Supergirl has some great parts, but it often feels less than the sum of those parts. It's not a debacle, but it's also not a coherent new vision for an iconic character like James Gunn's Superman was.
In his capacity as co-chair of DC Studios, Gunn has repeatedly said script readiness – not quarterly earnings – is his guiding force. Well this script, credited solely to newcomer Ana Nogueria, could only charitably be described as "ready." Based on the miniseries Woman of Tomorrow, there's a good framework of a story here. But it's often sidetracked with extra jokes and a big character introduction that's fun but unnecessary.
Kara (Milly Alcock) has been drinking her bad memories away in dive bars across the galaxy. When the vengeance-minded Ruthye (Eve Ridley) asks for help in tracking down Krem, the alien who killed her entire family (Matthias Schoenarts), she's not interested. But when the other riff-raff start harassing Ruthye, Kara's do-gooder nature takes over. For intervening, her beloved dog Krypto gets poisoned by Krem. Now with skin in the game, Kara's got her own revenge mission in mind.
Having a ticking clock with a dying dog is some extremely manipulative stuff, but as a dog owner I was not immune to this. It gives an extra level of malevolence to Krem, who's an absolute zero as written and performed. He's an utterly forgettable villain, and the only memorable aspect of his clan is that they kidnap girls specifically to make them child brides.
But there's some excellent stuff here too, I promise! Alcock and Ridley make a great odd couple. I hadn't seen them in anything before, but they bring a spunkiness and steely reserve, respectively, that works for their characters. And Jason Momoa delivers the part he was born to play in Lobo, the cigar-puffing, chopper-riding, intergalactic bounty hunter. He's clearly having a ball, but his scenes feel grafted on. A cameo would have been appropriate. But as the third lead, it feels like the filmmakers were afraid to let their ladies do it all.
Best of all is David Krumholtz, giving a soulful performance as Kara's father Zor-El. The diminutive actor has been great in everything from teen comedies to Oscar-winning epics, and here he shines as a guilt-ridden scientist who couldn't save his planet or his family. As to be expected in a James Gunn-produced film, the soundtrack rules. And in stark contrast to the previous incarnation of the DC universe, the film is quite fleet-of-foot and often goofy. No time for grim brooding or god complexes here.
Overall, Supergirl is hardly a disaster but it's not exceptional either. Gunn and Peter Safran don't need to panic. But they do have their work cut out for them.
