Supergirl: The Complete Fifth Season Blu-ray Review

THE MOVIE — 3.5/5

Season Synopsis: Season four proved that truth and justice are stronger than fear and hate when Supergirl (MELISSA BENOIST) stopped Lex Luthor’s (JON CRYER) anti-alien campaign with the power of her journalistic skills as Kara Danvers – no cape required. Life in National City is just returning to normal when more changes come into play. CatCo Worldwide Media has a new owner (JULIE GANZALO) and a new star reporter (STAZ NAIR). Supergirl learns the truth about Lena Luthor (KATIE MCGRATH), who, in turn, learns a secret about Kara.

Quick Hit Review: Supergirl is a show that I’ve never fully bought in to, but admit has its moments. I really like Melissa Benoist in the lead role, sort of reminded me of the genuine article for a heroic character that Christopher Reeve embodied as Superman all those years ago. That said, the stories, as seemingly normal for the CW DC shows, were bogged down and like Arrow before, filled with an ensemble that never quite worked outside of maybe series original David Harewood as Martian Manhunter. That said, I do like Katie McGrath as Lena Luthor bringing a bit more complexity to her bitterness toward the Girl of Steel, albeit that dynamic was already explored in Smallville between Tom Welling’s Clark Kent and Michael Rosenbaum’s Lex Luthor.

Speaking of which, when Jon Cryer was originally cast as Lex a season or two ago, wasn’t entirely sold, but strangely Cryer has grown on me and he’s providing a nice twist to the character with some fun comic-inspired moments, like his iron outfit. This season gives him plenty of chances to shine, including being an integral part of the “Crisis” crossover event, and he makes the most out of them.

Supergirl may not have the strongest writing but is saved thanks to some earnest performances from Benoist and, yes even Jon Cryer, and there’s just enough there even for someone who didn’t really grow up reading or collecting Superman comics.

SPECIAL FEATURES – 2.5/5

This 5-disc release comes housed in an HD keep case which side slides into a semi-glossy slip cover. Inside is a redemption code for the Digital HD copy and a fifth disc with the “Crisis on Infinite Earths” episodes.

Deleted Scenes — ‘Event Horizon’, ‘Stranger Beside Me’, ‘Blurred Lines’, ‘In Plain Sight’, ‘Dangerous Liaisons’, ‘Confidence Women’, ‘Tremors’, ‘The Wrath of Rama Khan’, ‘The Bottle Episode’, ‘Back from the Future – Part One’, ‘The Bodyguard’, ‘Deus Lex Machina’, ‘The Missing Link’, ‘Immortal Kombat’

The Best of DC TV’s Comic-Con Panels San Diego 2019 (51:04) — Highlights from Arrow, Batwoman, Black Lightning, The Flash and Supergirl.

Gag Reel filled with line flubs and other outtakes.

CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS BONUS FEATURES*:

• Crisis on Infinite Earths: The Architects Return (11:55) featurette looks at the origins of the comic series this cross-over was inspired by and how it changed the landscape for DC Comics.
• Crisis Management (13:08) is on bringing this event to the small screen beyond just the CW shows.
• Crisis Past and Present: Kevin Conroy Bat Legend (3:17) on the inclusion of Conroy in live action form.
• Crisis Past and Present: Superman vs. Superman (4:37) is about the epic fight between the Arrowverse and Superman Returns/Kingdom Come versions going mano-e-mano.
• Characters in Crisis: Pariah (4:20) — Character profile of Pariah and his portrayal for the cross-over.
• Characters in Crisis: The Anti-Monitor (4:55) is on the villain for this storyline.

* Not factored into features rating.

VIDEO – 4.5/5

AUDIO – 4.0/5

OVERALL – 3.5/5

Supergirl: The Complete Fifth Season still has similar struggles from its previous season with the writing and storytelling, and similar troubles to the later seasons of Arrow, but I still like Melissa Benoist in the role. This Blu-ray set has good video and audio transfers however the features were a bit limited, although in fairness, they might’ve been curtailed due the pandemic so no new interviews could be produced.