Film Review: 'Wonder Woman: Bloodlines'
In classic DC Animated fashion ‘Wonder Woman: Bloodlines’ (2019) is a whirlwind action flick with a sweet center. The latest Wonder Woman stand-alone film, written by Mairghread Scott, starts at the beginning. Diana Prince (Rosario Dawson) rescues Steve Trevor (Jeffrey Donovan) from Themysciran waters. Then, compelled to join Steve in his quest to protect ‘the world of man’ she betrays her mother and leaves the mythical Amazonian island for good. Set in present-day, Diana must defeat Villain Inc. and their nefarious plot, but their new recruit, Silver Swan, is an old friend of Diana’s. It’s a quick and enjoyable film for DC fans of all ages.
Wonder Woman’s fighting prowess and strategic mind is center stage.
After rescuing Steve, Diana is forced to choose between letting Steve sit in Themysciran prison or betray her mother’s wishes and protect ‘the world of man’. While the choice appears clear at first, Diana’s betrayal wears on her. Now unfamiliar with the outside world, Steve and intelligence partner Etta Candy (Adrienne C. Moore) decide Diana needs a history course on ‘the world of man’ before she starts throwing punches. So, the Amazon warrior is placed under the instruction and care of archaeologist Julia Kapatelis (Nia Vardalos), whose daughter Vanessa Kapatelis (Marie Avgeropoulos) feels replaced by Diana’s charm and confidence. As Vanessa grows into a woman, her disdain for Diana, now Wonder Woman, is apparent. When Julia Kapatelis finds evidence her daughter is involved with Villainy Inc she recruits Wonder Woman to save Vanessa at their secret location. Everything goes sideways and Julia dies while evil masterminds Dr. Poison (Courtenay Taylor) and Dr. Cyber (Mozhan Marnò) escape. In her grief, Vanessa turns to Villainy Inc for purpose and power, transforming into the cyborg, Silver Swan.
Wonder Woman is widely considered one of the most physically powerful characters in the DC universe. With strength, speed, skill, and ferocity that could defeat Superman her antagonists are usually magical or superintelligent in nature. Diana always defeats classic foes like Cheetah or Ares in physical fights, so a genuine challenge usually plays away from her strengths. ‘Bloodlines’ subverts this pattern, pitting Diana against adversaries with chemical enhancements and environments which favor their physical strengths — making a fight Wonder Woman could actually lose. Without spoiling anything, it’s refreshing to force an indomitable character to outsmart their opponent. Wonder Woman’s fighting prowess and strategic mind is center stage as DC Animated (as usual) deliver beautifully choreographed action sequences.
The central conflict of the film hinges on Vanessa’s jealousy of Diana and her ‘perfection’. Which, to be fair, Diana is a gorgeous superpowered demi-god. Vanessa’s mother is obsessed with the Amazon, apparently neglecting her daughter for research, so when Diana of Themyscira moves in Vanessa is completely ignored. Vanessa acts out and emulates her mother, but to no avail. The film never disputes Wonder Woman is perfect, but Vanessa falls to the common supervillain trope of the ‘wronged powerless’ person using extreme measures for revenge. Daina’s unfaltering faith in Vanessa’s goodness drives her actions, but she never understands her jealousy. It seems a lack of sympathy is Wonder Woman’s only flaw.
‘Wonder Woman: Bloodlines’ can be streamed on HBO Max, Amazon Prime or Vudu.
