Cert – 12, Run-time – 1 hour 48 minutes, Director – Craig Gillespie
When her dog has days to live, Kara Zor-El (Milly Alcock) searches planets to get revenge and the antidote, with a weapon-maker’s daughter (Eve Ridley) joining her, seeking vengeance for her parents’ murder.
Supergirl kills. Yet, this isn’t what differentiates her story from her cousin Superman’s (David Corenswet) DCU-launching venture last year. While that was a film full of hope there’s not so much pride and patriotic spirit on display here. The dial isn’t turned all the way to darkness and hopelessness, but Milly Alcock’s Kara Zor-El wanders the galaxy looking for planets with red suns in order for her powers to be toned down and her ability to get drunk turned up. Turning 23, she’s dwelling in the past that saw her sent away to Earth, much like her cousin, although long after the destruction of Krypton.
Floating in a sense of grief and isolation, Kara sets out for revenge when her beloved dog Krypto is suddenly poisoned, given three days to live, by pirate Krem (Matthias Schoenaerts). Alongside her is equally vengeful teenager Ruthye (Eve Ridley), insistent on her joining Kara so that she can kill Krem for the murder of her parents. The pair journey from planet to planet in search of, or sometimes having been taken by, Krem and his fellow pirates. Paired with the soundtrack there’s a feeling as scraps and bar fights unfold that calls back to DC co-head and producer James Gunn’s Guardians Of The Galaxy films.
Alcock makes for a likably sparky lead with a rebellious streak within her character’s charm. She works well with Ridley who settles in quickly and the pair form an engaging bond and journey, one where a clear effort has been put in to making this a tonally different film to Superman without feeling too intensely done or engineered. There’s an assured self-confidence on display, especially in the quips she cracks just before, or as, a fight breaks out.
The grief that the titular hero feels is delved into in a lengthy flashback sequence around halfway through, introducing further details in the second half much more than the bursts and suggestions we initially get. It’s with this that the film starts to slow down, trying to develop Supergirl but ending up dwelling a bit too much on the past at expense of the current action. There’s still an entertaining third act, even if the camera turns some of it into a bit of a blur as it chaotically spins around it before panning back to Jason Momoa’s flying-motorcycle riding bounty hunter Lobo – only lightly, although amusingly, featured.
However, the pacing of the film is disrupted somewhat with the flashbacks and the way they start to be leaned into after the main one showing Kara’s origins, or at least reason for being sent to Earth. The tone and style, unlike that of the wider film and Supergirl herself, feels more forcefully pushed, especially with the slower nature. Weighing down the plot that’s still building up to the final showdown with a more noticeably familiar arc, too. There are still some chuckles and likable action beats, and as a whole there’s a rather entertaining film here thanks to the central character and the spark she provides throughout; especially in contrast to her quick-to-protect-whoever cousin. There may be some bumps along the way, but Supergirl generally takes enjoyable, punchy flight in its action and push from Alcock in the lead role.
While flashbacks might start to wear it down and bring out conventions, Supergirl still makes for enjoyable, if at times bumpy, viewing. With help from Milly Alcock who brings out a spark and punchiness in both her character and the fights she’s involved in.
Just A Little Bit Random 