Supergirl offers a fantasy adventure whose strengths coexist with substantial weaknesses. Jeannot Szwarc's 1984 film sends Kara Zor-El to Earth to recover the Omegahedron, placing Helen Slater at the centre of a struggle with Selena.
Slater deserves particular credit. Her combination of innocence, determination and strength makes Kara sympathetic, providing a grounded centre within the film's heightened world. The more exaggerated performances from Faye Dunaway and Peter O'Toole are less consistently convincing.
The story can be awkward and disconnected. Its attempt to expand the Superman universe through his cousin remains interesting, but the construction does not always make the material work smoothly. The central idea has more appeal than some of its execution.
The direction and effects reflect their period. Some images look dated, yet the flying scenes and depiction of Kara's powers retain a fairytale quality. Their charm is part of the experience rather than a reason to ignore the film's limitations.
Jerry Goldsmith's score is another clear strength. It captures the character's heroic presence and supports the images effectively, giving the adventure a musical force that the plotting does not always sustain.
Supergirl is an uneven but interesting adventure with energetic passages and moments of light charm. Slater's performance and the music make it worth reconsidering for viewers interested in superhero cinema. The film earns attention for those qualities without requiring its storytelling problems to be dismissed.
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