Diana Prince might have made her debut in Zack Snyder’s Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice, but she dominated movie theatres across America the summer of 2017 in her solo film Wonder Woman. Patty Jenkins’s live-action adaptation released on June 2nd, and within two weeks, Wonder Woman grossed more than $570 million worldwide.
The film tells the unknown story of DC’s female lead, taking place roughly within the 1910s. Wonder Woman, charmingly played by Gal Gadot, is raised by the Amazon women and begs her mother to be trained like a soldier. Soon after, Chris Pine’s character, an American soldier by the name of Steve Trevor, crashes upon her land and shares the news about World War I’s devastation. Prince, who has trained for war her entire life, can’t help but leave her homeland to fight.
The story has humorous elements as Prince discovers the nature of humankind. Her fascination with watches and women’s fashion has a very Little Mermaid-type feel to it. Strangers in the street and soldiers on the battlefield all notice Diana Prince. But it’s not just for her beauty or cultural naivety. We fall in love with Gadot’s character because she epitomizes much of today’s biblical womanhood.
As a DC comic-book hero, Prince unconventionally epitomizes a Proverbs 31 woman. Her supernatural strength prepares her for battles (Proverbs 31:17), and whenever she passes civilians in need, her hands stretch out instinctively (Proverbs 31:20). She even carries a golden lasso of truth, bringing both honesty and compassion to her relationships (Proverbs 31:27).
Wonder Woman reflects Mary’s faithfulness and Ruth’s courage, but she especially reminds us of Abigail’s conviction. After her husband Nabal makes slanderous comments about King David, Abigail quickly rides out to meet David and his men, sharing a plethora of food and humbly repenting on behalf of her husband. David accepts her heartfelt contrition and replies, “Return home in peace. I have heard what you said. We will not kill your husband,” (1 Samuel 25:35 NLT). Abigail took the initiative in saving her family, risking her life when she confronted Israel’s king on her own.
Similarly, Prince persistently asks to be taken to where the war’s fighting is the most intense. And while her traveling partner appreciates her passion for justice, he, more often than not, discounts her agility and power. Determined and unaffected, Wonder Woman charges straight into battle, prepared to meet the enemy face-to-face.
Beyond the classic, finding-my-identity storyline typically sketched in a superhero’s initiation, Wonder Woman remains unique from the rest of the DC films we’ve seen this decade. (And it’s not just because she can rock those red boots). Diana Prince’s power relies not upon her weapons, physical strength, or intelligence. Rather, she falls back on love.
Wonder Woman asks the same question Paul poses in Romans, chapter 7 when it comes to the good and evil we have inside of us. And while Paul refers back to Christ (and Diana Prince does not), our fierce superhero is quick to defend that love is the greatest weapon of all. The grace and compassion she extends to a very messy, very broken mankind is the same attitude Christ asks us to have (Ephesians 4:31-32).
Of course, it should be noted that Wonder Woman is rated PG-13 for sequences of action and violence and some suggested content. Sexual innuendo is limited to a few jokes and a scene in which we see Trevor and Prince disappear behind a bedroom door. While language is not a factor for which the film receives its PG-13 rating, words such as ‘hell’ and ‘damn’ are included. This film is recommended for ages 12 and up and is available on Blu-ray and DVD.
Featured Image by Quentin Keller
