eric262003 Many people came into the theatres expecting "Catwoman" to be a knock-off f the 1960's "Batman" or a rehash of Michelle Pfeiffer's portrayal of Catwoman from Tim Burton's "Batman Returns". Sadly many critics were left terribly disappointed. Sure it lacked the explosiveness you would find in a summer blockbuster with the cartoon-like action and over-the-top special effects. Sure there were special effects like Catwoman bouncing and climbing over buildings. But the effects are diluted and rubbery like straight out of a video game. However, the emphasis isn't relied upon the special effects. The movie is about the empowerment of women and the incredible handling to show that summer blockbusters can still produce high octane energy regardless of what gender stars in it. Many boyfriends migh take their girlfriends to see this movie only to walk out thinking this film was idiotic. By way of contrast, the female viewers will think otherwise. This movie is dark, brooding and Gothic with a pop cultured thrill ride that has a wide open field for feminism with plenty of doors to break through. Whether intentional or by default, "Catwoman" captivates and manufactures enough to ponder into our ever-changing ways in which we think and to refrain from unraveling. Let's start off small and in a few decades more films like this will come onto our screens. Halle Berry stars as the titular character. However, the film does take the time to explain how she became this mysterious vigilante. When not in costume, she's Patience, a devoted cat fanatic and graphics designer who prints advertising labels for a cosmetics company. Quiet and introverted, Patience lives in a dilapidated apartment with noisy tenants who blare their radios until four in the morning. But she is fair lady who plays it fair game and quietly lives a life hidden by a subtle streak of discontent.Patience is under opposition by a superior named Laurel (Sharon Stone), a supermodel who's many poses makes people's head spin when she enters the fray. Laurel is the co-owner of the cosmetics company that Patience works for along with her husband George (Lambert Wilson). George makes a startling announcement that after devoting her time with the company for over fifteen years, Laurel will be replaced by a much younger model. This was the perfect opportunity for Laurel to vent out that high-spirited outer self while also capturing that inner rage like we would expect after getting laid-off like that. This scene alone tells you everything about Laurel. She doesn't play by the book, she may walk with smiles only designed to fool the public's eyes. "Catwoman" is both slick and stylish in tones. For example, director Pitof focuses the camera on George from a long-distance only to get a shot of Laurel from a close range. It may lack in definition, but it is very tempting. Sure there are long unnecessary scenes where Patience is challenging her cop boyfriend (Benjamin Bratt) as just an excuse for a music video like montage. While at the same times adds nicely to the murky settings to support the rather unorthodox tones this film possesses.In the traditions of the other catwomen of ages past, Patience transforms into Catwoman after she is murdered and was resurrected by a group of felines. They don't just resurrect her, she lives like them. She has developed a liking for sushi, nestling on cushions and hoisting herself up and down on furniture. But the main thing that makes her stand out. She's not a part of our restricted society. She now plays by her own rules, developed a newly discovered self-esteem and now sports a cool cat costume complete with a tail and triangular ears.And this is just the tip of the iceberg. This film was handled well by the screenwriters John Brancato and Michael Ferris along with Pulitzer nominee Theresa Rebeck, as this film celebrates female empowerment, but it also has its drawbacks as well, especially when at times it can be very conflicted in terms of good and villainy. Catwoman is personified as rebellious, independent, confident, Laurel is leaned towards being labeled as evil. But it wasn't like she was voluntarily evil. She was overthrown of her position by her husband's betrayal. She does get some of the best lines in the movie by far.There's no denying that Laurel's character has a certain level of uncertainty within her, but that shouldn't be a liability, but an asset knowing what trauma she's been through. It was bound to happen that Catwoman and Laurel would butt heads but through this good versus evil, we're looking at two strong females who play by their rules and reek of independence from anyone who tries to get in their way."Catwoman" lacks natural vibrations and with a purpose being that she's like a supernatural entity and while Laurel sports a toxic face cream that make her complexion look like marble. The mask makes her lose a sense of feeling. But underneath the masks and concealers, the whole premise of "Catwoman" is that the movie cherishes the positive side of how independence bears no boundaries if used in the rightful perspective. It's truly a remarkable film that was badly misunderstood by the critics. Personally it's a great flick for a rainy day when you need something enlightening. The clash between Laurel's cynical ways and Catwoman's determination will keep you in intrigue. It's worth the watch.

bensonmum2 Patience Phillips (Halle Berry) is a meek, mild-mannered woman working in the advertising department of a cosmetics firm. One night, she sees and overhears something she wasn't meant to. The company's new line causes horrible scarring after extended use. Patience is killed because of what she learned. However, she is brought back to life by an Egyptian cat and granted many cat-like powers. She decides to use these powers to discover who killed her and put a stop to the company she once worked for.I knew of Catwoman's horrible reputation, but didn't really believe it could be that bad. I mean, squeezing the gorgeous Halle Berry into skin-tight leather should set you up for some thrills. Unfortunately, there's not a costume on Earth that could have saved this mess of a movie. Almost everything (the lone exception being some scenes with Halle Berry and Benjamin Bratt - I enjoyed the chemistry) is a disaster. The plot is paper thin, the baddies are weak, the acting is poor, the attempts at comedy are cringey, and the dialogue is silly. But as bad as all that is, nothing compares with the wretched special effects. I thought the CG cat looked horrible (and why use a CG cat anyway?), but then i saw the CG Halle Berry. I'm sure a small fortune was spent on these effects. What a waste! The shots of Adam West "climbing" buildings in the 1960s-era Batman TV show are more believable. It's just pathetic.

caiforniagirl I can not believe that Warner Brothers would have made this film if they had read the screenplay. I also think that Halle Berry must not have read it as well. Sharon Stone most likely read this but she will show up for the opening of an envelope. "Catwoman" is the story of shy, sensitive artist Patience Philips (Halle Berry), a woman who can't seem to stop apologizing for her own existence. She works as a graphic designer for Hedare Beauty, a mammoth cosmetics company on the verge of releasing a revolutionary anti- aging product. When Patience inadvertently happens upon a dark secret her employer is hiding, she finds herself in the middle of a corporate conspiracy. What happens next changes Patience forever. Trust me this is not only boring but stupid. Halle really can not pull the role. Sharon Stone is just mugging for the camera. I have no idea why Warner Brothers made "Pitof"the director. Trust me this film is so bad that nobody has ever let him direct anything again. That includes "Traffic".

sfinancing ...that it is just bad.A star celebration for Barre's body in a leather catsuit... no acting ability required and nothing worth mentioning delivered. Writing poor, humor not even up to sophomoric levels. Cinematography amateurish. Special effect poor by even 20 year old standards. Plot non existent. Directing apparently done by an overly hormonal teen male. High point(if there is one)...Barre looks good in the catsuit.Free on Netflix and still way over priced.