Supergirl Soars… But Can She Beat Superhero Burnout?

Synopsis: Kara Zor-El, aka Supergirl, joins forces with an unlikely companion on an interstellar journey of vengeance and justice when an unexpected adversary strikes too close to home.
Director: Craig Gillespie
Stars: Milly Alcock, David Corenswet, Eve Ridley, Jason Momoa

There are plenty of reasons to get excited about seeing a movie. Sometimes it’s because of the director. Sometimes it’s because of the cast. Other times, a trailer is so good that you find yourself counting down the days until opening night.

As for Supergirl? I came for Krypto.

Yes, I know that probably isn’t the answer DC Studios was hoping for, but after stealing nearly every scene he appeared in during last year’s Superman, I was more than happy to buy another ticket if it meant spending more time with everyone’s favourite super-powered dog. And no, I don’t need to hear that he’s computer-generated. It doesn’t matter. Krypto has more personality than many human characters we’ve seen in recent superhero films, and that’s a credit to the visual effects artists and filmmakers who brought him to life.

Thankfully, Krypto isn’t the only familiar face returning.

Milly Alcock reprises her role as Kara Zor-El after making her memorable debut in Superman. While audiences were only given a brief glimpse of the character in that film, it was enough to establish her as Superman’s fun-loving cousin, someone who clearly enjoys life a little more recklessly than the Man of Steel. Supergirl fully embraces that characterization.

The film opens with Kara celebrating her birthday, and unlike most birthday parties, this one seems to last for days. By the time the story truly begins, she’s exhausted, hungover, and about as far removed from the traditional polished superhero as you can imagine. It’s an entertaining twist on the genre, even if it occasionally overstays its welcome.

Her path crosses with Ruthye, played wonderfully by Eva Ridley. After suffering a devastating personal tragedy, Ruthye is determined to seek justice and desperately needs someone capable of helping her. Unfortunately, the person she finds is hardly in heroic form. Watching Kara reluctantly stumble into the role of protector provides several of the film’s funniest moments while also giving Alcock an opportunity to showcase her comedic timing.

As the movie progressed, I couldn’t help but think of Hancock. Like Will Smith’s reluctant and deeply flawed superhero, Kara spends much of the story trying to avoid responsibility rather than embrace it. At the same time, the colourful planets, eccentric supporting characters, quirky humour, and oddball adventures give the film a distinct Guardians of the Galaxy vibe. That’s hardly surprising considering James Gunn now oversees DC Studios, and his fingerprints are all over this new cinematic universe. Whether it’s the humour, soundtrack choices, or willingness to embrace comic book weirdness, Gunn’s influence is impossible to miss.

Director Craig Gillespie keeps the film moving at a steady pace, while Ana Nogueira’s screenplay offers enough charm to make Kara an engaging lead. Alcock delivers exactly what the role demands, balancing sarcasm, vulnerability, and confidence without ever trying to imitate previous versions of Kryptonian heroes.

The biggest issue is that Supergirl often feels less interested in telling its own story than it is in setting up the next chapter. Much of the film reads like an extended prologue for next year’s Man of Tomorrow, and as a result, the narrative doesn’t truly find its footing until the final act. Once it gets there, the action improves considerably, but by then it feels like the movie is scrambling to make up for lost time.

Superhero fatigue remains very real, and while Supergirl is an enjoyable entry into DC’s rebooted universe, it isn’t the film that suddenly reinvigorates the genre. It follows many familiar beats, doesn’t offer groundbreaking visuals that demand an IMAX ticket, and rarely surprises audiences who’ve watched countless comic book movies over the past decade. Then again, that criticism could be levelled at the overwhelming majority of superhero films released in recent years.

So, was it worth the trip?

Yes. Milly Alcock proves she has the charisma to carry her own franchise; Eva Ridley is an excellent addition to the expanding DC Universe; and the film lays promising groundwork for what’s to come.

But I still have one complaint.

There simply isn’t enough Krypto.

The world’s best super-dog remains one of DC’s most entertaining characters, and every time he appeared on screen, the movie instantly became more fun. Here’s hoping Man of Tomorrow gives him the larger role he deserves. Until then, Supergirl is an entertaining, if somewhat uneven, introduction to one of DC’s most iconic heroes.

Grade: C+

Watch the movie trailer: