Black Pantheris not the first superhero movie to feature a black lead actor or actress, it is however, the first movie within the Marvel Cinematic Universe to do so. Social media has been quick to point out that there were black superhero movies before and are wondering why they aren’t getting the praise that Ryan Coogler’sBlack Pantheris currently receiving, with one writer wondering where the love for 2004’sCatwomanis. Besides the two heroes being black with feline names, there really isn’t a comparison, whichCatwomanco-writerJohn Rogersexplains in a new social media post.
Former First Lady Michelle Obama praisedBlack Pantherfor its black representation and Federalist culture critic D.C. McAllister took to social media to wonder why nobody holds theHalle BerrybombCatwomanin the same regard. McAllister is more than likely playing devil’s advocate, but his question was met by a surprising answer.Catwomanco-writer John Rogers responded by tearing the movie apart. He had this to say.
“As one of the credited writers ofCatwoman, I believe I have the authority to say: because it was a shit movie dumped by the studio at the end of a style cycle and had zero cultural relevance either in front of or behind the camera. This is a bad take. Feel shame.”
As far as comic book movies go,Catwomandoesn’t really resemble the comics at all. The movie changed hands a number of times over the course of a decade and John Rogers admitted that he was just trying to make something that the fans would enjoy. He obviously failed because it’s really hard to find anybody that enjoyed the movie at all. Rogers even admits that he’s never even seen it all of the way through.
Catwomancurrently has a 9 percent rating onRotten Tomatoes, which in this case, should really tell you something. This was before people were going in to tamper with reviews because they don’t like a certain studio, elsewhere, you’ll find one-star reviews if it received any at all. One review is only two words: “It’s Painful.” There are dashes of feminism, but it really looks more like an excuse to put Halle Berry in the skimpiest costumes imaginable and didn’t really say anything about our culture, which is something thatBlack Pantheractually does.
2004’sCatwomanfits in the category of Mariah Carey’sGlitter, in that it’s so bad, that it’s funny. It’s aMystery Science Theater 3000episode waiting to happen and a far cry from an accurate representation of theDC Comics character. It’s been long enough, maybe it’s time to revisit Catwoman and give her the movie that she rightfully deserves. If the Joker could possibly be in three different movies in one year, it seems that Catwoman can get at least get some screen time inGotham City Sirens. In the meantime, you can check out an unflinching review ofCatwomanby the man who co-wrote it below, courtesy ofJohn Roger’s Twitteraccount.
