Movie Review: 'Wonder Woman' with Gal Gadot wows: movie review

The amazin’ Amazon was the only good thing about the “Batman v Superman” slugfest, and about all DC has gotten right lately. Now she’s got her own movie.

'Wonder Woman'

She deserves it. And she wears it like a crown.

It’s an origin story, and it starts at Diana's home on an uncharted island. There, the demi-goddess, played by Gal Gadot, has been raised far from the eyes of men — and safe from the vengeance of Ares, the God of War.

But then she sees a real man, in the handsome form of a crashed pilot, Steve Trevor. Hears about a new war, now raging throughout the 1918 world.

And, knowing that Ares must be behind this madness, travels with Trevor to Europe to fight for peace.

The script is often far-fetched, even for a superhero movie. Trevor and Diana seem to make it to London in about 12 hours — by sailboat. Trevor never seems to have any problem just walking onto some secret German base.

But Gadot makes a terrific heroine, in a movie that gets back to the character’s feminist roots. She’s athletic, independent, optimistic. She’s everything you’d want Wonder Woman to be — unless all you wanted was a beauty in a red-white-and-blue bustier. (Sorry, Lynda Carter fans.)

Chris Pine is great fun, too, as Trevor. Sure, last year’s “Hell or High Water” proved the guy could do more than “Star Trek.” But sometimes less really is more — and his easy charisma, no-fuss looks and nice-guy vibe make him the most appealing superhero sidekick in years.

The real surprise is director Patty Jenkins. Her first picture, “Monster,” was an Oscar-winning shock, but that Charlize Theron stunner came out nearly 15 years ago. Jenkins has done TV episodes since then — on “The Killing,” “Betrayal” — but nothing as big as this.

Well, clearly the gods were with her.

She keeps the story — which has Diana and Trevor trying to stop the Germans from unleashing a new poison gas — moving fast. Supporting characters — Trevor has a ready-made band of rogues — add details, not distraction. The action scenes are dazzling, not dizzying.

Yeah, there are a couple of holes in the plot (one you could literally drive a battleship through). There”s a surprise twist which isn't, well, either. And Jenkins holds a few scenes just a minute too long, as if she didn't trust herself to get the point across.

But we get it, and DC finally should, too: Superhero movies can be fun. And “Wonder Woman” is a movie that'd send even the Suicide Squad home smiling.

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