Supergirl Review | DC Finally Gives Kara Her Own Identity

Possibly the biggest concerns heading into Supergirl was whether we'd just be getting a Superman movie with a skirt… Thankfully... that's not what DC Studios delivered.

What they gave us a movie that understands who Kara Zor-El is and, more importantly, why she deserves to stand on her own.

Supergirl slightly exceeded my expectations. It's a fun, emotional and yes… occasionally messy sci-fi adventure that isn't trying to reinvent superhero movies... But honestly, I don't think it needed to.

At its core, this is a story about revenge, healing and figuring out who you are.

In a time when shared universes seem obsessed with setting up the next big event, Supergirl does something refreshing... it focuses on Kara.

I appreciate that.

A Simple Story That Didn't Need To Be Complicated

The story is pretty straightforward, but I don't see that as a negative.

This movie isn't trying to be some Christopher Nolan-style puzzle box where you're piecing everything together by the end. It's essentially a revenge story mixed with a young woman trying to find her place in the universe. Sometimes that's all you need.

The pacing is definitely fast... especially during the opening act. At times it feels like the movie is sprinting from one scene to the next before everything has a chance to breathe. Unfortunately, that's where the villain of the film, Krem, suffers the most. Thats not to say the actor doesn’t do a good job in the role… because he does. But the character never feels fully realized. We never really get inside his head or understand what drives him beyond being the guy everyone is chasing. He's serviceable... but that's about it.

There are also a few plot conveniences that stood out to me. Why does Krem already have Kryptonite arrows? How does he know Kryptonite is what weakens Kryptonians? Lobo literally watches Kara beat up everyone in that bar, but somehow buys that she's just some random traveler a few minutes later? And the biggest one for me... if a yellow sun can heal Kara after Kryptonite poisoning, why wasn't that same solution used for Krypto?

None of those things ruined the movie for me... but they definitely crossed my mind while watching.

Milly Alcock Is Supergirl

There is no denying that Milly Alcock is Supergirl. There is no "she could become Supergirl." or "she's a good casting choice." Or even, she will become the character in “x” amount of movies. She is Kara Zor-El.

From the moment she appears on screen, she completely owns the character. She captures Kara's pain, loneliness, stubbornness and vulnerability without ever making her difficult to root for.

I actually found myself thinking about Man of Steel after watching this. Both Kara and Clark are dealing with isolation and trying to figure out where they belong. The difference is Kara wears those emotions on her sleeve. She's more impulsive... more emotionally damaged... and she handles that loneliness in a much rougher way.

She’s also still incredibly likable. And that's what impressed me the most.

I think the most important aspect is.. this never feels like "Superman in a skirt."

This feels like Supergirl.

She has her own personality... her own struggles... her own journey... and by the end of the movie you completely understand why this character deserves her own place in the DCU.

Ruthye Is The Emotional Heart

As great as Milly Alcock is... Ruthye, played by Eve Ridley, might actually be the emotional backbone of the entire movie.

Her revenge story gives Kara someone to mentor while also forcing Kara to confront the kind of hero she wants to be.

Eve Ridley was perfectly cast. She brings so much sincerity to the role that it's hard not to become invested in her journey. Their chemistry together carries the emotional weight of the movie.

I especially loved how everything wraps up.

Having Kara stop Ruthye from taking revenge preserves Ruthye's innocence. Kara has lived a much harsher life, so having her make that difficult decision instead just felt right. It completes both of their arcs in a really satisfying way.

Jason Momoa Was Born To Play Lobo

There is no debate anymore... Jason Momoa is Lobo.

Every single time he shows up, he steals the scene. He's funny... chaotic... completely over the top... and somehow never overshadows Kara. More importantly, he actually serves parts of the story.

He isn't there just so fans can clap because Lobo showed up. His role has some meaning to the story while naturally expanding this corner of the DC Universe.

And after seeing him here...Yeah... give him his own movie.

Action, Visuals And Music

The action isn't constant, but I actually think that's a good thing. When the movie does decide to throw down, I think it does so decently.

I also thought a few of the action scenes looked cleaner than what we saw in Superman. And for me specifically, the sequence after Kara is poisoned by the husband and wife is probably my favorite stretch of the entire movie, I also had a blast with the final battle too... even if I wasn't a fan of the song choice during the ending.

Visually... this movie is gorgeous.

And yes...

I actually think it looks better than Superman.

The cinematography is stronger. There are shots throughout this movie that are going to stick with me for a long time. Lobo's entrance on his bike is incredible, and Kara screaming into the emptiness of space is easily one of the film's best images.

For me though… the biggest surprise was the Universe building. (Not franchise building)

Space actually feels alien.

There are so many different species, planets and creatures that the DC Universe suddenly feels massive. It's honestly kind of crazy that with one movie, DC managed to make space feel more alive than some franchises cough Star Wars cough have been able to do over the last 10 years.

My only little nitpick with this aspect though… An awful lot of aliens speak English. I guess it's easy enough to move past, but I definitely noticed it.

Moving on to the score, Claudia Sarne also deserves a ton of credit. Her Supergirl Suite is outstanding and, for me, it's the best musical theme we've gotten in the DCU so far.

Ironically, my biggest complaint isn't the score... It's the licensed music.

Some of the needle drops worked, but more often than not they pulled me out of the movie. The biggest offender was the final cover of "In the Middle."

I understand why they used it... I just don't think it landed.

DC Studios Is Focusing On Characters First

This might actually be my favorite thing about the movie.

Not the action, not Lobo, not even Milly Alcock.

It's the philosophy behind it.

This movie isn't spending two hours desperately trying to tease the next ten projects. It's trying to make you care about Kara.

The connections to Superman feel completely natural because they make sense for the story... not because the filmmakers wanted to remind you every ten minutes that you're watching a shared universe.

Lobo serves a side plot instead of existing as fan service.

The universe feels significantly bigger by the end of the movie... not because it teased a dozen future projects, but because it showcased new worlds, new species and new characters that make this universe feel alive.

For me, that's how you build a cinematic universe. You make audiences care about the people first and the bigger story will come when it's supposed to.

Look, when it get’s down to it Supergirl definitely isn't perfect.

Krem deserved far more development. The pacing occasionally moves a little too fast, and there are a handful of plot conveniences that are hard to ignore.

But none of that outweighs what the movie gets right.

Milly Alcock completely owns this role. Ruthye provides the emotional heart. Jason Momoa proves he was born to play Lobo. The visuals are gorgeous, Claudia Sarne delivers the best theme in the DCU so far, and the world building makes this universe feel bigger than ever.

Most importantly...

This movie proves that not every superhero film has to be an Avengers sized event.

Sometimes all you need is a fun... heartfelt... slightly weird sci-fi adventure with characters you actually care about.

For me, that's exactly what Supergirl is.

By the time the credits rolled, I wasn't sitting there wondering what crossover was coming next.

I was thinking about Kara Zor-El.

And I think that's exactly what DC Studios wanted.