In this one we fast forward to the 1980s as Wonder Woman’s next big screen adventure finds her facing two all-new foes: Max Lord and The Cheetah. With director Patty Jenkins back at the helm and Gal Gadot returning in the title role, “Wonder Woman 1984” is Warner Bros. Pictures’ follow up to the DC Super Hero’s first outing, 2017’s record-breaking “Wonder Woman,” which took in $822 million at the worldwide box office.  The film also stars Chris Pine as Steve Trevor, Kristen Wiig as The Cheetah, Pedro Pascal as Max Lord, Robin Wright as Antiope, and Connie Nielsen as Hippolyta.

Charles Roven, Deborah Snyder, Zack Snyder, Patty Jenkins, Gal Gadot and Stephen Jones are producing the film. Rebecca Steel Roven Oakley, Richard Suckle, Marianne Jenkins, Geoff Johns, Walter Hamada, Chantal Nong Vo and Wesley Coller are the executive producers. 

Patty Jenkins directed from a screenplay she wrote with Geoff Johns & David Callaham, story by Jenkins & Johns, based on characters from DC.  Joining the director behind the scenes are several members of her “Wonder Woman” team, including director of photography Matthew Jensen, Oscar-nominated production designer Aline Bonetto (“Amélie”), and Oscar-winning costume designer Lindy Hemming (“Topsy-Turvy”).  Oscar-nominated editor Richard Pearson (“United 93”) is cutting the film.  The music is by Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer (“Dunkirk,” “The Lion King”).

Warner Bros. Pictures Presents an Atlas Entertainment/Stone Quarry Production, a Patty Jenkins Film, “Wonder Woman 1984.” It’s set to open in cinemas beginning 16 December 2020, and will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures. We’re amped, let’s go!

Quite privileged once again to be invited to the screening of the flick before its official release, Ster-Kinekor joined forces with Warner Bros. Pictures to present a once-off, exclusive VIP event screening of the movie on Friday, 26 May. Taking place at the trendy Fox Junction at 1Fox Precinct in downtown Jozi, I was bummed to not enjoy and join in the festivities especially when you consider what the event included.

Judging by the feedback I got as well as the few local sites I’ve read, the evening included a mix of great entertainment, with bands playing in The Good Luck Bar from 18:00, and a feast of delectable artisanal foods, craft beers and wine on sale before the movie started. The usual freshly popped popcorn and cold drinks were also available with an after party right after the movie finished also included as part of the festivities. Disappointed but am looking forward to the next event.

My plight wasn’t all that bad though, as thanks to my other friends at Mnet Movies, in conjunction with Ster-Kinekor, I was still able to check out the movie a few days before it hit cinemas, how lucky am I right? Set at The Zone in Rosebank, another exclusive screening of the flick was hosted on Wednesday, 31 May. With so much special attention on it, this shows that there is something quite special about this movie. So, just how special is it really? 

Cast – Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Robin Wright, Danny Huston, David Thewlis, Connie Nielsen & Elena Anaya

Director – Patty Jenkins

Genre – Fantasy/Action

Running Time – 2h 21m

The Plot

Before she was Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot), she was Diana, princess of the Amazons, raised on a sheltered island paradise and trained to be an unconquerable warrior. When an American pilot (Chris Pine) crashes on their shores and tells of a massive conflict raging in the outside world, Diana leaves her home, convinced she can stop the threat. Fighting alongside man in a war to end all wars, Diana will discover her full powers…and her true destiny.

DC Comics hasn’t gotten it right with its latest offering of movies and a lot was riding on Wonder Woman to get it right. When compared to Marvel, there’s just no comparison but after watching this installment, one can safely say that DC is learning and have it got it right. Wonder Woman may not the best superhero movie ever, it is however a step in the right direction for DC and made a great impression on me. It sets a platform for DC to build from and if I wasn’t excited for the upcoming movies in their arsenal before, I now am and then some. So yes, do bring on the next solo Batman movie, Cyborg and most of all, the Justice League that’s set to make an appearance later this year.

Wonder Woman is a proper origins story that officially introduces us to (for a change) a female superhero who’s a powerhouse and sets the tone for many to hopefully follow (Captain Marvel and Black Widow I especially see you). What I also especially liked from the movie is the predominantly female led cast all exuding confidence and power. The movie is also less dark and broody unlike the usual stuff from DC, quite refreshing.

As mentioned previously, DC hasn’t gotten it right of late but in Wonder Woman, the studio has something to be proud of. A great origins story made up of a female lead, Wonder Woman can be counted amongst the best movies for this year that’s for sure. I absolutely enjoyed it and no doubt you also will. That’s exactly why it gets a 4 out of 5 rating from me. Nicely done DC!  

Logan

Hugh Jackman reprises his role as The Wolverine, telling a story set in the future where mutants are all but extinct, and Logan and Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart) live in hiding:

Kong: Skull Island

In the 1970s, a team of explorers and soldiers are brought together to venture deep into an uncharted island in the Pacific Ocean – as beautiful as it is treacherous – unaware that they are crossing into the domain of monsters, as well as the mythic Kong, the “king” of the island:

The Fate of the Furious

Now that Dom (Vin Diesel) and Letty (Michelle Rodriguez) are on their honeymoon, Brian and Mia have retired from the game, and the rest of the crew has been exonerated, the globetrotting team has found a semblance of a normal life. But when a mysterious woman seduces Dom back into a world of crime that he can’t seem to escape, the crew will face trials that will test them as never before:

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwMKRevYa_M

Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2

Set two months after the first film, the Guardians of the Galaxy travel throughout the cosmos and struggle to keep their newfound family together, while helping Peter Quill learn more about his true parentage:

Wonder Woman

After leaving her all-female island, Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot) discovers her full powers and true destiny while fighting alongside soldiers during World War I:

Spider-Man: Homecoming

Thrilled by his experience with the Avengers, young Peter Parker (Tom Holland) returns home to live with his Aunt May. Under the watchful eye of mentor Tony Stark, Parker starts to embrace his newfound identity as Spider-Man:

War For The Planet Of The Apes Sequel

Following the events of Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, Caesar and the apes are embroiled in a war against an army of humans. As the apes suffer heavy losses, Caesar wrestles with his darker instincts as he resolves to avenge his kind. The war pits Caesar against the humans’ leader, a ruthless Colonel, in an encounter that will determine the fate of their species and Earth’s future:

Justice League

Months after the events of Batman v Superman, inspired by Superman’s sacrifice for humanity, Bruce Wayne and Diana Prince assemble a team of metahumans to face the catastrophic threat of Steppenwolf and the Parademons who are on the hunt for three Mother Boxes on Earth:

Other special mentions go out to Split, xXx: The Return of Xander Cage, Transformers: The Last Knight, Baywatch, Power Rangers, Despicable Me 3, Jumanji, Pitch Perfect 3, King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, Fences and Thor: Ragnarok

If the above doesn’t get you all giddy and excited inside, then we don’t know what will. 2017 is gearing up to be a special and great year indeed in the movieverse. filled with equally special moments that should be shared, especially when it involves a great flick. It’s no wonder then that the theme for the year, as confirmed by our friends at Ster-Kinekor is #SidebySide.

A great year awaits and we look forward to catching all of the above titles and more. Be sure to lookout for the usual reviews, hopefully they don’t disappoint!