‘Supergirl’ gives DC Universe its wings

PETALING JAYA: Say what you want, but director Craig Gillespie’s “Supergirl” will make you feel that a proper superhero film has finally arrived in the new DC Universe.

Starring Milly Alcock (“House of the Dragon”) as Kara Zor-El, this 108-minute flick has all the ingredients missing from James Gunn’s “Superman”, namely fun, tragedy, colour and heart.

Don’t get us wrong – the latter David Corenswet-led starrer embraced its comic-book roots and featured many of Gunn’s signature flourishes. What it lacked were those goosebump-inducing superhero moments and a touch of darkness to ground the story.

“Supergirl” introduces viewers to a broken 23-year-old still trying to find her place in the universe after losing her parents and being uprooted to an entirely new planet. She turns to unhealthy habits to drown her sorrows, violence to cope with her pain, and avoids responsibility whenever she can.

Be honest: how many of us felt just like Kara in our 20s?

That is why “Supergirl” grabs you from the get-go. It also helps that Gillespie and writer Ana Nogueira have adapted Tom King and Bilquis Evely’s critically acclaimed comic-book miniseries “Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow”, renowned for its emotional depth, faithfully.

Most of all, it is because Alcock is the Supergirl many have been waiting for: spunky, rebellious, devil-may-care and, above all, tragically human. It’s a quality she previously brought to her portrayal of young Rhaenyra Targaryen in the “Game of Thrones” prequel.

The movie begins with a semi-drunk Kara during the week of her 23rd birthday. Keeping her company is superdog Krypto, who fought alongside the Man of Steel in “Superman”.

To experience the full effects of alcohol, she travels to planets with red suns, where she becomes as vulnerable as any ordinary human.

During one of her intergalactic pub crawls, Kara encounters Ruthye Marye Knoll (Eve Ridley), a young girl seeking vengeance against Krem, the ruthless leader of the Brigands who murdered her family.

When Krem injures Krypto (furparents, keep those tissues handy), Kara sets out to hunt him down, reluctantly taking Ruthye along.

As they travel across the galaxy, the pair uncover the Brigands’ sinister plans and cross paths with the foul-mouthed bounty hunter Lobo (Jason Momoa), whose brutish charm adds plenty of fun and chaos.

With time running out to save Krypto, Kara must confront her inner demons and embrace her destiny as the last daughter of Krypton.

“Supergirl” succeeds by keeping its story focused and character-driven, never getting lost in superhero spectacle or excessive world-building.

Through well-placed flashbacks, we see Kara grappling with her past while learning to embrace her Kryptonian heritage.

At the heart of the film is her relationship with Ruthye and her determination to stop the younger girl from descending into a darkness she knows all too well.

While the stakes may not be as world-ending as those in “Superman”, the danger feels far more immediate. At times, you genuinely wonder whether Kara will make it out alive.

The action sequences, meanwhile, are exhilarating and showcase exactly why Supergirl is a force to be reckoned with.

Despite her chaotic tendencies, Alcock brings immense heart and charisma to Kara. It’s been a long time since a superhero has felt this human and relatable.

Equally impressive is Ridley, who infuses Ruthye with zeal, vulnerability and youthful determination.

In the end, “Supergirl” proves that the new DC Universe is capable of delivering stories that are both emotionally resonant and unabashedly comic book-inspired.

There is finally reason to be optimistic about the “Gods and Monsters” era. If this film is any indication, we may be witnessing the start of a golden age for Gunn’s Universe.

As of press time, ‘Supergirl’ is screening in cinemas nationwide.