Supergirl – Hancock's Awkward Sister in 4K

More than Superman's cousin, this Kara Zor-El at times seems like Hancock's idiotic, alcoholic sister. A provocation, certainly, but also a way to describe a protagonist who wants to be unconventional and tormented, sometimes ending up simply appearing awkward. Milly Alcock gives it her all and still manages to give the character a certain humanity, especially when the wounds related to the loss of Krypton surface.

Craig Gillespie builds a space adventure in which James Gunn's imprint is hard to ignore. The journey between planets, the insistent humor, and the alternation between action and comedy bring to mind the Guardians of the Galaxy, without, however, achieving the same charisma and energy. The result is a film that proceeds at a decent pace, but rarely finds a truly unique voice.

Intermediate chapter between excesses and déjà-vu

Jason Momoa comes to the rescue of the narrative: his Lobo exudes overflowing charisma and a comedic verve that work decidedly better than many jokes entrusted to other characters. He doesn't steal the scene from Kara, but leaves his mark every time he appears. Eve Ridley also works well in her relationship with Kara, offering the protagonist a less over-the-top counterpoint.

The biggest problem is the predictable screenplay, unable to give sufficient depth to the conflict. The villain does not represent a particularly incisive threat, and the journey ends up resembling a succession of stages, without an equally convincing emotional growth. Visually, we are not in the presence of sequences destined to remain in time. Supergirl is therefore an intermediate chapter that entertains without leaving a mark, a moment of transition while waiting for the evolving DC Universe to find a more solid direction.

Digital footage acquired at resolutions between 8K and 8.6K (DJI Ronin 4D, Red V-Raptor, Sony CineAlta Venice 2) and a final 4K master constitute a stunning basis for a technically spectacular show. The Warner Bros. edition distributed by Arvitalia delivers a clean and well-defined image, maintaining excellent fluidity throughout the film. Image format 2.39:1 (3840 x 2160/23.97p), HEVC encoding on a BD-100 triple layer disc.

The encoding proves to be up to par and ready to impress with excellent quality even on large screens. HDR-10 and Dolby Vision enhance the dynamics of lights and colors, valorizing the art of light by cinematographer Rob Hardy: his cinematography includes technically spectacular works such as Annihilation, Ex Machina, and Civil War. Every single element included in the video file contributes to getting as close as possible to the original material.

Dolby TrueHD 7.1 with Italian and English ATMOS objects (always 16 bit), capable of distinguishing themselves with a fairly vigorous sound signature, able to give body to action sequences without sacrificing dialogue clarity and musical accompaniment. Low-frequency effects arrive with considerable impact on the subwoofer, while movements between channels and the interventions of the surround speakers contribute to an immersive spectacle. We are not at reference levels but still up to the technical quality of this edition. DTS-HD MA 5.1 for the included 2K disc (16 bit).

Many accompanying extras: Flying Off the Page (11') traces Supergirl's comic book history and the adaptation process; Girl's Best Friend (5') is dedicated to Krypto, while A Practical Legacy (11') shows some of the special effects created on set. This is followed by The DC Dream: Lobo (7') focusing on the character played by Jason Momoa and Showdown at Evely Square (8') on the related action sequence. Space Is A Bad Neighborhood, Babe (11') explores the creation of alien worlds and the set design work; Mixtape For A Hero (5') delves into the soundtrack with composer Claudia Sarne.

The Supergirl making-of (25') is more extensive, with interviews, on-set footage, and production details. You Are Here: A Superhero Map of the Galaxy (4') explores the film's planets. The extras are completed by the animated short Krypto Saves the Day!: Coastal Catastrophe (6') featuring Krypto and Superman, and two deleted scenes. Italian subtitles. The steelbook edition is very beautiful for collectors.