Parents' Guide to

Wonder Woman

Movie PG-13 2017 141 minutes
Wonder Woman Poster Image

Common Sense Media Review

Sandie Angulo Chen By Sandie Angulo Chen , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 12+

Engaging, entertaining, empowering superhero adventure.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 12+?

Any Positive Content?

  • 1:15
  • Wonder Woman Movie: Wonder Woman
  • Wonder Woman Movie: Wonder Woman uses the Lasso of Truth
  • Wonder Woman Movie: Steve Trevor

Parent and Kid Reviews

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age 12+

Based on 107 parent reviews

Skartz
Skartz Adult
August 16, 2020
age 7+

Great female role model grappling with the actions of humans

I am frequently surprised at the age range and reasons for them on this site. That a naked body is worse than violence or overt ad placement and consumerism. That mild sexually innuendo that kids will not get (if not exposed) or kissing like parents do is worse than overt sex talk, extremely stereotypical gender role reinforcement, and sexism. I showed this to my 7 year old daughter. Who had already read all the books, so she knew what to expect. Shes seen more kissing in younger range movies/animations. We also don’t promote being ashamed of naked bodies. In this movie, the male character is embarrassed at being seen naked! What we had to talk about was the violence, humans perpetuating war, use of weapons and the concept one-dimensional, evil people. Our best conversation was about how WW struggled with see the good in people in the face of war, but that she ultimately recognized love is what can make humans good. One of last scenes, where she sees parental love, love between friends, and romantic love really highlighted this philosophy. The violence was not gratuitous, although I did have to explain that people would not survive a lot of what happened. I could always do with less violence and CGI fight scenes, I don’t find it interesting or entertaining. It’s also a bit of a coming of age movie. About entering the ‘real world’ as an adult and struggling with the decisions one makes as an adult and not being ready. If you watch with your kids and engage with the plot lesson, it’s an incredibly enriching movie. Much better than more simplistic good vs bad superhero movies.
thetrina
thetrina Adult
December 28, 2018
age 17+

Disappointing

I took my then 13yo her friend, my 10yo and my MIL for a girls night movie. My fault I didn’t research the movie for appropriateness. (Wouldn’t have gone had I done so). After watching the girls crawl under the blanket at the “nude” man scene and trying to give the movie the benefit of the doubt, we get to the scene where WW and the hero are leaving the island by boat. We got up and left when they went on about self pleasure and if a man was necessary. Basing my ticket purchase on just the movies rating and description I let the manager know that it was a down played rated R movie and wanted my money back. I was refunded and have not trusted another movie rating or description again. I hope this aides others in whether to view or not view this film.
See all 107 parent reviews

What's the Story?

WONDER WOMAN starts off on the hidden Amazon island of Themyscira, where a young Diana desperately wants her aunt, warrior General Antiope (Robin Wright), to train her -- but her mother, Queen Hippolyta (Connie Nielsen), forbids it. Eventually the queen relents, and Diana (Gal Gadot) becomes the strongest warrior on the island, embracing the Amazons' responsibility of protecting humanity against Ares, the god of war. One day during World War I, an airplane crashes in the sea, and Diana saves the pilot -- the first man she's ever met. He's Steve Trevor (Chris Pine), a British spy pursued by the Germans, who soon descend upon Paradise Island and engage the Amazons in combat. After defeating the Germans but suffering losses, the Amazons want to kill or imprison Steve, but after he explains that millions are dying in The Great War, Diana decides it's her duty to help him. With her bracelets of victory, lasso of truth, battle shield, and magical sword, Diana goes to London with Steve in hopes of ending the war. There they team up with three of his friends on a mission to save the world from the plans of the evil German General Ludendorff (Danny Huston).

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (107 ):
Kids say (195 ):

Born to play the role of Wonder Woman, Gadot proves that women can be fierce and loyal, as well as empathetic, in director Patty Jenkins' epic, satisfying origin story. Some might be tempted to dismiss Gadot as just another pretty face, but -- as hinted at in her scenes in Batman v Superman -- she rises to the challenge of playing Diana as both ridiculously strong and sweetly naive. She's ready to fight, but she's even more focused on vanquishing evil for the sake of peace. Unlike Superman, Batman, or any of her male DC fellows, Wonder Woman isn't broodingly conflicted about her role or responsibility in the universe; she's hyper-focused on helping humanity and defeating the warmongering Ares. Whether it's Gadot herself or talented stunt actors, she shines in battle -- as do her Amazon relatives, particularly Wright as Antiope, the leader of the Amazonian army.

There's more romance in Wonder Woman than in many superhero movies (which means Pine has a bigger role than superhero love interests often do), but it's understandable given that it's Diana's origin story. It's especially funny that her first sight of a man would be the blue-eyed Steve, who acknowledges that he's an "above average" male specimen. Their bantery chemistry is predictable but sweet; who could fault either of them for falling fast and hard for each other? Steve's secretary, Etta Candy (Lucy Davis), is the funniest person in the film, with her sarcastic one-liners, but it's a bit of a shame that there's not more back story to help viewers connect with Steve's three mates: Chief (Eugene Brave Rock), a Native American smuggler; Charlie (Ewen Bremner), a Scottish sniper; and Sameer (Saïd Taghmaoui), a polyglot spy. At least the baddies are deliciously, unambiguously evil. And despite the requisite special effects-heavy fight scenes, everything is so personal for Diana that the battles are surprisingly emotional -- in a good way. With Wonder Woman on board, bring on Justice League.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about women's roles in comics and superhero films. What makes Diana a role model in Wonder Woman? How does her intelligence shine throughout the movie? What about the rest of the Amazons? What did you think about the fact that many of them are thin, conventionally beautiful, and wearing brief/tight-fitting outfits?

  • How do the characters in Wonder Woman demonstrate courage and teamwork? What about Diana's keen sense of compassion and empathy? Why are those all important character strengths?

  • What do you think about the way superhero movies depict violence? Is there a difference in the way you react to realistic vs. stylized violence? What's the impact of media violence on kids?

  • Wonder Woman, the character, was created in 1941 and has always been very popular. So why do you think it took so long for her to get her own movie? What about today's culture welcomes such a role?

  • How is Wonder Woman similar to and different from male superheroes like Superman, Batman, and Iron Man?

Movie Details

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