DC Studios' second foray onto the silver screen once again spotlights a member of the "Fam of Steel". Fresh off Superman's success last summer, the DC Universe franchise now offers up Supergirl, with Milly Alcock's heroine taking center stage after her cameo in the Man of Steel's solo adventure. It's very much here to recreate the vibes of James Gunn's film, but can it recreate that success?
That's looking less likely, as the film's box office performance is already looking less super than hoped. Things aren't much better from the critical standpoint either, as the film has received pretty mixed reviews - showcasing what a divisive film it actually is. And it is true, there are plenty of both issues and strengths in Supergirl, which make determining if it's a success story much more difficult.
With that in mind, let's dive into everything the DCU movie gets right (and everything it gets wrong).
SUCCESS: Milly Alcock's performance
There are many issues with Supergirl, but Supergirl herself is not one of them. Ever since Milly Alcock made her debut as the Girl of Steel in Superman, audiences have been excited to see her in action and I'm thrilled to report that she exceeds expectations. Kara is a firecracker who commands your attention and Alcock delivers at every turn, effortlessly imposing that grit that the character requires while also shining in her quieter, more subtle moments.
The script demands a lot from her and she delivers. It's not surprising after her breakout performance as Rhaenyra Targaryen in House of the Dragon but she ups the ante here, particularly in moments in which Kara struggles with the destruction of Krypton and the loss of her home. Although the character acts out a lot, it doesn't particularly feel forced because of the way that Alcock approaches the role. She's full of energy and this is just another chance to see her at her very best.
FAILURE: Krem is a disappointing villain
Sorry, Krem of the Yellow Hills: You just aren't that interesting. That very much seems to be the consensus from those who have watched Supergirl, deeming the film's primary villain underwhelming at best. And, you know what, I'm not going to argue with them.
Despite a committed performance from Matthias Schoenaert, the character just doesn't land. He feels like a supporting villain, a henchman, from the beginning and doesn't lose that. He has little aura and - much as we've seen in previous DC projects - unnecessary violence and disgusting habits do not conceal that. In many ways, they simply draw the issue further into the light.
Lesser-known comic book villains are always an opportunity for a movie adaptation to say something - and, by effect, turn those lesser-known villains into legends - but Krem has nothing to say. He's just there as an obstacle waiting to be conquered.
SUCCESS: The film's overall story is good
While Supergirl's script has pacing issues, the general story is actually pretty compelling. We knew that the chaotic, in-your-face Kara Zor-El that we met in the closing moments of Superman would eventually find her purpose and that's very much what Supergirl is about. The Girl of Steel is still struggling with the fallout of losing her loved ones on Krypton, resentful of the hand that life has dealt her. She has no "home" and she's acting out as a result of that. But when Krypto the Superdog gets injured, she flies into action to save him - showing that, at her heart, she has always been a hero.
It obviously takes its cues from the Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow comic book while also making its own alterations along the way. This serves as a solid character journey for Kara and gives Milly Alcock a strong opening story, setting the stage nicely for her return in next year's Superman sequel Man of Tomorrow. There were notable issues, sure, but the story gets Supergirl to where she needs to be.
FAILURE: It tries too hard to be Guardians of the Galaxy
Setting Supergirl in space was a great opportunity to differentiate it from Superman. That does not mean that it needed to become every other space-set western superhero movie ever. Yes, I'm referring to Guardians of the Galaxy - which, not so coincidentally, was directed by DC Studios CEO and Chairman James Gunn. It's such an obvious comparison to make, which is why I don't want to make it, but it's so obvious in its attempts to subvert the superhero genre that it feels like a rip-off of the movie that did it best. And we don't need another one of those.
Space, creatures, bars, over-the-top jokes, '80s-inspired needle drop moments, generally light-hearted and yet needlessly crude and violent? Supergirl checks all of the Guardians of the Galaxy boxes and it suffers because of that. A triumphant, more straight-forward Supergirl story would have served everyone here much better - and it probably would have been a lot cheaper than this, too.
Not every DC movie needs to feel like a James Gunn movie. And considering that Gunn himself didn't direct this one, fans aren't happy that it does.
FAILURE: Poor CGI in the final act
There are moments of brilliance in Supergirl and quite a lot of those come in the final act of the movie. Unfortunately, there is one big issue present in that act, too. And it's a problem that has plagued a lot of superhero movies - but, more specifically, DC movies - in recent years. We're talking of course about the dodgy CGI.
The final battle sequence, in which Kara battles Krem and the Brigands on their ship, is so needlessly overindulgent in CGI spectacles that it falters almost immediately. It then proceeds to get worse the longer that it goes on, with dull, uninspired, brown sand clogging up the screen as loud, noisy, poor-looking explosions burst through it, making way for the admittedly solid action sequences that closed it out. It's just not nice to look at and it prevents Supergirl from having anything to say because it's just one of the many DC movies that ended in a dull, ugly battle with too much going on - and very little of it succeeds.
The first few seasons of the Arrowverse Supergirl TV series from a decade prior had better visual effects than this. And that should not be the case for a $170 million blockbuster movie.
SUCCESS: The action is fantastic
While the CGI does admittedly let the big set pieces in Supergirl down, the action scenes are easily among the movie's best moments. Too often, the more super superheroes rely on punch, fly, triumphant landing, and more of the typical tropes, but Supergirl ups the ante in a way that actually feels worthy of the character.
Kara isn't a polished fighter like Superman, she's a brawler with more raw power behind her punches - and that really comes across in the film. She's intense, visceral, and unrestricted, meaning that when she's allowed to let loose - she really goes for it. And it's oddly wonderful to see, because she holds nothing back - using her might and abilities in the only way she knows how: Attacking head-on.
There are a few moments in the Supergirl series in which Melissa Benoist's Kara was truly allowed to let loose and it really highlighted how much she is holding in; because when she lets go, it makes for a truly powerful moment. The same can be said about the DC Universe's Girl of Steel too. Raw power - literally and figuratively.
FAILURE: Lobo doesn't have a real purpose
There is no doubt abou it that Jason Momoa's performance as Lobo is one of the real highlights of Supergirl. This was one of the great fan-castings that actually came to life and it was worth the wait in terms of performance. Momoa really ate the scenery up and brought some serious scenes to life with his larger-than-life portrayal. And yet, it never really felt like the film gave him enough to work with.
The best way that I can describe it is that Lobo feels like a character who we have already met before. Supergirl's script relies on the fact that you know who he is going into it, so he's just there as a guest star in a surprise moment. He has no real storyline, he doesn't service Kara's arc, and he has a little impact on Rutheye's storyline. But, other than showing up just in the nick of time to save our heroes (multiple times!), there's very little substance there.
Momoa's appearance felt like a cool crossover. In order for it to work, we needed to have seen Lobo's story prior to - or during - this. He was just there, tearing up the screen and looking badass while doing it. But he was already all of those things. Lobo deserved better than that.
Supergirl has arrived in movie theaters.
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