|
 |
Title: |
Supergirl-International
Version |
| Reviewed
By: |
David Berkham,
DVDCorner.net |
| Genre: |
Action/Drama |
| Video Format: |
Anamorphic
2.35:1 Widescreen |
| Audio Format: |
Dolby Digital 5.1 |
DVD Format:
|
SS-RSDL |
| Language Tracks: |
English |
| Subtitle Tracks: |
English |
| Length: |
124 |
| Rating |
PG |
| Release Date: |
August 08, 2000 |
| Regular/Special Edition |
International |
| Region Code: |
1 |
| Studio: |
Anchor Bay |
| THX: |
Yes |
| Commentary |
Director Jeannot
Szwarc and Special Projects Consulatant Scott Micheal Bosco |
| |
|
| Documentaries |
|
| |
|
| Featurettes |
The making of SuperGirl |
| |
|
| Filmography & Biography |
Talent Bios |
| |
|
| Interviews |
|
| |
|
| Trailers & TV Spots |
US & foreign trailers |
| |
US Televison spots |
| Alternate/Deleted Scenes
& Clips |
10 min of film not seen
in US |
| |
|
| Music Video(s) |
|
| |
|
| Other |
Still and poster gallreies,
Original storyboards |
| |
16 page full color booklet |
| Cast &
Crew |
|
Cast
|
Helen Slater,
Pete O'Toole, Faye Dunaway |
| Written by |
|
| Produced By |
Timothy Burrill |
| Directed By |
Jeannot Szwarc
|
i
| The Review: |
| Supergirl was made in the wake of
Christopher Reeves' decision not to do anymore Superman
movies and pursue other acting interests. The public craved
more of the action hero and so Alexander Salkind, the
producer of the Superman films put together this film
to satisfy the public's appetite. He gathered together
some top stars (Faye Duniway, Peter O'Toole, Mia Farrow,
Simon Ward and Brenda Vaccaro to support newcomer Helen
Slater and threw in Marc McClure (Jimmy Olsen from the
Superman films) to tie it together, along with Jerry Goldsmith
who penned the score for both films. This disc is the
first "Super" disc to make it to DVD, although Warner
is planning to do the Superman series soon. Anchor Bay
will be releasing two versions of this film, one Collector's
set, which will contain two discs and this one disc set
which includes the International version with nearly 10
minutes of additional footage not seen in the US version.
Anchor Bay has done a great job in producing this disc,
and although it is only one disc, it contains quite a
few extras. Story-Kara, Superman's cousin, lives in the
Innerspace city of Argo, which survived the Krypton explosion
through the efforts of Zaltar( Peter O'Toole). She is
very curious about Earth and longs to see the beauty of
nature described to her by Zaltar. While conversing with
him, she accidentally releases the power supply of Argo
(the Omegahedron), and she flees across space to retrieve
it and save her city. On Earth, the power source is captured
by the evil Selena (Faye Duniway), who is bent on world
domination. Kara disguises herself as Linda Lee on Earth
and sets out to find the power source. She soon discovers
new friends in Lois Lane's sister and Jimmy Olsen and
confronts Selena for the power source. While the story
has some gaps (her clothes magically transform from her
outfit on Argo to her Supergirl uniform with no explanation),
this is good fun for the family. The extra ten minutes
in this "International" version are devoted almost entirely
to the development of the characters, as this was criticized
in the US version. The dialog for the movie has a few
unintentional laughs as well but very clean. I only heard
one "shit", one "God Damn", and one "Bitch" in the entire
movie. The parts are played for laughs well by Duniway
and Vaccaro, accompanied by the late, great Peter Cook.
Slater is perfect as the doe eyed, innocent Supergirl,
who learns quickly with the help of her new friends and
support from Zaltar. She was perfect in her role, playing
the teenage superhero as vulnerable and sensitive yet
knowing how to use her powers for the purpose intended.
Farrow and Ward have very small cameo roles at the beginning
as Kara's parents. Hart Bochner plays a hunk which interests
both Slater and Duniway, but his part was easy-he spent
most of his scenes knocked out. Look for a small part
played by Matt Frewer (Max Headroom) as a lecherous truck
driver who gets a little to familiar with Supergirl and
pays the price for being a scum. What is noted in the
liner notes is worth mentioning here as well-back in 1984
there were no Super heroes for girls. Supergirl was the
first and in that sense, this film breaks new ground.
Supergirl was a terrific role model for girls, pure and
innocent but strong as well. My little girl, just four,
watched this film and afterwards, "flew" up the stairs
and went to bed dreaming of being Supergirl. |
| Image & Sound: |
|
Excellent THX transfer by Anchor Bay of this International
version. I noticed no dust or scratches, which is superb
for a film that is 16 years old. It is presented in
Widescreen format (2.35:1). The picture at times is
a bit foggy, but I believe that was the cinematographer's
technic instead of a flaw. Many scenes in the original
Superman films also used this technic. The effects are
up to par with any of the Superman flicks, and her flying
is fun to watch, as speeds over the landscape towards
Chicago or Midvale. Her short hops could of used some
work though, as you could almost imagine the cables
holding her up. Of course, there is no CGI, as the special
effects are from 1984, which includes a lot of cellophane
and plastic. One monster is obviously a slow moving
animatronic but the editing is good enough to make up
for this.
The disc offers a THX mastered 5.1 Dolby soundtrack,
along with a 2.0 soundtrack. Separation of channels
was not spectacular but was rich and full. Most of the
information came through the front channels, but some
effects (swooshes from flying, etc.) and soundtrack
music used the rear channels extensively.
|
| Extra Features: |
| The disc contains a lot
of extras including a making of Supergirl featurette,
US and foreign trailers, U.S. television spots, original
storyboards, still and poster galleries, talent bios,
and commentary from director Jeannot Szwarc and Special
Projects Consultant Scott Michael Bosco. Although it is
not mentioned on the cover,the disc also includes a THX
set up program that will enhance your television sound
and picture with the use of audio test signals and test
patterns. It's sort of a mini-Video Essentials, built
right into the disc. It covers audio separation and imaging
between channels, color adjustment test patterns, and
brightness and contrast . I really thought this was a
fantastic extra that could be included on many discs.
|
| Finals Words: |
| Supergirl is a fast,
fun paced romp, as it should be. The stars had fun-Supergirl
was done right by Slater, and the effects, while not state
of the art by today's standards, are totally acceptable.
The villains are bad but not totally evil. The same production
values that went into the Superman movies were also used
in this film. My one complaint would be that this single
disc version is not the longest version available, as
the original 138 minute version has been cut to 124 minutes.
Anchor Bay will have these two versions available starting
August 8th. If you don't want to fork out the extra cash
for the double disc set, this one DVD still has a lot
to offer by itself. The THX testing feature alone, for
those without Video Essentials or Avid is a great bonus.
THX will even send you a blue testing filmstrip if you
visit their web site. Don't be looking for serious science
fiction here folks! Leave your brain at the door for certain
plot gaps and enjoy this movie. |
|
Divas Talk-Two for the show
Diva Roundtable Review
|
