This past weekend, DC’s newest film Wonder Woman hit theaters and shattered box office records. Never before has a superhero film with a female lead been made, but director Patty Jenkins was able to create a phenomenal reincarnation of the classic heroine, raking in over $100 million in its opening weekend alone.

Right from the beginning, Jenkins’s movie starts out strong with a simple and concise origin of Wonder Woman and her people, the Amazons of Themyscira. It then dives right into Wonder Woman’s childhood and how she was raised to be a fierce and powerful warrior. The majority of the movie takes place during the end of World War I where Wonder Woman ventures outside of her home and journeys all over Europe, fighting alongside her new comrades.

The movie as a whole is incredible. From acting to directing, to writing and action, Wonder Woman set the bar high for future DC films.

Gal Gadot was without a doubt the best choice to play Wonder Woman. She not only excels at bringing the character to life in terms of action, but she is also able to present the warrior’s caring and empathy for all of mankind. Being secluded on an island of ancient warriors, there are so many things in life that Princess Diana doesn’t understand. When she’s brought to the trenches of war as Wonder Woman, she can’t fathom how so many people could be suffering. All she wants is to step up and protect them, to help them.

In my opinion, Wonder Woman is the first superhero movie to deal with real life issues, even though it takes place almost a century ago. For the most part, superhero movies revolve around a hero and his enemy, fighting it out in a city. Wonder Woman deals with things like war and suffering and those who are fighting for freedom, equality, and peace.

Wonder Woman is also the first superhero movie to deal with the issue of gender equality and women’s roles in society. While she is traversing around Europe, she is expected to wait for her male counterpart, played by Chris Pine, and hang on to his every word and simply be in the background because she is a woman. No one believes that she is capable of fighting, let alone stopping the war altogether.  But she proves them wrong and in the end it is a battle between her alone and Ares, the God of War, where eventually Wonder Woman comes out on top as the victor. Wonder Woman sets an example for young girls and boys about how it doesn’t matter who you are, as long as you fight for what you believe in, anything can be accomplished.

I can’t wait to see Wonder Woman again in Justice League come November and any other movie in which she appears. If this movie is any indicator, the next time Gal Gadot dawns her Wonder Woman uniform, it’ll be sure to impress.