Wonder Woman at the Oscars – Special Features #9

In this week’s post, I want to talk about two things. I want to talk about the categories that I could see Wonder Woman get nominated for. But, first, I want to talk about the ways in which people have reacted to the notion that Wonder Woman could be nominated for Best Picture. Let’s go. 

Now, I should say this before I start writing my thoughts on this discussion within the film buff community — Wonder Woman isn’t, in my opinion, one of the three best superhero films of the year. I, personally, prefer Logan, Spider-Man: Homecoming, and Thor: Ragnarok.

Here’s the thing, though; neither Ragnarok nor Homecoming changed the game in such a way that I think they should be recognized by a huge awards group. They are both great, fun superhero movies, but Logan and Wonder Woman are game changers.

However — and this is still my opinion — Wonder Woman, unlike Logan, falls victim to many of the regular superhero movie issues. The villain is really weak and the third act is sloppy. You can read my review of Wonder Woman here. And, as you’ll see, I thought it was a great movie. I really did.

Do I think Logan is a better movie than Wonder Woman? Yes. But Wonder Woman was a ‘bigger’ movie for general audiences, and most critics really enjoyed the film. Women all over the world appreciated the representation, and young women are falling in love with their ‘new’ big screen idol portrayed excellently by Gal Gadot.

For that reason alone, I think it has a chance at getting into the Best Picture category — but I, personally, wouldn’t put it in there. I think there are many better films that deserve recognition from the Academy, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Academy nominate Patty Jenkins’ inspiring superhero movie.

Unfortunately, the debate about its Oscar chances has gotten fairly rotten. Some fans of the film are outraged at the people that seem vehemently against the notion of Wonder Woman being nominated for Best Picture. It has gotten so bad that I’ve noticed writers ‘outing’ the people against Wonder Woman‘s Oscar chances, as they believe their disapproval of its chances represent veiled misogyny.

That type of writer might even consider my opinion about its chances for a Best Picture nomination to be another example of men speaking out against the film. But I do think it is a good point that had this been a male-led superhero movie, then some of the same people who are outraged at the thought of a Best Picture nomination for Wonder Woman probably would’ve championed the male-led superhero movie even if it had similar themes and issues.

We don’t know, but I digress. Just because I wouldn’t put it into the Best Picture category, it doesn’t mean that it won’t be nominated. Personally, I’d be more interested in seeing Patty Jenkins get a nomination for Best Director, than the film being nominated for Best Picture. Maybe that’s just me. But, when it all comes down to it, I, honestly, don’t think it will be nominated for Best Picture or Best Director.

Normally, superhero movies are always contenders in the visual effects categories, but — based entirely on the film’s final act — I wouldn’t give it a chance of getting in in a year that includes a Star Wars saga film, the mindblowing Blade Runner 2049, yet another stunning Planet of the Apes film, and a plethora of other superhero movies.

Other possible below the line nominations that could be awarded to Wonder Woman include Sound Mixing and Editing, Best Original Score, and Costume Design. But I don’t think it will be let into more than one or two categories if it doesn’t land a Best Picture nomination.

LAST WEEK: Updated Best Picture Predictions – Special Features #8

NEXT WEEK: TBD

– Jeffrey Rex Bertelsen