Wonder Woman has the distinction of being one of the better film series in the DCEU, which ultimately collapsed and is awaiting its reboot at the hands of James Gunn. Patty Jenkins and Gal Gadot were able to craft a stunning narrative, one that talked about themes of war and peace, that painted humanity in a fundamentally flawed light.
However, despite the praises that were heaped on the film, one pivotal scene in the movie undoes the themes and the motifs that the film sets up, destroying what the film was trying to say. Wonder Woman as a film lays all the blame for the war at the feet of the human race, waxing poetic about humanity’s capacity for inflicting suffering. However, one particular scene flips the script completely, changing what the film had set up all this time.
Blaming Ares for World War 1 defeats the theme of the film
The chief antagonist of Wonder Woman is Ares, who has been masquerading as Sir Patrick Morgan and has been trying (as a cover) to negotiate an armistice with Germany. Of course, Ares wants war and destruction to reign supreme, and reveals himself in the third act, dramatically changing the film and what the film has been trying to say for a while.
A large part of the film deals with Diana focusing on the horrors of war. She realizes the various ways in which humans can cause suffering, while also trying to find a way to stop the war. Repeatedly, throughout the film, the idea of human beings being the sole originator of suffering and conflict in the First World War, and throughout human history, is something that Diana is confronted with again and again.
However, all that goes out the window the moment the final act reveals Sir Patrick Morgan, played by David Thewlis, as Ares. The God of War becomes the sole reason for The Great War, throwing all that was set up out of the window. However, while it might seem like a mistake, this plot point might be the very thing that nails the actual themes of the film home.
Wonder Woman wishes to see the good in humanity
While the themes of the film might seem like ‘the horrors that humanity can inflict on itself’, the actual theme of the story is that it is good in humanity, and it can become a force for good if led by a benevolent leader. Under Ares, humanity is destructive, because humanity has a lot of capacity for great things. The thesis of the film is that humanity can be its greatest, only if it is guided properly and in the right direction.
Ares being defeated directly resulted in an armistice, with Germany’s surrender and the Allied powers winning the War. Diana realizes that humanity must be guided by forces greater than itself, but must be given the freedom to choose, harking back to the Age of Heroes in Greek Mythology, one that she would see return with the rise of the Justice League, with the likes of Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Flash, Aquaman, and Cyborg by her side.
As fans eagerly wait for her to make her next onscreen debut, it is safe to say that the Gal Gadot starrer remains one of the highlights of the DCEU, along with Man of Steel, Aquaman, and The Suicide Squad.
