Catwoman Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Catwoman" showcases a 1080p/VC-1 encoded transfer that primarily impresses with sharp, clear visuals and a vivid color palette. Halle Berry's bronze skin tones are notably emphasized, and the intentionally over-saturated colors—such as the fire engine red of her lipstick and the neon green lighting in George Hedare’s office—add a vibrant touch to the film's visual aesthetics. However, this saturation occasionally results in an almost glowing effect, which some might find excessively strong. Black levels maintain commendable depth, notwithstanding minor instances of crush, contributing to a robust image with solid dimensionality.

Despite its visual strengths, the transfer does present several notable issues. CGI elements frequently appear flat compared to real surroundings, although this isn't inherently a transfer flaw. More concerning are the frequent artifacts, particularly visible in darker scenes and the cat rebirth sequence on cat island. The presence of edge enhancement, coupled with poor delineation in several scenes, often detracts from the viewing experience. Skin tones persistently exhibit an unnatural orange or yellow hue, lacking a natural look.

Interestingly, even minimal film grain is present, without any trace of digital noise reduction smearing. This retains a level of sharpness, detailing everything from wrinkles on Sharon Stone's face to the fine textures of Berry’s leather costume. An added layer of applied manipulation results in a slightly waxy facade, unfortunately tampering with the natural texture. Particularly jarring was the climactic battle scene where teeth unnaturally shine green. In essence, while the Blu-ray transfer delivers a certain allure with its detailed and colorful presentation, it is marred by pressing technical flaws that critically impact the overall image quality.

The audio presentation of "Catwoman" on Blu-ray is executed with a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 surround track, delivering a surprisingly substantial auditory experience despite the film's cinematic shortcomings. Dialogue is consistently clear and intelligible, avoiding the common pitfall of becoming buried in the mix. The low-end support is appreciable, adding a significant heft to otherwise trivial moments and enhancing the overall soundscape. While the rear channels are moderately active, they provide an engaging ambience without feeling forced. Notably, specific foley effects such as glass tinkling on marble and chains dragging on asphalt are particularly well-rendered, demonstrating detailed sound craftsmanship.

However, this audio track does have its limitations. While gunshots ping effectively between speakers and fight sequence impacts carry impressive bass, there are notable inconsistencies. For instance, gunfire lacks punch and fails to impress in terms of placement within the soundstage. Additionally, the utilization of localized sound effects and movement can be sparse and understated. Ambient noise, though designed to establish the bustling city environment, occasionally overpowers critical sequences, competing with the action on screen. Despite these shortcomings, the Dolby TrueHD 5.1 track manages to create a more engaging auditory experience than one might expect given the film's overall quality.

The Blu Ray extras for "Catwoman" are a mixed bag, marred by their standard definition quality and a sense of datedness. 'The Many Faces of Catwoman' hosted by Eartha Kitt provides a fascinating look at the character's evolution across comics and film, enriched by interviews with former Catwomen. However, its production feels antiquated. The 'Behind-the-Scenes Documentary: HBO First Look' is a generic promotional piece with little substantive content. The 'Chase Me: 2003 Animated Short', originally from "Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman", offers a dialogue-free chase sequence marred by technical flaws. Additional scenes and an alternate ending add little value, showcasing barely interesting content. The inclusion of trailers is standard but unnoteworthy.

Extras included in this disc:

• The Many Faces of Catwoman: Retrospective feature hosted by Eartha Kitt.
• Behind-the-Scenes Documentary: HBO First Look: Promotional behind-the-scenes content.
• Chase Me: 2003 Animated Short: Silent animated chase sequence.
• Additional Scenes and Alternate Ending: Unremarkable additional content.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original movie trailer.
• Teaser Trailer: Brief promotional teaser.

"Catwoman" brings an often-discussed, yet seldom executed, standalone narrative to the silver screen, and unfortunately, it lands with a resounding thud. Halle Berry stars as Patience Phillips, a timid graphics artist from the Hedare Beauty Corporation who is unwittingly thrust into superhero alter-ego status after a supernatural feline encounter. The film spends an inordinate amount of time meandering through an ill-conceived plot where Patience's death and subsequent resurrection by a magical cat—servant to the Egyptian goddess Bast—sets the stage for her transformation into the leather-clad anti-heroine.

The script falters heavily under the weight of its overwrought dialogue and misguided attempts at female empowerment. With lines like "Guess what? It's overtime," delivered with unintended comical earnestness, the movie fails to engage or delight. The underwhelming character arcs and clumsy action sequences exacerbate the audience's disengagement. The direction by Pitof employs a cacophony of swooping camera motions and hyperactive cut sequences that serve more to disorient than to entertain. Visually, "Catwoman" is as plastic and uninspired as its premise, with frenetic editing choices that undermine any potential it might have had for engaging storytelling.

On an acting front, Berry's performance oscillates between overly timid and implausibly confident, failing to strike a consistent or compelling balance. Supporting cast members fare no better; Sharon Stone's portrayal of the antagonist Laurel Hedare is wooden and disengaged, while Benjamin Bratt's Detective Tom Lone struggles under equally lackluster writing. The film’s crowning failures lie in its dialogue—the cringeworthy one-liners and petulant exchanges make for painful viewing experiences. In the end, "Catwoman" misses the mark on almost every front, presenting a case study in how comic book adaptations can go disastrously wrong.

"Catwoman" on Blu-ray showcases a film that has been universally panned for its lackluster narrative and subpar execution. Despite the universally negative reception of the movie itself, the Blu-ray release presents a technically sound package. The high-definition video transfer offers a visually impressive experience with detailed textures and vibrant colors, which is one of the few positives in this otherwise disappointing title. The audio quality is robust, delivering clear and immersive sound that significantly enhances what is captured on screen, although these technical merits do little to salvage the overall experience.

The content of "Catwoman" fails to satisfy on nearly every level. The storyline is incoherent and the character development is virtually non-existent, resulting in one of the most critically lambasted films in recent memory. Despite boasting a prominent cast and an iconic character, the movie's execution leaves much to be desired. Moreover, the Blu-ray's lack of substantial special features makes it an even tougher sell for potential buyers. The supplementary materials are minimal and do little to provide insight or added value to the viewing experience.

In conclusion, "Catwoman" is best avoided unless you have a penchant for collecting every entry in the Batman universe or enjoy indulging in high-definition visuals and audio for their own sake. Catwoman. It's terrible. You know it, and I know it. It looks and sounds good in high definition, but don't buy it unless you want your Blu-ray collection tainted by a distinct, ammonia-like, cat piss stench. I'd only recommend a rental if you can muster up some friends and give the film a proper Mystery Science Theater-style lampooning. Otherwise, steer clear.