Hard-core Halle Berry fans may give Catwoman a warm welcome in its first week. But this tepid and overblown film is likely to have a short life at the box office.

Berry has proved that she can shine in a gritty, small-budget film like Monster's Ball, which earned her an Oscar. She can also kick butt in such lavish fares as Die Another Day and X-Men. Sadly, she cannot save Catwoman from its downfall.

The traditional comic book films have had strong male heroes. Putting a woman behind the mask was not a small challenge for producer Warner Bros. But what buries the film is an outrageously silly script and inept direction.

Berry's supernatural thriller Gothika opened to big numbers and stayed on top worldwide for several weeks. Surely she will survive this disaster. For, despite the seen-before feel of Catwoman, Berry, clad in a skimpy and tight leather outfit, is quite appealing.

One wonders if French director Pitof will have another shot at directing an American movie like this $90 million flick. He is more successful in padding his characters with dazzling special effects than in telling a gripping and entertaining story.

Berry plays Patience, a talented but rather meek graphic designer for a major cosmetics company who learns of a conspiracy behind a new anti-ageing product. The firm is managed by George Hedare (Lambert Wilson) and his wife and spokeswoman Laurel (Sharon Stone).

When Patience is exposed, she has to pay the ultimate punishment. But the woman who was presumed dead wakes up thanks to her former neighbour, a cat.

Slowly we see her as Catwoman endowed with supernatural powers. Predictably, she sets out to punish the people who had wished her dead.

The only person Patience really trusts is Tom Lone (Benjamin Bratt), an idealistic cop. Her new identity has to be kept safe from him. In one of the few interesting moments in the film, Patience, who as Catwoman has to face Lone and fight him, has to feign the means so as not to harm him.

The clash between Catwoman and Laurel, however, is for real and formidable because Laurel's skin has a concrete-like feel thanks to the use of her company's beauty products.

Sharon Stone's career has been nose-diving for over a decade now. She could have turned her character into a memorable villain, but the script did not her give her the opportunity. As a result, the actress joins her fellow artistes (except Berry) and turns out a stiff, colourless performance.

CREDITS
Cast: Halle Berry, Benjamin Bratt, Sharon Stone, Lambert Wilson, Frances Conroy and Alex Borstein
Director: Pitof
Screenplay: John Brancato, Michael Ferris, John Rogers based on characters created by Bob Kane and published by DC Comics
Rating: PG-13
Running time: 1 hour 44 minutes
Distributed by: Warner Bros.