As social media users showed love to Catwoman after its 17th anniversary, Halle Berry wondered where that love was in 2004 when the film was released.
The conversation started last week, when a Twitter user praised the film and asked why it's hated by so many people.
"I’m sorry but Halle Berry ate her Catwoman role up, idk why ppl hate that movies, it’s camp. I love it," the fan wrote.
I’m sorry but Halle Berry ate her CAtwoman role up, idk why ppl hate that movies, it’s camp. I love it ????
— Ghost Thaddy ???? (@ItsHippyPotter) October 17, 2021
After several other people responded to the post, mostly agreeing with the statement, Berry joined the dialogue.
"I’m seeing all the Catwoman love, everybody. Where were you guys 17 years ago?" she wrote.
I’m seeing all the Catwoman love, everybody. Where were you guys 17 years ago ???? https://t.co/NI8oKeKsDT
— Halle Berry (@halleberry) October 26, 2021
Some claim to have been fans of the movie since the beginning.
I was a fan of your Catwoman 17 years ago ???? pic.twitter.com/75E13z4Md8
— JusticeAvenger (@JustlceAvenger) October 26, 2021
There were also those fans who not only watched Catwoman, but also got their hands on all the items associated with the movie.
Listen lol, I was stanning back in 2004 legend! The movie was fun, sexy and camp ???? pic.twitter.com/m7tcULx5ly
— Hayden Williams (@Hayden_Williams) October 26, 2021
sorry halle i was 6 ???? but i still played the fuck out of the video game on ps2 and watched the movie countless times lol pic.twitter.com/Sc4THSuHuq
— nylon ⚔️ (@nickhiit) October 26, 2021
Bye Halle my little ass was in the theater with my whole family screaming and living my best gay life over you and that LEATHER! Girl, I even got the video game for GameCube, my Catwoman era is VERY vivid in my memories ????????????
— CourtneyRevolution ⭕️???? (@CourtRevolution) October 26, 2021
There were, however, a few harsh critics who joined the conversation.
y’all really gone sit here and act like that movie didn’t make you wanna throw up and start itching simultaneously? that basketball scene alone is one of the worse scenes in cinematic history.
— lowkey key (@KeyKodeine) October 18, 2021
It got a razzie and halle hated it, also, catwoman is not anything like her. I love halle berry though, but her name wasnt even Selina Kyle thats how far off it was from Catwoman. Terrible movie, Halle is awesome.
— Dakota (@Catwomanswifey) October 18, 2021
nope. the whole film is cringe worthy. If you like it because its so bad, its good to you…fine. But lets not lie and act like any of it was good. lol
— Spider-Pelinka (@Bens_head_space) October 18, 2021
In a 2004 review, film critic Roger Ebert said Berry looks fabulous, but the movie is terrible. Ebert said the producers didn't give much thought to providing the actress with "a strong character, story, supporting characters or action sequences."
He described the film as "tired and dated." The movie critic said there was never "any sense of what it feels like to turn into a catwoman."
"Where are the scenes where a woman comes to grip with the fact that her entire nature and even her species seems to have changed?" he wrote.
According to The Guardian, Berry appeared in person to accept the Razzie award for worst actress after her performance in Catwoman.
John Rogers, one of the writers of Catwoman, spoke up about the failures of the production when he responded to a question on social media in 2018. Like many others, a Twitter user wanted to know why Berry wasn't actually playing the traditional character of Selina Kyle.
Rogers said it was a rights issue that forced the actress to play a loosely-based version of the traditional character. The writer also explained that he had multiple disputes with his colleagues because he wasn't happy with the changes they were making.
"Full disclosure: I was fired off the movie after writing the green light draft because I kept arguing with notes that'd make the movie 'very, very bad,'" he wrote. "Which I said out loud. At meetings. I got fired a lot in my 30s."
Couldn’t be Selina Kyle because of an insane rights issue.
Full disclosure: I was fired off the movie after writing the green light draft because I kept arguing with notes that’d make the movie “very, very bad.” Which I said out loud. At meetings.
I got fired a lot in my 30’s https://t.co/0AX0wEtDWi
— John Rogers (@jonrog1) February 24, 2018
According to Cinema Blend, the Catwoman character didn't look anything like the comic book superhero. Like other disappointed fans, Rogers said he struggled to watch the entire movie.