Since its launch in 2013, the D.C.E.U (Warner’s answer to what Disney and alleged racist Ike Perlmutter managed to do with Marvel.) has not been beloved by most people. Thanks to divisive performances, mass destruction on an offensive scale in the end of Man of Steel and the pervasive presence of controversial director Zack Snyder behind the scenes, many were beginning to question whether the venture was worth it. Rumors circulated that Ben Affleck was looking to exit his contract to play Batman and after the misfire of Suicide Squad, it fell to Monster director Patty Jenkins to save the franchise with Gal Gadot in Wonder Woman.

The film functions as an origin story for the female part of D.C.’s famous trinity. After American intelligence agent Steve Trevor (Chris Pine) crash lands on the island of Themyscira and tells the Amazons of the “War to End All Wars” (Boy were we wrong about that.), Diana decides to leave with him and put an end to the conflict, believing that the Greek God of War is behind the strife.

The Good

Gadot and Pine have absolutely perfect chemistry in this thing. I mean, wow. The interchange between them was better than anything I’ve seen in a superhero film in some time and really made the film pop. I won’t spoil anything, but I’m not certain if their interaction will continue. Though I hope it does. In addition, the action in this thing was fucking phenomenal. If you’ve ever seen Kingsman: The Secret Service, the fight scenes were reminiscent of that in my opinion. There’s this notion that ladies can’t direct action films and finally, with this entry from Patty Jenkins, I think that utterly absurd notion will be put to rest for good, at least I hope so.

The Bad

For a film that does nearly everything right, the ending devolves into what many who view superhero films critically for a living have come to hate. The CGI Fuck-a-thon. You know what I’m talking about. The flames, blue color, buildings and rubble being strewn about. Its adequate, but largely beneath the rest of the film. It’s a shame too because for a moment, they tease you with something really unique for this genre, and then that all gets thrown aside for convention.

The Verdict

I really enjoyed Wonder Woman but felt let down by the ending. Gal Gadot played the role brilliantly and her interaction with Steve Trevor was done brilliantly. I don’t know what the future holds for the character, but I can’t wait to see it. It’s shameful and embarrassing that Warner Bros. has done so little with the character up to this point. At least that’s changing now, but the literal decades of nothing but a meh television show and some decent animated films are nothing to be proud of. Imagine if Batman had taken this long to get a film made about his life?