Early reactions to Supergirl are in, and critics are largely split on the film while agreeing on a few things: Milly Alcock delivers, Jason Momoa steals scenes, and David Corenswet was the right choice to play Superman.
The Craig Gillespie-directed film opens in theaters June 26. Alcock stars as Kara, reprising the role she debuted in last summer's Superman. Momoa plays intergalactic bounty hunter Lobo, and Corenswet returns as Superman in a supporting capacity.
According to Deadline, Chris Killian of Comicbook.com described the film by saying that "if you threw [Guardians of the Galaxy], True Grit, and Mad Max into a DC blender, you'd get Supergirl — a grimy, funny, yet surprisingly somber space adventure." Killian singled out Alcock, "especially when we get into Kara's tragic backstory," and said Momoa as Lobo looks to be "having the fraggin' time of his life." On Corenswet, Killian called the casting "peak casting," adding, "Every time he's on screen, you can't help but smile."
Not every critic was as enthusiastic. Tessa Smith called the film a "mixed bag," writing that "as a fan of the comic, I was (perhaps) overly excited for the film adaptation. While Jason Momoa's Lobo & Milly Alcock shine, some adaptation choices and a bland villain keep it from greatness. It's, simply put, just fine."
John Nguyen of Nerd Reactor said Supergirl "felt bland, and I left wishing she had been given stronger material to show what she can really do."
Erik Davis landed somewhere in between, comparing the film to a mix of "the underdog rock n' roll attitude of Guardians of the Galaxy" and Mad Max's "grimy ruthlessness." Davis wrote that Alcock "brings a sort of aloofness and melancholy to the role that helps create emotional depth," while "Momoa's Lobo is used just enough that you're satisfied but also want to see more."
Germain Lussier called it "highly enjoyable" but said it doesn't "have the resonance of Superman," while adding that "it acts as both a perfect companion and follow-up to that movie with better characters and more complex relationships. It's also incredibly emotional, which makes the action hit even harder."
Total Film critic Fay Watson offered one of the more enthusiastic takes, writing that Supergirl "is the film I wish I'd had as a teenager who loved superhero movies. Milly Alcock is perfect, bringing humour, heart, and incredible drunk acting. Really loved Craig Gillespie's vision of this world. Mad Max vibes for sure, but #Supergirl is something all of its own."
Supergirl opens nationwide on June 26.
