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Narrative Analysis: Wonder Woman

The character of Wonder Woman was first introduced in 1941, yet she did not appear in a solo film on the big screen until 2017. Amidst a male-dominated superhero film industry, Patty Jenkins’ Wonder Woman became one of the highest-grossing superhero origin films, captivating a global audience. Narrative structures are integral to fictional films, and this essay analyzes Wonder Woman within the classical Hollywood narrative paradigm, also known as the three-act structure, which consists of setup, confrontation, and resolution (Field, 1979). This analysis explores how the filmmaker employs specific techniques to sustain and enhance viewer engagement.

Act One: Establishing Space and Time

In the first act, the director skillfully uses spatial and temporal elements to immerse the audience in a well-defined setting. The film transitions from an expansive outer-space view, zooming in on Earth and further into the Louvre Museum in Paris, grounding the narrative in reality. These visual cues guide the audience in understanding the scene’s significance. “Within classic narrative cinema, space and time are coherently represented to achieve its realistic effect” (Hayward, 2013, p. 347). The use of an ‘old photograph’ as a plot catalyst extends the story’s duration, unveiling key events from the past. This frame narrative technique draws the viewer into a fictional universe, seamlessly depicting significant time shifts spanning many years (Bordwell & Thompson, 2008, p. 81). By manipulating space and time, the filmmaker establishes the plot as part of a broader serialized storytelling approach within the DC cinematic universe.

Act Two: Character Development and Special Effects

From the outset, the film develops character traits that enable viewers to analyze and connect with the protagonist. For instance, despite opposition, Wonder Woman remains steadfast in her mission, demonstrating perseverance, while her motivations are deeply rooted in love and compassion. “In general, character traits play a causal role in the overall story action. What helps make up a character serves a particular narrative function” (Bordwell & Thompson, 2008, p. 78). The audience's engagement hinges on the protagonist’s actions and reactions, fostering emotional resonance and authenticity, which sustain viewer investment even beyond the film’s duration.

Special effects, a hallmark of superhero films, play a crucial role in the second act. The use of CGI (Computer-Generated Imagery) enhances the action sequences and reinforces the film’s dynamic power balance. For example, the protagonist breaking through a brick wall to engage in battle underscores her journey and unwavering mission. Gunning (1990) noted that while some narratives create opportunities for spectacle, it is the spectacle itself that ultimately gives the film its substance (p. 394). Post-production techniques such as CGI allow filmmakers to refine or expand upon visual elements, reinforcing the film’s emotional and narrative impact. Thus, special effects serve as a vital tool in shaping the film’s overall meaning and engagement.

Act Three: Narrative Manipulation and Resolution

In the third act, the director strategically manipulates the depth of knowledge by initially restricting key dialogue to heighten dramatic tension. Later, the audience revisits the same dialogue with full context, revealing deeper insights into the protagonist’s journey. This flashback technique enriches the storyline, providing an alternative perspective. Bordwell and Thompson (2008) argue that a restricted range of knowledge does not necessarily create greater subjective depth (p. 91). For instance, the film subtly guides the audience to identify the antagonist through the protagonist’s beliefs before the antagonist’s physical reveal. Such analytical cues contribute to the narrative’s depth and complexity.

Conclusion

Wonder Woman employs multiple narrative structures, seamlessly integrating the classical Hollywood paradigm with dynamic cause-and-effect relationships, spatial-temporal manipulation, and character-driven storytelling. The film adheres to the conventional conflict between a protagonist and an antagonist, culminating in the protagonist’s successful mission and a formally resolved narrative structure. Additionally, the filmmaker enhances viewer engagement through special effects and restricted narrative techniques. The film also pays homage to historical and mythological elements, drawing from ancient Greek mythology as the source of the protagonist’s origins. Furthermore, by setting a significant portion of the story during World War I, a critical historical period, the film infuses its narrative with a sense of authenticity and grandeur, meeting audience expectations and reinforcing its thematic depth.

Author: Mathisha Mahawalage
Published: 15 March 2018

References

Field, S. (1979). Screenplay: The Foundations of Screenwriting. New York: Dell.

Hayward, S. (2013). The Key Concepts (4th ed.). Routledge, London.

Stadler, J. (2009). ‘Television and Narrative Structure,’ in J. Stadler & K. McWilliam (Eds.), Screen Media: Analysing Film and Television (pp. 172-182). Crows Nest, NSW: Allen & Unwin.

Gunning, T. (1990). ‘The Cinema of Attractions: Early Cinema, Its Spectator, and the Avant-Garde,’ in W. Strauven (Ed.), The Cinema of Attractions Reloaded (pp. 381-388). Amsterdam University Press.

Bordwell, D., & Thompson, K. (2008). ‘Narrative as a Formal System,’ in Bordwell, D. & Thompson, K. (Eds.), Film Art: An Introduction (8th ed., pp. 74-107). McGraw Hill, Boston.

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