Has DC Films has finally made a good superhero movie?
It seems so: Wonder Woman, which is released in New Zealand tomorrow, has been met with generally positive reviews.
The fourth film in DC's extended universe - after Man of Steel, Batman v Superman and Suicide Squad - has been praised as a "gorgeous, joyful triumph" that, despite a few flaws, is ultimately saved by Gal Gadot's performance and director Patty Jenkin's "grand" action sequences.
Entertainment Weekly gave the film an A- rating, praising Gadot's "undeniable star power" and the film's clever feminist messaging.
Gal Gadot as Diana Prince in Wonder Woman. Photo / supplied
"Wonder Woman is smart, slick, and satisfying in all of the ways superhero films ought to be.
"How deliciously ironic that in a genre where the boys seem to have all the fun, a female hero and a female director are the ones to show the fellas how it's done," the review said.
Vox reviewer Alex Abad-Santos said: "The absolutely gorgeous and joyful Wonder Woman - easily the best Warner Bros. superhero film since Nolan put his flair on the cape and cowl - is a major relief."
Critics have praised Israeli actress Gal Gadot's "undeniable star power." Photo / supplied
Variety praised Gadot's performance, calling her "an inspired choice," while also applauding Jenkins' female-focused direction.
"Wonder Woman is the first major studio superhero film directed by a woman, and it shows in a number of subtle, yet important ways," wrote reviewer Andrew Barker. "As skimpy as Gadot's outfits may get, for example, Jenkins' camera never leers or lingers gratuitously - Diana is always framed as an agent of power, rather than its object."
However, critics noted the film is not without imperfections, many noting its uneven pacing and bloated 140 minute runtime.
Rolling Stone said "Wonder Woman is hobbled by a slogging origin story and action that only comes in fits and starts," while Consequence of Sound said: "It seems as though Jenkins and her effects team were so eager to make sure that the film looked appropriately mythic in scale that they forgot to make sure the film still felt human at its heart."
Robin Wright in Wonder Woman. Photo / supplied
The Guardian gave the film only two stars, saying the film is "plagued by the same problems that dragged down previous visits to the DC movie world: over-earnestness, bludgeoning special effects, and a messy, often wildly implausible plot."
