WW84 (Wonder Woman 1984) is a wonderful movie experience for the whole family. The cinematography is outstanding due to the celluloid imagery (shot on film), the action sequences are solid and entertaining, and are dramatically enhanced thanks to Hans Zimmer’s music. Or is it just me exaggerating as WW84 is the first movie I saw in an actual theater (post-COVID era). Anyway, here’re my thoughts below.

Cinema is back

WW84 is the first movie I saw since the pandemic was initiated. Now, in the post-COVID age, when theaters are open again, I took my wife and kids (14,10) to celebrate the return of cinema. First I was a bit worried that the movie would not be appropriate for my younger child, but I was wrong, since both of my sons extremely enjoyed it, especially the younger ones. Yes, I know… the script is so so, however. It’s a sizable cinematic experience for the whole family and perfect proof that cinema is on the track again.

These opening scenes were shot on an IMAX camera by DP (Director of Photography) Matthew Jensen ASC, and if you watch it on an IMAX theater, you’ll notice the extended aspect ratio at that scenes. 

Scored by Hans Zimmer

Gladly, the film was scored by the one and only, Hans Zimmer, which had previously announced that he would retire from composing for superhero films after Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016), which featured Wonder Woman’s cinematic debut. However, (luckily) he accepted to compose the score for X-Men: Dark Phoenix (2019) and returned to compose WW84. Indeed, the soundtrack, music, and sounds have a solid presence and impact in the movie that sometimes you feel that it takes over, which is good because sometimes it should. A good soundtrack can cover an average story. I’m not saying that this is the case regarding WW84, however, the ultra-epic chords by Zimmer significantly boost the dramaturgy, which causes a bit of adrenaline injection that produces epic-ness. It must be noted that the WW84 score is based and composed on the Man of Steel soundtrack, combined with Batman vs. Superman music themes, scored by Zimmer as well. You’d recognize that chords, but in WW84 you’ll feel the power of them, especially in the action sequences.

The ultra-epic chords by Zimmer significantly boost the dramaturgy, which causes a bit of adrenaline injection that produces epic-ness.

Lilly Aspell (young Diana)

In the initial scenes, young Diana is being introduced, played extraordinarily by actress Lilly Aspell. Aspell is a Scottish-born actress (2007) whose parents are both professional jockeys. She plays wonderfully and with a lot of charm. By the way, Aspell performed all the required physical stunt work herself at the age of 12, because it was deemed that she did the job better than her own stunt doubles.

Lilly Aspell plays wonderfully and with a lot of charm…Aspell performed all the required physical stunt work herself at the age of 12 because it was deemed that she did the job better than her own stunt doubles.

Shot on IMAX, Panavision, and ARRI

These opening scenes were shot on an IMAX camera by DP (Director of Photography) Matthew Jensen ASC, and if you watch it on an IMAX theater, you’ll notice the extended aspect ratio at that scenes. However, most of the movie was shot on Panavision XL2 and ARRIFLEX film cameras (see slide above), as stated by Jensen: “The team has to compromise and reduced the IMAX shots and capturing the action-packed Themyscira opening and closing winter coda sequences of Wonder Woman 1984 in IMAX 65mm, 1.90:1 aspect ratio, with the rest of the story is shot widescreen 2.39:1 on 35mm”. The rest of the cameras were ARRIFLEX 235 and 435, and the Panaflex Millennium XL2 provided by Panavision, with the mighty Sphero 65 lenses. The goal of the director was to paint this movie on the huge canvas (IMAX theater), and for that those film cameras were chosen.

It’s a sizable cinematic experience for the whole family and perfect proof that cinema is on the track again.

The glass behind

Wonder Woman 1984 was shot exclusively on the Panavision Primo lenses, which are characterized by their high contrast and veiling glare, and are designed for use with film and digital cameras. The goal here was to grant that vintage look to the film. These glasses, paired with the 435 and 235, were a decent combination to allow that 80s imagery, which was a part of the director’s vision.

The opposite look compared to the first Wonder Woman

If you’ve watched the first feature, then you’d notice that WW84 has a whole different look. On the first feature, the look (and feel) was cooler, colder, and desaturated. However, in WW84, the look is completely different and reminds films from the 80s. That’s one of the reasons that celluloid was chosen above shooting digitally. The goal was to reignite the blockbuster look of the 1980s. Indeed, mission accomplished. WW84 looks colorful, vivid, and live, excluding the main fight scene, which reminds more gothic imagery.

WW84 looks colorful, vivid, and live, excluding the main fight scene, which reminds more gothic imagery.

The female touch

WW84 was directed by Patty Jenkins which is the first female to direct a big-budget studio superhero movie (first Wonder Woman feature – budget over $100 million). Jenkins began her career as a painter at The Cooper Union in New York City. Upon transitioning to filmmaking, she spent eight years as an Assistant Camera Person/Focus Puller for various commercials. Jenkins directed, co-wrote, and produced WW84, with a budget of over $200 million. Furthermore, Jenkins is a good friend of WW84 star, Gal Gadot (Diana – Wonder Woman). Gadot’s family and Patty Jenkins’s son have a cameo at the end of the film. By the way, as first reported by Variety, actress Gal Gadot was paid $10 million for this film (which she also produced) – 33 times more than what she made on the first film, Wonder Woman (2017) ($300,000). She certainly deserves that. There’s no doubt that the female touch and presence are being noticed in WW84, and that’s a good thing. That touch makes this a family movie. However, there’re some scenes that can be judged as inappropriate for children, so be aware of that. Nevertheless, as explained, my 10-year old son loved it!

There’s no doubt that the female touch and presence are being noticed in WW84, and that’s a good thing.

Final thoughts

As stated, watching WW84 in a theater can be a wonderful family experience. The action sequences are well made, which every shot, camera angle, and movement counts. Yes, they’re empty spaces here and there, holes in the script, and so on. But overall, WW84 might be the best family movie to be seen after a LONG time of COVID restrictions. The soundtrack, the film stock, the motions, and the emotions, all come together to remind us that cinema is one of the finest family recreations you can get. So, find your best theater, take your family, and go see this movie.