The film many cite as the worst DC movie ever is now on HBO Max, so you can see it in all its “glory!”
DC Movies have had their major highs and lows over the years. Sure, there’s been successes with Superman and Batman, but also some serious duds such as Steel, Green Lantern and The Flash. However, there are still a couple of films that appall comic book fans for how truly bad they are.
Such a film has just hit HBO Max, as on January 1, the streamer added 2004’s Catwoman to their library of past DC movies. This gives a new generation of fans a chance to check out the film they may have heard about but never seen, and learn why it often tops lists of the worst comic book movies ever!
It has to be remembered that in 2004, comic book movies were in a state of flux. Characters based on Marvel Comics characters had massive success with Blade, X-Men and Spider-Man but DC was still reeling from the disaster of 1997’s Batman & Robin. They hoped to finally put together a solo movie for Catwoman, as surely audiences would flock to a film about sultry thief Selina Kyle.
Instead, the movie starred Halle Berry (fresh off her Oscar win) as Patience Phillips, a fashion designer stumbling onto a criminal plot. Nearly killed, Patience somehow develops catlike powers and goes around in a costume to fight crime. The film has Sharon Stone chewing the scenery as the villain and Benjamin Bratt wasted as a love interest.
Berry threw herself into the role, honing her training regimen, and made the costume eye-popping. Sadly, that wasn’t enough as the film was trashed by critics and audiences for its bad storyline, worse dialogue, and some of the most horrendous CGI of the era. Produced for $100 million, it barely made $82 million, making it a flop.
The critical reaction was far worse with Berry “winning” the Razzie award for Worst Actress. Proving she was a good sport, Berry showed up in person to accept the “honor” with a mocking, crying speech while holding her actual Oscar. The actress has been good-natured, taking jibes about the film since.
The movie does have its followers as it falls into the “so bad it’s good” camp. Its reputation as a bad comic book movie is well earned as it has zero connections to the Batman lore and just flat out awfully made (the basketball scene alone is often considered laughable). Still, Berry tries her best to make it watchable with her committed performance. It's a cult classic for sure!
For Batman completists or those who want to see just how bad DC Comics movies once were, Catwoman may be a strange must-watch if only to see if it’s earned its rep as a comic book disaster.
Catwoman streaming on HBO Max.