“Wonder Woman: Commemorative Edition” – Blu-ray Combo Pack Review

The Wonder Woman: Commemorative Edition allows fans to relive the awesomeness of Diana’s 2009 animated solo adventure.

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment provided me a free copy of the Wonder Woman: Commemorative Edition Blu-ray for this review. The opinions I share are my own.

Lauren Montgomery directed Wonder Woman from a story by Gail Simone and Michael Jelenic. It features the voice talents of Keri Russell (Diana/Wonder Woman), Nathan Fillion (Steve Trevor), Alfred Molina (Ares), Rosario Dawson (Artemis), Virginia Madsen (Hippolyta), David McCallum (Zeus), Marg Helgenberger (Hera), Oliver Platt (Hades), and Vicki Lewis (Persephone).

The 2009 Wonder Woman animated film serves as an origins story for the iconic hero. We are introduced to the mystical island of Themyscira where Diana is raised. Things change for the princess when Steve Trevor crash lands and Diana accompanies him to the U.S. On the other hand, Ares escapes imprisonment and is determined to start another World War. It is up to Diana to stop him and truly become Wonder Woman.

Here’s the official synopsis:

On the mystical island of Themyscira, a proud and fierce warrior race of Amazons have raised a princess of untold beauty, grace and strength – Diana. When U.S. fighter pilot Steve Trevor crash-lands on the island, the rebellious and headstrong Diana defies Amazonian law by accompanying Trevor back to civilization. Meanwhile, Ares (the God of War) has escaped his imprisonment at the hands of the Amazonians and has decided to exact his revenge by starting a World War that will last for centuries and wipe out every living being on the planet, starting with the Amazons. It is up to Diana to save her people and the world – by using her gifts and becoming the ultimate Wonder Woman!

While Diana isn’t my favorite comic book character, I do like her as a character and what she represents. Her solo animated film does a good job of fleshing her out as someone who is pure of heart and strives for peace. Wonder Woman also spends time on other Amazonian warriors as they play their respective parts in the story.  For action lovers, this film delivers. There’s a lot of fighting involved and the animation is smooth. There really isn’t a dull moment in the film.

Though Diana’s animated solo was released back in 2009, the Wonder Woman: Commemorative Edition includes extra features to celebrate the character’s 75th anniversary.

The packaging comes with a slipcover. The front has the beautiful artwork. In the back, you’ll get details about the film, more artwork (again gorgeous), and the list of special features you can treat yourself to. For Wonder Woman fans, the WW: Commemorative Edition provides a bit of help while we all wait for the live-action release starring Gal Gadot. It also offers another chance for people to see what makes Diana great if they haven’t watched the animated film yet.

The Blu-ray video offers 1080p High-Definition 16×9 Widescreen (1.78:1) which makes the color pop from the screen. Furthermore, the audio is English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 with French and Spanish Dolby Digital 2.0. The DVD video offers 16×9 Widescreen (1.78:1). The audio is English Dolby Digital 5.1 with French and Spanish Dolby Digital 2.0. The audio is crisp and shines during the sword-clashing battles. Subtitles are provided in English SDH, French, and Spanish.

There’s also more than an hour of extra features for you to enjoy!

• Featurette – What Makes A Wonder Woman: For 75 years, Wonder Woman has resonated with audiences because of her loving nature and quest for truth. Hear some of her biggest fans and fellow creators discuss how her qualities have crafted her into the icon we know today. This featurette is about ten minutes long.
• Sneak Peek – Batman and Harley Quinn: Sneak peek at the next DC Universe Original Movie, Batman, and Harley Quinn, featuring the talented creators and voice cast. This comes in at being nine minutes long.
• Creative Team Commentary: Scene and film analysis by producers Bruce Timm & Gregory Noveck, director Lauren Montgomery and screenwriter Michael Jelenic.
• Featurette – Wonder Woman: A Subversive Dream – A definitive look at a psychologist’s dream, and the rich history of one of the pillars of DC Comics. This featurette is about twenty-six minutes long
• Featurette – Wonder Woman: Daughter of Myth – This revealing documentary explores the archetype and tradition of the female DC Comics Super Hero. This enjoyable featurette is again approximately twenty-six minutes long.

The new release also includes trailers for DC Super Hero Girls: Hero of the Year, the live-action Wonder Woman, and Teen Titans: The Judas Contract.

For someone who might already have the previous release, the WW: Commemorative Edition only offers a few more featurettes. Considering the original movie got an R-rating and scenes had to be cut, I would’ve loved for the new release to include the R-rated footage.

The Wonder Woman: Commemorative Edition is currently available on Digital HD as well as the Blu-ray Combo Pack. It has a runtime of 75 minutes and is rated PG-13.

You can join the conversation on social media by using #WonderWoman75.

Have you watched the animated Wonder Woman yet? Let us know.

Author: Farid-ul-Haq

Farid has a Double Masters in Psychology and Biotechnology as well as an M.Phil in Molecular Genetics. He is the author of numerous books including Missing in Somerville, and The Game Master of Somerville. He gives us insight into comics, books, TV shows, anime/manga, video games, and movies.

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