Originally Posted by
Agent 86
I hope it was okay to start this new thread.
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SPOILERS
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I just saw Justice League at a preview screening down under.
I was a little disappointed in the showing for the Amazons, but they did get a decent amount of screen time in a present day extended action sequence / scene, so it was good to see them again, especially Queen Hippolyta.
The costumes did seem a little skimpier, even though they’re all apparently dressed for battle in armour because they’re expecting something bad to happen and must defend the Mother Box.
A number of Amazons are slaughtered like cannon fodder and unfortunately Menalippe seems to be a casualty. It’s possible that she survives, but I’m pretty sure she is dead. Hippolyta thankfully survives.
The Amazons are present in the flashback, but it’s a messy, dark scene so there isn’t too much to see. They’re joined by Zeus and I think Ares and Artemis in helping to stop Steppenwolf’s original attack. The Greek gods are all presented as being very big, maybe 9 feet tall or more. So, I’m not sure how Diana was made the old fashioned way! That typed, SW does refer to Diana having the blood of the gods, which indicates a biological connection to Zeus. Or it could just be a product if the fact that she was created by Zeus through other means. He first recognises her as being an Amazon and then determines that she’s a goddess / demigoddess.
Diana has an awesome opening scene where she foils a terrorist attack. She accomplishes a lot in 13 or so seconds and it’s a pretty wonderful scene. There’s also some impressive leaping / levitation involved. Diana also shows herself to be extremely capable, sneaking into the Batcave, detecting “spies”, inspiring others and more than holding her own when battling SW at various points in time. And she’s never shown injured in any way - even her hair always remains perfect.
But, as to be expected, she’s kind of presented as being weaker than Superman. At the same time, during their one on one encounter, it’s highly possible that she’s holding back. And she’s still pretty gosh darn powerful - easily the strongest out,of the remaining members. Diana does play an important role in forming the team, inspiring the team, eventually leading the team and in helping to defeat SW. She uses the sword a lot, but the lasso is also well used. No particularly cool stunts or effects with the lasso though, except for one comedic moment. I guess they’re saving them for the sequel.
Diana’s story is about accepting leadership and embracing being a public superhero. Diana confirms that she never stopped fighting battles when needed, BUT she avoided the spotlight and did NOT want the responsibility of leading a team because she didn’t want to be responsible for the deaths of any others like Steve Trevor. It’s not the best story arc, but it’s decent enough and fits with DoJ and Wonder Woman to the extent possible.
A final scene shows her capturing a gang of museum thieves, including a well dressed woman (maybe a Priscilla Rich version of Cheetah or Catwoman) and happily meeting some children at the museum. It’s clear that she’s now happily a public superhero and to serve as a source of inspiration (as Bruce encourages her to do).
At one point, perhaps in a new scene, she gets a cool addition to her costume, but it appears and disappears for no reason. I wouldn’t mind seeing it return, possibly in another colour though - blue instead of red.
I think Wonder Woman fans will be mostly happy. It’s a team film, so Diana can’t take the spotlight all of the time. And Bruce says some pretty crappy things at one point in his attempts to push Diana to assume a leadership role within the team and to unleash her full powers (or at least he seemed to imply that she was holding back, but they never really picked up on that aspect again). I thought they were toying with a “unleash the god” type power which Diana is reluctant to do out of fear of losing her humanity of hurting others, but it didn’t happen. Maybe it was cut from her storyline? Or maybe I just misinterpreted what Bruce was implying.
I didn’t pick up on any sexual tension between Bruce and Diana. They’re somewhat close, but I didn’t get any romantic vibes. Others may disagree.
All in all, I’m pretty happy. I don’t think they made Diana look bad and, together with the Flash, she was the highlight of the film for me (although I may be bias).
I also thought that Gal Gadot again acquitted herself very well in the role. There was only one line delivery which seemed forced / wooden and which could have perhaps used a second, more subtle version. I certainly don’t think that this film will hurt the popularity of the character.