Supergirl (film)

**Supergirl** was a 2012 superhero action film based on the DC Comics superhero, Supergirl. The film starred Serinda Swan, Courtney Ford, Ryan Reynolds, Ryan Gosling, Laurence Fishburne, Vin Diesel, Linda Cardelleni, Amy Acker, Calista Flockhart, and Anson Mount. The film was released worldwide on July 27, 2012 and received critical acclaim and was a moderate box office success, grossing $315 million worldwide.

## Plot

Kara Zor-El was only twelve when her home planet, Krypton, was destroyed. Kara was sent away on a pod to look after her infant cousin, Kal-El, on Earth. However, Kara's pod got knocked off course and was trapped in the Phantom Zone for twenty-four years. An opening in the Phantom Zone appeared and Kara's pod escaped through. By the time Kara had gotten to Earth, her cousin was already an adult and had become "Superman", using the powers that Kryptonians have under a Yellow Sun, under the human persona of Clark Kent. Clark puts Kara in the protection of Jeremiah and Eliza Danvers where she can live a human life. Kara also meets her adoptive sister, Alex Danvers.

Twelve years later, Kara is an assistant at CatCo Worldwide Media to Cat Grant. One day her sister is on a plane heading out of town but it begins to malfunction, so Kara uses her powers that she had hidden away to save her sister. Kara becomes known as Supergirl, though nobody knows it is Kara. Kara reveals her powers to her friend Winn Schott, who makes her a costume. Clark's good friend, James Olsen arrives in National City, revealing to Kara that he knows who she is and Clark sent him to protect her. It is also revealed that Kara's mother Alura Zor-El had sent numerous alien prisoners to a space prison called Fort Rozz, which made it's way to Earth along with Kara's pod. Kara fights off numerous of these aliens. However, it is revealed Alura's identical twin sister, Astra In-Ze, is leading the aliens.

Kara learns her sister, Alex, is working for the secret government agency the Department of Extranormal Operations (D.E.O.), where their father worked until he died. Kara joins the agency to work as Supergirl. However, it is revealed their leader Hank Henshaw is an alien of some sort, as his eyes glow red. James learns his ex-girlfriend, Lucy Lane, is back in town to get him back, which Kara encourages him to do. Kara and Alex become suspicious of Hank so Winn pulls up files from the D.E.O. and learns that Hank and Jeremiah went on a mission to South America and Hank only came back. Hank reveals to Alex that he is J'onn J'onzz, the sole survivor of the Green Martian race, and was saved by Jeremiah. The real Hank Henshaw killed Jeremiah, so J'onn killed Hank in retaliation and assumed his form so the D.E.O. would quit looking for him.

Kara is attacked by more aliens and discovers her aunt is in charge. Astra is arrested at the D.E.O. where she reveals that all she wants to do is save Earth, as she did Krypton. However, Astra's husband, Non, leads their army of Kryptonians to LORD Tech, where they capture Hank. Non wants to make a trade, Astra for Hank. Kara does the trade while deciding to investigate Malcolm Lord with James and Winn, as they known he has a secret. Kara also discovers Hank's identity while Lord is revealed to be watching them and finds out about Kara's secret. A new, evil version of Supergirl shows up in town, revealed to be the secret Lord was conducting. Kara fights her off while Alex arrests Lord. Cat assigns James and Lucy, who had taken a job at CatCo, to investigate Lord's disappearance. James reveals to Lucy he is friends with Supergirl and the D.E.O. Hank is forced to release Lord, though if he reveals anything about the D.E.O. or Supergirl, they'll reveal his criminal activity.

Alex and Hank face Astra and Non themselves, but Astra is killed by Alex in battle, using a Kryptonite sword. Kryptonite is the only thing that can hurt Kryptonians. Supergirl is exposed the Red Kryptonite, which turns her cold, shallow, and cynical around others. She eventually becomes evil and Alex and Hank work with Lord to stop her. However, in doing so, Hank reveals himself to the world as a Martian. Being investigated by Colonel James Harper and Lucy, having re-enlisted in the Army, Hank and Alex discover Jeremiah is alive and somewhere at a place called Project Cadmus. Kara reveals her identity as Supergirl to Lucy, who helps them save Alex and Hank. Alex and Hank go on the run to find Jeremiah, appointing Lucy acting Director of the D.E.O. However, soon everyone in National City is put under some kind of spell by Non and they are completely emotionless, just as Kara revealed her feelings for James.

Kara learns her, Cat, and Lord are the only ones immune to "Myriad" by Non, Kara because of her Kryptonian genes, Cat and Lord because of blockers, the latter applied. Alex and J'onn return and reveal to Eliza everything. J'onn fights Non's best soldier, Indigo, but is defeated. Alex is put under mind-control by Indigo to fight Kara in a Kryptonite suit. Eliza arrives and convinces them to stop fighting, breaking Alex of their control. They realize hope is the key to stopping Myriad. Kara inspires the citizens of National City, breaking their control. Indigo and Non decide to increase Myriad's frequency, which would kill all humans on Earth. When Kara and J'onn fight the two, Non and Indigo both die. However, Myriad cannot be stopped so Kara flies Fort Rozz, the Myriad activator into space. Alex rescues her using her pod that she came to Earth in. Kara, Alex, James, Winn, and J'onn celebrate their victory. Kara also learns she got a promotion at CatCo.

In a mid-credits scene, a pod flies down from the sky and lands in Earth. Kara and J'onn fly over and are shocked at what is inside.

## Cast

* Serinda Swan as Kara Danvers/Supergirl
* Courtney Ford as Alex Danvers
* Ryan Reynolds as James Olsen
* Ryan Gosling as Winn Schott
* Laurence Fishburne as J'onn J'onzz
* Vin Diesel as Non
* Linda Cardelleni as Astra In-Ze
* Amy Acker as Lucy Lane
* Calista Flockhart as Cat Grant
* Anson Mount as Maxwell Lord

## Reception

### **Box office**

The film grossed $314,975,955 worldwide, $85,028,192 in the United States, and $229,947,763 in foreign areas.

### **Critical reception**

*Supergirl* recieved critical acclaim. The film currently holds an 95% on Rotten Tomatoes, and a 75 out of 100 on Metacritic.