Fans going into Supergirl expecting something like James Gunn’s Superman will be a little disappointed. Fans going into Supergirl expecting something like James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy will be more disappointed. But fans going into Supergirl without overblown expectations, just looking to learn more about this character, this world, and have some fun along the way, will not be disappointed. They’ll be delighted.
The first clue as to what Supergirl actually is is its director, Craig Gillespie. Gillespie is probably best known for I, Tonya and Cruella, two other films about complex, fascinating women, and he really makes that the focus of this story too. Working from a screenplay by Ana Nogueira, Supergirl tells the multifaceted story of Kara Zor-El (Milly Alcock), one of the last two survivors of the planet Krypton. The other, her cousin Kal-El (David Corenswet), had his own movie last summer called Superman, a big, rousing, dynamic, hopeful adventure. Supergirl is not quite that, but for very good reasons. This film follows Kara as she navigates the burden of her past in ways Superman never could, while then getting roped into an adventure she doesn’t even want to be a part of. She’s annoyed. She’s depressed. And while the movie handles her emotions with a dash of whimsy, they make the journey she goes on that much more rewarding.
While off celebrating her birthday, Kara meets Ruthye (Eve Ridley), a young woman whose family was murdered. Ruthye is seeking revenge on the man who killed her family, Krem of the Yellow Hills (Matthias Schoenaerts), and asks Kara for her help. At first, Kara says no, but when Krem hurts her dog, Krypto, hunting Krem down is the only way to save him. With a common goal in place, the duo set off to bring Krem to justice.
Supergirl is all about these two (Image: Warner Bros.)While the general setup and characters of Supergirl are the same as its source material, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow by Tom King and Bilquis Evely, that’s about as far as the comparisons go. That comic is a total masterpiece: epic, violent, and profound. This movie is definitely epic, violent, and profound too, but just nowhere near the level of that original comic. But, as a result of being a little smaller and easier to digest, Supergirl takes many of the best beats of that story and gives them a bit more time to breathe.
That’s mostly felt in the relationship between Kara and Ruthye. Kara is a loner by default, so being forced to watch over almost a little sister doesn’t come naturally. Step by step, though, she grows into it, and together they teach each other valuable lessons about life, friendship, and family that resonate throughout the film. They make each other better in ways neither could’ve expected.
Supergirl also spends a very welcome chunk of its running time on Krypton, showing what happened to the planet and what Kara’s life was like there. This not only helps to explain why Kara is who she is, but also how she survived and what the planet stands for in the first place. These are elements Gunn’s Superman only alluded to, so it’s wonderful to get this context both for the DC Universe as a whole as well as for Supergirl and Superman. David Krumholtz’s grounded, human performance as Kara’s dad, Zor-El, stands out in these scenes.
Milly Alcock and David Krumholz in Supergirl (Image: Warner Bros.)Superman himself also plays a supporting role in the story, serving as a link to the overall universe, but also as a mirror to Kara. We see how he handles his responsibility, and watching Kara as almost a polar opposite adds even more impact to her arc. As a result, Supergirl is at its best when it’s not just a follow-up to Superman, but a companion piece, enriching both characters simultaneously, as well as the overall world.
Where Supergirl does slack a bit is in its tonal cohesion. Though the film’s marketing has leaned heavily into pop-rock music of the past (hence the Guardians comparisons), that is only part of the story. Instead, most of the movie is dark and almost a little scary. As we said, Kara is angry. So is Ruthye. And the two really struggle along the way, both as individuals and as friends. The story works, but there are moments here and there, be it a song or a reaction, that pump the brakes on the film’s momentum and seamlessness.
For example, in the middle of the film, there’s a big triumphant moment for Kara. It feels great. A wholly satisfying scene. And then, almost immediately after, the film totally undercuts that feeling, all but negating what just occurred. There’s also the inclusion of Jason Momoa as Lobo, who is fantastic in the role, but draws focus away from the main story whenever he’s on screen. We want to see more of him and what’s in here works, but it’s just not quite a perfect match. He’s almost too big for this decidedly supporting role.
Jason Momoa as Lobo (Image: Warner Bros.)However, by the time we get to the third act of the film, Gillespie has done a good enough job setting everything up that things really start to pay off in a big way. Huge, exciting action scenes make some not-so-great CGI feel forgivable. Kara’s emergence and embrace of who she is is calibrated for maximum effect. All of which is made possible because Supergirl has endeared us so completely to the humanity of Kara and Ruthye. We love to see them together. We love to see them grow. And there are some wonderful emotional moments where it all comes together.
Supergirl isn’t quite as great as Superman, but it’s a super solid follow-up nevertheless. Alcock is perfect in the role, Ridley is a wonderful sidekick, and together, they help teach us a bunch more about the overall DC universe. It’s a delightful, albeit flawed, ride.
Supergirl is in theaters on June 26.
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