Wonder Woman 1984

 Wonder Woman 1984

     By. Justin Azevedo

Synopsis - Diana Prince/Wonder Woman (Played by. Gal Gadot) has lived a quiet life with the humans since WWI, keeping a low profile of who she truly is and works as a curator for ancient artifacts0, but continues to protect Humanity without anyone knowing. However Diana soon finds herself pitted against Maxwell Lord (Played by. Pedro Pascal) and also the Villainess Cheetah (Played by. Kristen Wiig). She will need to find the inner strength within her to defeat them, all the while dealing with the sudden return of her lost love Steve Trevor (Played by. Chris Pine)!

     Unlike the first film that opened at present time of Diana in Paris and receive a gift from Bruce of a old WWI photo of her and her old team, including Steve Trevor, that makes her reminisce of the events pertaining to that photo, which is the main plot of the first film. The second film's opening scene is at Themyscira, with a young Diana participating in a Amazonian competition, which is in honor an Amazonian Warrior named Astria. At first Diana was able to attain a great lead against the other competitors, but soon lost her lead when she lost attention to her surrounding. This leads her to take a short cut to once more take the lead, however skip in hitting the markers that were place within the course. Because of this action she was disqualified, just as she was about to reach the goal. Upset of course and trying to defend her action, Diana's Mother, Queen Hippolyta (Played by. Connie Nielsen) and her Aunt, Antiope (Played by. Robin Wright) told her that her victory would be base on a lie, and what is important to a Warrior and hero is to be base on the Truth (this is a key point into the film).

      Diana Prince/Wonder Woman (Played by. Gal Gadot), lives in Washington D.C. and continues to protect the mortals, though she keep her hero work in secret and only reveals herself to others, if the situation truly needs her too! While not doing Hero work, she works as a Senior Anthropologist in The Smithsonian and it is through this job, that she meets Barbara Ann Minerva. Diana and Barbara discovered a mysterious stone, though did not know what it was called, or where is came from, only that it had the power to grant wishes and she unknowingly made a wish. Diana started to hangout with Barbara and started to form a friendship with her. Diana kept to herself in her personal life, and not wanting to be with anyone else, after Steve's death. Wanting to know more about the stone, Diana tried to examine it more, and discovered a connection to Maxwell, leading her to attend a party he was throwing, but had no luck. However at the party to her shock Diana was reunited with Steve Trevor, but could not believe who it was, until he told her the words he said to her before he died and through those words Diana was able to see that it was Steve and they passionately embrace each other. Though she was happy to have him back, she was curious as to how it was possible, which leads them to search for the answer, though after taking Steve around and see the new wonders that have been made in the 80's. As they resume they're search as to how Steve returned, Diana believe that the stone was the reason, to which she went to go see Barbara, but was inform that she lent it to Maxwell Lord. This leads her and Steve to go to his company. Upon getting inside and entering they're office, they learn that Max, as been researching the stone for a long time, but could not find the stone itself, only the ring that was on it. Upon examining the ring Diana was shock to find the language of the Gods was inscripted inside and realizes that the Dreamstone is a relic left by the gods. Dian and Steve track Max to Egypt and upon confronting him and his armed convoy, Diana powers start to get weaker and she was unable to capture him. Diana was finally able to learn what the Dreamstone is thanks to Barbara assistance, and learn that the Dreamstone was created by the Mischief God known as Dolos and that throughout the Stone's use through history, leads to the destruction of many Civilization's! Diana continues to learn that those who make a wish, must pay a price, to which Steve realize, she made a wish for him to return to her and that the price was her powers and that the only way to undo what going on is for the individual's to renounce their wish or destroy the stone, to which she figured out that Max has become the Dreamstone. This leads to conflict with her as, she was not willing to her wish and she did not want to kill Maxwell Lord either and she sets out to find a better way. This leads to her next confrontation against Max at the White House, however she is stopped by Barbara and learns that she made a wish! Diana tries to stop Barbara but her powers continue to get weaker and they escape. After leaving the White House and see the chaos happening, Steve tells her what she has to do, though resistant at first, she realizes that Steve is right and after one last kiss Diana renounces her wish and with her powers restore and after her time with Steve and learning his reason for loving to fly, she discovers her ability to fly herself. After Learning where Max is, she don's the Armor of Astria that she discovered and flies to his location to stop him, but us confronted by Barbara again who has been transformed into the Cheetah. Diana at first takes the defensive against her, and try to make her renounce her wish, but in the end Diana put a stopped her. After Defeating Cheetah, Dian went to confront Max, but found him being protected, by the energy of his granting wishes. Unable to get to him, she tried to stop his plan in broadcasting to the world, but was useless. Diana then used him, to speak to the people of the world using the Lasso of Truth and show them what they're wishes are doing to the world and tells them that only they can save it, by renouncing their wish, she then goes on to show Max, his son in danger which leads him to renounce his wish, as well as other's to do so as well. After the defeat of Max and Barbara, Diana is watching as then people celebrate Christmas and she is then met with the Man who Steve was inhabiting and after a pleasant conversation they part ways. Diana is then flying in the sky and heads out after hearing sirens, to save the day!

     Diana had to go through some personal struggles in the film. After WWI and losing Steve Trevor, Diana distance herself from people, keeping only either a workplace relationship to those she knew and a friendly greeting to those she met. When Steve return, she got to be the one to show Steve around and show him all that the 80's has to offer. Diana also displays new powers such as creating the Invisible Jet, as well as discovering her abilility to fly that she did not display in the first film.

      Steve Trevor (Played by. Chris Pine) takes the role of experiencing new wonders in 1984, similar to when he brought Diana to London. Steve came to 1984, when Diana wanted to see him again, when while wielding the wishing stone, unaware of its true power. Steve soul was then sent too 1984 and inhabited the body of a Handsome Man (That's how Kristoffer Polaha was credited). Understanding that he was in a strange time, his first priority was to find Diana, which he did through the phone book. He trailed her to Maxwell's party and when he finally confronted her, Diana was a bit confuse, as he was in the body of someone Diana has never met, until Steve told her the words he told her the last time they saw each other and it was through those words that Diana was able to see that it was Steve. As they catch up, Steve took her to the place he woke up in and told her what he knew. He told her he remember the plane and sacrificing himself, and also knew he was someplace else, but didn't know where. Like everyone else, Steve can see the face of the body he is inhabiting, but Diana tells him she sees only his face. The next day, the two prepare to figure out how Steve returned, but along the way Diana showed her around on what the 80's are like and Steve is amaze by all things that have been made, escalators, subways and art, though was confuse on a trash can, thinking it was art. He was also surprise of the fashion kids wear, as well as the new dance moves that have been made. Diana then took him to what truly amaze him, the space museum! Back in searching for answers, Diana figured it has something to do with the Dreamstone, and after learning that it was in the hands of Maxwell Lord, they set out too meet with him. Upon getting tp his office and figuring out that Max has been searching for the stone for a while, Steve learned from Diana that the Stone is a relic of the gods and tells him that they could bring great harm. After learning that Max has went to Egypt, they needed to figure out how to get their, to which Diana says how difficult it would be to board a flight their, Steve commented that he wanted to fly their on a plane he looked up. This leads them to sneak onto a base, to which Steve was amaze by the sight of the Black Bird, but soon find himself flying a new type of Jet and flying out to Egypt! During their flight, Steve talked about his reason in loving to fly, as Diana was never able to understand that. After arriving at Egypt, Steve and Diana come across Max, and chase after him and Steve was able to help Diana when she was dealing with Max's men, though in the end Max got away. Steve was able to tell, that Diana was weaker and his suspicion was proven right when they return to Washington and learn the truth about the Dreamstone and it's power in granting wishes, but paying a price. Steve was able to understand that Diana made a wish for him to return, but the price was her losing her powers. Steve tried to persuade Diana to relinquish her wish, so that she can regain her powers and stop Max, but Diana refused. Steve continued to help Diana to stop Max and pinpoint that he was heading to the White House. When they spotted him, they try to stop and subdue Max, but were stopped by the arrival of Barbara who has joined him and leading to them both to escape, as Diana was not strong enough to deal with Barbara. After leaving the White House, Steve carried Diana through the streets and they saw as chaos ran rampant. Steve then took Diana to a corner and told her that it was time to let him go, though refuse at first, Steve went on to tell her on his life was great and how much she made it even greater, but the world needs her more and after a final kiss, Diana leaves with Steve shouting out that he "Will Always Love Diana", as she then renounce her wish. 

     Steve's soul being sent back to where it belongs was not seen on screen, however we see that the man Steve's soul was inhabiting regains his life, as he was seen meeting Diana during the a Christmas festival, unaware of what happen to him and any interaction with Diana.

      In the movie Steve got to experience the new things that the 80's offer, like how Diana got to experience the things she saw, when Steve took her to his world. We also get to see Steve being a quick pilot in flying a New type of Jet. Though he experience much, he did not learn about the WWII and the other wars that came after. Steve however once again proved to be a great hero in making a sacrifice for not just Diana, but for the world!

      Barbara Ann Minerva/Cheetah (Played by. Kristen Wiig), was the new girl at the Smithsonian Institution. She is a Geologist and a Gemologist, however she is not quite rememberable to other's, including the one who hired her. She meets Diana at the Institute and the two become acquainted to one another. She and Diana discovered a stone that was brought in, however she deemed it not being of any real value, but Diana helped her in understanding what the writing says, in how it can grant wishes. Barbara really enjoyed having Diana by her side and the two became more friendly to one another. It was Barbara that made Diana, wanting to be more involved with other's starting with her. Barbara expressed on how her life has been and how she is so insecure towards other's to Diana. We see that Barbara is a kind person, as she gives food to a homeless man, when returning back to the Institute. On the way though, she is face with a drunken man, that tried to assault her, but Diana came to her rescue. The experience though, makes Barbara try the Stone and wished to become just like Diana. The next day, Barbara begins to exhibited, new abilities, as well as being more noticed among her colleagues. She soon becomes acquainted to Maxwell Lord, to which she participates in a party he is hosting and sporting a New Animal design dressed for the occasion. During the event she and Max, become infatuated by each other, however not knowing he takes the opportunity to seize the Stone, while they were at his office! She helps Diana in identifying what the Stone was, while also testing her newfound abilities, however when she encounters the Man who assaulted her again, she proceeds to beat him, without any ounce of hesitation, even ready to kill him, if not for the sudden encounter to the Homeless man she knew, who was surprise to see what she did. This reveals that the price for her wish, was her kindness and her humanity. She meets up with Wanda and Steve and the three learn of the Stones true identity and how it has lead to the destruction of many civilizations. However upon hearing what the solution's are in stopping the stone Barbara leaves Diana and Steve, only to reunite with them again at the White House, only this time standing against them (Barbara also learns of Diana hidden secret). Helping Max escape, Barbara fights Diana who cannot defeat her as her powers continue to grow weaker, after knocking Diana down she goes to meet up with Max and the two escape. As they head to an Army base, so Max can execute his plan to restore his health, he offer's Barbara another wish, to which she replied that she wanted to be something unique, to become a Apex predator and thanks to Max in granting wishes, she was able to grant Barbara newfound power. Barbara, confronts Diana again, this time in her Cheetah form and the two fight. Diana tries to persuade her to renounce her wish, but Cheetah was adamant in never going to do that. Cheetah manage to tare apart Diana's armor, however Diana was able to get the upper hand and defeat Cheetah, by electrocuting, though spared her life. Cheetah watched as other's around the world begin to renounce their wishes, after hearing Diana speak to them about "truth" and in her final scene we see her back in her human form as Barbara!

      What became of Barbara after remains unknown. Barbara was a character, who wanted to be seen, due to always being invisible to those around her and when someone does takes notice of her, she becomes infatuated to that person (Like how Max Dillon, who was a nobody to everyone around was infatuated with Spider-Man who took notice of him "Amazing Spider-Man 2"). Her transformation into the Cheetah was quite the unexpected one, from how she becomes the Cheetah in the comics. She served as the Main Antagonist, who was the obstacle that stood against Diana!

      Maxwell Lord (Played by. Pedro Pascal) was a businessman who started a company known as Black Gold Cooperative and company for oil drilling. However Maxwell's company was in turmoil, as the of his property for oil had none and his building only comprise of him and a small number of workers. Due to the failing of his company, his business partners were dropping him and his last one was preparing to do the same. With losing everything, Maxwell went in search of a Mythical Relic known as the Dreamstone, to which he did find and paid for it through Black Market deal. However a set back came for him, when the stone was sent to the Smithsonian and being researched by Barbara which leads him to get close to her, so that he can snag the stone, which succeeded. Upon getting the Dreamstone, he makes his wish to become the Dreamstone himself, to which he now has the ability to grant wishes, but also determine the price that has to be paid for the wish itself, to which he will be a able to use to benefit himself. Max soon uses his newfound power to both exact revenge on those who doubted him, as well as helping his company to become the largest oil company in the world. However through the course in granting wishes, his health begins to deteriorate (which was the price he has paid in return for his wish). The wishes that he grants causes chaos around the world and the continuing growth of his company, causes many to come and seeking his aid, to which he begins to lose control as well as create a rift between his son, who is a main reason as to why he has been doing what he has been doing. His action's lead him into conflict with Diana, who chases him in hopes of stopping him from causing more chaos. To try to get order back into his life, he set's his sights on the President, to which he was able to gain the authority and power that the President of the United States has and it is upon meeting the President at the White House, he learns of a new satellite broadcast system, which upon learning that it has the capability to touch people around the world, gives Max his solution in his health problem and sets out to use it! However this leads to his next confrontation with Diana, but is save by Barbara and learns that she too made a wish, before he acquired the Dreamstone. He allows Barbara to come with him, for protection against Diana and offers her a wish to grant her more power that she desired. Upon reaching the base that control the satellite's, Max puts his plan into action which works, as the people who saw his broadcast, telling them to make a wish on whatever they desired, did so. As the people around the world made their wishes, Max in turn gain their strength and health as their price that has to be made and he is restored. As he grants the wishes, the problems of those wishes, start to create more chaos around the world, even putting the world towards the annihilations! Max not concerning himself with that at first, until he is confronted by Diana, who had defeated Barbara. She try to get to him, but was unable to reach Max, due to energy and the power he was gaining protected him. Max believing that he has won, unaware that Diana has tied the Lasso of Truth around him and not only use him to speak to the people of the world to renounce their wish, but also to show Max what his action's are doing as well and that his son is in danger. Seeing his son in danger makes Max to renounce his wish and go to his son. Upon finding his son, he tells him the truth about himself and promises to be a better father that his to be proud of, but his son told him that he doesn't need to be proud of Max, cause he already loves having him is his Father, and this leads them to embrace to each other. 

    What happen to Max, after remains unclear. Maxwell Lord, was the type of Villain, who wasn't truly trying to be a villain. His purpose for seeking out the Dreamstone, wasn't to take control of the world, but to save his company, as well as give his son the life, that Max did not have. We learn in Max's past that he did not have a happy childhood, poor family, abusive father, bullies and more and working from the bottom, to start up his own business. He served as the Main Antagonist who was bringing Disaster to the world!

      Hippolyta and Antiope (Played by. Connie Nielsen & Robin Wright), had only a minor role in the opening if the film, giving wisdom and advice to a young Diana, who cheated during a competition. They still show on how they see the great potential that Diana has and want her to go down the right path and become a great Amazonian Warrior that she is meant to be!

     Lynda Carter, Special Guest stars in the Film as Asteria! Asteria was a Legendary Amazonia Warrior who sacrifice herself and stayed behind, as to let Hippolyta lead the other Amazonia to safety. She was granted a Golden Wing Armor that was forge with the Armor of other Amazonian and Asteria wore it to hold back the Soldiers that were chasing after the Amazonia's. In her sacrifice a competition was made in her Honor, as well as a Golden Statue with a Matching of her Armor. After World War I, Diana set out in hopes to find Asteria but all she found was her Armor and believed she had perished. However at the end credit of the movie, it showed Asteria still alive, after she save a Mother and daughter from a falling Candy Cain Pillar. 

     Lynda Carter, originally portrayed the role of Wonder Woman in the 1970's Live Action Series and she had also had a part as president of the United States also an Alien in the CW Supergirl Series!

     The Dreamstone was a relic left by the god known as Dolos, The God of Lies. The Dreamstone has the power to grant wishes to whoever holds it, however in making a wish there must be a price for the wish to be granted. For Diana her price was her powers, for Barbara her humanity and for Maxwell his health. Also the wishes create an effect to the world, the more wishes that are granted the more chaos that is brought to the world! As we saw as the movies moves forward and Maxwell Lord granted wishes to everyone around the world which created chaos and destruction.

      Through Diana's investigation into the Dreamstone, she knew of it's true purpose, upon first seeing the language of the gods and learning that the Dreamstone was responsible for the destruction of many civilization's like the Mayan's.

      Dolos is a God of Greek Mythology. The Son of Gaia and Aether and was the Apprentice to the Titan Prometheus. His connection to the DC Comics is to a Character known as the Duke of Deception and is a prominent enemy to Wonder Woman in the comics!

     While the Movie did great incorporating that Wonder and Excitement like the first one. The movie however lack that thrill of action, especially in the final battle between Wonder Woman and Cheetah. But the movie did great in showing amazing scene's like with the 4th of July and the fireworks above the clouds. Also it created such an amazing moment at the end where Diana spoke to everyone around the world and her words reach them in renouncing their wish. That scene truly showed the Strength of Humanity!

     The Movie did great in incorporating the elements of the 80's. This includes cars, clothing, music and lifestyle that the people lived, which was all truly amazing in how they brought the 80's to life.

My Rating for Wonder Woman 1984 is... (Awesome & Inspring)