+++ Opinion +++
“Wonder Woman 1984” is one of the films that has suffered the most from the corona pandemic: the DC sequel was actually supposed to start before Corona, but was then postponed to June 2020 – and then further and further back. Ultimately, “Wonder Woman 2” was released simultaneously in cinemas and on the US streaming service HBO Max in December 2020 and therefore spread illegally on the Internet at lightning speed.
I’m sure: That’s one of the reasons why “Wonder Woman 1984” was so surprisingly badly received by the audience. If the DC blockbuster had been in the cinemas like “Wonder Woman”, the very meager reactions would have been at least a little more positive.
Amazon Prime customers who haven’t seen Wonder Woman 2 yet but want to give the DC sequel a shot now have the opportunity to do so at no additional cost. Then “Wonder Woman 1984” is available to stream now with a subscription to Amazon Prime Video.
» “Wonder Woman 1984” on Amazon Prime Video*
And I think it’s worth it, despite some weaknesses in the middle section and a running time that’s too long overall! Because “Wonder Woman 1984” differs pleasantly from its predecessor: Gone are the gloomy trenches of the First World War, instead the eighties come to life in all their swanky glory – with bright colors, shoulder pads and blow-dried hairstyles.
At the same time, director Patty Jenkins and her co-screenwriters continue to develop the character established in “Batman V Superman” and “Wonder Woman”. testing not so much Diana’s superhero skills as her strength of character: can she resist the temptation that is the return of her beloved Steve? Or does she accept the high price she has to pay for it?
This central dilemma proves to be the greatest strength of “Wonder Woman 1984” and ensures two of the most moving and best scenes in superhero cinema in recent yearswhich of course I will not anticipate here.
The fantastic film music by Hans Zimmer also proves to be a big plus, as he transforms the well-known “Wonder Woman” theme into more mature, more melodic sounds to match the character development of the main character.
At the same time, “Wonder Woman 1984” builds on the strengths of the first film: The reversed romance between Steve and Diana remains as humorous as it is compelling, and Diana gets her triumphant superhero moments again, whether she’s taking down thieves at a department store or taking down a military convoy.
Washington, DC, 1984: After Diana aka Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot) stops an antique dealer heist, the loot ends up in the hands of Barbara Minerva (Kristen Wiig), with whom Diana collaborates in her civil identity at the Smithsonian Museum. Among them is also a mysterious stone that can grant wishes:
The dream stone not only brings back Steve Trevor (Chris Pine), who died 70 years ago, but also gives the shy Barbara new self-confidence and superpowers similar to those of Wonder Woman. But when the stone falls into the hands of businessman Maxwell Lord (Pedro Pascal), who is on the verge of bankruptcy, he threatens to throw the whole world into chaos…
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