10 Awesome Movies That Fail In The 3rd Act
2. Wonder Woman
For its first two acts, Wonder Woman is dangerously close to being a genuinely great film, and it's probably no coincidence that the tone and execution of the first two thirds have been extensively compared to the Marvel Cinematic Universe formula.
Eschewing the pervasive grimness of most prior DCEU films, Wonder Woman was vibrant and funny, in turn endearing the audience to the character of Diana Prince (Gal Gadot) while ensuring to demonstrate her mighty prowess in a supremely iconic way.
Yet ultimately that MCU comparison ends up being far truer than anyone ever expected, as Wonder Woman's third act falls into the same trap that they too often do.
Like Shang Chi, it devolves into a garish festival of wonky CGI during its climactic battle between Diana and Ares (David Thewlis).
Even if you can accept the silliness of peacekeeper Sir Patrick Morgan being Ares all along, the video game-y fight is a dreadful bore, and as much we love him, even a CGI armoured suit can't make Thewlis intimidating.
This schlocky fight ends up undercutting the idea that war is an inherent part of human nature, while also stifling the emotional impact of Steve Trevor's (Chris Pine) last-minute sacrifice.