Supergirl: A Super Powered 'Bad Girl' Grows Up Amid Echoes of Guardians of the Galaxy
By John Kirk:
Rating: A-
On one level, Supergirl is now a sixtysomething teenager. The 1959 cover of Action Comics #252 reveals a blonde adolescent flying out of a crashed rocket in front of Superman.
Later revealing herself to be his cousin, Kara Zor-El, the decision was that Supergirl would take on the identity of Linda Lee, an orphanage-sequestered secret weapon, kept in reserve for when Superman needed her.
Out of sight, out of mind, the demure and meek Maid of Might, was completely subservient to her older cousin’s wishes, hardly getting the superhero origin story she deserved. Meh, it was the ‘50s.
Supergirl (Milly Alcock) faces down Krem (Matthias Schoenaerts) using her attitude super-power.
But producer James Gunn’s Supergirl takes a different stance; one that’s more updated and definitely more relevant than her original incarnation.
In this film, teen rebel Kara Zor-El, aka Supergirl (Milly Alcock) has her own spaceship, and buzzes around the cosmos on an interstellar birthday pub-crawl with her faithful dog Krypto in tow. Buzzing is an appropriate term since Kara is deliberately choosing red sun planets to get drunk on, the better to experience the hangover.
Remember: like her cousin, her powers derive from a yellow sun.
She’s unkempt and living like a slob. And when her boy scout cousin, Kal-El (David Corenswet) calls to check on her, she promptly hangs up to avoid talking with him. Supergirl obviously has some issues.
But her own inner-heroine gets tweaked when she meets Ruthye (Eve Ridley), the daughter of a murdered family who seeks revenge on the Brigands, led by Krem of the Yellow Hills (Matthias Schoenaerts). This draws our reluctant super-hero into action and our story begins.
There are three factors that make Supergirl an entertaining film.
First: invulnerability. The age-old problem in writing a Superman story is that he’s practically god-like. How do you write a story that gets around the simple fact that our favourite Kryptonian can level mountains? Simple: you have to manufacture a believable weakness other than the old chestnut of kryptonite.
Not to say that kryptonite doesn’t get its fair use in this film, but it’s the emotional vulnerability of Supergirl that really is the character’s Achilles Heel here. She’s hurting, but taking care of both her dog and her new, young friend Ruthye brings out the adult in her. And that growth allows us to relate to Kara more easily.
Second: this is more of a science fiction than a super-hero story. It’s easy to hear echoes of James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy in this film. The different planets that Kara and Ruthye visit in their pursuit of the Brigands are neatly categorized and detailed by a brief descriptor in the corner of the screen, giving the galaxy a more intimate feel. Not only does Supergirl understand her native Kryptonian and Earth American English, but she’s a true citizen of the cosmos as demonstrated by her knowledge of alien linguistics and cultures.
But one of the most entertaining DC Comics sci-fi characters is also present in this film: the mad Czarnian bounty-hunter, Lobo (Jason Momoa). We don’t get enough of this cigar-chomping insane space biker, but there’s so much backstory in this character that it would run the risk of overshadowing the main story. The well-cast Momoa adds a comedic dimension to the story.
Third: back story. Not only do we learn about Kara’s family, but we are reminded her family is also Superman’s. Her father, Zor-El is his uncle. We see Kryptonian culture, architecture, science, and learn more about the different reasons why Kara and her cousin were sent to Earth. Superman and Supergirl aren’t just heroes with near-limitless power. They’re also characters with depth, and their relationship here adds layers to this Man of Steel.
Ultimately, Supergirl is a story of dealing with loss and managing grief. It’s a movie that reminds us to celebrate what we have instead of wasting energy mourning what we’ve lost. Loss is emotional kryptonite we all share, and it’s clear that Supergirl, despite all her incredible power, also feels it.
Supergirl. Directed by Craig Gillespie. Produced by James Gunn. Stars Milly Alcock, Matthias Schoenaerts, Eve Ridley, David Corenswet, David Krumholtz, Emily Beecham, Jason Momoa.
Supergirl is in theatres Friday, June 26.