'Batman v Superman' News, Spoilers: Wonder Woman Shines As Film Gets Middling Reviews

By Jackie Villegas, Christian Post Contributor Friday, March 25, 2016

Though the central conflict in "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" is between the two iconic superheroes Batman (Ben Affleck) and Superman (Henry Cavill), it is the women in the much-anticipated DC superhero film who are currently stealing the spotlight.

While most comic book fans are currently rushing to theaters to see how the battle teased in the film's title plays out, various media outlets have reported that it is Wonder Woman, played on the big screen for the first time by "Fast & Furious" actress Gal Gadot, who defies expectations. And now that the reviews coming in range from dismal (The Atlantic's review of the film is titled "Dawn of Rubbish") to middling, the superheroine may soon be the film's only saving grace.

Wonder Woman's portrayal in "Batman v Superman" will please those looking for feminist action heroes. Gadot's Diana Prince/Wonder Woman is shown to be neither a sex symbol nor anyone's love interest. She is more soldier than sex kitten and [spoiler] without her, both Batman and Superman would have succumbed to Lex Luthor's (Jesse Eisenberg) evil scheming in the film.

Though her screen time is limited, the superheroine's battle scene is one of the most satisfying features of the film. According to TIME and other media outlets, Gadot's performance in "Dawn of Justice" bodes well for the upcoming Wonder Woman stand-alone film.

Apart from Gadot's Wonder Woman, "Dawn of Justice" also features three other fierce females. Amy Adams reprises her role as Lois Lane, the tough-as-nails Daily Planet journalist. Diane Lane returns as Martha Kent, Clark Kent/Superman's mother, and Holly Hunter takes on the role of Senator June Finch, who takes Superman to task for the destruction his previous actions have caused.

In an interview with Reuters, Adams said that the film has "four really great female characters ... but not a single one of them is an archetype."

Adams also spoke about Wonder Woman, saying, "She's as elegant as a supermodel and she kicks it with the boys."

Gadot, who served as an enlisted solider of the Israel Defense Forces for two years, seems perfectly suited to her role. "She's been around, she's very experienced, she's darker, she's sassy, she understands a lot about mankind," the actress and former model said about her character.

"Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" is now in theaters.