Something went horribly wrong on the way to the 1980s for ‘Wonder Woman’

Posted on January 1, 2021

By MARK VIOLA

After a significant delay due to the coronavirus outbreak, we finally got “Wonder Woman 1984” on Christmas Day, when it simultaneously debuted in theaters and on the HBO Max streaming service.

As much as I’ve complained about the dual-release and its potential impact on the future viability of the movie theater industry, I guess it could be considered hypocritical of me to say that I watched the movie on HBO Max instead of in a theater.

However, the arrival of two promising COVID-19 vaccines has had the somewhat ironic result that I’m less inclined to risk going to a movie theater right now than I was back in September when I went to see “Tenet” (not once but twice). The news this week that those over 65 will begin getting the vaccine here in Taylor County starting next week makes it seem even more prudent to wait a bit longer.

As big a fan as I am of going to the movies — and rest assured I will be going as soon as I get the vaccine myself — I can’t say I’m disappointed by the fact that I skipped going to the theater to see “Wonder Woman 1984.” Because, frankly, the movie isn’t worth the risk or even the money you would spend buying tickets for the family.

Rarely have I been as surprised by a film’s failure as I was with this movie. For some reason, I never really considered the idea that it might not be a great movie. The first “Wonder Woman” was a solid film, even if its third act did get a bit too special-effects heavy. But director Patty Jenkins, who helmed the first film and returned for the sequel, even helping to pen the script this time, promised that she learned from her mistakes in the first movie and was ready to deliver a complete picture this time.

When the early buzz in the final weeks before the film’s release seemed to be trending toward the negative, I brushed it off. When I finally saw the film for myself, I spent some time trying to convince myself that while it was definitely flawed, there was still a lot to like about the movie. However, I eventually had to accept that “Wonder Woman 1984” is simply a mess, featuring an overly-long, convoluted story filled with plot holes that culminate in an ending that is horribly rushed and makes little to no sense, with any logical fallout conveniently ignored.

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