Reviews: Wonder Woman 1984 (2020) Movie Review
Genres: Action, Fantasy, Adventure
Subgenres:
Exploring Wonder Woman 1984 (2020) through our review, we cover its story, scares, and how it fits into the broader horror genre landscape.
Following the success of Wonder Woman (2017), Wonder Woman 1984 attempts to expand Diana Prince’s story with a vibrant, nostalgic dive into the 1980s. The film sees Diana (Gal Gadot) working as an anthropologist at the Smithsonian while secretly continuing her role as Wonder Woman. When a mystical artifact called the Dreamstone surfaces—granting wishes at a steep cost—Diana must face the return of Steve Trevor (Chris Pine), the rise of an insecure scientist turned apex predator Barbara Minerva/Cheetah (Kristen Wiig), and the dangerously ambitious businessman Maxwell Lord (Pedro Pascal).
Wonder Woman 1984 (2020) – A Flashy but Flawed Sequel
Plot, Themes, and Character Development
Thematically, the film explores greed, sacrifice, and the dangers of unchecked desires, but struggles with its execution. Diana’s emotional arc, particularly her reunion with Steve, is one of the film’s stronger elements, but her character development is sidelined in favor of an overlong, bloated story.
Acting and Cinematography
Gal Gadot continues to embody Wonder Woman with grace, strength, and charm, but her character feels underutilized, with fewer action sequences than expected. Chris Pine remains charismatic, though his return feels forced. Kristen Wiig’s Barbara Minerva starts off compelling, but her Cheetah transformation lacks depth and payoff. Pedro Pascal, as Maxwell Lord, brings an over-the-top energy, making for a charismatic yet inconsistent villain.
Visually, the film leans into bright, neon-soaked 1980s aesthetics, with some stunning cinematography. However, the CGI is inconsistent, particularly in the final battle with Cheetah, which looks rushed and unimpressive. The action sequences—while well-choreographed—are scarce compared to the first film, making the runtime feel padded.
Directing Style, Strengths, and Weaknesses
Director Patty Jenkins brings an ambitious yet uneven approach, opting for a lighter, more sentimental tone than its predecessor. While the film’s heart is in the right place, its script feels unfocused, with an excessive runtime (151 minutes) that slows down the pacing. The climax lacks the impact of the first film, relying more on emotional resolutions than action-heavy confrontations.
Strengths:
Gal Gadot and Chris Pine’s chemistry remains strong.
Pedro Pascal delivers a scene-stealing performance as Maxwell Lord.
The nostalgic 1980s setting and vibrant cinematography create an engaging visual style.
Themes of truth, sacrifice, and morality add depth.
Weaknesses:
Overlong runtime with too much exposition.
Inconsistent CGI, particularly in the Cheetah transformation.
Lackluster action sequences, especially compared to the first film.
Weak villain arc for Cheetah, with an underwhelming resolution.
Final Verdict & Score: 5/10
Wonder Woman 1984 delivers a colorful, ambitious sequel that ultimately falters under its own weight. While Gadot’s performance, Pascal’s energy, and the 1980s aesthetic offer entertainment, the inconsistent pacing, lack of action, and disappointing CGI prevent it from reaching the heights of its predecessor.
Sources Used to Shape This Review
Insights in this review are drawn from director interviews, fan commentary, production notes, and long-form breakdowns across genre-specific platforms. Content is written uniquely and reviewed for accuracy.
- Wonder Woman 1984 Rating Scores
- Our Score: 5/10
- Overall Score: 5.43/10
- IMDB: 5.3/10
- MetaCritic: 6.0/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 5.7/10
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