Review: Supergirl Movie

I saw the movie on Saturday and I am going to do my best to wrap my head around my thoughts in a non-spoiler way (above the fold) and a little deeper once we get inside.

I will say, based on the source material and some stuff that I had heard before hand, I went into the movie with low, almost no expectations. And perhaps going in that way, I found that I liked it more than I expected. 

There is an underlying theme throughout almost all the movie that Kara is kind and good. Despite the self-destructive journey she is on during the majority of the movie, that continues to bubble up to the surface. So I felt in many ways, the core of Supergirl was present in the story. I was not expecting that.

But there is a Zach Snyder-esque event at the end of the movie that seems to completely unravel that message. An act that seems so out of character from what we have seen before that it comes as close to ruining the film as it can. And it is completely out of character for who I think Supergirl is.

I think Milly Alcock is solid in the role, showing the pain Kara is going through and then having her come out of it in the end. It is a tight rope of 'party girl', 'sad girl', and 'hero' that worked. Alcock is probably the best part of the film. I thought Lobo, played by Jason Momoa was fun to see and quite comic accurate. But he seemed to be sort of tacked on. I wonder if in one of the earlier versions of the movie (remember it had 10 pre-showings and therefore probably multiple edits) he had a bigger role in the finale. 

But the movie itself feels sort of episodic with Kara tracking Krem and luckily running into people who know where to point her next. The film is incredible dull looking with most of the planets and sets very dark, shadowed, and dull. There are plenty of things that happen in the movie that are hard to hand-wave away (non-powered Kara beating up an 8ft highly muscled brute, innocent Ruthye being combat ready in one scene and choking out a brigand with ankle fetters, overpowered Lobo somehow 'trapped' and stuck in a brigand prison).

Even those plot issues didn't seem important next to the 'be good' core.  But then that Snyder moment happened. So I guess it lands as a 3 out of 5.

Supergirl Trailer #2

The second trailer for Supergirl the movie dropped on Tuesday and I have to admit that I am feeling just a touch better about the whole thing. Yes, it is based on Tom King's Woman of Tomorrow book and that is quite evident in the trailer. But there are enough elements that are different that make me think this movie is going to end more hopeful than that book.

(To reread my thoughts on the first trailer, head here.)

I'll get to the trailer but I am going to start with the poster. 

Let's look at this. Supergirl staring right into the camera, in the classic three-point super-hero landing pose, her left hand ready to strike. And she dominates the frame. Contrast that to the first posters. 

Remember that one? Supergirl small in the frame. She's drinking. 'Look Out' instead of 'Look up'. Not exactly heroic. The next poster had the infamous 'Truth. Justice. Whatever'.

This poster really feels more like a heroic epic than those. And it is a dramatic departure from those earlier efforts which many people questioned.

I like this poster for sure. That shift away from that party-girl, 'no responsibility' non-hero is evident in the trailer. Instead this leans into the sadness side of things, with a pinch of heroism (maybe). There is clearly a tonal shift.

Anyways, watch the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1-pfiVMKAs

Supergirl Preview In The Puppy Bowl

Here we are, a few days after my beloved New England Patriots got manhandled by the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl. I am still recovering.

Before the Super Bowl, Animal Planet broadcasts 'The Puppy Bowl', a silly event where rescue dogs are filmed playing with each other in a football field style play space complete with some phony announcers and even a ref. My kids loved it growing up and if you like cute puppies, there are worse ways to spend some time.

Rather than promote the Supergirl movie with a commercial during the actual Super Bowl (seems like you could riff on the word Super there), DC Comics decided to instead promote the movie during the Puppy Bowl. And with Krypto playing a big part in the movie, that also seems like a natural win.

Here is a link to the new trailer showcased there: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoqjnU_wGJM

Most of the scenes in this trailer we have seen before. But one new bit is Kara meeting Krypto for the first time. During what seems to be a funeral on Argo City, we see a stray puppy Krypto playing with a stick. He then runs up to Kara who picks him up.

So we get a new take on Krypto's origin. He truly is Kara's dog, probably rocketed with her from Argo. This makes their bond that much tighter.

There's more.

Early Christmas Gift - Milly Alcock Autograph

It's the holidays and new comic book day falls on Christmas Eve, a very important day for Italian-Americans like myself. So no new comic reviews for a bit.

Instead, a special shout-out for an early present I was given before Christmas which I just couldn't wait to open.

In one of those very generous moment, a friend of a friend of my sibling went to a convention where Milly Alcock was a guest. This was a while ago, when the first teaser poster was the only official Supergirl movie promotion out there. They got me an autographed pic of that poster!

How cool is this to own so early on! And love she wrote 'Supergirl' in big letters next to her autograph!

I am always impressed with the generosity of this community and do my best to reflect that as well!

But having received this, it made me realize something.

Supergirl Poster, Teaser Trailer, And Plot Synopsis

I will say up front I have been a Supergirl fan for a long time and I have to say up front that I never thought she would get another solo big screen movie. So at a gut level, I am thrilled by this. 

I will also say that I am not a fan of Tom King's Supergirl Woman of Tomorrow so I don't know if I am thrilled that the solo big screen movie is based on that work.

And there is a lot to mull over about how this movie really has embraced the drunk, angry, sad party girl vibe from that book. From  intoxicated cameo in the Superman movie to the 'Look Out' earliest teaser poster to the this latest poster with the 'Truth. Justice. Whatever.' tagline, it all seems to veer into the edgy, nihilistic, depressed Kara from that mini-series. 

Yesterday the teaser trailer dropped (here in case you didn't see it yet - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqdAEdkHrwo ) and it is visually stunning throughout. There is more of that same tone for the majority of the trailer. There is a lot I could focus on that shows me a Supergirl I don't want to see. 

But I am going to choose to focus on one image in the trailer that gives me some hope. And when I link it to the brief synopsis of the movie at the end of this, I might even have more hope. Because all along, I thought this might be a redemption movie. That Kara sees the ultimate destination if she stays on the road she is on in the damaged, lover Lobo and she does some good for Ruthye, and ultimately decides that maybe she should be more like her cousin. That would fit with the James Gunn pattern of misguided, somewhat shady protagonist veering to the light for sure. The preview feels very Guardians of the Galaxy.

I have to have hope.

On to some details about the trailer.

Bullet Review: Amazing Heroes #56 plus Thanksgiving Joy

Happy Thanksgiving to all the Americans out there who celebrate. 

I have an awful lot to be thankful for this year! At the same time, I'll be glad to put 2023 behind me.

But just on Monday, I was thankful to discover a new comic book store opening right near work, Friar Tuck's Comics & Collectibles. The story literally opened 2 days ago so their website is pretty bare:

https://friartuckscomics.com/

More about the store at the bottom of the post but something I stumbled across and purchased there was Amazing Heroes #56, a 'super-heroines' issue with a preview of the Supergirl movie. 

Not a bad copy and a great Kevin Nowlan cover.

Here is a cleaner look, not my copy (which is above).

I don't normally post articles like this in their entirety. But it is just over 2 pages of text.

I pretty sure that most people who visit this site realize what a treasure Helen Slater is. This articles just cements is. Hearing from a 20 year old Slater talking about the process of auditioning and preparing for the role once she got it.

I love the anecdote here where she states she didn't even know that Linda Lee was Supergirl. And then, when auditioning as both parts, she said to steel herself she used a school mantra of 'The Obstacle Strengthens the Will.'

She then said the famous line 'You've had your fun Selena, the game is finished!' and got the role. 

I also was pretty impressed with the in-depth discussion of the Slater's physical regimen.

She had muscular legs from all her dancing but was 'slight' in the upper body and so had to go through 3 months of tough workouts to get into shape. 

While most of the article focused on Slater, we do get some info on all the sets built for the movie.

There is a brief discussion about the cast.

But my favorite line is that the plot has been 'jealously guarded'.

The climax will be 'a spectacle of soaring imagination, stunning surprises, and mind-boggling special effects'. 

Now I am very forgiving of the movie. I love Slater. But even I know it is pretty flawed. I know why the plot was 'jealously guarded'.

As for Friar Tuck's, it is a very posh store. 

I was there for opening day and all I can say is that the back issue section is massive. There are tons of wall books and lots of key issues and older key issues in glass cases. Most of the issues are in very good condition and the price reflects that quality.

As for me, in addition to the Amazing Heroes, I also grabbed Dakota North #3 and #5 to complete that run in my collection. Anyone near Boston or Brookline should visit.

Ana Nogueira Named As Supergirl Movie Screen Writer

 

Over on Instagram, James Gunn posted that the screenwriter Ana Nogueira has been named as for the Supergirl Woman of Tomorrow movie. Here is the post.

"A hearty public welcome to Ana Nogueira to the DC Studios family. Ana is an amazing writer whose screenplay adaptation of Woman of Tomorrow is above and beyond anything I hoped it would be. We’re excited to be moving forward on this unique take on Supergirl in this beautiful, star-spanning tale."

Incredibly, it sounds like the script is already written! This is a movie that is years away from being made. And given the recent downtrend in profits for super-hero movies, I wonder if this will ever come to pass. 

I was hoping that perhaps the movie being based on Woman of Tomorrow might change but that seems set for now. I wonder how Gunn can call that story a 'beautiful, star-spanning tale'. It certainly doesn't help that the picture Gunn chose shows Kara with a bloody sword, but here we are.

But the big news, of course, was that Nogueira was named. I have to admit, the name is new to me. She is mostly known for being an actress on 'The Vampire Diaries'. That is a show that slipped under my radar.

For writing, she is best known for an off-broadway play called Which Way to the Stage. It is hard to judge anything based on a wiki synopsis of a play so I won't. I just hope that Nogueira read more than just Woman of Tomorrow when she formulated who Supergirl is as a character.

For more coverage, here is an article over on Variety. It reminded me that Gunn called the movie 'more hard-core'.

Anyways, I'll lean into this community for help. If anyone has seen Nogueira act or has seen the play, please leave a comment!

Supergirl Movie Cards

It only took me 10 years to actually getting around to review the Supergirl movie here on the site.

Just a couple of months later, I got a great gift in the mail. Blog friend Russell Burbage sent me to trading cards set for Supergirl the Movie!

Now if you thought the movie was a bit warped in its approach, wait until you see the cards! At least there was a vision out there to 'go for it' with this thing.

All that said, there is something eternal about Helen Slater in the Supergirl costume. She just emanates the feelings I want to feel when I think of Kara. I can look past a lot of the problems with the movie and the merchandise because of Slater. I mean, when I see her, I just sigh a contented sigh.

Thy eternal summer shall not fade ...

This is a set of 44 cards. That said, it isn't really a card set. Every 'card' is a sticker.

And the stickers have all sorts of wonky text and phrases.

'Go For It!'
'World's Fastest Student'
'Hopelessly Devoted to You' (Hope Olivia Newton John got royalties.)
'Break flying ... what a feeling!' (Is that a break dancing and Flashdance riff all in one?)

They even throw in some wild clipart. Check out the skull on the 'Trapped in the Phantom Zone' card.

Okay, so that is pretty crazy.

Mad Magazine: Supergall

Last week, after 10+ years of running this site, I finally got around to 'reviewing' the 1984 Supergirl film. Read it here: ( https://comicboxcommentary.blogspot.com/2019/01/bullet-review-supergirl-movie-1984.html ). I know that was more of a glance than a true review. But the truth was I was so dazzled by Helen Slater's performance that all of the warts of the plot were easily overlooked.

So I was thrilled to dust off this copy of Mad Magazine #277, a book I knew would take a much harsher look at the inane aspects of the movie. And a big hearty thank you to great friend Martin Gray who sent this to me a couple of years ago, knowing I would eventually get to it. (You might have surmised it came from across the pond by the 70p price tag.)

I mean, when you start out with an image of Alfred E. Neuman as Supergirl, you know that this isn't going to be a good look at this film. And after all, we are talking about Mad, a book which was meant to poke fun at things.

Now it has been many many many years since I read a Mad Magazine. So really this look at the movie are a number of single panel jokes which follows the plot of the film. But it isn't a true 'story'. So if you hadn't seen the film, you might be even more confused. I have picked out a couple of my favorite gags to showcase here.

Bullet Review: Supergirl Movie 1984

It had been many years since I had seen the Helen Slater Supergirl movie.

Probably too many years.

At some point in the recent past, a blu-ray edition was released and as an early Christmas gift I bought it for myself. This is a pretty slick package with a blu-ray of the 'International Cut' with a 'Making of' documentary. It also had a DVD with the Director's Cut. (So many versions! What is this?  Blade Runner?)

Now I remembered seeing this movie and not being overwhelmingly impressed. And I know that it has faced some wrath from people for the campiness and nonsensical plot. So I went in with almost no expectations.

You know what.

It isn't *that* bad.

I don't think I have it in me to give this a blow by blow synopsis/review. Instead, I think I'll hit on some of the high points, comment on some of the low points, and shine a light on some of the crazy things that I liked.

So expect this to be a sort of glossing over of the movie.

And expect a lot of compliments to be heading Helen Slater's way.

More Supergirl Movie Rumors!

Boy, time flies!

It was only a month ago that news of a possible Supergirl movie hit the internet.

Of course, there wasn't much there other than news of a screen writer. But the idea that Warner Brothers might want to re-energize the Super-franchise by moving away from the doldrums of the Snyder-verse seemed to make sense. With the success of Wonder Woman and impending success of Captain Marvel, it just seems like a no brainer.

But now some new rumors have come out in the aftermath of the announcement that Henry Cavill will no longer play Superman. It is unclear that the Cavill rumor is true. So these new Supergirl movie rumors are worth discussing here, even if (as the first rumors) this is an exceedingly premature conversation.

First off, this comment from The Playlist. Here is the link and a blurb:
https://theplaylist.net/wb-henry-cavill-still-superman-20180912/

A source today, right after today’s news broke, echoed the same sentiment that Warner Bros would shift focus to "Supergirl" and that movie—likely a period piece set in the 1970s (though this could change) with the young Kryptonian as a teenager—would knock Cavill out of the running for appearing in that particular time period (he’d still be a child then). So, the actor could stick around, but if Supergirl were to go first and with no “Man of Steel 2” film in development, it’s very conceivable that Cavill could not turn up as Superman again for several, several years hence everyone kind of walking away for now, but keeping the door open.

Now I must admit that I don't know if I am keen on Supergirl being set in the 70s, especially if it is part of the DCEU continuity. If Kara did reveal herself back then, wouldn't the S-symbol be known. Wouldn't Superman's reveal be less profound? If she were alive, wouldn't she come to aid Kal when the Phantom Zone folks arrived? Or does that mean she's dead in the present?

Honestly, there is nothing wrong with her arriving after him. Or having arrived earlier but having been in suspended animation or something to explain her youth. Isn't that what the Man of Steel open pod supposed to be all about?

All that said, the idea of a 'Daring New Adventures of Supergirl' style movie is intriguing if only to see Linda Danvers in all those clothes we saw in that comic.

And then the rumor about the villain!

Supergirl On The Big Screen?

Between work, conventions, and reviews, I am a bit behind on some Supergirl news. Better late than never I suppose.

About a week ago, news spread across the internet that a Supergirl big screen movie was being bandied about. This is about the most bare-boned of a rumor as you can get. No producer. No director. Someone tagged to be the screen writer. But maybe where there is smoke?

Here is a link to Deadline Hollywood's coverage:
https://deadline.com/2018/08/supergirl-movie-warner-bros-dc-comics-universe-oren-uziel-script-superman-1202440687/

And here is a blurb:
Warner Bros and DC are developing a feature film based around Supergirl, the heroine and cousin of Superman. Oren Uziel is working on the script, I’ve confirmed.

There is no producer on Supergirl at this point. According to DC mythology, the character was a teen when she escaped the doomed planet Krypton along with the infant who grew up as Clark Kent. Supergirl has been played by Melissa Benoist in the Greg Berlanti Warner Bros series creation that heads into Season Four on the CW.

Finding a different way back to the Superman universe through Supergirl reflects the differing mindset of DC priority titles to be a bit out of the box, and away from a slate which, with the notable exception of the Patty Jenkins-directed Wonder Woman, has resulted in too many films that have been leaden, dark, and not that fun. And expensive — Man of Steel, Batman Vs Superman and Justice League carried around $800 million in production budgets to gross a collective $2.1 billion, according to reported budget estimates.

My thoughts up next!

Supergirl The Movie Storybook

I have spoken in the past about the very giving nature of the internet comic book fan community I consider myself a part of these days. I am still shocked at the generosity of the friends I have met here.

The latest example was this gorgeous copy of 'The Supergirl Storybook' sent to me by Doom Patrol and Hawkman afficianado Doug Zawisza (@DZawisca on Twitter). This is a really meaty adapatation of the movie written by Wendy Andrews.

I had no idea this book even existed. And for Doug to stumble on copy that is in such pristine condition, pick it up, and send it to me is just unbelievable.

First I was really struck at the condition if this book. It looks like it came off the shelves yesterday with nary a ding on the cover. And the book probably was never read because the binding is pretty stiff, cracking deliciously as I opened it wide.

But second, I am really floored at Doug's generosity. This is such a wonderful gift for me. (I really can't believe how many people have sent me Supergirl stuff. I am really humbled.

Here is a look at the back cover. As I said this is a really in-depth adaptation of the Supergirl movie. But one of the big draws for me is the number of color photographs inside the book. As the cover says, there are over 50 photos inside, some splash pages and others inset in the text.

The back cover selection certainly covers the scope of the movie nicely. We see Argo City, Supergirl flying, the troubled romance with Ethan, and then the battle with Faye Dunaway. That last photo with Supergirl defiantly in the background is just great.

Here is my favorite 2 page spread showing the wonderfully graceful flying of Helen Slater. If there is a picture that embodies Supergirl in this book it is that one of her flying in the trees. She is smiling broadly, almost angelic in her body language, and just so bright!

I have said it too many times but Helen Slater just nailed the part. I hope to meet her some day!

As you can see, the story itself is pretty dense with a lot of description of the plot and action. This looks like it is built more for the middle school crowd. The story runs just about 40 pages with some pages being entirely text.

I do like how whenever Kara uses a super-power it is in a blue bigger font. I suppose if you were skimming the story, you'd want to read the action bits.

My favorite part of the movie is the battle with the invisible electricity monster so I was really hoping we would get an action shot of her and the monster.

Unfortunately, all we get is her holding the lamp post she uses as a weapon. No monster.

I wonder why they wouldn't include one.

And, of course, I am reminded of how the cast in this movie included some pretty big names. Faye Dunaway as Selena! Mia Farrow as Alura! And, of course, Peter O'Toole as Zaltar!

I know Slater has talked about how O'Toole was so helpful for her on the movie, running lines and even reading Shakespeare at times. I know the movie is a bit campy and isn't exactly the highbrow stuff these actors were used to doing. But I am glad they did more than mail it in.

This book will definitely be a highlight on my bookshelf and I can't thank Doug enough. I love the Supergirl fandom that comes here. And I am awed by how giving everyone is. It is the circle of life of fandom.