That's right, they've been rockin comic movies as early as the 80s and YES a Supergirl movie exists. Helen Slater takes the lead role as Kara (Linda Lee) with appearences from Peter O'Toole, Mia Farrow and Maureen Teffy as (the most recent Supergirl) Lucy Lane.
This is still one of my ultimate favourite comic superhero films and here are 5 reasons why YOU should watch it and why it reigns supreme over Marvel and DC's more recent installments.1. Lets make it old school
The story is so simple and stripped back. Kara is in search of a powerful item - the Omegahedron, which has fallen to earth. She follows it in an effort to recover it and save Argo City. Well what's so special about that? The effects. These are just as simple, but so graceful and soft - her flying scenes are my favourite. I think that some of these scenes are even better than Superman I-IV, and to an extent, some of the DC films today. It's all too flash, deceptive and just distracting (I may eat my words after 'Man of Steel'). There's nothing tense about her using her powers, you don't sit there thinking 'shit, whats going down'...it's nice to see her using them for the hell of it. why? Because it comes naturally to her! There's no gimmicks (that much), just pure unadulterated awesomeness with a PG rating. And the soundtrack is a perfect fit
2. Plot holes? What Plot holes!
One of the biggest issues people might have - "erm, if she's Superman's cousin and shes in town, dontcha think he'd see her". Errr no. If you listen carefully, at the beginning of the film (when we finally see earth) As one of the badies drives off, from his car radio you hear a new correspondent saying that our friendly neighbourhood Superman is off on a peacekeeping mission billions of light years away. PROBLEM SOLVED. Can't get any better than that.
3. Clever castings and character connections
I'm a sucker for a good ole piece of well known characters crossing paths, and this film does it perfectly. First there is Lois Lane's sister (and future Supergirl) Lucy Lane. And through Lucy we are introduced to Jimmy Olsen (Marc McClure from Superman I-IV), who pretty much becomes a main character throughout half of the film, and although her role is minor Mia Farrow takes on the role as Kara's mother Alura. They even manage to sneak a Danvers in there, in the form of Kara's school head teacher. It's good stuff people.
4. THAT Scene
One of my FAVOURITE scenes in a film ever. It's so simple, yet so smart, and when I was younger it really seemed like the best thing ever, and really played on my imagination (not in THAT way...filth). The simple transition from Supergirl to Linda Lee. There was something mysterious about it, yet it seemed to make her so accessible...witnessing her transition. Something i'd always thought was so personal to a Superhero (like you should be closing your eyes), and you get to see it! And the wig wasn't half bad either. That's some grade A camera work right there.
5. Twilight and DC damsels can suck it
No women need saving here. This is a film about strong women on multiple accounts, the heroine, the unconventional hero and even the villian is a strong woman (kinda). Yes, Kara is very innocent, and she's discovering a lot of stuff about Earth, and yes she does develop feeling for someone but she doesn't fawn at his feet. She doesn't comprise her character and she still kicks arse. Her admirer becomes her bitch without any kind of power play and its refreshing to see. And then there's Lucy - she shows that a hero is more than the badge. When there is chaos she is the only person who appears to step up to the plate and help. And when the villains appear to be winning she takes the driving seat in trying to get them over thrown. Lucy is a great female role model (pfftt Bella who?) and the perfect person to take the Supergirl mantle.
Wow. It only took 30 years, but finally a positive review of SUPERGIRL. good for you, Doom!
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