Wonder Woman: Bloodlines Review (VIDEO SCRIPT)

After a brief re-telling of her origin that have some elements that are inspired by her live-action movie, while also adjusted to fit into the events of Justice League War, Diana finds herself up against Doctor Poison, Doctor Cyber, Giganta, Cheetah and Silver Swan in a situation that could literally wipe Themyscira off the map

I mean, yes; technically Themyscira isn’t on...ANY map. But you know what I mean

Plot

So let’s get this out of the way; this is in NO WAY beating the 2009 animated Wonder Woman movie. Not by a long shot

But as her first solo outing in animation since then and her first solo feature in DC’s animated movie universe, it’s actually pretty decent

And DC and Warner Brothers must’ve heard my critiques regarding the Death of Superman and Reign of the Supermen movies, because they avoided adapting a specific storyline from the comics and adjusting it to fit the established universe of the movies

Instead, they made their own unique story for the movie. And because of it, there was proper pacing, proper focus, no backtracking regarding why were the way they were needed to happen... Mostly because all of that was handled during the Superman films.

And because they learned their lesson from the Superman films, nothing felt out of place or awkward; it was a Wonder Woman movie that took place in the Justice League War universe and felt...whole

Characters

I always find myself enjoying Rosario Dawson’s take on Diana a lot more than I expect. And that’s mostly because when I initially think of Rosario Dawson in an animated DC movie, I immediately go back to her voicing Artemis in the 2009 Wonder Woman movie

But I’m really glad to see how much she’s made the role of Diana her own in this movie. Especially now that she has the proper amount of time to flesh out than she does in the animated Justice League films

Silver Swan and her sub-plot helped out a LOT in that regard, and honestly was one of the things that helped this movie be as good as it was.

Going back to Diana’s origin to help explain the relationship between Diana and Vanessa, how it strayed away because of the decisions of her mother, and how that severance impacted her motivations was the best route to go as far as getting us invested in why things were the way they were in the film.

Unlike another movie that adapted an arc that I treasure into this universe that was an overall disappointment...

Another thing I appreciated about this movie was that this is the first film since Justice League War that decided to change its art style

Every single film in this universe -- From Flashpoint Paradox to Batman Hush -- has the same art style, and Wonder Woman Bloodlines was the first to change it by softening the characters up a bit, while still acknowledging that it takes place in the same universe.

And also like the DC Animated films since Flashpoint Paradox, I wish that the animation was as fluid and as cinematic as it was BEFORE this animated universe started

No, seriously; go rewatch Superman/Batman Public Enemies or Wonder Woman 2009, and then watch ANY animated DC film since Flashpoint Paradox; the difference in the animation fluidity is like, night and day.

But, that’s what happens when you decide to release 4 animated movies in the same year...

Like I said before, Readers. Wonder Woman Bloodlines is NOT Wonder Woman 2009. But it’s a good time nonetheless

Because it was an original story and not one adapted by a beloved comic arc, it felt like it naturally belonged in the same universe as Justice League War

And both Diana’s development and her relationship and overall encounters with Silver Swan felt more..REAL than the recent adaptations they tried to shoehorn into this universe.

Worth a red box rental for sure or a stream on the DC Universe app when it becomes available.

As far as BUYING it? If you like the Justice League War series of animated films overall, it’s worth at least a DVD purchase.