The latest entry in the DC superhero movie universe, Wonder Woman hit US theaters on Friday June 2, 2017. The film has received much praise after a record-breaking opening, raking in 103.1 million dollars its first weekend in theaters. Wonder Woman received a 93% Tomatometer rating and a 93% audience score, and was labeled by critics as “thrilling” and “earnest.”

Wonder Woman also broke the record for the most successful opening weekend for a movie directed by a woman.
The movie is categorized as an “origin film,” showing viewers the superheroine’s past in flashback form. Directed by Patty Jenkins, the film follows its heroine and also American World War I pilot Steve Trevor, (Chris Pine) who crashes off the shore of the Amazon island of Themyscira, the home of Princess Diana of the Amazons, a.k.a. Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot).

The naive but determined Diana travels with Steve to “the front” (the Western Front in Belgium) to find and destroy Ares, the god of war, to bring peace by whatever means necessary.

Jenkins could not have chosen a better actress to portray the demigoddess warrior. Gal Gadot perfectly embodies the character of Wonder Woman by adding a charming and pure twist to the superheroine while maintaining the fearless and determined demeanor of the character. Gadot described her character as having “many strengths and powers, but at the end of the day she’s a woman with a lot of emotional intelligence.”

Wonder Woman successfully changes the idea of female characters in superhero movies from “damsel in distress” to “powerful demigoddess warrior.” The supporting character and love interest of Diana, Steve Trevor has absolutely no superpowers, allowing Wonder Woman to showcase her astounding strength. The film sends an encouragement to women and young girls everywhere to “embrace their inner Wonder Woman.”

Even if you aren’t much of a superhero fan or have no background knowledge of the DC universe, I definitely recommend seeing this action with a hint of romance filled movie, it has moved to the top of my list for all superhero films.