Catwoman (Elizabeth Gillies) truly takes the spotlight in the latest DC Animated Movie as the film Purrrfectly encapsulates this femme-fatale. Catwoman: Hunted is a sultry globe-trotting romp that will certainly leave you purring with delight as Catwoman aka Selina Kyle doesn’t worry the slightest about risking her nine lives when a prize like the worlds most valuable emerald is the reward. But with Batwoman (Stephanie Beatriz) and Interpol manoeuvring to spoil her fun, she must tread lightly.

Complicating this game of cat and mouse is the goal crime juggernaut Leviathan, deadly assassins, and a trail of twists and turns that may just trip up this nefarious feline. In the end, Catwoman is forced to work alongside Batwoman and Interpol agents Julia Pennyworth (Lauren Cohan) and King Faraday (Jonathan Frakes).

The film truly lends itself to the stylised Japanese art of anime and manga, the character and environmental designs are so vibrant and lovingly rendered. And like many of the DC animated movies Catwoman: Hunted is heavily influenced and inspired by films of other eras. Here every sequence screams 1960s spy and thriller, films like “Catch me if you can”, “The Castle of Cagliostro” and “Danger: Diabolik. I also see influences captured from Cowboy Bebop such as the stylish action, cheeky humour, and an incredible Jazz score which features throughout the film as the wild and fun opening credits set the stage with a dazzling montage as we see Catwoman in her retro disguise infiltrate a masquerade party in Spain as Black Mask’s (Jonathan Banks) date as the Gotham crime king wants to join the criminal cartel Leviathan. Its leader, Lady Barbara Minerva (Kirby Howell-Baptiste) however demands a hefty and steep entrance fee.

A massive win for Catwoman: Hunted is the casting of Elizabeth Gillies as Catwoman aka Selina Kyle. Gillies is Purrfect and brings Selina to life with such confidence and swagger as she provides a sassy vocal performance that is both classic and contemporary but also iconic and fresh. I absolutely loved that throughout the film Selina flirts, manipulates, and battles anyone in her way.

Half the charm of Catwoman: Hunted also comes from the slightly off-kilter will they won’t they dynamic between Gillies’s Selina and the introduction of Beatriz’s Kate Kane aka Batwoman. Stephanie Beatrix brings Gotham City’s Batwoman to life supremely stoic and stern but she also adds hints of emotional vulnerability in between all the brawls and chases. During the course of the film, these two characters roles become chaotic and certainly intertwined as the film explores the Selina/Kate relationship to the fullest.

Catwoman: Hunted also boasts an incredible voice cast, we’ve got fantastic introductions to the League of Shadows assassin Cheshire, voice by Kelly Hu, Barbara Minerva, leader of Leviathan, voiced by Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Lauren Cohan as Julia Pennyworth, Jacqueline Obradors as La Dama, and then Zehra Fazal returning to voice not only Talia Al Ghul but also Nosferata.

Then we have more great vocal performances from other icons such as Jonathan Banks and Keith David who voice Black Mask and Tobias Whale. Then there’s Star Trek: TNG’S Jonathan Frakes as the voice of King Faraday/Boss Moxie, whilst voice actors Steven Blum and Andrew Kishino voice Solomon Grundy and Mr Yakuza.

Screenwriter Greg Weisman keeps us Feline fresh as Catwoman ploughs through the villains with fun and sassy remarks. It’s fast-paced and full of heists as prolific anime filmmaker Shinsuke Terasawa helms the project with experience as he crafts amazing action sequences such as a car chase. Catwoman literally steams up the screen with Batwoman.

Speaking of the action sequences they truly build-up to heavy-hitter showdowns which truly take advantage of the anime style. There are plenty of supernatural elements included as Catwoman: Hunted is certainly a new era and something different and unique for the DC Animated series of films. It benefits from a strong script, talented voice cast and succeeds in merging the DC Universe with a strong anime and manga aesthetic. The sheer enjoyment of this anime film truly delivers as it’s a must-see for all fans of genre and Catwoman. I’d definitely be interested and invested in seeing DC and Warner Bros Animation take Selina on another globetrotting heist as Catwoman: Hunted Purrrfectly leads to a sequel.

Special Features:

• When The Hunter Becomes The Hunted – This featurette breaks down the backstory of each villain integral to the film: from Tobias Whale, Black Mask, Cheshire and Nosferata to Solomon Grundy, Talia al Ghul and Cheetah.
• Catwoman: The Feline Femme Fatale – A documentary on Catwoman’s history.

Catwoman: Hunted is available now for 4K UHD, Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital HD.