Supergirl

Amazon.com

Supergirl qualifies as one of the most bizarre comic book adaptations ever to hit the silver screen. Bereft of logic or sensible plotting, but featuring a strong cast and slick special effects, the film follows Superman's cousin Kara (played by Helen Slater in her film debut) as she leaves Krypton to venture to Earth to retrieve the "Omegahedron," a life-force globe vital to her people's survival. She tracks down the device, unaware that it's fallen into the hands of aspiring black magician Selena (Faye Dunaway), which leads to an inevitable showdown.

All of the strong characters in Supergirl are women, making for a nice change of pace from traditional superhero machismo. However, none of the players seem to notice that many things are left unexplained, including how the naive Kara knows so much about Earth while having never been there, how a novice sorceress can attain power so quickly from something she does not understand, and how hardly anyone notices Supergirl flying around their city! (And hey, where's Superman?)

Taken as a campy 1980s comic book relic rather than a serious adaptation, Supergirl is fun because of its engaging special effects and sets, tongue-in-cheek humor, and Dunaway's truly inspired performance. Look for Marc McClure reprising his Superman role of Jimmy Olsen, while Mia Farrow and Peter O'Toole have small supporting roles as Kara's mother and mentor, respectively. The director's cut DVD features 24 minutes of newly restored footage that has never been seen before, which should enthrall Supergirl aficionados, although the additional material doesn't make the story any more logical. --Bryan Reesman

Customer Reviews:

A Magical Journey that Never Ended...........2007-09-11

Although Superman was long thought to be the only survivor of his doomed home world of Krypton many Kryptonians were able to survive its explosion and survive in 'inner-space.' Their survival was made possible due to a device known as the Omegahedron, which provides their city with energy to power their devices, and air to breathe, among other things. Argo City has blossomed into a utopian society where its inhabitants have become complacent. Zaltar, the city's founder and resident artist, expresses his desire to leave Argo City for parts unknown; however his plans are not to be. Having 'borrowed' the Omegahedron to bring his tree sculpture to life Zaltar attempts to hide his theft from Allura, Kara's mother, by secretly slipping the Omegahedron to Kara while discussing his plans for leaving inner space. Kara subsequently uses the Omegahedron on her own creation, an insect-like creature, that tears through one of the city's walls.

When the precious Omegahedron is sucked into space all hope seems lost, but Kara is determined to return it before the lights, and lives, of Argo City are extinguished forever. Kara follows the Omegahedron to Earth and, discovering her powers, becomes Supergirl.

Guided by a bracelet whose gem is linked to the Omegahedron, Supergirl follows the signal to Midvale, Illinois and assuming the alter ego of Linda Lee enrolls in an all girl college to provide herself with a cover story for her time on Earth. Meanwhile, the Omegahedron finds its way into the hands of a 'wicked sorceress' named Selena who harnesses its power to amplify her black magic. After experimenting on a chicken with her new found powers, Selena sets her eyes on winning the affections of Ethan, a handsome, if aloof, gardener. Selena's ambitions then reach new heights and she declares her desire to rule the world.

Supergirl struggles to acclimate to Earth culture, as she fights mundane forces in the form of Myra and Muffy, two female bullies at her school; and magical ones in the form of the dark forces Selena repeatedly sends in an attempt to destroy her. Failing in her attempts to destroy Supergirl and claim Ethan as her consort, Selena enlists the help of her erstwhile mentor, Nigel, into helping her fully control the Omegahedron and, upon success, abruptly turns on him in true villainous fashion. Now, having mastered the powers of the Omegahedron, Selena successfully sends Supergirl to the Phantom Zone, where she is powerless, and promptly turns Midvale into a police state. Here, Supergirl is reunited with Zaltar who has been imprisoned for losing the Omegahedron. Zaltar ultimately sacrifices himself in order to lead Supergirl out of the Phantom Zone and back to Earth where she engages Selena in an all out battle of might versus magic for possession of the ultimate power.

Considered a major failure for many years, Supergirl attempted to do what didn't occur until the release of Superman Returns in 2006, which was to revive a dying franchise. Critics panned the film for its camp, bad acting, poor use of actors, and sub par script. However, the popularity of Supergirl has grown over the years into a cult classic on par with The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Harold and Maude, and Reefer Madness to name a few.

Although there are plot holes, there are not as many as have been claimed. One such plot hole which is often brought up is the question of where Supergirl gets her costume upon emerging from the lake following the Omegahedron. This question can be easily answered if you look closely when Kara enters the sphere which transports her to Earth you can clearly see that she sits on a clear package about the size of a throw pillow containing a suit in the familiar yellow, red, and blue. Other plot-holes such as the question regarding how Selena had knowledge of the Phantom Zone aren't so easily answered.

Despite its plot holes and occasional over-acting, Supergirl is not without merit. The 'flying ballet' sequence, as it has been called, captures the beauty and joy of a naïve young girl coming into her own power. The musical score brings an added dimension to the actions occurring in the film. Blink and you will miss Matt Frewer of Max Headroom fame as a trucker looking for a good time. While some have criticized Peter O'toole as lacking any emotional depth in his performance, I see him as a world-weary artist bored with his own existence and hungry for new adventures. Faye Dunaway is at her best as the evil sorceress Selena, although some would argue that Joan Crawford (Dunaway's character in Mommy Dearest) would beat Selena with a wire hanger given half the chance. Brenda Vaccaro as Bianca seems to be for this film what Otis (Ned Beatty) was for Superman The Movie (and it's sequel) comic relief--although her attempts at humor often fall flat and many of her lines are largely un-necessary. Finally, Helen Slater in her movie debut as Supergirl stands her own against the many veteran actors in whose company she finds herself. She certainly looks the part and plays her dual role to perfection.

Overall, this is a very enjoyable, family-oriented film that doesn't require you to think too much. If you love deadly bumper cars, invisible monsters, run-away tractors, flying ballets, ghost trains, world domination, pseudo-magic, demon storms, teenagers dangling in cages, and the sky raining coconuts with pin point accuracy--then this movie is for you and for two hours you will believe... a girl can fly!

5 stars? TOO MUCH? MAYBE, but still for a collector's edition IT IS WORTH THE RATE!.......2007-09-04

When it comes to Helen Slater and Supergirl I tend to be a little partial because that blonde changed my life, entirely:she was the first blonde I saw when I was a kid so I felt in love inmediately. I hope to meet her someday, before I pass away because I love her, and I will always will! Anyhow, I will be as objective as I can.It is well know what the Salkinds tried to do: make more money by exploring all the possibilities from the Superman mithos. Therefore, Supergirl was the most obvious choice back then. Now, if we refer to the bad things: the story is not that bad, however, the naiveness and the holes in the plot are. There are too many things unreasonable within the story that if flaws of consistency. The treatment of the characters seems to pay tribute to those of Lex Luthor with a fool sidekick, Perry White=Mr.Danvers, Marc Maclure again as Jimmy Olsen, and the innocence of Kara (as Linda Lee) comparing it to Reeve's Clark Kent. NOW THE GOOD THINGS: The FX are amazing, even cooler than Superman III and Superman IV together. Kara flying ballet is just amazing, the phantom zone and the witch's 'witchery' are from the world beyond!! The Kara's character is one of the best performances, taking into account that it was her first major role. Helen really brought Kara to life, and not to mention that she looks so beautiful and hot in that costume. Even when the movie did not hit the box office it turned to be a legend! Everybody knows that Helen Slater is Supergirl, and probably she will be forever, a nostalgia comes when this movie is presented in TV. The DVD treatment is another two tumbs up. The special features where the director explains what he was trying to accomplish, Helen acting IN the costume, and her appreciations about the character at that time. The booklet and the Director's cut are just amazing, because it gives us additional footage that we would never imagined. And trust me, I have seen the movie about 500 times and I will never get tired! So my friends, if you love the Superman mithos and Reeve's interpretation and everything related to the 80's superheroes 7th art (jeje) buy it without regret. Otherwise, skip to the next movie.

Great Underated Film Given A Great DVD Treatment.......2007-06-16

I have enjoyed this film for as long as I can remember and I still enjoy it to this day. The film fell alittle short but this DVD treatment makes up for it by giving us the International Version as well as a newer Directors Cut. The directors cut is the best giving us the best version of the film. It's sad it didnt do so well as I would have loved to see more movies about Supergirl.

Not as good as Superman, but still honorable..........2007-05-11

This one is for the girls...

This is the female take on Superman. Literally.

Males are turds in this one and females are either lethal, clever or just super...

Not even Peter O'Toole can save face in this one, depicted as he is, as a heavy drinker. He does a great job of it though.

Helen Slater in the title role, and in her first major role appearance is not too bad, but in facts of acting, she is not a young Katherine Hepburn (although I doubt that Kathy would have accepted such a role to start with).

Faye Dunaway and Brenda Vaccaro do their very best to keep straight faces, while playing modern day "would-be" witches, trying to unleash the power of an object that Supergirl herself stole (or borrowed, as she states).

The story is weak and absolutely not to compare with the rest of the Superman movies, unless we take the last two incarnations (a mixture of Superman III and Superman IV perhaps).

But then again, what can one expect from cartoon characters?
Perhaps a touch of X-Men treatment?
Perhaps.

A bit more fleshed-out characters would have been in order. We actually know nothing of value of the characters shown. They-re just here.
Where have they come from, what are their backgrounds, where are they planning to go?
No one is really allowed any true insight in these facts.

They are just there to do what they were supposed to do all along.

So where's the thrill? Go figure...

I would have preferred to know more about Kara as a child, and perhaps also about Selina's (Faye Dunaway) past. Then perhaps, I would have included her growing up and a chance meeting with her adolescent cousin Clark Kent/Superman, either in the Fortress of Solitude or at his foster parent's farm.

But this was obviously too much to ask.

Instead we are treated to a pure campy and at times idiotic cartoon-like movie, flat as can be and as uninventive as can come.

Not even the Director's cut, which I also own, indeed Jeannot Szwarc's very vision and take on the movie could do it justice.

The DVD comes as stated in the uncut and unrated European theatrical version (that doesn't mean that it is in PAL or Region 2 format, NO. It is in the regular Region 1 U.S. format, just in case you were confused by it). It is in 2.35:1 ratio enhanced for 16:9 TVs and in a clean Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround sound.

A good laugh for the entire family, but no comparison to more modern incarnations of cartoon characters.

A girls' night out...........2007-03-19

This film throws misogyny to the way-side.
Helen Slater gives a fine performance.
It is, however, Faye Dunaway and Brenda Vacarro that elevate this film to it's feminine heights. Dunaway plays the villian without a miss. Vacarro's comedic turns and affects are wonderful.
The special effects are grand and without a clue as to their reality.
There is even a villianess sub-plot with two Midvale School girls that really add to this womanly film.
Such a great film, leaves us all hoping that this same effect can be created within Warner's "Wonder Woman".
Good job to EVERYONE who played a part in the production of this film: Pure Entertainment.

Average customer rating:

A Magical Journey that Never Ended....
5 stars? TOO MUCH? MAYBE, but still for a collector's edition IT IS WORTH THE RATE!
Great Underated Film Given A Great DVD Treatment
Not as good as Superman, but still honorable...
A girls' night out....

Supergirl (Limited Edition)
Starring: Faye Dunaway , Helen Slater , Peter O'Toole , Mia Farrow , and Brenda Vaccaro
Director: Jeannot Szwarc
Manufacturer: Anchor Bay
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: 6305842027
Release Date: 2000-08-08

Amazon.com

Description

After mistakenly losing the Omegahedron, Argo City's life-sustaining power source, Kara takes off on a mission to Earth to retrieve it and save the city. Upon reaching Earth, she is transformed into Supergirl and carries the alias Linda Lee. She must deal with the evil ambitions of a wicked witch, Selina (Faye Dunaway), and her meddling ex-boyfriend Nigel, who plan on ruling the Earth with help from the power of the Omegahedron, which they found when it crashed landed on Earth. Assisted by Jimmy Olsen and Lucy Lane, Lois Lane's sister, Supergirl is off on an adventure to save the Earth and Argo City.

Customer Reviews:

A Magical Journey that Never Ended...........2007-09-11

5 stars? TOO MUCH? MAYBE, but still for a collector's edition IT IS WORTH THE RATE!.......2007-09-04

Great Underated Film Given A Great DVD Treatment.......2007-06-16

Not as good as Superman, but still honorable..........2007-05-11

A girls' night out...........2007-03-19

Average customer rating:

A Magical Journey that Never Ended....
5 stars? TOO MUCH? MAYBE, but still for a collector's edition IT IS WORTH THE RATE!
Great Underated Film Given A Great DVD Treatment
Not as good as Superman, but still honorable...
A girls' night out....

Supergirl (Director's Cut)
Starring: Faye Dunaway , Helen Slater , Peter O'Toole , Mia Farrow , and Brenda Vaccaro
Director: Jeannot Szwarc
Manufacturer: Anchor Bay
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

Adventure | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B00005UW7Q
Release Date: 2002-05-07

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

A Magical Journey that Never Ended...........2007-09-11

5 stars? TOO MUCH? MAYBE, but still for a collector's edition IT IS WORTH THE RATE!.......2007-09-04

Great Underated Film Given A Great DVD Treatment.......2007-06-16

Not as good as Superman, but still honorable..........2007-05-11

A girls' night out...........2007-03-19

Average customer rating:

A Magical Journey that Never Ended....
5 stars? TOO MUCH? MAYBE, but still for a collector's edition IT IS WORTH THE RATE!
Great Underated Film Given A Great DVD Treatment
Not as good as Superman, but still honorable...
A girls' night out....

Supergirl
Starring: Faye Dunaway , Helen Slater , Peter O'Toole , Mia Farrow , and Brenda Vaccaro
Director: Jeannot Szwarc
Manufacturer: Anchor Bay
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

Adventure | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video