Is Zoe Kravitz’s Catwoman the Best Version of the Character Ever?
Matt Reeves’ The Batman is finally out in cinemas, and it has been receiving rave reviews across the board. Within ten days of its release, it grossed $463 million at the worldwide box office, and some critics have referred to it as the greatest Caped Crusader outing of all time.
The performances of the picture’s main stars clearly contributed to the positive response, and Zoe Kravitz’s turn as Selina Kyle, AKA Catwoman, has been praised. There is a strong argument to suggest the 33-year-old has offered the best iteration of the character ever seen on screen.
Catwoman is One of the Most Iconic Batman Characters
Catwoman is one of the most important characters in the Batman world, so it’s crucial that filmmakers use her in the correct way. Viewers have certain expectations about the slippery burglar, and the costume is one of the major ways that she stands out. According to this infographic, the character should always wear a leather catsuit with a whip and retractable claws.
While some of Batman’s main adversaries have been represented in diverse ways over the years, Catwoman’s appearance has stayed relatively consistent. In The Batman, Reeves has tried to achieve the darkest and most sinister vibe out of all the movies to date, and his vision of Catwoman fits perfectly in this setting as a foil for Batman.
Kravitz was Lauded for her Performance
Reeves had an idea of how he wanted the picture to look, and the result was a far cry away from traditional superhero movies found in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Still, the actors had to bring this vision to life, and they all did an excellent job. Some doubted Robert Pattinson as the Dark Knight, but the 35-year-old pulled off this new look Gotham City protector perfectly.
One of the highlights of the new title from DC Films was the on-screen chemistry between Pattinson and Kravitz. The two were made to act together, and viewers will be hoping to see more of them in future instalments. Kravitz was commended for bringing a greater emotional depth to the character than ever before, giving the audience someone they could relate to.
Who Else Has Portrayed Selina Kyle?
Kravitz succeeded Anne Hathaway’s version of the cat burglar in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Rises and, to put it frankly, this wasn’t a tough act to follow. The 39-year-old indisputably looked great in the catsuit but, unfortunately, her character was underdeveloped in the weakest entry of Nolan’s trilogy.
One of the most memorable versions of Catwoman was Michelle Pfeiffer’s turn in Tim Burton’s Batman Returns. This was an incredible portrayal, and audiences got to see her transformation from shy and scared secretary to ferocious and formidable feline.
Kravitz’s performance as Catwoman is up there with the best of all time, and it is a major reason why The Batman is cleaning up at the box office. For many, the greatest Catwoman of all time will now be a toss-up between Pfeiffer and Kravitz’s versions.
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