Plot: What’s it about?
It has been long thought that Superman was the only survivor from his ill fated planet, but the truth is a small city exists from there with many survivors. The city was able to survive the ordeal thanks to Zaltar (Peter O’Toole) a scientist who managed to keep the city up and running due to a special device called the Omegahedron. It seems as though things have settled down for these survivors when their precious power source becomes lost and hope is slim that it will be recovered. But there is one hope for this city, in the form of Kara (Helen Slater) who will search for the power source under the guise of Supergirl. It won’t be an easy task by any means, as sorceress Selena (Faye Dunaway) has the power source and has no plans to return it under circumstances. As if controlling the Omegahedron wasn’t enough, Selena plans to use her powerful black magic to take over the entire world! But those plans will be canceled if Supergirl can reclaim the power source and save the day.
Supergirl has finally arrived on our beloved format and in a features loaded version nonetheless! This review covers the single disc issue of Supergirl, but there is also a limited edition release which contains a second disc with an even longer cut of the film. So make sure you pick up the correct version for your personal collection should you seek to purchase this title. I know this film has gathered more than a fair share of critics, but I refuse to acknowledge their opinions because I happen to love this movie. This is by no means a flawless film, but I think it is better than most of the other superhero films and I am sure it is more fun to watch. The performances are adequate at all times, though sometimes better than others to be sure. The storyline has some quibbles, but come on why watch a movie like this if you’re going to be that technical? This is an extremely fun movie that offers adventure and some nice special effects, just don’t expect Shakespeare and you’ll be just fine. I recommend this release with my highest commendation and whether you choose to rent or purchase Supergirl (in either this or the limited edition release) your money will be well spent.
This film was directed by Jeannot Szwarc, who delivers a fun and well developed science fiction/fantasy adventure with this movie. The visuals in this picture are excellent and really set the stage for the events and characters well. This type of film needs a broad scope and grand scale and it has just that, but without a solid director it could all fall apart. Szwarc’s camera is used very well and while it never becomes that flashy, it always captures the tone and image needed. While many have criticized his work here for various reasons, I feel Szwarc came through with a fun and exciting adventure movie, which is what this film should have been. If you want to see of Szwarc’s movies I recommend Santa Claus: The Movie, Jaws 2, Mountain Of Diamonds, Somewhere In Time, and Enigma. The lead in this film is the beautiful Helen Slater (Sticky Fingers, City Slickers), who gives a charismatic though sometimes dizzy performance. She looks the role to be sure, but I do feel she sometimes seems in over her head. The real show stopper in this film is Faye Dunaway (The Thomas Crown Affair, Gia), who shines as the evil Selena and steals every scene she stars in. The supporting cast also includes Peter O’Toole (Phantoms, Joan Of Arc), Mia Farrow (Private Parts, Radio Days), Marc McClure (Menno’s Mind, Apollo 13), and Hart Bochner (Anywhere But Here, Die Hard).
Video: How does it look?
Supergirl is presented in a 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer. This film just couldn’t look much better than this as Anchor Bay has issued a pristine and anamorphic transfer for this cult classic. The source print looks flawless and shows few nicks and wear signs, while the compression looks excellent also with only minor artifacts here and there. The colors look bold and bright, with no bleeds and flesh tones that appear warm and natural. The contrast doesn’t disappoint either, as shadows seem inky and deep and detail level is quite high. I can’t imagine how this transfer could look much better, another excellent visual presentation from the folks at Anchor Bay!
Audio: How does it sound?
The included remastered Dolby Digital 5.1 track is very good and offers a terrific audio experience that should give your home theater a nice workout. The musical score is fantastic and this mix makes it sound better than ever, fans will be very pleased. The music is the most active element in this mix surround wise, but there is still quite a bit of use in terms of sound effects and such. I noticed some very nice effects in the surrounds, but don’t expect a powerhouse audio experience since this movie doesn’t call for much heavy duty speaker use. The dialogue comes through loud and clear and has no volume issues at all. In what I hope is the start of a regular and consistent addition from Anchor Bay, this release is closed captioned.
Supplements: What are the extras?
This release comes loaded with goodies, including an additional ten minutes of footage edited into the movie which makes for an interesting and welcome bonus in its own right. Also included is the THX Optimode software, which helps you fine tune your system to display this film to the intent of the filmmakers. Five theatrical trailers have been jammed onto this disc, as well as three television spots. I am a fan of trailers and I am pleased that Anchor Bay has included a nice selection of them on this disc. Storyboards have been included for six sequences and as you watch them unfold, you’ll be treated to music from the soundtrack. A wealth of still photos have been packed in also and are divided into the categories of posters & artwork, Helen Slater as Supergirl, color stills, and black & white stills. I’m partial to the Helen Slater shots, but all were fun to scroll through. You’ll also find talent files for a scant few involved folks, but I wish there were more extensive bios available. A very informative featurette has been included, titled The Making Of Supergirl and it contains various interviews and footage from the production. This is far from the usual promotional fluff and holds much inside information on this film. Some nice production notes within the insert booklet. The final supplement is an audio commentary with director Jeannot Szwarc and special project consultant Scott Michael Bosco. This is a terrific commentary which holds a ton of information, as Bosco feeds Szwarc questions whenever the track lulls a bit. This is a fantastic array of goodies that should have any Supergirl fans in total heaven!
