DVD : Supergirl (Limited Edition)

In association with Amazon.com

Rating:

- * * * * *This is how DVDs are supposed to be made!* * * * *
In 1978 there came Superman, followed in 1980 by Superman II which was a direct continuance of the story. Superman and Superman II are the best when we think of the Superman movies. The attempted comedy of Superman III in 1983 was a disaster, and Superman IV The Quest For Peace in 1987 was a cheapo version, especially considering the disgustingly terrible special effects. Between Superman III and Superman IV, in 1984 there came Supergirl. Commercially it wasn't very successful and is often considered as one of the worst ever blockbusters, something which I didn't understand then, and really can't believe now. However, Supergirl has come to DVD and you're about to realize what you've been missing all this time.

To cut a long story short, Superman's cousin Kara is on a mission on Earth to find the Omegahedron. The Omegahedron is the life source of Argo City, a place where those who survived the destruction of Krypton (where Superman was born) now live. The Omegahedron was lost in an accident caused by Kara. It got sucked out of Argo City into space and landed on Earth. Since it is her fault and all those who live in Argo City will die if she doesn't get the Omegahedron back soon, Kara is determined to return it. When Kara leaves Argo City in a small ship and lands on Earth she discovers she now has the same powers as Superman- she can fly, has superstrength, x-ray vision, heat vision, superhearing and superbreath. Unfortunately a witch has found the Omegehedron and is planning on using it's power to create an evil shadow over Earth in which she will rule. Since Superman is negotiating piece with an alien race several trillion light years away, Kara as Supergirl is the only the one who can save the planet.

Supergirl starts off like Superman did with an introduction to the character and a story that begins to get you excited as we meet this new character. The opening credits themselves look fantastic and actually surpass the Superman opening credits. There is a real 3D effect to them, and the music by Jerry Goldsmith although not remembered now, is certainly on a par with John William's original Superman score. Helen Slater plays Supergirl and she is as much Supergirl as Christopher Reeve was Superman, perhaps even more so. Helen Slater has a perfect blend of innocence and strength, something which we only started to see in the late 1990s in shows such as Buffy The Vampire Slayer. Helen Slater is also beautiful, so making Supergirl beautiful. Supergirl basically becomes someone who can impress male audiences and be admired by female audiences. Faye Dunaway is the witch and although quite dull in comparison to Gene Hackman's Lex Luthor in the Superman movies, she does help the character of Supergirl to shine.

The movie itself has plenty of action, yet is also endearing. There are comedic moments and a love interest. In 1984 audiences didn't give Supergirl a real chance, but now, you can.

As for the DVD itself, it is a very impressive one from Anchor Bay. This Limited Edition version of Supergirl has 2 Discs and features 2 versions of the film. When Supergirl was released there were various complications regarding studios and distribution and so Supergirl ended up being cut several times. This also could have been responsible for how successful Supergirl was. The version shown in 1984 in US theatres is the shortest version and was released on video shortly afterwards. A while later when Supergirl was broadcast on television, some of the scenes that were cut were restored. It was also this version that was shown internationally. Disc 1 of the DVD features this international version of Supergirl. Recently in the UK, the original uncut version of Supergirl was discovered, and it is this which is the definitive director's version of Supergirl, now located on Disc 2.

Disc 2 doesn't have any other extras except for this directors cut. Note that the sound is in mono and the picture is not THX mastered, but if you're a fan of this movie, this is a real find for you. Disc 1 has the international version which is THX mastered and in Dolby Digital 5.1. The Special Features include a Commentary by director Jeannot Szwarc (which probably should have been put on the Director's Cut but what the hey!) and expert Scott Bosco. There is also a 50 minute "Making Of" originally made at the time, and is done the way making ofs should be made today. In addition, there is an Extensive Booklet with interviews and photos which is fascinating, as well as
TV Spots and trailers fron the US, the UK and Germany. I have to admit, the trailers are probably my favorite of the special features, apart from the making of, and the commentary....oh my god, there is just so much that is wonderful about this DVD set!

I really recommend you buy it. And if you don't, hey I'm not bothered, I've got my copy already.

Rating:

- Great DVD set
The movie in itself is horrible. I guess the Salkinds had two much controll over it, and blew their chance. The script is lame, the acting is mediocre, and the jokes aren't funny.

But this DVD set is magnificent. It contains just about everything, and it's worth buying the movie because of all the extras.

Rating:

- SUPERGIRL SOARS HIGH NICE MOVIE BIT LET DOWN.
From the producers of Superman comes Supergirl, in 1984 Supergirl was released however it never actually did that well in the cinema and was not held as being as good as the first two Superman films.
But the fact is that it is pretty good, ok Supergirl acts more like a fantasy fairy tale then Superman did just like Superman 3 Supergirl has a quite a lot of humour which I guess gives more of a comic book movie.
Anyone who is not famliar with Supergirl the movie well Supergirl is Superman's female cousin and comes to Earth to search for a cosmic power source that will save her world from destruction.
The innerspace and outerspace thing is never explained in the film but basically what is meant by that is another dimension Supergirl is basically another self from a Krypton which when it exploded some of it stayed alive.
Christopher Reeve was suppose to have appeared in Supergirl but dropped out of it before filming started.
If he had been in it, it would have had a much different story with Supergirl not only trying to save her planet but a powerless and aging Superman.
But cause of Chris dropping out the script changed completely, Supergirl the movie an excellent film that could have been better especially with Superman in it, but still if your a fan of Helen Slater or comic books your mostly like this film.
Anyways great acting, story and special effects for it's time.

Rating:

- MUCH ADO
I can't believe how much time and effort was put into this special edition! This is how all DVD's should be--good or bad movie! Unfortunately, I can't give 5 stars because, well, at the heart of it all is a bad movie.

Rating:

- Has Everyone Gone Mad
How can anyone think this movie is good?? You can see the wires she is using from 10 miles away, they don't bother to tell you anything about her homeworld except that they are in inner space, which of course means they live under water (Huh??). Can someone tell me how she knew her cousins' name was Clark Kent?? Did Superman send the family notes or something?? This second rate witch (played appalling by Faye Dunaway) get her hands on a power source that will let her do anything and she has to use a truck to get some gardener? And why was she so desperate to get this guy to fall in love with her in the first place?? All these questions add up to one God awful movie. I have no idea how anyone could read this script and think any good could come out of it. The story is silly, the acting is probably the worst I have seen since porno, the effects make me long for Ed Wood. The fact that they made a 2 disc set for this film and other, more worthy films don't get that kind of treatment makes me believe that satan does run Hollywood.

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