Supergirl (1984)

	Also Known As: -
	Year of first release: 1984
	Director: Jeannot Szwarc
	Actors: Helen Slater, Faye Dunaway (The Towering Inferno, Eyes of Laura Mars), Peter O'Toole (Lawrence of Arabia)
	Country: GB
	Genre: Fantasy, Adventure
	Conditions of visioning: 26.09.2020, VOD, 10" tablet screen.

Synopsis: After losing a powerful orb, Kara Zor-El (Slater), Superman's cousin, comes to Earth to retrieve it and instead finds herself up against a wicked witch (Dunaway). Review: Continuing the series of original Superman movies, I had to watch this Supergirl after Superman III. It is not to be confused with the recent TV-series Supergirl with Melissa Benoist in the lead role. More than a few details tell you it takes place in the same Universe as the successful movies: we don't see Christopher Reeve playing Superman but a picture of him, we are told about his recent exploits and see the same Marc McClure playing Jimmy Olsen. The movie takes place in a small rural town in contrast to the New York-inspired Metropolis. What makes it better than the latest Superman movies is the mystic / wizardry story, and the presence of the experienced actors Faye Dunaway and Peter O'Toole who, even if they sometimes seem lost in the story, elevate the movie with their talent. This movie looks as kitsch and cheap as the others and contains the same amount of coincidences, the worst being Linda Lee (secret identity of Supergirl) finding herself roommate with Lois Lane's sister! And why does she want to blend in anyway? Also she has funny powers like generating the clothes she wants. The movie is well-shot with nice details like the light on the witch's eyes and slightly improved special effects, but many points in the story are laughable like the love potion story. The interlude in the phantom zone seems also out of place and here only to remind of Superman 2, but it is in fact one of the best moments in the movie (thanks to Peter O'Toole again) and a turning point. Also funny that in contrast to Superman coming from outer space, Supergirl comes from a city filled with survivors from Krypton, in inner space. Thus at the beginning she emerges from the bottom of a lake on Earth (!). I don't know if this was present in original DC comics, but with my modern references it reminded me of the quantum realm in Marvel's Ant Man. For 80's hardcore nostalgics only.   Rating: 4 /10