Supergirl shoots for the moon, but runs out of fuel

The latest DC Cinematic Universe offering, "Supergirl," directed by Craig Gillespie, has drawn criticism for failing to fully realize the potential of its titular character. The film poses a pertinent question early on: "Why are you Supergirl, and he's Superman?" This query highlights the infantilizing nature of Kara El-Zor's moniker, especially given her equal power to her cousin Clark Kent. The reviewer expresses disappointment that the film misses an opportunity to explore and subvert the meaning of being a "super girl."

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"Why are you Supergirl, and he's Superman?"

Despite the promising premise, the film is described as "bland-as-flour," leaving the reviewer wondering, "Why is the titular Supergirl so diminished and dull in her own movie?" Director Craig Gillespie, known for acclaimed films like "I, Tonya" and "Lars and the Real Girl," and star Milly Alcock, who previously impressed as young Rhaenyra Targaryen in "House of the Dragon," are noted as strong assets. Alcock, in particular, is praised for her star power and her portrayal of a "drunken, apathetic female protagonist" that begs for deeper exploration.

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"Why is the titular Supergirl so diminished and dull in her own movie?"

The script, penned by Ana Nogueira, is suggested as a potential weakness. While it provides a starting point, Supergirl turning 23 and embarking on an "intergalactic pub crawl", it seemingly resorts to pulling secondary characters and a generic villain from existing comic lore. The reviewer notes that the side characters are largely unrecognizable to the average moviegoer, which could be a missed opportunity for audience engagement. The narrative appears to falter after the initial setup, leaving the film's direction unclear and its potential largely untapped.

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Alcock's got oodles of star power, and her drunken, apathetic female protagonist is a rich character study that begs to be explored.