Wonder Woman (2009) vs. Wonder Woman: Bloodlines

[Gaius]

We've gotten two Wonder Woman solo animated movies and was wondering which of the two you prefer?

I'd give my vote to Bloodlines. It tries to cram a lot in, often to it's detriment, but I think it's a mostly enjoyable effort and I think it got the main three (Diana, Steve, and Etta) characterized much better than the 2009 film did.

[PopQuezy]

I chose Bloodlines. I think I'm one of the few here who genuinely loves the movie, and I've watched it several times since I bought it last year.

For me, the film nails Diana's character. She has a great amount of sass, compassion and inner struggle. I think the film, in its own little ways, does a good job with showing the difficulties of being an individual in a world that demands conformity. Diana's line about, "It's not a good thing to be different," and Steve's immediate response, "it is to the right people." Perfectly and succinctly states one of the foundational aspects of Wonder Woman that I truly love and magnetizes me to the brand. She is about loving people especially the ones society says we shouldn't. When others do not love you for being different, Wonder Woman will. And the fact that she herself does not perfectly fit into this world allows for an endless amount of empathy for others.

I know other people commented on how much of Wonder Woman's storylines were compressed into this film, but personally, it didn't bother me. It especially doesn't bother me since that's the only Wonder Woman film we'll get in that timeline. For me, it atleast allowed the movie to move at a consistent pace with not much downtown to lose engagement. I also thought it used the time well. I got enough information to understand the stakes and relationships for the characters without getting bogged down in extraneous details.

Next, I really loved seeing so many Wonder Woman villains. Seeing a team of villainous women with no morals, scruples or regard for human life was exhillerating. I loved the depiction of Dr.Cyber and hope we can get her in the comics. I also loved the depiction of Dr. Poison and think both Bloodlines and the 2017 film show the character is completely unhinged who enjoys spreading anarchy through her poisons and monstrous creations (Medusa). She is the type of character that should be a staple in the Wonder mythos.

Lastly, I liked Vanessa and Diana. As I said in the actual thread for Bloodlines, I left the film hoping Vanessa could be a sidekick to Diana as Silver Swan or at least a supporting cast member as Vanessa. I thought there was the perfect mixture of contempt, confusion and regret in the Vanessa character that made her both villainous yet someone I was happy to see be redeemed by the end.

P.S. I know, I know, but one last thing. This may be controversial but I liked Hippolyta's characterization in this film. Regal but hard and commanding with an exterior coldness that hides her immense love for Diana. My favorite line of hers is when she says in response to Phillipus trying to take back her statement regading Medusa killing Wonder Woman, "You MEANT what you said!" Hilarious.

As for the 2009 film, I liked it at the time, but it doesn't really hold up for me. It feels very much a product of its time especially how it tackles chauvanism and misogny. Steve is downright unwatchable for me. I hate the scene of Diana randomly giving the little girl sword fighting lessons in the park. I understand it from a narrative standpoint, but something about it feels empty and forced. I also hate the Ares/Hippolyta offspring in the film. Mostly, I think it was needed for the time and great for the time, but I expect more from Wonder Woman adaptations now than I did in 2009.

[Gaius]

As for the 2009 film, I liked it at the time, but it doesn't really hold up for me. It feels very much a product of its time especially how it tackles chauvanism and misogny. Steve is downright unwatchable for me. I hate the scene of Diana randomly giving the little girl sword fighting lessons in the park. I understand it from a narrative standpoint, but something about it feels empty and forced. I also hate the Ares/Hippolyta offspring in the film. Mostly, I think it was needed for the time and great for the time, but I expect more from Wonder Woman adaptations now than I did in 2009.

I feel the same way about the 2009 film. I liked it for a while because it was the first WW-centric thing I really got into but in hindsight it does a lot of things I was afraid a possible live-action film would end up doing; Steve being a prick/creep and Diana/Amazons apparently needing to be called out for their misandry.

[Psy-lock]

2009 for me. Better story, better animation, better action, better Amazons...My only major issue with it is the horrid Etta cameo. Bloodlines is ok, but feels too much like three movies crammed into one, so everything comes off half-assed.

[Largo161]

The 2009 film was unsatisfactory IMO, but I did watch it till the end. Couldn’t make it through Bloodlines.

[Batman Begins 2005]

Wonder Woman (2009). It's one of the five best DC Animated Movies. Just voted and tied it up to three a piece.

[Nyssane]

Both movies are not great, but I choose Bloodlines because despite its problems (dispatching Julia, Cheetah being a joke, and the "surprise" villain), the 2009 film took far too many liberties, such as:

Ares raping Hippolyta and fathering Thrax. WTF? This plot was ridiculous and unnecessary.

Etta Candy being a dumb blonde bimbo and completely misogynistic portrayal.

Random made-up amazons. Alexa? Persephone? There are tons of amazons and names from the comics and they chose to make up these characters? Need a backstabbing jailer? Use Alkyone or Dalma.

Steve Trevor holding his own against Diana in their first meeting is just insulting. Steve himself is so overly obnoxious and Han Solo-y that I don't know how Diana found him attractive beyond that dick.