The recent installment from DC, titled “Supergirl,” brings a rebellious edge to the superhero genre. The film features Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El, whose persona shuns the traditional spandex for a vintage Blondie T-shirt, setting a notable contrast to her cousin Superman.
Kara’s character, infused with nonchalance and sarcasm, teeters between a renegade and a mischievous space explorer. Much of the movie places her in a galaxy teeming with cosmic debris, unruly characters, and quirky partnerships, creating an environment reminiscent of James Gunn’s “Guardians of the Galaxy.” The movie’s vibe diverges from other DC narratives, focusing on superficial glam with clever musical cues and a narrative true to an underdog arc.
Kara wants no part in it, but when the Brigand leader, Krem, poisons Krypto, she sets off to get the antidote that hangs around Krem’s neck.
The storyline, inspired by the comic-book series “Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow,” revolves around Kara’s journey from a distant, desolate place to an eventual superhero realization. Despite creative touches, some elements fall short of an exceptional narrative. The storyline, meant to channel a Western, positions Kara in the “hired gun” trope reminiscent of John Wayne’s character in “True Grit.” Though original storytelling might not be the film’s forte, it offers a reliable format for character development.
The film enlists an intriguing supporting cast. Seth Rogen lends his voice to an alien co-pilot, adding an amusing flavor to the sci-fi backdrop of rest stops and outer-worldly lanes. However, certain characters could have been sketched more intricately. Ruthye Marye Knoll, portrayed by Eve Ridley, brings a bloodthirsty drive that tilts toward overly serious. Meanwhile, Jason Momoa’s portrayal of Lobo rides the line between fitting caricature and excess, providing a character seemingly ready for a concert with a Kiss cover band.
“Supergirl” leans toward innovation in superhero storytelling, with nostalgic tunes from Modest Mouse and Jenny Lewis resonating throughout the film. Director Craig Gillespie uses IMAX to enhance the film’s visual storytelling. However, a definitive energy seems just out of grasp, held back by supporting roles failing to match Alcock’s vibrancy.
“Supergirl,” distributed by Warner Bros., carves a niche with a refreshing approach to superhero films but leaves some bits underwhelming. Rated PG-13 for its scenes of violence and action, its running time sits at 107 minutes. The film manages to capture attention but might fall short of viewers’ expectations with two and a half stars out of four.
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