Barnes & Noble

The sight of Halle Berry in a skin-tight leather costume should be enough to attract most viewers (especially if they're male), but Catwoman has far more to offer. Comic-book movies depend on visuals for a great deal of their effect, and this one is more stylish than most. Chalk that up to director Pitof, who combines the best cinematographic techniques with state-of-the-art computer imagery to give Catwoman a sheen unlike practically any film you've ever seen. Berry plays Patience Phillips, a timid graphic designer working for a ruthless cosmetics magnate (Lambert Wilson) up to his neck in illegal activities. When Patience accidentally stumbles onto one of them, the tycoon has her killed, but the young woman becomes possessed by the spirit of a cat and is resurrected, developing feline speed, reflexes, and eyesight. As Catwoman, she wreaks havoc on the cosmetics company and does battle with the real villain, the magnate's ex-supermodel wife (Sharon Stone in a deliciously campy turn). Berry is obviously enjoying herself in the role; she seems to be emulating -- at least with regard to dialogue delivery -- the great Eartha Kitt, who played an earlier incarnation of the character to purr-fection in the old Batman TV show. Halle's physicality makes her credible as the sexy, sinuous superheroine, although her feats are computer-enhanced for maximum impact. Pitof maintains a delicate balance between high adventure and high camp: Whenever the movie seems poised to tumble into the abyss of absurdity, he reaches out and pulls it back just in time. The climactic martial arts duel between Berry and Stone (and their stunt doubles) is an indisputable high point that, to our mind, anyway, alone justifies buying this DVD. Ed Hulse

All Movie Guide

Patience Philips (Halle Berry) seems destined to spend her life apologizing for taking up space. Despite her artistic ability -- she has a more than respectable career as a graphic designer for Hedare Beauty, a Goliath cosmetics company -- Patience is excruciatingly shy, quick to take blame, and, not surprisingly, more than a little depressed at the end of the day. This comes to somewhat of a screeching halt when Patience not only inadvertently lands herself in the middle of a corporate conspiracy of gargantuan proportions, but on the city police force's most wanted list. Newly quipped with a mysterious feline prowess, Patience is a different person come nighttime -- more accurately, a catwoman. Elusive, untamed, powerful, stealthy, and not necessarily prone to erring on the side of good, Patience has gone from doormat to vigilante. Police officer Tom Lone (Benjamin Bratt), who has fallen for shy Patience, is determined to apprehend Catwoman and figure out her role in a recent crime spree, though his fascination with her doesn't cease with the end of his shift and it threatens to lead to the downfall of himself, his investigation, and the woman who was once the timid Patience Philips. ~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide

Product Details

• UPC: 883929064137
• Source: WARNER HOME VIDEO
• Presentation: Wide Screen
• Time: 1:44:00
• Sales Rank: 24,653

Features: