A Dazzling & Action-Packed Anime Adventure

Catwoman joins forces with Batwoman to stop a criminal organization from trafficking girls.

Warner Bros

Catwoman takes the spotlight in a thrilling anime adventure that will leave you purring in delight. Catwoman: Hunted takes the notorious thief on a globetrotting adventure as a vicious criminal organization nips at her heels. The film has a swinging jazz soundtrack and uses clever split-screen editing to adrenalize slick action scenes. It also gets quite racy with sexually charged flirtations between her and Batwoman. The joyride has a serious undertone with noble intentions. Catwoman fights human traffickers from enslaving innocent girls.

The opening credits set the stage with a creative montage. We then see Catwoman (Elizabeth Gillies) in retro guise at a costume party in Spain. She infiltrates the event as Black Mask’s (Jonathan Banks) date. The Gotham crime boss wants to join a criminal cartel called Leviathan. It’s leader, Lady Barbara Minerva (Kirby Howell-Baptiste), demands a steep entrance fee. The Cat’s Eye Emerald will secure a seat at the gangsters’ table.

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Catwoman’s amazing escape with the priceless prize infuriates Lady Minerva. She sends every goon at her disposal after Selina Kyle. Lady Minerva wants Catwoman’s nine lives extinguished as a bloody example. The feline emulating burglar gets surprising allies from Interpol. Batwoman (Stephanie Beatriz) and Julia Pennyworth (Lauren Cohen) promise clemency if she helps them take down Leviathan. Their goal seems insurmountable when Leviathan unleashes a torrent of supervillains.

Catwoman: Hunted never takes its foot off the gas. Screenwriter Greg Weisman keeps the protagonist fun and witty as she plows through baddies. Director Shinsuke Terasawa crafts long chase scenes that zip along with infectious percussion and horns blaring. He then changes the mood to reflect Catwoman’s animal magnetism. She’s a hot commodity and knows how to use her alluring gifts. Hearts will flutter and pulses pound as Catwoman literally steams up the screen with Batwoman. Warner Bros. Animation increases the temperature without getting too graphic.

Leviathan’s bosses are no joke. The action builds nicely to heavy-hitter showdowns with mystical elements. Catwoman and Batwoman initially underestimate their foes. Their cocky behavior gets a serious attitude adjustment. These characters aren’t invincible fighters. They have to employ more than brute skills to face such daunting enemies. Lady Minerva takes ferocity to an extreme level.

Catwoman likes to steal shiny things, but she takes a heroic turn here. The opening credits spell out her agenda without specifically stating it. Catwoman’s goal is to free kidnapped girls from sexual exploitation. The film doesn’t hammer in this message or resort to torrid tactics. It’s a tough balance to entertain and enlighten. The filmmakers succeed in highlighting the problem of female trafficking.

Catwoman: Hunted is a must-see for all genre fans. I enjoyed this film tremendously. The recent spate of DC universe animation has been overly dour. It’s refreshing to see a lighter entry with girl-power themes. Catwoman: Hunted is produced by DC Comics and Warner Bros. Animation. It’s currently available for digital download. A limited theatrical release will accompany the DVD/Blu-ray release on February 8th from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.

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Julian Roman
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Film critic, raconteur, praying for dolphins to grow thumbs and do better.

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