SUPERGIRL – “Milly Alcock rocks as our hungover hero, but the Mad Max-esque sci-fi adventure around her plays it surprisingly much too safe”
RATING
DIRECTOR
Directed by: Craig Gillespie
MAIN CAST
• Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El / Supergirl
• Matthias Schoenaerts as Krem of the Yellow Hills
• Eve Ridley as Ruthye Marye Knoll
• David Krumholtz as Zor-El
• Emily Beecham as Alura In-Ze
• David Corenswet as Kal-El / Clark Kent / Superman
• Jason Momoa as Lobo
SYNOPSIS
It is based on the DC comics character of the same name.
Kara Zor-El celebrates her 23rd birthday by traveling across the galaxy with her dog Krypto. Along the way, she meets the young Ruthye Marye Knoll and encounters a tragedy that leads her on a "murderous quest for revenge.
REVIEW SUMMARY
In Craig Gillespie’s Supergirl, Milly Alcock rocks as our hungover hero, but the Mad Max-esque sci-fi adventure around her plays it surprisingly much too safe. That's ultimately the film's biggest flaw, as it needed to go bigger, weirder, and bolder to truly distinguish itself from Superman (which is simply a much stronger film). The problem certainly isn't Alcock. She makes for a kick-ass Supergirl, balancing heart, heartbreak, and stubborn toughness with ease. You’ll genuinely buy into Kara's inner turmoil and emotional baggage. Then there's her wonderful bond with Krypto, which serves as the catalyst for the entire adventure after the poor pup is hit with a poison dart and she sets out to find the antidote. Sure, it's a little John Wick – “don't mess with my dog” - but thanks to the emotional groundwork laid early on, it absolutely works. Another major highlight is Jason Momoa's Lobo. Honestly, this was a complete casting no-brainer. Momoa is clearly having a blast, chewing scenery just as enthusiastically as he chews on his cigar while tearing it up on his space motorcycle. Does he feel a little shoehorned into the story? Sure. But he's such an entertaining presence that it's hard to complain too much. Unfortunately, I can't say the same for much of the rest of the supporting cast. Eve Ridley's Ruthye Marye Knoll comes across as a little too wooden and one-note, while Matthias Schoenaerts' Krem of the Yellow Hills certainly looks intimidating but never feels like a genuine threat. Worse yet, he's simply not that interesting. His motivations are paper-thin, leaving the central conflict without much weight. The same can be said for much of the filmmaking itself. There are a few fun needle drops and a handful of memorable action beats, but nothing ever truly leaves a lasting impression. That's really the story of Supergirl as a whole - it's perfectly watchable and enjoyable even, but rarely exciting enough to demand a second thought once the credits roll. One aspect I wish we'd gotten much more of is Kara's relationship with Superman. Yes, Supes appears throughout the film, but it's largely confined to video calls and flashbacks. Even so, David Corenswet once again embodies the character beautifully, adding another layer of warmth and sincerity to his portrayal. In the end, Supergirl lands squarely in the middle of the superhero pack. Thanks to Milly Alcock, it's an enjoyable ride. It's just a shame the movie she’s in never reaches the same heights. As a result, this is one super cousin who's ultimately destined to be left in Superman's dust – for now.