For a property that is only about five months old, Stargirl has had a complicated release plan which could easily confuse anybody who is only casually keeping track of entertainment news. Initially developed as a DC Universe exclusive, it was announced around the time of the Arrowverse’s Crisis on Infinite Earths airing that Stargirl was also going to air on the CW after a brief window. Very brief, that is, at only one day after new episodes dropped on the streamer. The writing was on the wall with the handling of the streamer’s original content, culminating in the recent announcement that the service was indeed getting out of the television game and focusing on the comic book side of things. The few remaining series got shipped off to other divisions, with Stargirl ending up with The CW as its exclusive home moving forward. As much as I enjoy the CW stable of superhero shows, Stargirl provides a level of excellence that has been absent for some time in the group.
The opening moments of Stargirl are some of the most exciting I have seen from a live action DC series, perhaps only falling short of the Arrowverse crossover episodes. We start out with the Justice Society of America being massacred at their headquarters by the Injustice Society of America. In this short segment, there are so many fun easter eggs for fans and cameos that will make you giggle with delight. The losses are devastating, but it does a perfect job of setting up the stakes while introducing you to Pat Dugan (Luke Wilson), sidekick and friend of Starman. With his last breath, he makes Pat promise to protect his Cosmic Staff until he can find a worthy successor to rebuild the JSA. Across town, a young mom, Barbara Whitmore (Amy Smart), reluctantly tells her daughter, Courtney, that her father has not shown up for Christmas. Ten years later, we find Pat and Barbara now married and are moving the family back to Blue Valley, where old adversaries are just waiting to reemerge. The now-teenage Courtney (Brec Bassinger) does not have the easiest time starting at her new school, but she finds something that will change her entire life when she stumbles across the old crate in her new home’s basement.
The Cosmic Staff is a fascinating weapon, as it functions similarly to Dr. Strange’s cape with a mind all of its own. While not a relationship you would typically see developed, the dynamic between Courtney and the Cosmic Staff is an essential part of the show. After she gets a crash course on the Staff’s powers, her world is shaken up by the discovery of Pat’s past life as a member of the JSA. Also, he may just have an Iron Giant-esque suit of armor eventually known as S.T.R.I.P.E. that is one of the most fun additions to a show that already delivers so much joy. Courtney believes the Cosmic Staff has responded to her because her MIA dad was actually Starman, despite what Pat says to the contrary. Courtney is inspired to take up the mantle of Stargirl after the Injustice Society America starts to plan a return to their nefarious ways. The refreshing thing about this show is the way in which it uses the ISA as an underlying threat without needing to inject a huge confrontation in each episode. There is always something dramatically thrilling occurring, but all-out fights only occur when it makes sense in the story and not just to fill a formula.
It does not take Courtney long to realize that if she is going to face the ISA, she is going to need to reform the JSA. Watching Courtney come into her own as Stargirl is so much fun, but seeing her find those who can take on the roles of Wildcat, Hourman and Dr. Mid-Nite really takes the show to a level that hardcore comic fans will appreciate. Stargirl has many dark developments throughout the season, but the series as a whole exudes a lighthearted tone that really captures the wonder and joy that has been missing in a lot of comic book adaptations in recent years. The show also does an excellent job of balancing engaging storylines between the younger cast and the adults. There are a few minor moments where the teen characters get a bit too melodramatic or saccharine, but they mostly provide a playful youthful energy and excitement that benefits the show. As good as they are, the adults do steal the show. Every member of the Injustice Society brings a little something extra to their character that makes you love to root for their downfall. Chief among them is their leader, Icicle (Neil Jackson), who carries out some really dastardly acts while keeping you glued to the screen. On the hero side, Luke Wilson really proves to be the linchpin of the show, both inside and out of his robot suit. The series excels in intrigue and action, but his paternalistic relationship with Courtney is one of the most rewarding aspects in the long run.
Stargirl is truly a high quality show that puts every cent of its budget on screen. The cinematography of the show is stunning in a way that makes the CW shows look paltry in comparison. Stylistically and tonally, you feel like you are watching an excellent companion piece to Shazam! The special effects work blends seamlessly with the world, especially when S.T.R.I.P.E. is being put to use. Every fight scene feels substantial with real pain being dished out and performers going for broke. Real effort was put into making this show flow as smoothly as possible, and the results are truly magnificent. The first season of Stargirl does an excellent job of introducing you into this world and making you fall in love with the characters. The villains are nuanced and compelling, providing a steady base from which more stories can develop in the future. This season was such a delight from start to finish that I only worry about what might happen to it in the future. The CW has developed a lot of great superhero shows, but few have maintained the high bar for quality throughout their entire run. This show flourishes because of the effort put into it, and I only hope that the probable reduction in budget does not take away the magical spark that made this so satisfying.
Video Quality
Stargirl: The Complete First Season arrives on Blu-Ray with a gorgeous AVC encoded 1080p transfer in its original broadcast ratio of 2.20:1. This framing along with the impeccable cinematography gives the show a cinematic quality that the Arrowverse shows cannot hold a candle to. You really feel like you are watching something on par with a DC film during the course of the season. The levels of detail this presentation is able to eek out is quite striking, as all of the subtle details in the production design are easily identifiable. The color palette runs on the cooler side with a focus on blues, but there are some magical instances of beautiful colors popping off the screen. Black levels are appropriately deep and give way to an excellent amount of detail in shadows. Skin tones appear very natural across the entire cast throughout the season. The special effects employed throughout are first rate and perfectly rendered here. There are no egregious instances of aliasing or compression artifacts detectable in this transfer. The Blu-Ray is quite stunning as it brings a meticulously crafted series to life in a gorgeous manner. This presentation is a visual treat.
Audio Quality
This Blu-Ray comes with an incredibly active DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio track that creates a truly enveloping world. Dialogue always comes through crisp and clear without being stepped on by the powerful score or any sound effects. Action sequences and more kinetic moments are given the appropriate power in the mix with a forceful showing in the low end. Ambient sounds are also precisely placed in the rear channels. The spatial awareness of the track is pretty insane at times, and the panning techniques are used to great effect. Special consideration should be paid to the soaring series music from Pinar Toprak. Her work perfectly sets the tone for the story, and it creates a nicely enveloping sound that draws you further into the show. The audio presentation here is fantastic on all levels.
Special Features
There are unfortunately no special features included in this set.
Final Thoughts
Stargirl is simply one of the best shows to come out of 2020. Everything about the show feels essential, from the technical brilliance to the performances and narrative arc throughout the season. You can tell DC put a lot of love and money into this debut season, and I hope beyond hope that the CW does not mess with the magic. Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has delivered a fantastic A/V presentation for this Blu-Ray set. Although there are no special features, this set remains a no-brainer for any DC fan. The amount of joy this show offers up over the course of a single season is insane. Highly Recommended
Stargirl: The Complete First Season is currently available to purchase on Blu-Ray and DVD.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has supplied a copy of this set free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.