Milly Alcock embodies a punk-rock Kara Zor-El, or Supergirl, in the new DC film, sporting a Blondie T-shirt and a rebellious spirit that sets her apart from more conventional superheroes. The movie, directed by Craig Gillespie, captures Alcock's compelling portrayal but largely fails to synchronize with her character's vibrant energy.
Alcock's Supergirl is presented as nonchalant and sarcastic, drawing comparisons to Han Solo with her independent journeys across the galaxy in a makeshift spaceship. This characterization offers a refreshing departure from more buttoned-up heroes, and Alcock delivers a strong performance. However, the film itself struggles to maintain this spirited momentum, lacking an equally engaging supporting cast and narrative.
Despite some initial skepticism from fans about its place in the DC Universe, "Supergirl" emerges as a natural follow-up to Alcock's memorable cameo in last year's "Superman." The film largely unfolds in outer space, with brief excursions to Earth, and features creative production design reminiscent of James Gunn's "Guardians of the Galaxy" franchise. The cosmic setting is populated with diverse characters and unique environments, including a humorous turn by Seth Rogen as the voice of a tiny alien co-pilot.
Kara is initially shown celebrating her 23rd birthday in space, a distance from a yellow sun that temporarily negates her powers. Despite her desire to remain detached from superhero responsibilities, she is drawn into action when a young girl, Ruthye Marye Knoll, seeks revenge against the space pirate Brigands who murdered her family. Kara becomes entangled in this quest when the Brigand leader, Krem, poisons her loyal dog, Krypto, forcing her to pursue an antidote.
The plot, inspired by the comic-book series "Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow," follows a Western-like structure, with Kara taking on the role of a reluctant gunslinger. This journey leads to her eventual maturation as a superhero, interspersed with flashbacks to Krypton that explore the origins of her pain. While the narrative is sturdy, it doesn't offer significant originality.
Some supporting characters, however, detract from the film's overall impact. Ruthye's singular focus on revenge makes her less engaging, and Jason Momoa's portrayal of the bounty hunter Lobo, with his eccentric appearance and demeanor, feels over-the-top. Matthias Schoenaerts's villain, Krem, while menacing, lacks depth beyond his physical appearance and role as the antagonist.
The film's aesthetic, with its biker-gang elements and metallic touches, evokes comparisons to "Mad Max." Yet, "Supergirl" strives to carve out its own niche in the superhero genre, incorporating music from artists like Modest Mouse and Jenny Lewis. Director Gillespie utilizes IMAX cameras effectively, but his firm grasp on the material wavers at times, preventing the film from achieving the necessary zip and cohesion.
Ultimately, while Alcock's performance anchors "Supergirl," the film is let down by its supporting elements. The movie, rated PG-13 for sequences of strong violence, action, language, and smoking, has a running time of 107 minutes. It received two and a half stars out of four.