Directors: Sam Liu, Lauren Montgomery
Writers: Bob Kane (Batman created by), Tab Murphy, Frank Miller (Based on the graphic novel)
Stars: Bryan Cranston, Ben McKenzie, Eliza Dushku

“Batman: Year One” had been one of my most highly anticipated films during my recent DC Animated Movie Series binge. I held off watching this flick until I’d fully caught up with the DC releases, as I’d decided a few months back to watch them all in chronological order of their release. The wait was worth it, and I must say, this animated movie lived up to my expectations. Personally, I’d even rank it up there with Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight films. Yes, it’s that good!

Based on Frank Miller’s 1988 graphic novel, I found it intriguing to learn that “Batman: Year One” almost got the live-action treatment with Darren Aronofsky in the director’s chair, working from a screenplay by Miller himself. The studio, however, opted for Christopher Nolan’s “Batman Begins” instead. I must say I’m glad they did because “Batman Begins” was fantastic, and without it, we wouldn’t have gotten “The Dark Knight.” It’s almost like Batman fans got the best of both worlds. I do wonder what “Batman: Year One” would’ve looked like as a live-action movie. Certainly, Bryan Cranston as Gordon would have been a solid choice, maybe even more so than Ben McKenzie as Bruce Wayne/Batman. Interestingly, McKenzie went on to portray Gordon in the TV series “Gotham” and did a commendable job, but alas, he doesn’t exactly scream Bruce Wayne/Batman, at least not in terms of looks.

“Batman: Year One” primarily revolves around Jim Gordon and Bruce Wayne. It’s set when Bruce returns to Gotham after a period of training with The League of Shadows and Ra’s Al Ghul. Although it doesn’t delve too deeply into this part of his life, we get the gist of it. Jim Gordon’s character intrigued me more. He’s not the perfect guy by any means. Amidst the darkness of Batman and the shining white knight of Harvey Dent, we have this character in the shadows, someone who can shift between black and white, depending on the situation. I loved how his personality was captured in the story.

The animation in this film is, dare I say it, classically comic book style. The colors and shading are spot on, and the characters have a different look compared to previous Batman animations I’ve seen. Batman himself sports a gray suit, which isn’t my preferred style, but it suits the film’s aesthetics. The portrayal of Gotham as a gritty, desperate city longing for a savior is on point. Gordon’s obsession with tracking down “The Bat” plays a significant role in the story, but at its core, it’s about two men who share the same ideology and purpose before they come together. It’s also noteworthy that Batman doesn’t use fancy gadgets in this film, and the iconic Batmobile is nowhere to be seen. I didn’t mind this at all because it serves as a reminder that Batman is not superhuman or, as they call it in this universe, a “Meta-Human.” He’s a skilled fighter with the same goal and intent as Jim Gordon.

In the grand scheme of things, “Batman: Year One” is a complete package in terms of what you’d hope and expect from this character’s story arc. Critics and fans alike welcomed the film upon its release, and the fact that Sam Liu and Lauren Montgomery were at the helm as directors makes complete sense, given their experience in the world of these animated films. When it comes to adapting a graphic novel into a live-action or animated film, I’m not entirely sure which one is more challenging. But I can confidently say that “Batman: Year One” does a fantastic job in its animated form. And who knows, maybe one day, we’ll see it as a live-action film too. If they stick to the source material, count me in. With the recent announcement of a standalone Joker movie outside the DCEU, anything seems possible. I’ve previously recommended watching these animated series in their chronological order of release, but this one is an exception. After watching “Batman: Year One,” you’ll be hooked. Highly recommended!

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