Moments Only Adults Seem To Catch In Wonder Woman 1984
Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images By Shana Aborn/Jan. 18, 2021 9:48 am EST
The fantasy movie world got a major shot of girl power when Wonder Woman burst onto screens in 2017. The film raked in millions at the box office, made an instant star of Israeli actress Gal Gadot, and helped smash the stereotype that only guys can carry off a superhero starring role. Naturally, Warner Bros. wasted no time in planning a sequel, and so Wonder Woman 1984 hit both theaters and HBO Max this past December. The film was hailed by both audiences and critics as a much-needed treat during the dumpster fire that was 2020; Variety declared that it “whisks us away from our worries, erasing them with pure escapism.”
Younger viewers no doubt got a kick out of glimpsing a time in which phones had cords, people did the robot instead of flossing, and TikTok was just a sound made by clocks. The movie allowed older generations to relive that unforgettable time — and spot some things that millennials probably overlooked. Maybe you did, too.
The film has some anachronistic slip-ups
Shutterstock
The problem with period films is that it’s hard to get absolutely every detail right. Sometimes, as in the case of Bridgerton’s colorful costumes, it’s a deliberate production choice; other times, the anachronisms seem to be simple goofs. There are definitely more than a few of the latter in Wonder Woman 1984.
The nitpickers at IMDb point out a number of little gaffes. For instance, Steve and Diana are shown walking along the Reflecting Pool by the Washington Monument. The World War II Memorial is visible, a landmark that wouldn’t be built until 20 years after the film takes place. Another scene shows one of Diana’s coworkers getting his Dreamstone wish for coffee; trouble is, the takeout cups have the raised sipping-type lids that weren’t yet popular. Post-1984 video games are visible in a mall arcade, and a man is seen walking a Goldendoodle dog, a breed that didn’t exist back then. The biggest oops of all, notes Looper, is when villain Maxwell Lord broadcasts his “everybody wish!” message on TVs and computer screens worldwide. He might be able to do that today, but back in 1984, personal computers were just in their infancy. Only a lucky few had a Macintosh in their homes, and the internet as we know it didn’t come into widespread use until more than a decade later.
One accurate detail, though, is winning raves from those in the know. The film recreated the facade of Commander Salamander, an iconic punk-merch store still fondly remembered by DC residents (per WTOP).
The film repeats a tired stereotype
Jeff Kravitz/Getty Images
Sadly, Looper also notes that the Wonder Woman franchise’s girl-power message is watered down by the sequel’s use of a wheezy theme. Kristen Wiig departs from her comic roots to play Barbara Minerva, a mousy coworker of Diana’s who longs for Diana’s confidence and strength. The Dreamstone grants her wish and turns her into the super-powered Cheetah, who evolves into an “apex predator” who has to be defeated by Wonder Woman.
We’ve all seen this transformation before: Frumpy, introverted girl gets a makeover — sometimes it’s as simple as taking off her glasses and letting her hair loose from a tight bun — and suddenly she’s gorgeous, self-assured, and popular. Think Bette Davis in Now, Voyager, or Nia Vardalos in My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Heck, Anne Hathaway did it twice, in The Princess Diaries and The Devil Wears Prada. Why can’t Hollywood give us a heroine or villainess who’s cool without being glamorous?
Moments Only Adults Seem To Catch In Wonder Woman 1984
Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images
By Shana Aborn/Jan. 18, 2021 9:48 am EST
The fantasy movie world got a major shot of girl power when Wonder Woman burst onto screens in 2017. The film raked in millions at the box office, made an instant star of Israeli actress Gal Gadot, and helped smash the stereotype that only guys can carry off a superhero starring role. Naturally, Warner Bros. wasted no time in planning a sequel, and so Wonder Woman 1984 hit both theaters and HBO Max this past December. The film was hailed by both audiences and critics as a much-needed treat during the dumpster fire that was 2020; Variety declared that it “whisks us away from our worries, erasing them with pure escapism.”
Younger viewers no doubt got a kick out of glimpsing a time in which phones had cords, people did the robot instead of flossing, and TikTok was just a sound made by clocks. The movie allowed older generations to relive that unforgettable time — and spot some things that millennials probably overlooked. Maybe you did, too.
Younger viewers no doubt got a kick out of glimpsing a time in which phones had cords, people did the robot instead of flossing, and TikTok was just a sound made by clocks. The movie allowed older generations to relive that unforgettable time — and spot some things that millennials probably overlooked. Maybe you did, too.
The film has totally tubular details
YouTube
The film has some anachronistic slip-ups
Shutterstock
The problem with period films is that it’s hard to get absolutely every detail right. Sometimes, as in the case of Bridgerton’s colorful costumes, it’s a deliberate production choice; other times, the anachronisms seem to be simple goofs. There are definitely more than a few of the latter in Wonder Woman 1984.
The nitpickers at IMDb point out a number of little gaffes. For instance, Steve and Diana are shown walking along the Reflecting Pool by the Washington Monument. The World War II Memorial is visible, a landmark that wouldn’t be built until 20 years after the film takes place. Another scene shows one of Diana’s coworkers getting his Dreamstone wish for coffee; trouble is, the takeout cups have the raised sipping-type lids that weren’t yet popular. Post-1984 video games are visible in a mall arcade, and a man is seen walking a Goldendoodle dog, a breed that didn’t exist back then. The biggest oops of all, notes Looper, is when villain Maxwell Lord broadcasts his “everybody wish!” message on TVs and computer screens worldwide. He might be able to do that today, but back in 1984, personal computers were just in their infancy. Only a lucky few had a Macintosh in their homes, and the internet as we know it didn’t come into widespread use until more than a decade later.
One accurate detail, though, is winning raves from those in the know. The film recreated the facade of Commander Salamander, an iconic punk-merch store still fondly remembered by DC residents (per WTOP).
The nitpickers at IMDb point out a number of little gaffes. For instance, Steve and Diana are shown walking along the Reflecting Pool by the Washington Monument. The World War II Memorial is visible, a landmark that wouldn’t be built until 20 years after the film takes place. Another scene shows one of Diana’s coworkers getting his Dreamstone wish for coffee; trouble is, the takeout cups have the raised sipping-type lids that weren’t yet popular. Post-1984 video games are visible in a mall arcade, and a man is seen walking a Goldendoodle dog, a breed that didn’t exist back then.
The biggest oops of all, notes Looper, is when villain Maxwell Lord broadcasts his “everybody wish!” message on TVs and computer screens worldwide. He might be able to do that today, but back in 1984, personal computers were just in their infancy. Only a lucky few had a Macintosh in their homes, and the internet as we know it didn’t come into widespread use until more than a decade later.
One accurate detail, though, is winning raves from those in the know. The film recreated the facade of Commander Salamander, an iconic punk-merch store still fondly remembered by DC residents (per WTOP).
The film repeats a tired stereotype
Jeff Kravitz/Getty Images
Sadly, Looper also notes that the Wonder Woman franchise’s girl-power message is watered down by the sequel’s use of a wheezy theme. Kristen Wiig departs from her comic roots to play Barbara Minerva, a mousy coworker of Diana’s who longs for Diana’s confidence and strength. The Dreamstone grants her wish and turns her into the super-powered Cheetah, who evolves into an “apex predator” who has to be defeated by Wonder Woman.
We’ve all seen this transformation before: Frumpy, introverted girl gets a makeover — sometimes it’s as simple as taking off her glasses and letting her hair loose from a tight bun — and suddenly she’s gorgeous, self-assured, and popular. Think Bette Davis in Now, Voyager, or Nia Vardalos in My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Heck, Anne Hathaway did it twice, in The Princess Diaries and The Devil Wears Prada. Why can’t Hollywood give us a heroine or villainess who’s cool without being glamorous?
We’ve all seen this transformation before: Frumpy, introverted girl gets a makeover — sometimes it’s as simple as taking off her glasses and letting her hair loose from a tight bun — and suddenly she’s gorgeous, self-assured, and popular. Think Bette Davis in Now, Voyager, or Nia Vardalos in My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Heck, Anne Hathaway did it twice, in The Princess Diaries and The Devil Wears Prada. Why can’t Hollywood give us a heroine or villainess who’s cool without being glamorous?
