Review of Batman: Year One (2011) by Marion R — 12 Jul 2012

Good stuff. Though I always walk in with high hopes for a straight-to-DVD animated comic book movie. I was a little thrown off by Ben "Ryan Atwood" McKenzie as Batman but in the end it was a good fit.

I actually have a bigger critique of the animators for making a 25-year-old Bruce look MUCH older than he actually is. Then again, maybe all that thirst for vengeance wore on him. It was actually more fascinating to see Commissioner Gordon's rise through the ranks of Gotham PD than watching young Bruce battle his demons.

Not that it wasn't awesome seeing him don the suit and dispense with the bad guys. Bryan Cranston was excellent as Gordon. I'm usually incredibly picky about voice actors for my favorite cartoons, but everyone did a good job.

And Eliza Dushku as Catwoman? I'm willing to bet money she fought for that role. I know I would've. The other thing I really love about these straight-to-DVD flicks is that they straddle the line of adult content without falling over to the other side.

Certain things are implied, certain content is clearly meant for teenage eyes, but you can put two and two together. The Batman I grew up with managed to be this grown-up with even MORE subtlety but I love both versions.

All-in-all a good film, can't wait for the next DVD.