Wonder Woman 1984
This Games on Film comes from the perspective of a casual observer, someone who hasn’t followed the DC comics or cinematic universe too closely.
So anyway, the DC films have been somewhat of a mixed bag, with their decidedly darker tone compared to Marvel’s quippy action. Granted, DC attempted to “Marvel-afi “ some of their films with reshoots and such. However, these stylistic changes resulted in tonal clashes and inconsistencies. Most of this criticism could (and should) be directed at the likes of Batman vs Superman (2016) and The Justice League (2017). These films still continue to divide fans and critics even today, when conventional wisdom suggests moving on. (Besides, I thought Batman and Superman were super friends, what’s all this fighting about?)
Looking at the “now times”, DC’s recent efforts have seemingly started to swing towards a brighter cinematic universe, with an actual likeable and fun take on Superman in 2025. Fair to say this is something (most) audiences actually like to see. Not every DC superhero has to be dark and brooding like Batman.
It’s important to remember that characters like Batman and Wonder Woman got their start back in the 40s and, of course, have had many interpretations since then, and while there’s a certain baseline of characteristics, there is arguably no true definitive version of these characters. So, given the right creative approach, there is a world of possibilities, only detracted by audiences that have a set idea of what these characters should be.
(For the record, The Batman (2022) RULES!)
The Scene
This opening mall scene invokes everything 80s from its fashion, music, and yes, video games. The introduction to the Mall heist scene has a brief montage that shows the mall’s various stores, including a video arcade.
A kid enters the arcade carrying a drink and a stack of nachos(?) and joins a group of others surrounding the games. The kid bringing food and drink into the arcade is played as a sort of subtle joke, given the “NO FOOD OR BEVERAGES” signs on the walls. Anyone who’s had to deal with a greasy joystick can surely relate.
Interestingly, the extra in this scene, Andy Riddle, is credited as “Donkey Kong GEEK, but is clearly seen going up to a Miss Pac-Man machine. (Boy, I sure hope someone got fired for that blunder.) Furthermore, there appears to be no Donkey Kong machine at all. It’s possible Donkey Kong was originally supposed to be included, but either they couldn’t find one or had some sort of licence/clearance issue with Nintendo. Although both of these seem unlikely given the availability of Donkey Kong arcades and its appearance in other films.
Any nerd worth their pocket pouch, no doubt, noticed that the film has several inconsistencies with things not from 1984 making an appearance. Most notable: Operation Wolf (1987) and Rampage (1986). These two machines are most prominent in this short sequence. The games, though iconic, didn’t come out in or before 1984. You’d think someone on the crew would have noticed; perhaps a wizard did it?
The other machines are as follows…
Left front to back
Galaga (Namco,1981)
Defender (Williams,1981)
Tempest (Atari, 1982)
Scramble (Stern,1981)
???
Gyruss (Konami,1983)
Right front to back
Gauntlet (Atari,1985)
Operation Wolf (Taito,1987)
Miss Pac-Man (Namco,1981)
Centerpide (Atari,1982)
Burger Time (Data East,1982)
Star Castle (Possibly) (Cinematronics,1980)
Centre
Bubble Hockey. Appears to be USA VS USSR. CHEX (1981)
Rampage (Bally Midway,1986)
Why 1984 won’t be like 1984
Why 1984? Director Patty Jenkins set the film in the mid-80s, being the supposed peak of Western excess and wealth. A topic the film covers and comments on with its main villain, the sleazy fat cat businessman, Maxwell. 1984, specifically, could also be a possible reference to the 1948 novel Nineteen Eighty-Four (1984) by George Orwell. However, WW84 only has a few passing similarities to the novel.
The film could have just as easily been “Wonder Woman 80” and been an interpretation of the decade as a whole, which is something it already sort of does. Not picking a specific year would also have avoided the several “time” inconsistencies the film has.
A few time-travelling arcade machines aren’t really a big deal and are something only die-hard fans would likely pick up on. Given the detail paid to everything else, it would seem they just favoured the 80s aesthetic over being 100% accurate.
I some times try and look for thematic reasons for why certain games are included in their films. While there doesn’t seem to be any out right theming this time around, other than the machines used are now iconic staples of 80s arcade. There is however a slight theme of America v USSR (Russia.) Fore instance the “Miracle on Ice” USA VS USSR ice-hockey bubble dome. Variations on the idea of USA V USSR arguably became a recurring theme through the 80s, such as with Rocky IV and other videos games like Rush’n Attack.
MALL ARCADES IN MOVIES
While not the first example of a movie Mall arcade I’ve covered, it is the first retrospective one. Previously, I’ve looked at the Mall arcade from T2 (1991, GOF#3), which shares similarities to WW84 in that it was also filmed inside a real Mall, with the arcade being a set created for the film.
The Mall arcade in Dawn of the Dead (1978,GOF#17), being from the late 70s, is a little more difficult and perhaps unfair to compare. The sequence in that film also has more of a focus on the characters playing the games, so an idea of place or what the arcade actually looks like isn’t really seen. In T2 and WW84, we see more of the actual arcade. Plus, they’re closer in real time, so there is more of a comparison to be made.
Time-out was an actual chain of arcades in America from the 70s to the mid-90s. At first, I was unaware and thought they’d just chosen some generic name like “Time-Out”. Being based on an actual arcade does give it more credibility and attention to detail. The layout and design in the film are fairly faithful to the actual “Time-Out” arcades, such as the no food and drinks signs and circular walls. The attention to detail is almost enough to overlook the historical inaccuracies (almost!)
Despite being based on a real-world franchise, the arcade in WW84 could still be seen as an idealised re-creation of the 80s Mall arcade. It was, of course, done retrospectively, so it had a decade of history to draw inspiration from. While T2 was set and made in the early 90s, so obviously, it only had what was current and what had come before it as a reference point. The arcade in T2 also plays a more significant role in the film, being the place where the T-1000 tracks down John Connor. While in WW84, it serves as scene setting and has no consequences in the film’s plot.
I think the arts and props department did a really good job recreating the 80s aesthetic. The scene is without a doubt a highlight of the film. Despite the attention to detail, however, everything is just a little too clean. (It doesn’t feel lived in) Having not experienced American arcades in the 80s firsthand. I can’t claim to have any authority, but from anecdotal evidence I’ve heard and read, Mall arcades and arcades in general could sometimes be darker and seedier places, not to mention the big kids hogging the machines. Whether it was intended or not, the film firmly wears its rose-tinted glasses. Showing how 80s malls and arcades are perhaps mistakenly remembered.
1984, more like 1980-bore, “Mini” review (moderate spoilers)
After a so-so flashback in Themyscira that feels longer than it is, the film gets to its real beginning with a strong, fun action sequence where Wonder Woman foils a heist at a Mall. It’s full of energetic comic book action with plenty of 80s energy. Sadly, after this strong start, the action set pieces like these are few and far between, with long stretches where Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot) is out of her costume.
The Diana Prince-focused parts aren’t so bad and do have some decent character moments, even if at times motivations and the internal logic get a little muddled. Such as with Diana’s reincarnated (by a wish) boyfriend.
The core premise of the film centres around a magic stone that grants wishes; that falls into the hands of a failed businessman, who fits the sleazy car salesman stereotype to a T. (Emphasis on the T if you know what I mean.) One problem is that the rules aren’t 100% clear and could have benefited from being more grounded. How does the wishing work? The film touches on this, but it is sort of waved away with a quick fix.
I liked Pedro Pascal as the aforementioned faux businessman, Maxwell Lord. He delivers good manic villain energy. I also liked that his character had more complexity than the average stereotypical rich guy villain. Showing how he had a difficult childhood and an abusive father, which affects his relationship with his own son. Something he eventually resolves, so the villain does get some sort of redemption.
The secondary “villain”, Barbara Minerva/ Cheetah (Kristen Wiig), at times feels a little separated from the other plot lines.
Barbara is your average unsung employee at her museum. When she meets Diana and sees how confident she is, Barbara wishes she could be more like her. Of course, this means not only does she get Diana’s outward confidence, but she also gains Wonder Woman-like powers that eventually turn her into a cat person for some reason. (I suppose it’s from the comics?) At the very least, Cheetah gives a villain that can physically match Wonder Woman, so they have some interest in that regard.
The balance of Wonder Woman and Diana parts could have been handled better. I liked Diana’s character,and Gadot plays both parts well, but I think other superhero films have better managed the screen time for the alter ego and hero. Such as the Raimi Spider-Man series. and BATMAN (1989).
Continuing with the Raimi Spider-Man comparison for a bit, the action sequences, particularly the opening mall scene, with its mix of whimsy, cool superhero action, practical stunts and interesting camera moves, reminded me of the action from those Spider-Man films. (This is a good thing.)
Despite its testament to practical action and set, it doesn’t quite reach the high of the aforementioned Spidey. However, the film is a fine addition to the superhero film catalogue and stands out from the dark and dull DC superhero movies that came before (not so much counting the Nolan Batman or Batman (2022).
Some skips in logic, such as a World War I pilot knowing how to fly a modern jet fighter, can be waved away to an extent. This is a fantasy world where superheroes and wishes are real, so I think some details can be forgiven, and action films in general are best viewed with a sense of wonder and not to take things too seriously.
To conclude
For a film that claims an 80s focus, they could have pushed the 80s angle even more; as it is, it’s fairly surface-level, perhaps leaving a few things on the table. It could have been interesting to see the tackle more social commentary associated with the 80s. As mentioned, there are long periods with no action, and the film is a little long in general and would have benefited from a second pass or two at the ol’ editing station. Overall, it’s decent fun, good action-set pieces shot on real film, with practical stunts and sets. The highs are high but are let down by some internal logic. That said, it’s still worth checking out for the mall scene alone.
The film aside, this might not have been the most action packed examples of a game on film, after all no actual game play was seen. However the inclusion of an actual real world arcade brand [TIME-OUT] from back in the day was a really nice touch.
Another mall arcade for the books. There are many more movies, with many more malls, so it’s only a matter of time before we’re here again, looking at another one.