"Supergirl" Is Dull and Derivative, DC's New Film Cannot Be Saved Even by the Dog Krypto

James Gunn's second installment in his DC trilogy, "Supergirl," directed by Craig Gillespie, has arrived in cinemas. According to critic Anton Dolini, it is a trivial and second-rate film that fails to escape the shadow of its predecessor.

The superhero film "Supergirl," released worldwide, is the second chapter in James Gunn's DC trilogy. If Gunn's own directed first film "Superman" proved surprisingly original, audiences could expect disappointment with the sequel. "Supergirl," from director Craig Gillespie ("I, Tonya"), is a film that is both second-rate and tedious.

Plot and Characters

The film's two main characters are Kara Zor-El, Superman's cousin, and young fighter Ruti Marie Noll, who wander through the universe searching for cosmic bandits led by Crem. Ruti has a personal motivation: she wants to avenge her killed father with his sword. Kara has a different task-the same villain allegedly possesses an antidote to poison arrows to save her beloved dog Krypto. Time is short, just three days.

Lack of Originality

In his criticism, film critic Anton Dolini directly links "Supergirl" to the exhaustion of the genre. Cosmic battles saturated in artificial colours, funny aliens and deliberately clumsy humour, lost innocence and the triumph of the weak over injustice-we have already seen all of this, from "Star Wars" to Gunn's own "Guardians of the Galaxy." Rather, "Supergirl" evokes the languishing apocalyptic mood of the "Mad Max" franchise, which is not a compliment.

The film's greatest asset must be considered the lead actress Milly Alcock ("House of the Dragon"), who has created a contradictory and sarcastic Supergirl, and as a strong female character, this idea works. Unfortunately, the filmmakers did not know what to do with it. Young Ruti is played by 14-year-old English actress Eve Ridley (known from "The Witcher"), and although the girl has a story of innocence and revenge, it remains emotionally superficial.

Krypto and Soundtrack Cannot Save It

The film's classic "dog rule," where the villain harms the animal and the hero comforts it, is applied here so clumsily that the dog Krypto is removed from the action early on. Along with that, the film's main intrigue and charm disappear. The soundtrack, featuring Wet Leg, Wolf Alice and Eagles of Death Metal, does enliven the viewer from time to time, but the predictable happy ending creates no surprise whatsoever.

DC's Future

The larger question is whether DC's new cinematic universe under Gunn's artistic direction can move forward at all. The premiere of "Man of Tomorrow," where Superman and Supergirl are supposed to meet, is scheduled for July 2027. "Supergirl's" tedium and second-rateness raise doubts as to whether audiences will stick around for the trilogy to reach its conclusion.