hosted by popgeeks.com | Forum DC Comics Solicitations June 2024 DC Comics Solicitations May 2024


MAIN · REVIEW · MEDIA · BACKSTAGE · NEWS · FORUM
MINI-REVIEW

Catwoman
Available on the Batman: Year One Home Video Release

Studio: Warner Home Video
Release Date: October 18th, 2011

Synopsis:
This entry to the growing canon of DC Universe animated shorts features the first first solo tale centered around Catwoman. The felonious feline's adventure takes her through the seedy streets of Gotham City.

DC Showcase: Catwoman Animated Short Review
by James Harvey

Catwoman takes center stage in this tantalizing DC Showcase animated short included on the home video release of Batman: Year One, and what it may lack in substance it makes up for in style. Actually, the story usually takes a complete back seat in order to show off some over-the-top action or an insane amount of skin. The plot is simple: After saving a cat with a familiar looking collar, Catwoman goes after a crime lord in search of answers.

First and foremost, Eliza Dushku is excellent as Catwoman. She's able to bring a fierce sexuality to the character without it becoming over-the-top. Yes, there are moments where it gets somewhat embarrassing with just how far this short goes with the sexual content, but Dushku is able to keep her character's voice in check, and seems to be having a ball. I can't help but notice how many different characters John DiMaggio - who also voices the main antagonist Rough Cut - voiced in this sort. You'll notice - trust me.

It's a fairly straightforward story, though credit needs to be given to director Lauren Montgomery. The action sequences, specifically an excellent chase scene part-way through, are inventive and really fun. Montgomery seems to handle the camera with ease as we weave through traffic with Catwoman trying to catch her prey. However, I am surprised at how excessively over-the-top some of the more sexual elements of the short are, especially the extended striptease sequence with Catwoman. Some will be titillated with it, sure, but it just seems to drag and is borderline shameful.

On a side-note, I also couldn't help but notice that the short abandons the comic-shop opening sequence found in the other DC Showcase shorts.

Overall, a fun short, but it falls short of DC Showcase: Jonah Hex or DC Showcase: Green Arrow as being truly memorable. Montogomery and writer Paul Dini take us on a pretty fun (albeit occasionally undue) trip to Gotham with Catwoman as the pilot, but sadly, there's little reason to swing by for a return visit. Woirth a watch!

Click here for further coverage on the Batman: Year One animated feature!




 

DC Comics on popgeeks.com