Cat People

Rating:
Summary: Of COURSE it's not the Val Lewton classic...
Review: But that doesn't mean this version isn't worth watching on its own merits. No, none of the acting is really first-rate, and yes, some scenes are kinda strange and yes, there are a few plot holes, but all told, this remains a watchable and unexpectedly sexy film. Kinski's portrayal will remain one of the sexiest performances ever committed to film; the acting level doesn't matter; all her erotica is visual, and she's absolutely perfect for the role. Ruby Dee has a small role, but she's great. Even the cat is attractive. The remainder of the story is your basic sorta horror film, with some arresting images. Definitely worth owning, along with the original.

Rating:
Summary: This is not the original.
Review: This is a sort of 80's remake of the original Cat People movie, where they felt the need to sex it up even more than it was at the time, and add a little incest and a lot of gore. They did manage to give it a good, solid semi-ambiguous ending; I liked that. But make no mistake, this is a b-grade movie. Or it could be a sequel. With some very similar scenes... I don't know. Anyways, there is an older, black-and-white Cat People out there, which is excellent.

For all it's flaws, I liked it. The effects are 80's but not stupid (not great, but not gratuitous). Effects have come a long way since this was made, which makes these seem worse now, but back then they were fairly cutting edge.

It's definitely meant to appeal to the boys: violence, a hot chick who turns into a big cat after lots of nudity and sex, etc. But there is a plot, and it is well crafted - even the amazingly silly flashbacks to ancient times arn't really all that silly.

Warning: the music involves loads of tinny synth effects. Eeep...

Rating:
Summary: Nastasja Kinski's at her hottest
Review: Classic early 80's feel throughout this update to the Val Guest classic. Nastashia Kinski was incredibly hot here; she was at her most attractive in this movie. (The famous anaconda ads were shortly before Cat People.) She also had jet black hair in this film, and luscious full, red lips. The famous violin scene where ol' Droog Meister, Malcolm McDowel strums her with the violin bow was talked about a lot when the movie came out. There is an uncredited musical number sung by David Bowie-- towards the end, as I recall, probably over the end credits. It had the line "putting out the fire with gasoline." That was an interesting song. In the begining there are some flashback scenes to the "origin of the cat people" that are shot with an Franzetta look.

Rating:
Summary: Cat People NOt Purrr-fect
Review: After not seeing the film for many years, I was excited to finally watch this movie on DVD. The movie is plenty erotic and eerie, but very little substance, action, suspense and gore. The best feature I can say about this movie is its musical score and title song. There are a few moments of chills, but a lot of scenes that are confusing. Quite frankly I was bored to pieces.

Rating:
Summary: Hungry like the panther
Review: "Cat People" is a dark erotic horror movie made in the early 80s; before horror meant hack and slash blood and guts (not that I am complaining). It centers on Irena (Nastassja Kinski), a young virgin who arives in New Orleans to meet her long lost brother Paul (Malcolm McDowell). One night after an awkward advance toward Irena, Paul goes missing. Meanwhile, the zoo catches a wild panther that mysteriously turns up in the city. Irena goes to the zoo, and immeadiatly feels drawn to the panther. The curator, Oliver (John Heard), falls for Irena and arranges for her to get a job. After the panther kills a zoo employee, it escapes, and then Paul comes back. <SPOILERS AHEAD!!!> Eventually this leads Irena to learn that she and Paul are the last of cat people, ancient people that can become an animal only after they have had sex, and can only transform back after they have ate a human. It is sort of a variation on the werewolf myth. Irena must decide if she wants to be a part of the human world, or the animal one. This is a very smart horror movie in a time when they were rapidly becoming mindless. Kinski is a beautiful woman, and she handles herself with grace and sleekness that puts you very much in the mind of a feline. The whole movie depends on her, and you buy her many emotions as genuine through the whole movie. McDowell dose what he dose best, play the heavy; a little more depth from him would have been nice, but I don't hold it against him. John Heard plays hurt and confused well, and it is nice to see him in a role where he isn't a slime ball. The supporting cast is filled out with excellent actors; Ruby Dee and Ed Begley Jr. do just fine in their limited roles. There is also a young and sexy Annette O'Toole, with a twist on the promiscuous female type in horror movies. The brillant director behind the vastly underrated "Cat People" is Paul Schrader, who wrote "Taxi Driver". In a way, Irena reminds me a little bit of Travis Bickle; alone, alianated, and prone to senseless violence. The only part that really didn't feel right in the movie was the flash backs to Ancient Times in the desert. That piece looked too fake, but it is so brief that you can ignore it. New Orleans is beautifly photographed, especially the French Quarter, with all it's hints of secrets and mystery. This is really a well made erotic thriller that mature audiences will like a lot.

Rating:
Summary: Question about DVD
Review: Just a general question to other buyers of this DVD -- my copy does't seem to have a working title screen. The disc plays the FBI warning, followed by a black screen. You can play the movie by pressing play, but you cannot use the menu options like on other discs. Anyone else have this problem, is it part of the press run...or do I just have a mildly defective copy?

Rating:
Summary: The movie's a bit dated, but still is exotic & haunting
Review: Cat People does a darn good job of combining sexual intensity with dark horror. Such a combination may not be your cup of tea, but if it is, you might really like this movie. It does feel just slightly dated, but it's still pretty darn cool & still mostly works.