FILM REVIEW: SUPERGIRL (12A) ESP RATING: 3/5
- sharonmcallister28
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
An entertaining cosmic adventure that never quite feels like the next big step for DC.
When the rebooted Superman landed last year, the reaction from critics was mostly lukewarm. A lot of people seemed underwhelmed – but it had its supporters.
Personally, I had a really good time with it.
Sure, I thought it could have been stronger considering it was launching DC's brand-new cinematic universe, but I walked out entertained and optimistic enough about what was to come.
That’s why, when I saw Supergirl getting a similar backlash, I wasn't too concerned.
Unfortunately, having now seen it, I have to admit I agreed with quite a few of the criticisms this time around.
Milly Alcock (from TV series House of the Dragon) stars as Kara Zor-El/Supergirl the free-spirited cousin of David Corenswet’s Kal-El Superman (who also cameos), who has a more jaded outlook on life after being raised on a chunk of her destroyed planet Krypton – and witnessing everyone around her die.
Inspired by the acclaimed Supergirl comic Woman of Tomorrow, the story follows Kara as she reluctantly joins forces with a young alien girl (Eve Ridley) on an intergalactic quest for vengeance after a ruthless enemy – Matthias Schoenaerts’ space pirate Krem – changes both of their lives forever.
The strangest thing about Supergirl is that it feels like a ‘filler’. This is only the second film in DC's brand-new universe, yet it seems more like the kind of standalone adventure you'd expect ten films into a well-established franchise. It doesn’t do anything to build the momentum, and because of that, it never quite feels as important as it probably should.
There's also something slightly unfinished about it. The CGI, while impressive in places, occasionally feels like it needed another few months in the oven. A handful of sequences have an oddly incomplete look, that pulled me out of the experience more than once.
That said, I should stress something – I was never bored.
There's always something happening. New planets, bizarre alien creatures, and inventive action sequences keep the pace moving.
That constant feast for the senses completely won over my seven-year-old son. His eyes barely left the screen, and by the end, he was confidently handing out a very generous 4.5/5.
Alcock also gives her all to the lead role – and Jason Momoa makes a noteworthy appearance as anti-hero bounty hunter/mercenary Lobo.
For me, though – while I ultimately found it entertaining enough – I couldn't shake the feeling that this should have soared to much greater heights.
ESP Rating: 3/5
Mike Clarke
Showcase Cinema De Lux Peterborough & Odeon Luxe Peterborough, Out Now
Cast: Milly Alcock, Matthias Schoenaerts, Eve Ridley, Jason Momoa, David Krumholtz, Emily Beecham & David Corenswet
Running Time: 1 Hr 48 Mins
Director: Craig Gillespie
Film Review Venue: Showcase Cinema De Lux Peterborough
For all the latest film information & showtimes at Peterborough’s Showcase Cinema De Lux & Odeon Luxe Cinemas go to www.showcasecinemas.co.uk and www.odeon.co.uk
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