Whoa! This was tough on me. If you notice a gravely voice like I had just woke up...I HAD. It was early, and I had to get it done. I HATE to HATE Supergirl...I wanted it to be great, I still do, but know it is not one of the best. Faye Dunaway is difficult, but was she to blame? Was she the Kryptonite that Flopped Supergirl 40 years ago? You decide, and tell me your memories of the movie.
Seriously? Failure? It is still one of my all time favorite movies to this day. Helen Slater is and always will be my only Supergirl. Just like Christopher Reeve is my Superman and Michael Keaton my Batman.
As much as I love some scenes and as I say in the show (if you see it all) Helen Slater is MY Supergirl, too. The writing and dialogue suck ass, and you can't deny its BOTH critical and financial failure. I wish it wasn't so. It is difficult to watch all the way through for me.
@@pferreira1983 i find it enjoyable! from the first time at the cinema to the director's cut on bluray..sure it's light weight but its campy/culty fun, and Helen Slater's performance as Kara/Supergirl is fittingly very sweet and naive. Do i get that it didn't do well at the box office? sure! But Faye Dunaway, Brenda Vacarro and Peter Cook, along with the dishy Hart Bochner as the eye candy, and the cameos of Peter O'Toole and Mia Farrow give it all a little mre oomph. it feels a lot better now than when it came out but i guess its easier to put it into some sort of context years later. its got a good heart and like the film of Buffy The Vampire Slayer ..its a long wait between positive female role models in their own franchises.
exactly. just like hypothetically if i hadnt ever watched an astro boy tv show or movie i would think the '80s show is the best astro boy tv show or movie and i would start watching an astro boy show or movie with this version. bc the '80s were the best of everything: the best toys, the best movies, the best tv shows, the best music, and the best cartoons.
Gotta Disagree. Supergirl has Always been one of my Favorite films. Supergirl was always my fave, and the movie, thanks to Slater, Dunaway, and Baccaro, was always fabulous for me. Sorry if I spelled the names wrong. But I've just always absolutely Loved this movie Still watch it several times a year.
That is cool. I hate to hate it, but it is hard to watch today...mostly because of Peter O'Toole. As the video concludes, I do lay all blame on the writers for what I consider a poor story and dialogue. I love her and still love that there was a Supergirl movie...but I feel it should have been better. Thank you for sharing, though. Glad you enjoy.
I LOVE Supergirl. I still rewatch it (and my friends and I quoted it all through the '80s) *because* of Faye and Brenda! Faye stole the show, and I love her for it.
I can enjoy cheese, believe me, but it is the rest...that is not cheesy, but just bad, that makes you realize how the writer and director did a terrible job.
Great comment. I know the writing and dialogue stank, but editing is a big reason, too. This should have been better...it deserved to be better. Slater is wonderful and most of the others do their darndest, so it is sad. Thank you for commenting.
I really think that Christopher Reeve should've been in Supergirl. Him and Helen Slater together would make a great team. Reeve shouldn't have backed out at the last minute.
Unfortunately, those who owned the rights to Superman and Supergirl, didn't want to spend money or make it epic, like _Superman: The Movie_ turned out to be. Fortunately they didn't make them a romantic couple. Richard Lester changed _Superman II_ to his comedy stylings and followed up with _Superman III_ making it a Richard Pryor movie rather than a Superman movie. And _Superman IV: The Quest for Peace was unwatchable. I made the mistake of seeing that in the theater when it came out and I felt there were some scenes missing; maybe they didn't splice the reels together right. In that one they didn't want to spend _any_ money. I just watched a science/astronomy video saying how difficult it is to make anything hit the sun. I don't remember if I saw _Supergirl_ in the theater. I knew the story when I bought it on VHS ~1991. But had to take it back for an exchange since my first copy was broken.
Supergirl was one of my favorite superhero movies growing up as a little girl. I remember collecting the movie cards where the scenes from the movie was on the front and the description of the scene was on the back of the card. Whenever I couldn't watch the movie. I always looked through the cards for the story.
That unlocks memories for me too. I loved having those movie trading cards (for various films) and using them to revisit those stories I loved, but couldn't watch. Thank you so much.
I certainly didn't pay attention to critics when I was that age either. I have a soft spot for it, for sure. However, unlike other not so great films that you can re-watch, this is difficult because of the terrible script. They did her wrong.
This would have been much more successful if Reeves had stayed with the project. I remember seeing this when I was about 8, in the theater and even then I remember thinking, “Where’s Superman?” Faye’s performance was fantastic, yea it was over the top but it definitely worked for this style, and I also remember loving Bianca 😂. I have to see this again.
I think it certainly would have done better. I hope you enjoy it again, and camp has its place...just the writing was poor...the story ended up being so subpar to me. But loved it as a kid.
I'm not sure how this could have worked with Superman in it and still be Supergirl's movie. If the witch sent him to the Phantom Zone then Kara would have to rescue him somehow.
I love the Supergirl movie and have since it came out. Helen Slater was INVICIBLE in this film. Faye Dunaway was as over the top and brilliant as Selena as she was as Joan Crawford. She never got her fair appreciation for these roles. Brenda Vaccaro was selling tampons and sanitary pads so I'm guessing this was a good gig. The absence of Christopher Reeve did make it seem like this film was booted to the curb and had to survive on it's own and not taint the franchise that would feature a tired repeat of an unfunny Richard Pryor script. And then there was Nuclear Man or whatever he was. Good choices. The 1988 Superboy series had more support from the producers than this film did. The actors never should have should felt the blowback of an underwhelming and underperforming film. I watched the "Faye" documentary and understand why this isn't her proudest body or work. Things really should've been different from start to finish on this picture.
I enjoyed the Faye Documentary immensely, and absolutely LOVE Slater in the film. She is my SG, no question. It is hard to watch today because the story and writing is very inadequate and I believe she deserved better. Thank you for the comment as it was well thought and very on point.
Three things still hold up from this movie. Helen Slater, the flying sequences and Jerry Goldsmith’s incredible music. Christopher Reeve would’ve made a huge impact on this movie. What a waste of a phenomenal cast.
Thank you. You seem to be one of the few that understand. There was so much against it, and people can blame various thingsbut in the end the Story, Dialogue, and Editing stank....but you are correct. Those do hold up, and that makes me happy. Thanks again.
Well, technically it was a critical, financial, and audience failure, yes. Certainly people love it, but it was not well made. But I still love Slater as SG better than any of those others. YIKES
I remember renting this film as a child,. I loved it. Its one of my fave childhood films, yes, as an adult its bad and I'm looking it through rose tinted glasses but judgment aside, its a really fun film. I'm going back to rewatch it now!
Supergirl is a cult classic to us over 40s. Camp, silly, crazy and wonderful. Helen Slater is perfect but Faye stole the show with some amazing one liners. The score is fantastic as well. 10 outta 10 ❤
Your absolutely wrong Supergirl is one of the best adaptation movies out there, , what made the movie bomb in the US was because of very very bad editing and cut time and missing scenes that fleshed out characters development, the UK got a international cut of the movie and later we all got a directors cut that included scenes that were cut due to time constraints. However it's been mentioned that there are more scenes out there in the WB vaults in the UK, so hopefully we will see them someday. But this movie is My ultimate and no1 favorite movie as it introduced me to the character and made me a fan of her, it also introduce me to the music of Jerry goldsmith and to this day I never get tired of hearing the music from the movie.
THis movie introduced me to Kara as well, and I watched it over and over again as a kid. Can't watch it anymore because it is not a bad film. I am not sure if you watched my whole show, but I explain that not only David O'Dell's horrible dialogue and storyline, but the editing between the UK and US release as well as the deleted scenes. That UK cut is too long in the tooth, and that is why there are long part of boring. But that doesn't mean I don't care about the film. Its parts just don't add up and it is not a well made film...although Supergirl and Helen Slater are MY SUPERGIRL.
@GENXPERIENCE I agree with certain boring parts but they make the movie One of my favorite scenes is when she's in the Phantom Zone and there is this beautiful dialogue with her and Zaltar and she goes into this angry mode about Self pity and how to take pride or be strong in the moment of adversity. I mean in that moment it shows that she's not a giver upper and that she's will to fight to get back and save her city.
@GENXPERIENCE the original script before it was changed was really good and very different, very very different, in that I wish they would have stuck with that but the ending would not have made sense...in that Selena after causing death and destruction is released from her evil side and goes on to live in Argo City due to Supergirl wanting to save her from persecution.
WTF???? WHY 40 YEARS A FAILURE?? I love that movie i love acting, i love concept i love characters i love story... no.. its not fair its a good enough movie... Every actors done good job.. great effects for that year.... Also Faye Dunaway, Helen Slater was GREAT!!! So scary, classy and creepy as SELINA!!! It is still one of my all time favorite movies to this day. Helen Slater is and always will be my only Supergirl also! nowadays "Marvels Shits" are BRILLIANT for u guyz!!! these movies are great and WE LOVE THEM!!!
Oh, simply because of is critical and financial success. The performance of Faye, although campy fun, was just redressed Joan Crawford. Love it for being Supergirl...and Slater can do no wrong, but the script and dialogue, oh, HELL NO.
There's the long-standing rumor/conspiracy theory that Warner Bros. did NOT want the film to succeed because the editors at DC Comics (part of Warner) had already decided to kill-off Supergirl in the upcoming maxiseries, Crisis on Infinite Earths (1985-86), and were already dismissive of the film. I first saw this, like almost everyone else, on HBO back then and it's a fun watch in all its soft-focused, shambolic, low-budget looking glory! Faye and Brenda were campy confections and about as threatening as Joan Collins and Linda Evans! I love Helen and was very happy she found redemption in The Legend of Billie Jean ("WE WILL BE INVINCEABLE!") 😎
Thank you for watching and this comment. We are aligned almost 100%. Great point about Waraner Bros, as they did have those rights, and they were difficult to work with...so you wonder if any of that was true. I was just telling someone it was like DYNASTY with Faye and Brenda, lol. And I have such a soft spot for Hellen as Supergirl, and the movie Billie Jean, just rocked my 80s heart. Thanks again.
Supergirl was great, we all know why a legendary talent like Faye was blacklisted: she pissed too many ppl off with her iconic, tortured portrayal of Joan Crawford. To this day she won’t answer questions about it. I hope she secretly gets to love the cult status the movie took, and from a former cult-queen like Joan it would fit. Love you Billie Jean, I mean Helen, and love you always Faye.
Supergirl's a great movie. Lots of fun and, in a post MCU world, it's retrospective more entertaining and in line with today's Superhero genre standards given its shift towards villains dabbling in sorcery.
It can be fun...some scenes are. I would say it is the style I prefer over today's nonsense. But I saw it in the theater, and then HBO...and now I know, she deserved more.
This is totally my guilty pleasure! Yes its dated but i think its better than some of the Superman films. Faye Dunaway's camp diva villian is iconic, Vaccaro is hilarious and the movie has some of the best flying scenes in superhero movies even to this day.
TBH, I enjoyed watching it a lot as a kid. It was a critical and financial failure, and as much as we do find it a guilty pleasure, the writing and dialogue is cringe worthy. I jsut wish Clark had made it into the movie.
Unfortunately, the careers of Faye Dunaway, Mia Farrow and Peter O'Toole had hit the skids by this time, and all three were willing to appear in just about anything. Farrow was never able to match her role as Rosemary, O'Toole descended into alcohol and drugs after playing Lawrence of Arabia, and Dunaway, as she pretty much admitted, made a laughing stock out of herself as Joan Crawford in Mommie Dearest.
Love this comment, because YEAH, that is exactly what was going on. These things only added to the horrible script story and dialogue for something I enjoyed as a kid, but have a hard time making through today. Thanks for your thoughts.
Would like to see it. Helen Slater milky sweet on film. I respect Faye. Her understated performance in 3 Days of The Condor is awesome. Her Musketeers performances also are great. Indelible.
I actually thought that Faye Dunaway’s performance was one of the best parts of the movie. Supergirl is not a good movie. The script is weak and the direction feels labored and slow. The pacing is terrible. I thought Helen Slater was great. But as bad as I think the movie is generally, I still find it watchable, largely due the Helen Slater’s appealing performance. I can’t say the same about either Superman III, which is embracing, or Superman IV, which takes the notions of bad and embarrassing and says, “Hold my beer.”
This was way before the MCU so the idea of a shared universe was in its infancy BUT this could have been good. You introduce supergirl as innocent and a bit naïve, seeing the best in everyone. You bring in a new villain and an old one… Luthor. Luthor and this new villain are bucking for power and Luthor is losing. He finds supergirl and uses his intellect to play her, gaining her trust that he is only trying to do good in the world. She is then motivated to go against his foe. By the end of the film she is convinced Luthor is a friend to be trusted. Now fast forward to Superman 4. Luthor returns and lies to supergirl telling her Superman is evil. Now ya got Superman v supergirl. In the end she realizes Luthor is the real villain and teams up with Supes.
I do agree. I've said before, I hate to hate it. Most of the actors do wonderfully, and there are wonderful scenes I rewatch, but it's hard...not well written with pacing and story issues that make me sad. Always wanted it to succeed and LOVE Slater. Thanks for comment
I enjoyed your presentation and subscribed. Never a favorite movie BUT for Dunaway. If she wasn't in it I never woulda bothered to watch it then or today. I like Superman as a character but I'm not a supermanphile, so I watch it more for the campiness of Dunaway. You're right, she did perform it much as she performed as Crawford. Its such a shame that she performed a role SO well that she's only remembered for that role in spite of having a brilliant film career prior to MD. I don't care, I always thought Dunaway was fantastic, I pretty much watch anything she's in. She also did a great (though now kinda campy) job as Eva Peron in a tv movie. The one liners were vicious. lol Again, nice video.
THank you so much, and happy you subscribed. By the way, I had something about EVA PERON in the video, but had to cut it. Save it for a dedicated Mommie Dearest show. Dunaway is a great actress, no doubt...and I did love the original Superman...so I just hoped better for this, you know?
I grew up watching it. I know it is cheesy, but my nostalgia for it is too strong. However, I do give the international director cut brownie points. It's a vast improvement. But the biggest success of the film is the SCORE!! That rousing music! It's easily one of my all time faves. I'll always have a soft spot for this flick.
You are not alone. And I have a place in my heart for it as I thought it was the bomb as a kid. Plus Slater is MY Supergirl and I will never let that go. She and most of the performers did well with the crap they were given. Glad you enjoy it.
on inside of you with Micheal Rosenbaum, Helen slater who turned 60 this years says what she saw of Faye Dunaway was perfectionism. Making sure everything was right. this drove Brenda Vacarro absolute crazy. there is a scene with the two of them where selena on her way to world domination. That took three days to shoot because dunaway didnt not like the way Jeannot Swarz lit her. and after a few screaming matches which lead to him breaking down, Swarz got the take she wanted.
Faye was hugely entertaining in this movie, audiences loved her. What you are being influenced by is a handful of pompous film critics whose opinions are irrelevant to the masses.
I always thought of this movie as thoroughly enjoyable. And even with that, i enjoy it more than the inane, uselessly long and unnecessarily contrived superhero flicks we have today.
So, from someone who was an elementary school boy when this came out, an observation... This movie was not very groundbreaking. Argo City is in inner space within the Earth? Without explanation of how it came to pass that the city was shrunken and stolen by Brainiac(and I still don't know why a smart computer would ever want them - on Krypton, they are not powerful and do not fly) Supergirl suffered for the same reason as the original theatrical release of Justice League did; the backstory was watered down, and the movie was shorter in length, so much so that it could not be regarded on the scale of "epic cinema" that the first two Superman movies collectively created - having enough juice to push through a third movie, which primarily did okay because Richard Pryor was having a great run of luck at the box office. (Brewster's Millions, The Toy are some titles from this time) So, Supergirl was not very creative. It didn't bring anything new. The supporting cast were decent. Maureen Teefy was the second most recognized cast member, right behind Faye Dunaway, who I only knew from "Mommie Dearest." A footnote on Mommie Dearest: mostly it was set in the 1940's and 1950's. Those mannerisms, of not just Joan, but the entire cast, did not transition well to the 1980's. Xanadu also tried to bring the 40's into the 80's. Moreover, it is mostly male critics who wrote movie reviews in the 1980's, fueled by the syndicated press and only three major networks. Films about women were not highly regarded. They were considered fluff. Then there is no relatability to small children. Supergirl does not reveal herself publicly. Linda Lee goes away at the same time, and no-one discovers if she is Supergirl that her cousin, Clark, must be Superman. The plot is full of holes and is utterly unrelatable. Even the Superman movies had children admire their hero. Who could little girls and boys relate to in this movie. The first creeps Supergirl encounter are would be rapists at night. I doubt parents would want to have to answer to little girls in 1984 what those men wanted to do to Supergirl. That an act of love could also be an act of violence and oppression. Those issues need to be talked about, but not to six and seven year old girls. Zoltar As campy as the Superman movies were, they took themselves pretty seriously, without going overboard. Just about all the characters in Supergirl were campy, with the exception of Supergirl and Linda Lee. Zoltar dies in a sequence that probably most inspired The Dark Knight Rises, and even that is corny. The demon storm looked stupid in the film. But manufactured tornados on film do not often look good. Supergirl had no real epic battle. It had no WOW factor that made initial viewers want to share it with their friends. Oh, and Reaganomics were in full swing. Not enough was trickling down to really run out and see every movie. VCR was the big thing. It was still relatively early in the home video market, but theaters did have competition. Home video was far less prevalent in the years of Superman 1 and 2. For the price of one movie ticket, folks could stay home and watch three rentals. Actually, Faye Dunaway would have been great, perfect even, if this roll had it been a medieval sword and dragon movie. This movie fails because of the writing, and mostly by comparison to the epic story of the Superman stories that came before it.
Nope. She is often thought to be (as she was still reeling from Mommie Dearest), but if you watch the show you will see how we explore how it couldn't be her...and is obviously something else.
Back when there were few movies for us Superhero comic fans to really enjoy, this was a rare well-made well-cast big-budget one. The music was great, the cast was great, the production value was great. The big issue was always... the script. From the commentary he recorded on the DVD it sounds like Jeannot Swarc didn't really pay attention to the script very much and just shot what he was hired to shoot. It's still a fun movie, and I'll always love it, but it needed a re-write badly. With one or two scenes and just a little exposition all the holes could have been cleared up quite easily. Helen Slater was the perfect Supergirl.
I agree with 99% of this. I think the production value was alright, but yeah, I am all against that horrid script and the writing and the dialogue. But the actors were wonderful. Even over the top for Peter and Faye. There is no one better than Slater, though.
I saw it opening day at the theater. It had a few moments I thought,”I’m not sure about that”. However, it is one of my favorite films to show friends and I do find it thoroughly entertaining, but that script is a nightmare.
Yes, Christopher Reeve's non-appearance in the 1984 Supergirl film was the main cause. If Helen Slater had appeared in Superman III it would have helped significantly even better for both films. And Superman IV would then be a completely different film. And would indeed include both Brainiac and Lex Luthor. And that film would have a budget comparable to the first two films and be an alround success.
I enjoyed it as a kid, but the whole thing just diest come together in the end, even with great talent. Too many things against it. Doesn't mean I don't have a soft spot for it, though. Thank you for sharing. I agree Reeve would have given it the gas it needed.
I always thought the problem with this film was the script, a slightly tweaked superman 2 remake. With Helen Slater (Supergirl) in the lead role and Faye re-cast as Supergirl's mum. Would've of worked better. And I'm sure would've lead to sequels. With Helen Slater showing so much promise as Supergirl . I've always found Supergirl 1984 a frustrating watch.
1:22 That’s what they did with Black Panther and Spider-Man in the MCU, they got introduced in Captain America: Civil War and then got their own movies. Which was hugely successful.
I lay the blame on the script with it's confusing plot. Right from the start Argo City was what? Where was it? How did it exist? Then Supergirl arrives on Earth emerging from water and not the sky. So Argo City was in "inner space" what ever that would be.
Supergirl had a lot of potential for a movie. Using magic was better than kryptonite, and having the character of kara zor-el experience earth for the first time as a person from another place does work. The one problem i have is that it was made it in the silver age stories style. Her being more concerned about the fate of argo city and its people should have been up front more than its romance plot.
I know there are parts of it that are campy, but it feels like it wasn't meant to be and the script suffers from it. Don't get me wrong, I have a soft spot for it.
Fay was a flawless villain! That blonde overbite was the Achilles heel and her acting shows that she was in no way ready for an kind of heavy lead role. Most of the film the viewer is wondering if she is ever going to be believable at all.
The music from Xanadu and ELO is positively the BEST. That's the thing, the movie was done poorly, hard to watch FOR ME, but Helen Slater is STILL my Favorite Supergirl.
I do not believe Faye Dunaway (regardless of her behavior) was the reason Supergirl failed, the only problem with was the character itself. She was not viable honestly, her motivation was boring. She was basically a "stock" villain with no substance. If they had introduced her at the end of Superman 3 along with a cameo at the start of the Supergirl film, and a better plot could have really saved the movie.
I agree, and although she had her problems, it wasn't her...but you are right, it was the character. Poorly conceived. Fun to watch sometimes, but Selena's motivations are petty. Love your idea, thank you.
I took my copy of legend of Billie Jean to have it signed by Hellen at a convention years ago and she wrote fare is fare and it was a great experience to see her next to Dean Cain . The movie is excellent and so is the song invincible by Pat Benetar .
You are so very lucky. I would have loved that. Such a great film, great actress, and great opportunity. THat song is an ANTHEM. If I am not mistaken, I love your profile picture (TRON?)
I suspect that was the very same comic con I went to. She was also sat next to Dean Cain it was in Birmingham, England. She signed my Bluray copy of the film too. She was stunned when I said I liked her in 12:01 as well.
The film should have been better there is no doubt about that. It was a waste of perfect casting of the character. The U.K. (it’s the standard on the Bluray now) cut is better but it’s still disappointing. I will say tho there is a charm to it. It’s better than Superman 3&4 to watch now at least. It’s obviously no match for the original Superman film of course. It feels like a Cannon film this even tho it isn’t one. I do like Cannon tho the cheap madness of their stuff is entertaining. I’d also add that Reeve would have added weight. The Willams Superman march theme would have helped as well. The U.K. poster we got is vastly superior to that US one. I was born in 83 so didn’t see this on the big screen it is something I have always kept hold of on physical media however. I didn’t even get rid of the US DVD set of it when I got the Bluray as I liked the packaging.
Thank you for this. I feel like you understood. It was a waste, the actors were not the issue...but there was so much against it. I hate not liking it as I always wanted to. I still think of Slater as my SG, so there is that. There are some wonderful scenes, but not good enough to watch whenever. Thank you as you got it!
Dolly was briefly attached, but later said she didn't want to tarnish her image by playing a witch (after portraying a whorehouse madame!), so she made Rhinestone instead. Not exactly a superior career move! I have a soft spot for the film but always wished Dolly and Chris Reeve had stuck it out. Dolly and Vaccaro could've been a great team, her overt sexuality was better suited for the love triangle, and with Reeve in the picture, they likely wouldn't have devolved into the Lucy/Jimmy subplot.
Love your thoughtful take. And yeah...Rhinestone! I think Faye was a good choice, but the love thong seemed silly. You are 100% on Brenda and Dolly. Awesome! I have a soft spot even with all it's faults. I want to love it more because Slater is so loveable as SG. Thank you for shsring.
I always enjoyed SUPERGIRL, and I still enjoy both it and SUPERMAN III, probably because I still remember (and treasure) some of the sillier episodes of the George Reeves series, there is no reason Superman and humor cannot occasionally mix. Must also say I have enjoyed CW''s SUPERGIRL. Melissa Benoist did a FINE job in the role. Sasha Calle from the scenes I have seen of her performance in THE FLASH not so much, I cannot bring myself to either rent or watch THE FLASH because seeing Ezra Miller causes mt to uncontrollably vomit. Odd how he and T, Miller from the DEADPOOL franchise are both somewhat mentally unhinged, isn't it?
I was only a dumb kid when my sister and I used to watch these films, but we had no idea it was bad. We loved the first two Superman movies, and this just seemed like more of that, just with more witchy weirdness. I haven't watched it in decades, and it's probably better that way. 😅
The way I look at it, the Superman Shared Universe went to pot after the Salkinds sacked original Superman director, Richard Donner. Plus, Faye Dunaway's career wasn't really going anywhere by this time. I remember seeing a comment that her film career was between 1967 to 1978, where "The Eyes of Laura Mars" was a flop at the cinemas. Add to that, as this video pointed out, she was difficult to work with, no one wanted to hire her. All of that allowed other actresses to punch through in the 70s, like Meryl Streep.
I think you are right. Although SM 2 wasn't as good, it came off such a rush of the original. I guess SG was destined to fail. I was telling someone the other day about how FAYE was a great actress, but that at some point, she stopped being. You hit the nail on the head.
After a couple of watches I realized the Supergirl movie had a good movie inside that wasn't utilized to it's best effect. Low budget and poor director ruined what could have been a success for female lead superhero movies.
I think that is what I'm saying, you got it. It deserved to be better, I did enjoy it a couple of times as a kid, but more money and time should have been given to it for writing and effects. The actors were not the problem.
Thank you for the comment, this is the kind I love, and appreciate. I adore Supergirl...the character and Slater's performance, that is. There are some great moments in the film, but I am glad you enjoyed it.
While many of us of a particular age have a fondness for this movie, it is not a good film and the fault lies not with Faye. The script is total garbage. Re watched it the other day. It makes very little sense. Why did Kara even need a secret identity? Why did she check into that school? Waste of time.
I do have a fondness, but more because I wanted Supergirl to succeed and there are some great scenes. My video describes that although Faye was trouble, it was the script and the writer that made crap out of what should have been great. I too cannot watch it.
I guess it is a CUlt Classic, but it shouldn't have been after the magic of Superman 1 & 2. It is hard to watch, even with fun scenes. The actors were great, but #badmovie
The new Supergirl movie 2026 has a leg up being based on a much more interesting take -Supergirl Woman Of Tomorrow an 8 issue comic book that has a great story.
I gotta give credit to Jerry Goldsmith who at least gave a pretty good musical theme for Supergirl, the movie isn't that bad but it does have some inconsistent plot holes, how does Kara Zor-El already have a ready made costume upon her arrival to Earth? How does she know to register for school and just happen to be roomies with Lois Lane's sister? Why is the Omegahedron orb so important? and the abrupt ending with Supergirl flying towards Argo City and the credits roll.
I can answer that 1 the costume, if you look at the craft she is in she is able to make a super costume. 2. She registered to the school due to the fact that the Orb was around that area. 3 the omeagheadron is a power source that keeps Argo City alive, meaning it gives the argolians Air and light, once they lose the power source they begin to lose air and light. 4. There is a deleted scene that was used In the Topps card series fir the movie that shows the omeagheadron lighting up some molecules. But it was cut to just her flying to Argo and saving it. Yeah I would love to seen her reunite with her mom and dad but that's it.
Super Girl is a great film… it’s only problem was too many strong female characters in main roles back in the 80’s when its was still all about the male gaze…
A great perspective and overview of “Supergirl” but one error… you show “The Terminator” as a summer film but it actually came out on October 26th, 1984. So, as a fall movie.
super girl was great when i was a kid, now its a bit cheesy but i would watch it again for nostalga, superman 3 was my favourite and i even enjoyed a quest for peace
You did like 3 and 4 of SM? Wow, I could never watch those 2, but I would prefer to sit through SG, no matter how bad it was made. The characters were fun and Slater was awesome.
Me too. Yes, it was fun, and I can watch some scenes today, but when watching it now, I realize that it should have and could have been better. Too many things against it, sadly. Loved Slater.
Whoa! This was tough on me. If you notice a gravely voice like I had just woke up...I HAD. It was early, and I had to get it done. I HATE to HATE Supergirl...I wanted it to be great, I still do, but know it is not one of the best. Faye Dunaway is difficult, but was she to blame? Was she the Kryptonite that Flopped Supergirl 40 years ago? You decide, and tell me your memories of the movie.
Seriously? Failure? It is still one of my all time favorite movies to this day. Helen Slater is and always will be my only Supergirl. Just like Christopher Reeve is my Superman and Michael Keaton my Batman.
As much as I love some scenes and as I say in the show (if you see it all) Helen Slater is MY Supergirl, too. The writing and dialogue suck ass, and you can't deny its BOTH critical and financial failure. I wish it wasn't so. It is difficult to watch all the way through for me.
@@GENXPERIENCE Unlike you I can watch the movie countless times all the way through. I don't find it difficult to watch.
@@pferreira1983 i find it enjoyable! from the first time at the cinema to the director's cut on bluray..sure it's light weight but its campy/culty fun, and Helen Slater's performance as Kara/Supergirl is fittingly very sweet and naive. Do i get that it didn't do well at the box office? sure! But Faye Dunaway, Brenda Vacarro and Peter Cook, along with the dishy Hart Bochner as the eye candy, and the cameos of Peter O'Toole and Mia Farrow give it all a little mre oomph. it feels a lot better now than when it came out but i guess its easier to put it into some sort of context years later. its got a good heart and like the film of Buffy The Vampire Slayer ..its a long wait between positive female role models in their own franchises.
@@jackfriend4u I mean it taps into the audience imagination and what's better than that?
exactly. just like hypothetically if i hadnt ever watched an astro boy tv show or movie i would think the '80s show is the best astro boy tv show or movie and i would start watching an astro boy show or movie with this version. bc the '80s were the best of everything: the best toys, the best movies, the best tv shows, the best music, and the best cartoons.
Gotta Disagree. Supergirl has Always been one of my Favorite films. Supergirl was always my fave, and the movie, thanks to Slater, Dunaway, and Baccaro, was always fabulous for me. Sorry if I spelled the names wrong. But I've just always absolutely Loved this movie Still watch it several times a year.
That is cool. I hate to hate it, but it is hard to watch today...mostly because of Peter O'Toole. As the video concludes, I do lay all blame on the writers for what I consider a poor story and dialogue. I love her and still love that there was a Supergirl movie...but I feel it should have been better. Thank you for sharing, though. Glad you enjoy.
and its still box office bomb. FACTS
@@galaksiviral So?
@@pferreira1983 its still box office bomb @ a lot of peoples dislike at that time and also now.
@@galaksiviral But a lot of people also like the movie as shown by the comments here. A lot of bad movies are successful at the box office. 😉
I LOVE Supergirl. I still rewatch it (and my friends and I quoted it all through the '80s) *because* of Faye and Brenda! Faye stole the show, and I love her for it.
Supergirl is a great movie because of Faye Dunaway's performance again. She stole the show. Talent endures.
Of course she did...SCENE STEALER.
yeahh i agree xxx
I love this movie despite its cheesiness, or maybe because of it.
I can enjoy cheese, believe me, but it is the rest...that is not cheesy, but just bad, that makes you realize how the writer and director did a terrible job.
One of the few legitimate complaints was that you can see the wires when she first comes out of the water on Earth.
I watched Supergirl instead of Temple of Doom in the theater. My friends didnt follow my lead. No regrets.
Lol. I saw her theaters too, and lived it. She'll always be my SG, even if movie is such a mess.
Its a better film than temple of doom !
The original script for this film was much better than what landed on screen. Plus, hatchet editing did a real number on the product.
Great comment. I know the writing and dialogue stank, but editing is a big reason, too. This should have been better...it deserved to be better. Slater is wonderful and most of the others do their darndest, so it is sad. Thank you for commenting.
I really think that Christopher Reeve should've been in Supergirl. Him and Helen Slater together would make a great team. Reeve shouldn't have backed out at the last minute.
100% that would have made it! I feel bad because it deserved to be awesome, and he would have helped.
For those times would have been to campy I agree though he should have been in for at least 5 min thru film
Unfortunately, those who owned the rights to Superman and Supergirl, didn't want to spend money or make it epic, like _Superman: The Movie_ turned out to be. Fortunately they didn't make them a romantic couple.
Richard Lester changed _Superman II_ to his comedy stylings and followed up with _Superman III_ making it a Richard Pryor movie rather than a Superman movie. And _Superman IV: The Quest for Peace was unwatchable. I made the mistake of seeing that in the theater when it came out and I felt there were some scenes missing; maybe they didn't splice the reels together right. In that one they didn't want to spend _any_ money. I just watched a science/astronomy video saying how difficult it is to make anything hit the sun.
I don't remember if I saw _Supergirl_ in the theater. I knew the story when I bought it on VHS ~1991. But had to take it back for an exchange since my first copy was broken.
Supergirl was one of my favorite superhero movies growing up as a little girl. I remember collecting the movie cards where the scenes from the movie was on the front and the description of the scene was on the back of the card. Whenever I couldn't watch the movie. I always looked through the cards for the story.
That unlocks memories for me too. I loved having those movie trading cards (for various films) and using them to revisit those stories I loved, but couldn't watch. Thank you so much.
Totally disagree. Bloody love Faye Dunaway in Supergirl and her sidekick. Watched it so many times...."Its a leisure suit"
About what? I don't think Faye is the reason Supergirl was a disaster? If you watch the show you'll see the arguments that lead to the truth.
....."Subtle!" 😅
I guess I watched it in an era before I paid attention to critics. I have always enjoyed this one.
I certainly didn't pay attention to critics when I was that age either. I have a soft spot for it, for sure. However, unlike other not so great films that you can re-watch, this is difficult because of the terrible script. They did her wrong.
This would have been much more successful if Reeves had stayed with the project. I remember seeing this when I was about 8, in the theater and even then I remember thinking, “Where’s Superman?” Faye’s performance was fantastic, yea it was over the top but it definitely worked for this style, and I also remember loving Bianca 😂. I have to see this again.
I think it certainly would have done better. I hope you enjoy it again, and camp has its place...just the writing was poor...the story ended up being so subpar to me. But loved it as a kid.
I'm not sure how this could have worked with Superman in it and still be Supergirl's movie. If the witch sent him to the Phantom Zone then Kara would have to rescue him somehow.
Growing up in the 80s, We Love Supergirl!🌹
Slater is MY SG, no matter how bad the movie turned out.
Who's "we" I grew up in the eighties, one of the finest decades for cinema and it was like many many bum seater films. Crap
I love the Supergirl movie and have since it came out. Helen Slater was INVICIBLE in this film. Faye Dunaway was as over the top and brilliant as Selena as she was as Joan Crawford. She never got her fair appreciation for these roles. Brenda Vaccaro was selling tampons and sanitary pads so I'm guessing this was a good gig. The absence of Christopher Reeve did make it seem like this film was booted to the curb and had to survive on it's own and not taint the franchise that would feature a tired repeat of an unfunny Richard Pryor script. And then there was Nuclear Man or whatever he was. Good choices.
The 1988 Superboy series had more support from the producers than this film did. The actors never should have should felt the blowback of an underwhelming and underperforming film.
I watched the "Faye" documentary and understand why this isn't her proudest body or work. Things really should've been different from start to finish on this picture.
I enjoyed the Faye Documentary immensely, and absolutely LOVE Slater in the film. She is my SG, no question. It is hard to watch today because the story and writing is very inadequate and I believe she deserved better. Thank you for the comment as it was well thought and very on point.
Three things still hold up from this movie. Helen Slater, the flying sequences and Jerry Goldsmith’s incredible music. Christopher Reeve would’ve made a huge impact on this movie. What a waste of a phenomenal cast.
Thank you. You seem to be one of the few that understand. There was so much against it, and people can blame various thingsbut in the end the Story, Dialogue, and Editing stank....but you are correct. Those do hold up, and that makes me happy. Thanks again.
I love this movie.
This film isn't a failure. It's still a good movie and still a better interpretation of Supergirl than what CW put out.
Well, technically it was a critical, financial, and audience failure, yes. Certainly people love it, but it was not well made. But I still love Slater as SG better than any of those others. YIKES
@@GENXPERIENCE Okay you are free to have that opinion, no probs there. 👍
As a kid I hated all villains but Faye grew on me. We rented it and I watched it 6 times by the end I grew a crush on Faye.
I love this. Thanks for sharing your memory, and your feelings for Faye.
I always liked this movie it's alot of Fun
Very glad to hear. I want to like it more. Supergirl deserves more love...the movie is just so bad to me.
I remember renting this film as a child,. I loved it. Its one of my fave childhood films, yes, as an adult its bad and I'm looking it through rose tinted glasses but judgment aside, its a really fun film. I'm going back to rewatch it now!
lol. That is exactly how I felt about it. A year ago, though, I tried to watch it and had to FF to some fun parts.
Supergirl is a cult classic to us over 40s. Camp, silly, crazy and wonderful. Helen Slater is perfect but Faye stole the show with some amazing one liners. The score is fantastic as well. 10 outta 10 ❤
Helen is perfect. Agreed. Sadly, it was still poorly made.
Your absolutely wrong Supergirl is one of the best adaptation movies out there, , what made the movie bomb in the US was because of very very bad editing and cut time and missing scenes that fleshed out characters development, the UK got a international cut of the movie and later we all got a directors cut that included scenes that were cut due to time constraints. However it's been mentioned that there are more scenes out there in the WB vaults in the UK, so hopefully we will see them someday.
But this movie is My ultimate and no1 favorite movie as it introduced me to the character and made me a fan of her, it also introduce me to the music of Jerry goldsmith and to this day I never get tired of hearing the music from the movie.
THis movie introduced me to Kara as well, and I watched it over and over again as a kid. Can't watch it anymore because it is not a bad film. I am not sure if you watched my whole show, but I explain that not only David O'Dell's horrible dialogue and storyline, but the editing between the UK and US release as well as the deleted scenes. That UK cut is too long in the tooth, and that is why there are long part of boring. But that doesn't mean I don't care about the film. Its parts just don't add up and it is not a well made film...although Supergirl and Helen Slater are MY SUPERGIRL.
@GENXPERIENCE I agree with certain boring parts but they make the movie
One of my favorite scenes is when she's in the Phantom Zone and there is this beautiful dialogue with her and Zaltar and she goes into this angry mode about Self pity and how to take pride or be strong in the moment of adversity. I mean in that moment it shows that she's not a giver upper and that she's will to fight to get back and save her city.
@GENXPERIENCE the original script before it was changed was really good and very different, very very different, in that I wish they would have stuck with that but the ending would not have made sense...in that Selena after causing death and destruction is released from her evil side and goes on to live in Argo City due to Supergirl wanting to save her from persecution.
@@GENXPERIENCE I have done so much research into this movie since I was like in high school lol
THIS!
The saving grace of "Supergirl" is the AMAZING score composed and conducted by Jerry Goldsmith(who was originally going to score "Superman").
You got that right. There is no doubt.
Faye was still absolutely gorgeous at this point in time and she's easily the best thing about the movie for me
WTF???? WHY 40 YEARS A FAILURE?? I love that movie i love acting, i love concept i love characters i love story... no.. its not fair its a good enough movie... Every actors done good job.. great effects for that year.... Also Faye Dunaway, Helen Slater was GREAT!!! So scary, classy and creepy as SELINA!!! It is still one of my all time favorite movies to this day. Helen Slater is and always will be my only Supergirl also! nowadays "Marvels Shits" are BRILLIANT for u guyz!!! these movies are great and WE LOVE THEM!!!
Oh, simply because of is critical and financial success. The performance of Faye, although campy fun, was just redressed Joan Crawford. Love it for being Supergirl...and Slater can do no wrong, but the script and dialogue, oh, HELL NO.
There's the long-standing rumor/conspiracy theory that Warner Bros. did NOT want the film to succeed because the editors at DC Comics (part of Warner) had already decided to kill-off Supergirl in the upcoming maxiseries, Crisis on Infinite Earths (1985-86), and were already dismissive of the film. I first saw this, like almost everyone else, on HBO back then and it's a fun watch in all its soft-focused, shambolic, low-budget looking glory! Faye and Brenda were campy confections and about as threatening as Joan Collins and Linda Evans! I love Helen and was very happy she found redemption in The Legend of Billie Jean ("WE WILL BE INVINCEABLE!") 😎
Thank you for watching and this comment. We are aligned almost 100%. Great point about Waraner Bros, as they did have those rights, and they were difficult to work with...so you wonder if any of that was true. I was just telling someone it was like DYNASTY with Faye and Brenda, lol. And I have such a soft spot for Hellen as Supergirl, and the movie Billie Jean, just rocked my 80s heart. Thanks again.
Supergirl was great, we all know why a legendary talent like Faye was blacklisted: she pissed too many ppl off with her iconic, tortured portrayal of Joan Crawford. To this day she won’t answer questions about it. I hope she secretly gets to love the cult status the movie took, and from a former cult-queen like Joan it would fit. Love you Billie Jean, I mean Helen, and love you always Faye.
Dolly Parton could have played the witch??? I love Faye Dunaway in this role but that would have been interesting.
They thought about her for Selena. Not sure that would have been wise.
Supergirl's a great movie. Lots of fun and, in a post MCU world, it's retrospective more entertaining and in line with today's Superhero genre standards given its shift towards villains dabbling in sorcery.
It can be fun...some scenes are. I would say it is the style I prefer over today's nonsense. But I saw it in the theater, and then HBO...and now I know, she deserved more.
One of my favourite films ever ❤
This is totally my guilty pleasure! Yes its dated but i think its better than some of the Superman films. Faye Dunaway's camp diva villian is iconic, Vaccaro is hilarious and the movie has some of the best flying scenes in superhero movies even to this day.
Vaccaro and the Flying do make my day, I agree.
Supergirl is endearing....Faye Dunnaway was wonderful....no one was surprised that there was no Supergirl 2 but its great fun nonetheless.....
It can be fun, some scenes are great schlock> But as Superman was so unforgettable, it is a tragedy this is more of a B Grader.
I love that movie visual fx are great, the invisible monster destroying the car and everything was great and Fay Dunaway was excellent in that role.
A masterpiece when compared to the most recent screen version of 'The Batman'.
lol...not far off.
This was one of my favorite movies as a kid. I never knew this movie was considered a "flop". The only "comic book"/"superhero" movie I ever liked.
TBH, I enjoyed watching it a lot as a kid. It was a critical and financial failure, and as much as we do find it a guilty pleasure, the writing and dialogue is cringe worthy. I jsut wish Clark had made it into the movie.
@@GENXPERIENCE I haven't watched it since I was a kid; I would love to see how it holds up, but I can't find it on any streaming platform.
Unfortunately, the careers of Faye Dunaway, Mia Farrow and Peter O'Toole had hit the skids by this time, and all three were willing to appear in just about anything. Farrow was never able to match her role as Rosemary, O'Toole descended into alcohol and drugs after playing Lawrence of Arabia, and Dunaway, as she pretty much admitted, made a laughing stock out of herself as Joan Crawford in Mommie Dearest.
Love this comment, because YEAH, that is exactly what was going on. These things only added to the horrible script story and dialogue for something I enjoyed as a kid, but have a hard time making through today. Thanks for your thoughts.
Would like to see it. Helen Slater milky sweet on film. I respect Faye. Her understated performance in 3 Days of The Condor is awesome. Her Musketeers performances also are great. Indelible.
She had wonderful films. She only played Mommie Dearest after Mommie Dearest. Uh, yes, Slater is awesome.
I actually thought that Faye Dunaway’s performance was one of the best parts of the movie. Supergirl is not a good movie. The script is weak and the direction feels labored and slow. The pacing is terrible. I thought Helen Slater was great. But as bad as I think the movie is generally, I still find it watchable, largely due the Helen Slater’s appealing performance. I can’t say the same about either Superman III, which is embracing, or Superman IV, which takes the notions of bad and embarrassing and says, “Hold my beer.”
OMG...this was awesome. Faye wins camp queen, and the rest of your summation is spot on. Agreed
This was way before the MCU so the idea of a shared universe was in its infancy BUT this could have been good. You introduce supergirl as innocent and a bit naïve, seeing the best in everyone. You bring in a new villain and an old one… Luthor. Luthor and this new villain are bucking for power and Luthor is losing. He finds supergirl and uses his intellect to play her, gaining her trust that he is only trying to do good in the world. She is then motivated to go against his foe. By the end of the film she is convinced Luthor is a friend to be trusted.
Now fast forward to Superman 4. Luthor returns and lies to supergirl telling her Superman is evil. Now ya got Superman v supergirl. In the end she realizes Luthor is the real villain and teams up with Supes.
Love your take...and your scary profile picture. Great ideas. This movie should have been better. It deserved it.
There's so much to love in this movie... BUT there's so so much going against it
I do agree. I've said before, I hate to hate it. Most of the actors do wonderfully, and there are wonderful scenes I rewatch, but it's hard...not well written with pacing and story issues that make me sad. Always wanted it to succeed and LOVE Slater. Thanks for comment
The biggest surprise for me was that the dude that played Ethan in Supergirl played Ellis in Die Hard.
I did look him up to see more from him, and there are some memorable ones (like Die Hard), so glad he kept working, lol.
Awww I love supergirl, I watch it once a year at least on a lazy Saturday or Sunday afternoon. 😊
I'm glad you can, because I want to love it. There are a number of fun scenes to watch, and most actors are great...it just is so bad, lol.
I actually enjoyed this movie.
I need to see Dolly’s screen test!!
Wouldn't that be something, lol. NOt sure right for it, so glad that was a NO GO.
There never was one, Dolly flat out refused to ever play a witch.
Supergirl is in my top ten of Favourite movies. I just love it!!!!!!
Wow. It can be "fun" to watch, sure.
I love Supergirl! It’s a very entertaining movie
Entertaining, sure....well made movie...no
I enjoyed your presentation and subscribed. Never a favorite movie BUT for Dunaway. If she wasn't in it I never woulda bothered to watch it then or today. I like Superman as a character but I'm not a supermanphile, so I watch it more for the campiness of Dunaway. You're right, she did perform it much as she performed as Crawford. Its such a shame that she performed a role SO well that she's only remembered for that role in spite of having a brilliant film career prior to MD. I don't care, I always thought Dunaway was fantastic, I pretty much watch anything she's in. She also did a great (though now kinda campy) job as Eva Peron in a tv movie. The one liners were vicious. lol Again, nice video.
THank you so much, and happy you subscribed. By the way, I had something about EVA PERON in the video, but had to cut it. Save it for a dedicated Mommie Dearest show. Dunaway is a great actress, no doubt...and I did love the original Superman...so I just hoped better for this, you know?
I grew up watching it. I know it is cheesy, but my nostalgia for it is too strong. However, I do give the international director cut brownie points. It's a vast improvement. But the biggest success of the film is the SCORE!! That rousing music! It's easily one of my all time faves. I'll always have a soft spot for this flick.
I LOVE the movie.
You are not alone. And I have a place in my heart for it as I thought it was the bomb as a kid. Plus Slater is MY Supergirl and I will never let that go. She and most of the performers did well with the crap they were given. Glad you enjoy it.
on inside of you with Micheal Rosenbaum, Helen slater who turned 60 this years says what she saw of Faye Dunaway was perfectionism. Making sure everything was right. this drove Brenda Vacarro absolute crazy. there is a scene with the two of them where selena on her way to world domination. That took three days to shoot because dunaway didnt not like the way Jeannot Swarz lit her. and after a few screaming matches which lead to him breaking down, Swarz got the take she wanted.
I got to see that podcast/interview. Love it, and Slater was so professional talking about it.
It's one of my fave childhood movies, but I remember how I waited for superman to appear for the whole movie the first time I rented it.
lol, it was fun to watch...and I too, was waiting for Supe.
Faye was hugely entertaining in this movie, audiences loved her. What you are being influenced by is a handful of pompous film critics whose opinions are irrelevant to the masses.
lol. Please. Don't assume what I am influenced by other than her performance and the movie's results.
@@GENXPERIENCE look at the comments on this video. Everyone is disagreeing with your assessment, so I rest my case.
Please feel free to REST..."Everyone" (which is an exaggeration) does not change things.
I always thought of this movie as thoroughly enjoyable. And even with that, i enjoy it more than the inane, uselessly long and unnecessarily contrived superhero flicks we have today.
Today's are too overblown, for sure. I wish SG had simply been as good as Superman.
So, from someone who was an elementary school boy when this came out, an observation...
This movie was not very groundbreaking. Argo City is in inner space within the Earth? Without explanation of how it came to pass that the city was shrunken and stolen by Brainiac(and I still don't know why a smart computer would ever want them - on Krypton, they are not powerful and do not fly)
Supergirl suffered for the same reason as the original theatrical release of Justice League did; the backstory was watered down, and the movie was shorter in length, so much so that it could not be regarded on the scale of "epic cinema" that the first two Superman movies collectively created - having enough juice to push through a third movie, which primarily did okay because Richard Pryor was having a great run of luck at the box office. (Brewster's Millions, The Toy are some titles from this time)
So, Supergirl was not very creative. It didn't bring anything new. The supporting cast were decent. Maureen Teefy was the second most recognized cast member, right behind Faye Dunaway, who I only knew from "Mommie Dearest."
A footnote on Mommie Dearest: mostly it was set in the 1940's and 1950's. Those mannerisms, of not just Joan, but the entire cast, did not transition well to the 1980's. Xanadu also tried to bring the 40's into the 80's.
Moreover, it is mostly male critics who wrote movie reviews in the 1980's, fueled by the syndicated press and only three major networks. Films about women were not highly regarded. They were considered fluff.
Then there is no relatability to small children. Supergirl does not reveal herself publicly. Linda Lee goes away at the same time, and no-one discovers if she is Supergirl that her cousin, Clark, must be Superman. The plot is full of holes and is utterly unrelatable. Even the Superman movies had children admire their hero. Who could little girls and boys relate to in this movie. The first creeps Supergirl encounter are would be rapists at night. I doubt parents would want to have to answer to little girls in 1984 what those men wanted to do to Supergirl. That an act of love could also be an act of violence and oppression. Those issues need to be talked about, but not to six and seven year old girls. Zoltar
As campy as the Superman movies were, they took themselves pretty seriously, without going overboard. Just about all the characters in Supergirl were campy, with the exception of Supergirl and Linda Lee. Zoltar dies in a sequence that probably most inspired The Dark Knight Rises, and even that is corny. The demon storm looked stupid in the film. But manufactured tornados on film do not often look good. Supergirl had no real epic battle. It had no WOW factor that made initial viewers want to share it with their friends.
Oh, and Reaganomics were in full swing. Not enough was trickling down to really run out and see every movie. VCR was the big thing. It was still relatively early in the home video market, but theaters did have competition. Home video was far less prevalent in the years of Superman 1 and 2. For the price of one movie ticket, folks could stay home and watch three rentals.
Actually, Faye Dunaway would have been great, perfect even, if this roll had it been a medieval sword and dragon movie.
This movie fails because of the writing, and mostly by comparison to the epic story of the Superman stories that came before it.
As much as I’m sure Faye Dunaway Is a nightmare to work with I’m sure she can’t be to blame for a bad film.
Nope. She is often thought to be (as she was still reeling from Mommie Dearest), but if you watch the show you will see how we explore how it couldn't be her...and is obviously something else.
Back when there were few movies for us Superhero comic fans to really enjoy, this was a rare well-made well-cast big-budget one. The music was great, the cast was great, the production value was great. The big issue was always... the script. From the commentary he recorded on the DVD it sounds like Jeannot Swarc didn't really pay attention to the script very much and just shot what he was hired to shoot. It's still a fun movie, and I'll always love it, but it needed a re-write badly. With one or two scenes and just a little exposition all the holes could have been cleared up quite easily. Helen Slater was the perfect Supergirl.
I agree with 99% of this. I think the production value was alright, but yeah, I am all against that horrid script and the writing and the dialogue. But the actors were wonderful. Even over the top for Peter and Faye. There is no one better than Slater, though.
I know Supergirl was a bad movie. But, before the movie, even, I never liked that the writers added magic to the Superman comic universe.
I saw it opening day at the theater. It had a few moments I thought,”I’m not sure about that”. However, it is one of my favorite films to show friends and I do find it thoroughly entertaining, but that script is a nightmare.
I like your assessment. Totally get that, and I am happy it is still fun to watch for you and your friends. Thank you for watching this.
My dad met Faye. She had a HUGE crush on him! All the old ladies seem too!
Nice. She was probably a player!
The original story treatment for SIII is INSANE
It figures. After researching, it sounded like it was going to be bonkers.
Yes, Christopher Reeve's non-appearance in the 1984 Supergirl film was the main cause. If Helen Slater had appeared in Superman III it would have helped significantly even better for both films. And Superman IV would then be a completely different film. And would indeed include both Brainiac and Lex Luthor. And that film would have a budget comparable to the first two films and be an alround success.
I enjoyed it as a kid, but the whole thing just diest come together in the end, even with great talent. Too many things against it. Doesn't mean I don't have a soft spot for it, though. Thank you for sharing. I agree Reeve would have given it the gas it needed.
I always thought the problem with this film was the script, a slightly tweaked superman 2 remake. With Helen Slater (Supergirl) in the lead role and Faye re-cast as Supergirl's mum. Would've of worked better. And I'm sure would've lead to sequels.
With Helen Slater showing so much promise as Supergirl . I've always found Supergirl 1984 a frustrating watch.
Great way to put it. FRUSTRATING. But Slater was a wonderful choice.
Supergirl in flight during daytime was so fun to watch
It was gorgeous. The flying was so awe inspiring.
1:22 That’s what they did with Black Panther and Spider-Man in the MCU, they got introduced in Captain America: Civil War and then got their own movies. Which was hugely successful.
Yeah, they just didn't do it a lot in movies back then...today just so common.
I lay the blame on the script with it's confusing plot. Right from the start Argo City was what? Where was it? How did it exist? Then Supergirl arrives on Earth emerging from water and not the sky. So Argo City was in "inner space" what ever that would be.
So love your take. Yeah, Argo City...HOW, and really....WHERE? She is in the water, all of it just crazy.
It did have a great score by Goldsmith.
Supergirl had a good cast in it just a bad storyline
thank you for showing this i forgot all about it.🎆🇺🇲🎇
Absolutely. It was good to revisit it and realize it was no one but the WRITER. Yikes.
Lovely Helen Slater ❤ was great as Supergirl She deserved a better movie
You hit the nail on the head. She is MY Supergirl, and deserved better. Thank you
My Dad rented this movie for me when it came out. I liked that movie, mind you I was ten years old.
Supergirl had a lot of potential for a movie. Using magic was better than kryptonite, and having the character of kara zor-el experience earth for the first time as a person from another place does work.
The one problem i have is that it was made it in the silver age stories style. Her being more concerned about the fate of argo city and its people should have been up front more than its romance plot.
Agreed, the importance of Argo City is lost with the fight over a guy.
I remember renting this in 84 and loving the campiness of it
I know there are parts of it that are campy, but it feels like it wasn't meant to be and the script suffers from it. Don't get me wrong, I have a soft spot for it.
I loved this movie so much when I was a kid!
Me too. And some scenes are worth rewatching. But the pacing, SFX, dialogue....yikes, it is hard today.
But but…but I love this movie so much!
lol. Well, at least there are a couple of great scenes to watch.
Fay was a flawless villain! That blonde overbite was the Achilles heel and her acting shows that she was in no way ready for an kind of heavy lead role. Most of the film the viewer is wondering if she is ever going to be believable at all.
The music from Xanada is pretty good. ELO rules. Supergirl bombed hard, but critics really like Helen Slater's performance.
The music from Xanadu and ELO is positively the BEST. That's the thing, the movie was done poorly, hard to watch FOR ME, but Helen Slater is STILL my Favorite Supergirl.
this movie probably did not help Supergirl's chances for staying alive in the DC comics universe
I think you got that right.
I do not believe Faye Dunaway (regardless of her behavior) was the reason Supergirl failed, the only problem with was the character itself. She was not viable honestly, her motivation was boring. She was basically a "stock" villain with no substance. If they had introduced her at the end of Superman 3 along with a cameo at the start of the Supergirl film, and a better plot could have really saved the movie.
I agree, and although she had her problems, it wasn't her...but you are right, it was the character. Poorly conceived. Fun to watch sometimes, but Selena's motivations are petty. Love your idea, thank you.
I took my copy of legend of Billie Jean to have it signed by Hellen at a convention years ago and she wrote fare is fare and it was a great experience to see her next to Dean Cain .
The movie is excellent and so is the song invincible by Pat Benetar .
You are so very lucky. I would have loved that. Such a great film, great actress, and great opportunity. THat song is an ANTHEM. If I am not mistaken, I love your profile picture (TRON?)
I suspect that was the very same comic con I went to. She was also sat next to Dean Cain it was in Birmingham, England. She signed my Bluray copy of the film too. She was stunned when I said I liked her in 12:01 as well.
The film should have been better there is no doubt about that. It was a waste of perfect casting of the character. The U.K. (it’s the standard on the Bluray now) cut is better but it’s still disappointing. I will say tho there is a charm to it. It’s better than Superman 3&4 to watch now at least. It’s obviously no match for the original Superman film of course. It feels like a Cannon film this even tho it isn’t one. I do like Cannon tho the cheap madness of their stuff is entertaining.
I’d also add that Reeve would have added weight. The Willams Superman march theme would have helped as well. The U.K. poster we got is vastly superior to that US one. I was born in 83 so didn’t see this on the big screen it is something I have always kept hold of on physical media however. I didn’t even get rid of the US DVD set of it when I got the Bluray as I liked the packaging.
Thank you for this. I feel like you understood. It was a waste, the actors were not the issue...but there was so much against it. I hate not liking it as I always wanted to. I still think of Slater as my SG, so there is that. There are some wonderful scenes, but not good enough to watch whenever. Thank you as you got it!
Dolly was briefly attached, but later said she didn't want to tarnish her image by playing a witch (after portraying a whorehouse madame!), so she made Rhinestone instead. Not exactly a superior career move! I have a soft spot for the film but always wished Dolly and Chris Reeve had stuck it out. Dolly and Vaccaro could've been a great team, her overt sexuality was better suited for the love triangle, and with Reeve in the picture, they likely wouldn't have devolved into the Lucy/Jimmy subplot.
Love your thoughtful take. And yeah...Rhinestone! I think Faye was a good choice, but the love thong seemed silly. You are 100% on Brenda and Dolly. Awesome! I have a soft spot even with all it's faults. I want to love it more because Slater is so loveable as SG. Thank you for shsring.
I always enjoyed SUPERGIRL, and I still enjoy both it and SUPERMAN III, probably because I still remember (and treasure) some of the sillier episodes of the George Reeves series, there is no reason Superman and humor cannot occasionally mix. Must also say I have enjoyed CW''s SUPERGIRL. Melissa Benoist did a FINE job in the role. Sasha Calle from the scenes I have seen of her performance in THE FLASH not so much, I cannot bring myself to either rent or watch THE FLASH because seeing Ezra Miller causes mt to uncontrollably vomit. Odd how he and T, Miller from the DEADPOOL franchise are both somewhat mentally unhinged, isn't it?
Helen Slater and Christian Slater are brother and sister. They are related.
lol. In Billie Jean, YES, they are. Just not in real life.
I was only a dumb kid when my sister and I used to watch these films, but we had no idea it was bad. We loved the first two Superman movies, and this just seemed like more of that, just with more witchy weirdness.
I haven't watched it in decades, and it's probably better that way. 😅
I'm with you. She deserved better...at least as good as first 2 Supes that still hold up. Sad she does not, but she's still my SG
Same here! She deserved better if not as good as first two SM films. Which I think still stand up. She'll always be my SG no matter how bad it is.
The way I look at it, the Superman Shared Universe went to pot after the Salkinds sacked original Superman director, Richard Donner. Plus, Faye Dunaway's career wasn't really going anywhere by this time. I remember seeing a comment that her film career was between 1967 to 1978, where "The Eyes of Laura Mars" was a flop at the cinemas. Add to that, as this video pointed out, she was difficult to work with, no one wanted to hire her. All of that allowed other actresses to punch through in the 70s, like Meryl Streep.
I think you are right. Although SM 2 wasn't as good, it came off such a rush of the original. I guess SG was destined to fail. I was telling someone the other day about how FAYE was a great actress, but that at some point, she stopped being. You hit the nail on the head.
You never mentioned that one of Supergirls biggest assets was the late great Jerry Goldsmiths score.
I didn't and I do beat myself up for leaving that out. UGH
The music is great by the one and only Jerry Goldsmith. In Latin America we saw the international cut. The first flying sequence is beautiful.
I failed to bring up Jerry. It was awesome.
After a couple of watches I realized the Supergirl movie had a good movie inside that wasn't utilized to it's best effect. Low budget and poor director ruined what could have been a success for female lead superhero movies.
I think that is what I'm saying, you got it. It deserved to be better, I did enjoy it a couple of times as a kid, but more money and time should have been given to it for writing and effects. The actors were not the problem.
Love this Supergirl film and love this retrospective video. Great work.
Thank you for the comment, this is the kind I love, and appreciate. I adore Supergirl...the character and Slater's performance, that is. There are some great moments in the film, but I am glad you enjoyed it.
While many of us of a particular age have a fondness for this movie, it is not a good film and the fault lies not with Faye. The script is total garbage. Re watched it the other day. It makes very little sense. Why did Kara even need a secret identity? Why did she check into that school? Waste of time.
I do have a fondness, but more because I wanted Supergirl to succeed and there are some great scenes. My video describes that although Faye was trouble, it was the script and the writer that made crap out of what should have been great. I too cannot watch it.
A little too much hate on #Supergirl. The movie isn't that bad, And it's definitely a cult classic.
I guess it is a CUlt Classic, but it shouldn't have been after the magic of Superman 1 & 2. It is hard to watch, even with fun scenes. The actors were great, but #badmovie
The new Supergirl movie 2026 has a leg up being based on a much more interesting take -Supergirl Woman Of Tomorrow an 8 issue comic book that has a great story.
I am slightly aware of that storyline, and a new version is optimistic. Let's hope.
The problems with this movie come from bad writing and worse management.
I gotta give credit to Jerry Goldsmith who at least gave a pretty good musical theme for Supergirl, the movie isn't that bad but it does have some inconsistent plot holes, how does Kara Zor-El already have a ready made costume upon her arrival to Earth? How does she know to register for school and just happen to be roomies with Lois Lane's sister? Why is the Omegahedron orb so important? and the abrupt ending with Supergirl flying towards Argo City and the credits roll.
I can answer that
1 the costume, if you look at the craft she is in she is able to make a super costume.
2. She registered to the school due to the fact that the Orb was around that area.
3 the omeagheadron is a power source that keeps Argo City alive, meaning it gives the argolians Air and light, once they lose the power source they begin to lose air and light.
4. There is a deleted scene that was used In the Topps card series fir the movie that shows the omeagheadron lighting up some molecules. But it was cut to just her flying to Argo and saving it. Yeah I would love to seen her reunite with her mom and dad but that's it.
Super Girl is a great film… it’s only problem was too many strong female characters in main roles back in the 80’s when its was still all about the male gaze…
lol, I don't think that was the problem.....here's a hint: The SCRIPT
A great perspective and overview of “Supergirl” but one error… you show “The Terminator” as a summer film but it actually came out on October 26th, 1984. So, as a fall movie.
Ah hah....that is true, and totally missed. Thank you. Would never have even imagined that. Thanks
super girl was great when i was a kid, now its a bit cheesy but i would watch it again for nostalga, superman 3 was my favourite and i even enjoyed a quest for peace
You did like 3 and 4 of SM? Wow, I could never watch those 2, but I would prefer to sit through SG, no matter how bad it was made. The characters were fun and Slater was awesome.
Loved it as a tiny little one!
Me too. Yes, it was fun, and I can watch some scenes today, but when watching it now, I realize that it should have and could have been better. Too many things against it, sadly. Loved Slater.
Many of my favorite childhood films have aged well over the years, Supergirl isn't a classic and never will be one.
You got that right.
That blonde is not natural at all 😂
Very