Wonder Woman (2009)

George Perez should be proud. Not since the artist re-envisioned the Amazon Princess' origins so brilliantly in 1987 has the world seen the stunning story telling associated with Wonder Woman. Although the woman with the powerful feminine mystique appeared for the first time in December 1941, she is one of only handful of characters to appear continuously throughout DC mythology and the one least mainstreamed, Lynda Carter's 1970's series being a notable exception to the rule.

The New Wonder Woman

In March 2009, DC/Warner released a Wonder Woman animated film direct to DVD. The superb animation is coupled with an excellent storyline that pays particular homage to George Perez's vision of the Amazon Princess. The feature presents a great voice cast, good humor and some excellent action sequences. Parents, be warned, this film does carry a PG-13 warning for some of the graphically violent scenes of battle and war. While the scenes are not gratuitous or overtly bloody, they are disturbing for sensitive kiddos expecting a gentle cartoon.

The Story

The plot begins with Queen Hippolyta (Virginia Madsen) and her Amazons waging war against the god of war, Ares (Alfred Molina). He's abused the Amazons one time to many, from holding them captive to forcing Hippolyta to bear him a son. She fights for the freedom of all her sisters. She even slays the son she bore and is prepared to slay Ares himself when Zeus (David McCallum) intervenes.

Though frustrated, Hippolyta bows to the will of the gods and carries her Amazons away to a secluded island where they found the city of Themyscira. Hera (Marg Helgenberger) bids Hippolyta and her Amazons abide there time in a utopia of their creation, allowing them the spiritual healing from their mistreatment. She also entrusts the care of the now neutered Ares to them. He is held in a prison beneath the island for thousands of years.

Hera rewards Hippolyta's continued service and obedience with a child formed from the clay of the island. The daughter is named Diana (Keri Russell) and she is raised among her Amazon sisters. Diana soon proves to be the worthy equal if not better of Artemis (Rosario Dawson), the fiercest of the Amazon warriors. Their rivalry is one of friendly respect and affection.

The origin tale is true to Charles Moulton's story with the arrival of pilot Steve Trevor (Nathan Fillon) and the Amazon tournament to see who will represent the Amazons in Man's World as Ambassador. Of course, Diana proves herself the fiercest competitor and wins the right. Most of the scenes with Trevor in them are a scream. The dialogue is suggestive, but also humorous.

Any scene with the lasso of truth is great fun.

The Mythology

The mythology of Wonder Woman is rooted deeply in the Greek myths and the Homeric like legends of the Amazons, their wars with men and their subsequent withdrawal from the world. The use of Ares, God of War is a tribute to their own strength and prowess. The participation of one Amazon in the slaying of another is a powerful tale that shows even in Utopia, the heart wants what the heart wants, no matter how bad it might be for it.

Diana takes her duty seriously and the charge to return Ares to his prison carries her from Themyscira to New York to the gates of Tartarus and back to Washington D.C. The final showdown with Ares on the National Mall is really breathtaking.

Overall, this film is a solid 9 out of 10 stars. The lack of a true 10 is that the 74 minute long film ended (and ended well), but ended when it felt like it could have gone on for another hour, easily. One can only hope there is a sequel with the same quality of animation and storytelling. For fans of the DC Comics heroine, this is a must own DVD. .