instantly recognized when Diana and Steve entered the station of the Washington D.C. Metro (subway), I didn't ride this much, and that was decades ago, but it think it was one in Arlington, Va.
I tend to now ignore the majority of movies taken from comic books, but of those that I have seen this is one of the poorest I have ever watched, and yes, "Superman 4" is significantly better in my opinion. It is about on a par with "Superman 3" in my opinion.
If you watch end credits, as I do, you will see a short intra-credit sequence with a guest star. But my guess is few will see this as most people do not read end credits and since this movie at 151 minutes long is at least 45 minutes too long, some might feel a relief when it finishes.
I rate this 4 / 10
I assume that was a comment and not a question, but yes DC's metro system opened in '67 and has been expanding ever since, the Arlington one opening in 1979.
From what I was reading on the shooting of the movie, the end/intra credit sequence scene was shot in DC - really? where? that looked like a generic random studio outdoor set to me.
as to fireworks scene, yes that made zero sense, if it had been say Dec. 31st/Jan. 1st that might have been more plausible.
I didn't like this much, but maybe I wasn't in the right zone while watching it. Either way, I own all the DC movies, so I'll be getting this for sure.
as to fireworks scene, yes that made zero sense, if it had been say Dec. 31st/Jan. 1st that might have been more plausible.
Also, inaugurations are a time for fireworks (if this was set in late January). Anyone remember what time of year this was supposed to be? I don't remember it looking like winter, lol.
Also, inaugurations are a time for fireworks (if this was set in late January). Anyone remember what time of year this was supposed to be? I don't remember it looking like winter, lol.
Also, inaugurations are a time for fireworks (if this was set in late January). Anyone remember what time of year this was supposed to be? I don't remember it looking like winter, lol.
It’s time for a hero when “Wonder Woman 1984” arrives on Premium Video on Demand (PVOD), 4K, Blu-ray, DVD and Digital. The film is directed by Patty Jenkins and stars Gal Gadot (“Wonder Woman”) in the title role.
“Wonder Woman 1984” also stars Chris Pine (“Wonder Woman,” the “Star Trek” films) as Steve Trevor, Kristen Wiig (“Bridesmaids,” “The Martian”) as Barbara Minerva, Pedro Pascal (TV’s “Game of Thrones,” “The Mandalorian”) as Maxwell Lord, Robin Wright (TV’s “House of Cards,” “Blade Runner 2049”) as Antiope and Connie Nielsen (“Wonder Woman,” TV’s “I Am the Night”) as Hippolyta.
“Wonder Woman 1984” will be available for 48-hour rental via PVOD for $19.99 SRP beginning on Friday, February 12. The title will be available on participating digital platforms where you rent movies.
On March 16, “Wonder Woman 1984” will be available to own in high definition and standard definition from select digital retailers including Amazon, FandangoNOW, iTunes, PlayStation, Vudu, Xbox and others.
On March 30, “Wonder Woman 1984” will be available on 4K, Blu-ray and DVD.
The 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray disc of “Wonder Woman 1984” will feature DolbyVision HDR, which dramatically expands the color palette and contrast range, and uses dynamic metadata to automatically optimize the picture for every screen, frame by frame. It will also feature HDR10+,a new HDR technology that optimizes brightness levels and contrast for each scene, making bright areas brighter and dark areas darker to deliver a lifelike viewing experience.
The 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray disc of “Wonder Woman 1984” will also feature a Dolby AtmosŽ soundtrack remixed specifically for the home theater environment to place and move audio anywhere in the room, including overhead. To experience Dolby Atmos at home, a Dolby Atmos enabled AV receiver and additional speakers are required, or a Dolby Atmos enabled sound bar; however, Dolby Atmos soundtracks are also fully backward compatible with traditional audio configurations and legacy home entertainment equipment.
“Wonder Woman 1984” will also be available on Movies Anywhere. Using the free Movies Anywhere app and website, consumers can access all their eligible movies by connecting their Movies Anywhere account with their participating digital retailer accounts.
SYNOPSIS
The fate of the world is once more on the line, and only Wonder Woman can save it. This new chapter in the Wonder Woman story finds Diana Prince (Gal Gadot) living quietly among mortals in the vibrant, sleek 1980s—an era of excess driven by the pursuit of having it all. Though she’s come into her full powers, she maintains a low profile, curating ancient artifacts and only performing her superheroic acts incognito. But now, Diana will have to step directly into the spotlight and muster all her wisdom, strength and courage in order to save mankind from a world of its own making.
4K AND BLU-RAY ELEMENTS
“Wonder Woman 1984” 4K UHD Combo Pack and Blu-ray contain the following special features:
The Making of Wonder Woman 1984: Expanding the Wonder
Gal & Kristen: Friends Forever
Small But Mighty
Scene Study: The Open Road
Scene Study: The Mall
Gal & Krissy Having Fun
Meet the Amazons
Black Gold Infomercial
Gag Reel
Wonder Woman 1984 Retro Remix
ABOUT MOVIES ANYWHERE
Movies Anywhere is a digital movie platform that enables movie fans to discover, access, and watch their favorite digital movies in one place. Movies Anywhere brings together a library of nearly 7,500 digital movies from Sony Pictures, Twentieth Century Fox Film, The Walt Disney Studios (including Disney, Pixar, Marvel Studios and Lucasfilm), Universal Pictures (including DreamWorks and Illumination Entertainment) and Warner Bros., and will continue to expand the consumer experience as more content providers, digital retailers and platforms are added. By connecting participating digital retailers that include Amazon Prime Video, FandangoNOW, Google Play, iTunes and Vudu, movie fans can now bring together their digital movie collections (whether purchased or redeemed) in one place and enjoy them from the comfort of their living rooms, and across multiple devices and platforms, including Amazon Fire devices; Android devices and Android TV; Apple TV; Chromecast; iPhone, iPad and iPod touch; RokuŽ devices and popular browsers. Movie fans can also redeem digital codes found in eligible Blu-ray and DVD disc packages from participating studios and enjoy them through Movies Anywhere. Movies Anywhere – your movies, together at last.
ABOUT DIGITAL
*Digital movies or TV episodes allow fans to watch a digital version of their movie or TV show anywhere, on their favorite devices. Digital movies or TV episodes are included with the purchase of specially marked Blu-ray discs. With digital, consumers are able to instantly stream and download movies and TV shows to TVs, computers, tablets and smartphones through retail services. For more information on compatible devices and services go to wb.com/digitalmoviefaq. Consult a digital retailer for details and requirements and for a list of digital-compatible devices.
BASICS
PRODUCT SRP
4K UHD Combo Pack $44.95
Blu-ray $35.99
DVD $28.98
PVOD Date: February 12, 2021
EST Street Date: March 16, 2021
4K, Blu-ray and DVD Street Date: March 30, 2021
DVD Languages: English, English-ADS, Spanish, French
BD Languages: English, English-ADS, English ATMOS, Spanish, French, Portuguese
DVD Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish, French
BD Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish, French, Portuguese
Running Time: 151 minutes
Rating: Rated PG-13 for sequences of action and violence.
DVD: DLBY/SURR DLBY/DGTL
Blu-ray: ATMOS TrueHD, DLBY/SURR DLBY/DGTL
THE CREDITS
About “Wonder Woman 1984”
Jenkins directed “Wonder Woman 1984” from a screenplay she wrote with Geoff Johns and Dave Callaham. The story is by Jenkins and Johns and based on characters from DC. Wonder Woman was created by William Moulton Marston. Joining the director behind the scenes are several members of her “Wonder Woman” team, including director of photography Matthew Jensen, Oscar-nominated production designer Aline Bonetto (“Amélie”), and Oscar-winning costume designer Lindy Hemming (“Topsy-Turvy”). Oscar-nominated editor Richard Pearson (“United 93”) cut the film. The music is by Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer (“Dunkirk,” “The Lion King”).
Charles Roven, Deborah Snyder, Zack Snyder, Jenkins, Gadot and Stephen Jones produced the film. Rebecca Steel Roven Oakley, Richard Suckle, Marianne Jenkins, Johns, Walter Hamada, Chantal Nong Vo and Wesley Coller served as the executive producers.
Warner Bros. Pictures Presents an Atlas Entertainment and Stone Quarry Production, a Patty Jenkins Film, “Wonder Woman 1984.”
About Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, Inc.
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment (WBHE) brings together Warner Bros. Entertainment’s home video and digital distribution businesses in order to maximize current and next-generation distribution scenarios. An industry leader since its inception, WBHE oversees the global distribution of content through packaged goods (Blu-ray Disc™ and DVD) and digital media in the form of electronic sell-through and video-on-demand via cable, satellite, online and mobile channels. WBHE distributes its product through third party retail partners and licensees.
I'm like the others who wish this would get a digibook release too. I have the past five DC digibooks on my shelf, tho' I'll never watch Whedon's JL again. It's early so I still have some hope a digibook might get announced later. But it isn't, I may get that Target exclusive cover, tho' I'm starting to get serious about upgrading my library with 4K discs too. So we'll see.
Either way, I enjoyed the movie, way more than my friends who hated it. It's weird, when people hate this movie, they go all in and get rabid about it. I've seen it 3X and enjoyed it for what it is, not as good as the first one and good enough to enjoy including in my library.
We'll see but I don't think so.Target did the digibooks starting with The Dark Knight Rises thru Aquaman but there was no Target exclusive for Shazam.For Joker and Birds Of Prey,they did a Target exclusive slipcover like this.
Also they didn't do a Target steelbook for Batman Soul Of The Dragon animated movie and no announcement at this point about a steelbook for Justice Society:World War II.They've been doing steelbooks for years for the DC Animated Movies(minus the two Batman 66 animated movies which Best Buy put out) so the lack of digibooks for the last three live action movies and with exclusive slipcovers instead for the last two and WW84.Plus no steelbook for the last animated movie and no news so far on the next.I wonder if Target is just going cheaper overall.No more steelbooks for the DC animated films and special slipcovers for the live action DC films instead of digibooks.Given the pandemic and the state of physical media,it wouldn't surprise me.
I'm assuming right now that Best Buy is going to do a steelbook for WW84.
Quote:
I'm just glad WB is still releasing physical media for the new titles. Hopefully, the Little Things Blu-ray isn't too far out.
I feel the same here.WB has been pretty good with physical media unlike say Disney atleast on the TV side.
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Wonder Woman 1984 (2020)
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