WONDER WOMAN

(2017) I admit, at first even I was on the bandwagon of those who thought model Gal Gadot was a poor casting choice for Wonder Woman. Though never a huge fan of the TV series, to me Diana Prince was still Lynda Carter, and to cast what appeared to be a reed-thin model in the role made me shudder. Now I only shudder at my own closed-mindedness, as Diana was literally given the royal treatment with this origin-story film ... and thanks in large part to Gadot, Wonder Woman is easily one of the best superhero(ine) films ever made. She truly shines as the beautiful young Amazon princess, grown up on an island shielded from mankind as she is trained to be a warrior, who follows a young American pilot/spy, Steve Trevor (Chris Pine), straight back into the midst of WWII in order to find Ares, God of War, and kill him to stop the destruction of all humans. Here the film becomes a fish-out-of-water story, as Diana tries to adjust to this strange new world of war, led by men, Trevor pretty much trying to help and protect her ... until a beautifully-shot action sequence on a battlefield shows Trevor Diana's true skills - and that she can bloody well take care of herself, thanks very much. And while Gadot is stunningly beautiful, she also really does bring life - a heart and soul, even humor - to Diana/Wonder Woman, in a performance that is perfectly restrained and makes the film shine whenever she is on-screen. Danny Huston, as a high-ranking German solider/madman (thought it was interesting, in the film that Hitler's name was never used ... nor will you see so much as a single swastika ANYWHERE in it) determined to keep the war going, whom Steve has in his sights (and whom Diana is sure is Ares, anyway) is at his usual villainous brilliance, and the film itself plays out Diana's story without hitting so many of the usual superhero film cliches (you can almost always see them coming) present in, for instance, a lot of Marvel films of late. No, Wonder Woman is fresh, exciting, funny, and offers plenty by way of "girl power" role modeling for any young woman watching it. And I again humbly submit my apology, because Gal Gadot is a major force behind why the film is even as good as it is. (PG-13)  9.5/10 stars