Adoption at the Movies : Wonder Woman (SPOILERS) Adoption Movie Review

Saturday, June 10, 2017

Wonder Woman (SPOILERS) Adoption Movie Review

A race of Amazons has been left on Earth by Zeus to defend against Ares, the God of War, who hopes to destroy humanity. When a young Amazon named Diana learns that World War I is underway, she travels to the front lines, believing that Ares must be there, and that if she can only defeat him, she will end the war.

Along the way, Diana will learn the truth of how she came to be.

SPOILERS AHEAD THE REST OF THE WAY

The Adoption Connection - SPOILERS

Diana was told that she had no father, and that she was sculpted by clay. In truth, Zeus is her father, and she was created to be the only one strong enough to kill her half-brother, Ares. In an effort to protect Diana, her mother has decided that Diana must not learn the truth of her origin.

Strong Points

There’s so much to like in this movie. Diana decides to save the world, not because they deserve it, but because it is the right thing to do.

Diana shows mercy even to a great villain.

Diana’s mother caringly advises against Diana’s military training, saying “She is a child, please let her be so.” Diana does go through training, but it is refreshing to hear a voice asking for kids to be kids. Later, when Diana heads off to the war, her mother says, “You have been my greatest love; today you are my greatest sorrow.” It comes across as a genuine statement of the love her mother has for her.

Diana is one of several brave, courageous characters in the film.

Challenges - SPOILERS

Diana’s mother Queen Hippolyta initially told her that she sculpted her from clay. There’s a theme of secrecy that might not resonate well with adoption-connected audiences; Diana’s mother says that Diana “must never know the truth about who she is or how she came to be.” That might be the most blunt statement of secrecy about identity issues that I’ve heard in a film. Diana’s mother tells Diana,

“You are not an Amazon like the rest of us.” Later, Diana learns that Zeus is her father, and Ares is her half-brother.

Diana learns eventually that she was created to be “The Godkiller” – the only weapon strong enough to kill Ares. She eventually does kill him.

Diana’s aunt dies protecting Diana from a German bullet that was intended to kill her.

As the film is set in World War 1, there is violence and gunfire. A villain shoots one of his own soldiers to make a point. One of the generals on the British side seems unconcerned that his troops will die; he says “That is what soldiers do.”

Diana is not able to save everyone that she wants to save. I do wonder if that could be painful for kids who weren’t able to protect siblings from abuse in previous homes.

Recommendations

Wonder Woman is one of the best films I’ve seen this year. The violence in the film pushes it out of range for some younger viewers, and I didn’t like Queen Hippolyta’s intention to keep Diana’s origin a secret from her, but Diana does learn her origin, and she uses her origin to move the world closer to peace. Unfortunately, to do so, she must kill her half-brother. I could see the film possibly brushing up against some conflicted feelings some adoptees and foster children have towards their birth family, but overall, this one looks likely to be good for preteens and teens ages 12 and up. I appreciate the courage and bravery shown by Diana, her family, and her friends.