| REVIEW by Webmaster REVIEW EQUIPMENT
Sony Wega Widescreen 28"
Toshiba 100 DVD player
Technics SADX940 Dolby/Dts
 Supergirl
is a mixed bag, a film with so much potential but was never
fully realised on screen. The problems stem from the
screenplay, it's roots are firmly based in fantasy which makes
the on-screen events a little hard to
believe sometimes..
The main problems I have with this film; Kara becoming Supergirl instantly (I didn't like
the director's explanation), Kara finding out Superman is her cousin, her knowledge of
Clark Kent - Has Superman visited Argo City?
An explanation would be nice; Supergirl becoming Linda Lee is hard to believe as well.
These are my biggest gripes about the picture, it should've been sorted out during or
before filming.
When making a Superhero picture, one must believe that the on-screen
events have some reality to it, this why I believe the audience never liked this film.
It's such a shame because I see the potential there. I understand that the director wanted
to take a lyrical approach to this, and I agree with him, this worked well, but the
screenplay was full of plot holes.
There are good things in this picture:
Helen Slater is the perfect Supergirl, there's an innocence about her, which I love.
The flying sequences are amazing, the best in the Superman series, when she's testing her
flight, the movements are so
beautiful, you really believe a girl can fly
The special effects are consistently good to excellent.
The acting is good.
Photography is beautiful, this my favourite Alan Hume work. Supergirl's costume is
gorgeously lit.
Is the DVD worth purchasing? Yes, if you enjoy
Supergirl despite its problems, you'll love the disc. I certainly had fun.
 The
anamorphic transfer looks superb for the most part, colours
seem stable to me, Alan Hume's stunning photography is captured
beautifully. There's quite a bit of grain visible in some
flying shots, the film really required some digital restoration
here, but I guess it would be too expensive to do, what we
get is the next best thing - A consistent transfer. Supergirl's
costume looks beautiful, the blues and the reds are lovely.
Well done, Anchor Bay!
The Audio is fantastic, the surrounds are active when need to be, Goldsmith's score is
beautiful, making use of all the speakers, it sounds beautiful and natural. The action
scenes make good use of the surrounds, it's certainly not gimmicky.This is a very nice
mix! The good thing about this mix is that it compliments everything on screen, it feels
very much part of the film.
 The
extras for this disc are excellent, especially considering
that Supergirl is regarded as a poor film by many. The fans
will enjoy the materials presented here.
Firstly, we get plethora of trailers, including one from Germany!
The making of Supergirl is a 50min documentary, which is very enjoyable. You get to see
quite a bit of behind-the-scenes stuff. It doesn't show all the tricks, but there's enough
to satisfy everyone.
The audio commentary is nice, the director
shares quite a lot of info, it's not the best you are gonna hear, but it's
informative. Scott Bosco keeps the director talking, so there are few pauses. Interesting
to note that there are many
references to Wizard of Oz in the film. The director does try to fill in the plot holes,
but I found his explanations weak.
There are several storyboards sequences which are played with the appropriate music from
Goldsmith's repertoire. This is a nice
touch, and I'm glad you don't need a DVD-ROM! to see them
And to round off the disc, stills of posters and publicity shots
The DVD feels like a near-complete package to me, it's a nicely produced disc. I'm sure
there's plenty of Supergirl materials
out there, like footage of premiere, f/x tests? etcetc but what we get is very good. No
fan of the film can complain, because
who would've thought we'd get a DVD Special Edition of this film?
There's also a limited edition of the DVD, featuring 138 min version of Supergirl, which
adds more depth to the picture.
If you enjoy Supergirl for what it is, then this DVD is for you, it's a superb package! If
you are unsure, then rent it and
enjoy a quality British production.
The anamorphic transfer is very good, your
jaw will drop when you see how fantastic Supergirl's costume looks!!!
While I love the disc, the film's screenplay is a letdown.
Released on 8th August 2000.
Milo (webmaster assistant):
Back when super heroes weren’t
the tortured, emotionally troubled characters they often are today, Alexander and Ilya
Salkind brought the Maid of Steel to life in grand fashion. Supergirl was released
in 1984 with a lot of publicity, but met with public indifference. Most Superman fans are
divided on this film - they either love it or hate it. Subsequent versions on home video
have done little to foster the fact that, technically, Supergirl is superb. Anchor
Bay has spared nothing for their newest DVD release of Supergirl. The transfer of
film to DVD is simply incredible. The color and sound are vibrant and crystal clear. Never
before has Helen Slater’s super-costume shown so brightly. Seen in letterbox format,
the film takes on a new dimension (a dimension originally intended). For the first time
since its theatrical release, the flying sequences can be seen in all their splendour. The
movie literally glows with comic book brilliance.
The commentaries offer significant insight into Supergirl.
It becomes clear, that making Supergirl was a labour of love for director Jeannot
Szwarc. He also offers clues to some of the more "fantastical" (and confusing)
elements of the film - such as "where did she get the super-costume?" and
"why is Superman on that special mission?" Despite a few flaws in the narrative
of Supergirl, the film does contain a certain lyrical quality and a definite sense
of innocence. In fact, we learn that Supergirl was conceived as a fantasy film in
the same vein as The Wizard of Oz and Snow White.
For those fans who enjoy wire
hunting in the flying sequences of the "super" films will find a few here and
there in Supergirl. But that’s part of the fun of these films. Incidentally, a
major plot point of Superman IV makes a first, although unused, appearance in an
early draft of Supergirl (as we learn from the director’s commentary). The DVD
also makes use of modern technology by taking scenes from the film and animating them in
comic book fashion on the scene selection menus. This new DVD presentation of Supergirl
adds a dimension to the film not seen since its theatrical run. The film, in many
scenes was literally bathed in light, and beautifully transfers to DVD. Perhaps a new
audience will discover Supergirl. In a time when Hollywood films are often dark and
brooding, it’s refreshing to look back to a time when heroes’ hearts were pure.
Anchor Bay has done the legend of Supergirl proud.
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