The official trailer for Supergirl has finally dropped, teasing the story of a troubled superhero travelling across the galaxy to save her beloved dog. And that’s what won me over.
James Gunn is doing his utmost to breathe new life into the DC cinematic universe, and the story of Superman’s cousin will be a crucial test of his vision. The first three projects heralding this new era – the animated Creature Commandos, Peacemaker season 2, and the Superman film – delivered fun but didn’t exactly send me into a frenzy. Ultimately, they proved too uneven and cliché-ridden to bring new qualities to the worn-out superhero genre.
However, the story of the young Kryptonian, Kara Zor-El, seems intriguing. The film is based on the Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow comic series, which, from what I’ve been told, has plenty of interesting things to offer. That gives some hope for a script that makes at least a little sense – and perhaps even offers a touch of character development, if DC Studios executives are feeling brave enough.
What’s more, Milly Alcock is such a brilliant casting choice that it’s hard not to smile when seeing her on screen. The unforgettable House of the Dragon veteran will surely add charm to even the most generic story.
And yet, the first Supergirl teaser didn’t inspire much optimism in me. Filled with over-the-top action scenes, corny jokes, and yet more clichés, it looked like a remix of cut scenes from Guardians of the Galaxy. Strangely enough, James Gunn’s influence was very much in evidence, even though the Supergirl is directed by Craig Gillespie, whom I associate with less of a feel-good style.
I labelled Supergirl as another soulless superhero flick I couldn’t be bothered to watch. But the latest trailer has made me think the film might work after all.
Maybe it’s Milly Alcock’s charm seeping through the over-saturated footage. Maybe it’s because I also have a fluffy dog with a touching backstory. In any case, for the first time, I felt that I’d gladly spend a sunny June afternoon in the cinema, meeting Kara Zol-El and Krypto.
Of course, the trailer doesn’t suggest the film will be anything particularly fresh. The inspirations are obvious: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 here, John Wick there, a dose of Dune sprinkled over the top. James Gu… sorry, Craig Gillespie uses familiar tricks: a heroine fleeing a traumatic past, a bunch of unlikely allies, a creepy cosmic villain and a cute animal at the heart of the plot.
But maybe Supergirl will have a soul. A little borrowed, but still colourful. I like the girly-adventure vibe that radiates from the trailer. I like the alliance between the feisty but adorable Last Daughter of Krypton and the barbaric Lobo, the Last Czarnian, played by Jason Momoa. And what I like most of all is that it will be a small, personal story rather than a multiverse-saving epic.
The latest Supergirl trailer promised me a summer blockbuster in the best possible style – full of adventure, laughter, emotion and heroes you’d want to grab a drink with on a Saturday night. DC, I’m holding you to that – please, don’t let me down again.
