Rating:  -
The amount of material on this DVD should rank "Supergirl" as a top-draw product. When considering that the two-disc treatment puts it on a format scale with "The Abyss", "T2," "Gladiator," and "Armageddon" (blockbusters of varying artistic quality), it is a shock to realize that the film itself is only of the slightest entertainment value whatsoever.
The film was released in 1984 in a highly truncated 105-minute version, eliminating 10 minutes from the 124-minute international cut, and 10 additional minutes from the Director's Cut. Both the international and Director's versions are here, as are trailers, previews, interviews and commentaries. A deluxe treatment this, if only the film were of any value whatsoever.
Jeannot Szwarc has had a middling career at best -- highs include the derivative "Jaws 2" (1978) and the overlooked "Somewhere in Time." (1980) It is unclear how Mr. Szwarc continues to find work, as there seems to be a vast disconnect between his aspirations and his reality. One cannot fault Mr. Szwarc for this, however, as other filmmakers have gotten farther with less. (Are you listening, Mr. Verhoeven?) The aspirations behind his film here are noble, attempting to set up a modern-day "Wizard of Oz." There are moments (a few) where the film succeeds, most notably in the truly balletic scene where Kara/Supergirl first discovers her ability to fly. The aerial movement which follows is amazing in its tenderness -- it is a welcome contrast to the action which accompanied the "Superman" films.
Unfortunately, the script fails to execute properly. When the most dramatic scene in the film is a tractor run amuck, we know something is wrong. While Superman saved the world from nuclear weapons, Supergirl is left to save a small town from fascistic rule by a homegrown witch? Why didn't she simply fly to the state capital and call down the National Guard? The character and the myth is too large for the film which holds it. The romance between Kara and Ethan is equally painful. While feminizing the hunk (he faints a LOT) paints an interesting picture of the first "him-bo", the execution again is painful, as our complete lack of interest in the character renders him annoying (at least Lois Lane had some spunk).
Playing into the witchcraft aspect could have provided us with an interesting supernatural/spiritual contest. (After all, Superman never had to face the devil, although the script for "Superman IV" must have had Faustian influence to have been made in the first place.) However, the payoff never comes. If Selena had truly tapped into ultimate power, again, why would she stay in East Podunkville? If her aspirations truly were for world domination (and again, we would have liked to have understood why), why don't we ever see her actually conquering the world?
Overall, the package for this DVD is amazing, certainly ranking it among the top tier of DVDs. The set may be worth keeping only for documenting how admittedly noble ideals (long before there was the Slayer, there was the Supergirl) can conspire to make a truly horrible film.
Rating: -
Alexander and Ilya Salkind should have stuck with Superman. This film was an effort, but unfortunately, that's all it was. Christopher Reeve, at this time, did not agree to be in this movie because he believed he had moved on from playing Superman(much to the blame of what a joke Superman III was). Ironically, though, he hadn't moved on, only to star in Superman IV in 1987. The film simply starts out in Argo City, not explaining why or how Argo split off from Krypton,(during the explosion) leaving a few unknown survivors.Kara tells her relatives in Argo City something to the effect of, "I'll get to see my cousin Superman", but when she arrives on earth, she never does.They try to fill the hole of Superman not being there,but it doesn't exactly work. There are a few nice touches in this movie, such as featuring Lucy Lane being Linda Lee's roommate, and Jimmy Olsen's (Marc McClure)role.There are very little explanations of how villainess Selena(Faye Dunaway) got her miraculous powers. There are numerous plot holes, and the movie is extremely dull. I expected it to be exciting and entertaining. The heavy overtones of Witchcraft, magic,etc.(all played for campiness)are disappointing. Did all the real villains leave town? Supergirl also seems very alone, never having anyone to talk to, but it's amazing how well she gets along without learning anything about earth. Supergirl is okay,the effects are very good, but the problem is, it's not extremely good or bad, it's just dull and mediocre.Leonard Maltin's review sums it all up in a few words:"Dull, heavy handed...Slater is cute but bland in title role."
Rating:  -
I saw this in the store the other day and I put American Beauty back to purchase this.
I love this movie, it's one of those movies that the all out Supergirl walks behind the tree as a blonde and comes out as having brown hair. cheesy factor makes it that much more enjoyable. I love the part where Faye Dunaways performance was just spectacular as was Peter Cooks.
I do have to give it 4 stars because the audio transfer to DVD was below par, the music was too loud and the dialogue was to low. And there were some parts that just carried on for too long, like the runaway backhoe and the phantom zone scenes.
Rating:  -
There are plenty of reviews of this film already on file - and I have little to add other than to say that inspite of less than Shakespearian acting or "writing" - it's nice to see the entire movie. All too often commercial considerations force the trimming of material whose absence detracts from the film and, all too often, destroys its inner structure and logic. Such was definately the case here.
My one complaint? Considering the trouble that was gone to to put together the "uncut" version of the film, I was astonished to note that the soundtrack, dialogue and all, was compressed into a not-very-effective MONOPHONIC mix! This was, technically, a major disappointment for what is otherwise a technically reasonable job.
If it's a "kinder, gentler" Super... epic you wouldn't mind showing to your kids (witchcraft and the like notwithstanding), this is as close as you'll get. You have all the effects without the extended or detailed violence and gore.
Rating:  -
I saw the 138+ minute director's cut recently and was very(VERY)amazed by it. It's covers up certain holes in the story and expanded some of the characters' development. It also explains why Kara(Supergirl is so smart on Earth and the other way round in her sheltered home. The director's cut also made Selena a tad more evil and cruel then the other versions of the film. It's incredible that they cut some of the most important dialouges and special fx out from the international version. Although Supergirl is flawed in a number of ways, but it's still SUPER-FUN and was never boring at any point of the film. Higly recommended to fans and non-fans. This is one film that deserves on your collection. Buy this Limited Edition disc today or REGRET!!!
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