Catwoman : Hunted

Catwoman: Hunted is conceived as a true homage to the spy movies of the 70's with its share of action scenes, chases, its omnipresent jazz music that perfectly suits the action. With the highly anticipated movie The Batman arriving next month, Catwoman: Hunted should provide a great time for all DC Universe enthusiasts. One of the many assets of this film is that it is made in the style of a violent manga clearly defined for an adult audience. The script is written by Greg Weisman (the producer of Young Justice and the creator of Gargoyles and The Spectacular Spider-Man) and the direction is done by Shinsuke Terasawa who signs here his first movie after having directed some episodes of Japanese animation series (XXXHOLiC, Doruâga no tô: The Aegis of Uruk).

After Catwoman tries to steal a priceless jewel. She finds herself in the line of fire of a powerful consortium of villains and must also negotiate with Interpol, to keep her freedom. But she can count on Batwoman's help to defeat the largest criminal empire, Leviathan. The numerous fight scenes against demonic and gigantic creatures and even titanic fights against Solomon Grundy and Cheetah and even ninjas such as we can see in some mangas are also on the program and brings to this animated film an undeniable charm. 

Free from any obligations reserving certain adaptations of the DC comics universe to a family audience, Catwoman: Hunted is violent but benefits from a certain humor rather well brought.  Greg Weisman's script is quite short but allows to deliver a solid story and above all Elizabeth Gillies' vocal presence is an excellent idea and brings to the character a real dose of sensuality. 

In the original version, the cast includes Elizabeth Gillies as Catwoman, Stephanie Beatriz as Batwoman, Jonathan Banks as Black Mask, Steve Blum as Solomon Grundy, Lauren Cohan as Julia Pennyworth, Keith David as Tobias Whale, Zehra Fazal as Talia al Ghul and Nosferata, Jonathan Frakes as King Faraday and Boss Moxie, Kirby Howell-Baptiste as Barbara Minerva/Cheetah, Kelly Hu as Cheshire, Andrew Kishino as Mr. Yakuza and Domino 6, Kelly Hu as Cheshire, Andrew Kishino as Mr. Yakuza and Domino 6. Yakuza and Domino 6, Eric Lopez as Domino 1, Jacqueline Obradors as La Dama and Ron Yuan as Doctor Tzin.  A rather efficient vocal casting that easily reinforces the quality of this animated film that shows once again that Warner Bros. Animation continues to be able to show originality and to propose animated films worthy of being released in theaters. 

Catwoman: Hunted
Directed by Shinsuke Terasawa
Produced by Ethan Spaulding, Colin A.B.V. Lewis
Written by Greg Weisman
Starring Elizabeth Gillies, Stephanie Beatriz, Jonathan Banks, Steve Blum, Lauren Cohan, Keith David, Kelly Hu, Zehra Fazal, Jonathan Frakes, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Andrew Kishino, Eric Lopez, Jacqueline Obradors, Ron Yuan
Music by Yutaka Yamada
Edited by Robert Ehrenreich
Production companies: Warner Bros. Animation, DC Entertainment, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment
Distributed by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment
Release date : February 8, 2022 (United States), February 23, 2022 (France)
Running time : 78 minutes

Watched on January 31, 2022 

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