Watch Batman: Year One

Batman: Year One is a 2011 animated movie based on the legendary comic book story of the same name, written by Frank Miller and illustrated by David Mazzucchelli. The film is directed by Sam Liu and Lauren Montgomery and features the voices of some big Hollywood stars like Bryan Cranston, Ben McKenzie, Eliza Dushku, and Jon Polito. The movie tells the origin story of the iconic character of Batman, as he embarks on his journey to rid Gotham City of criminals and corruption. The story is set in the early days of his crime-fighting career, when Bruce Wayne returns to Gotham City after studying abroad for years and vows to end the rampant crime that plagues his city.

As Batman, he is a vigilante, operating outside the law to serve justice to those who prey on the innocent. The movie chronicles his early struggles as he battles organized crime bosses like Carmine Falcone and corrupt police officers like Lieutenant James Gordon. The story also explores the relationship between the two characters, as Gordon initially regards Batman as a threat to law and order, but eventually comes to see him as an ally in fighting crime.

The animation style of Batman: Year One is heavily inspired by the comic book art of David Mazzucchelli, who provided illustrations for the original comic book series. The movie captures the gritty and noir feel of Gotham City, with its smoke-filled alleys and dimly lit streets. The characters are drawn with care and attention to detail, staying true to their comic book counterparts.

As for the voice actors, Bryan Cranston delivers a powerful performance as Lieutenant Gordon, capturing the character's gruff yet compassionate demeanor. Ben McKenzie does an excellent job as Batman, conveying both his brooding intensity and his vulnerability as a man driven by a tragic past. Eliza Dushku also brings a certain toughness and sex appeal to her portrayal of Selina Kyle, aka Catwoman, who plays an important role in the story.

One thing that sets Batman: Year One apart from other Batman movies is its focus on the human side of Bruce Wayne's character. It explores the pain and anger that drives him to become Batman, as well as the toll that his nocturnal activities take on his personal life. We see his relationships with Alfred, the loyal butler who serves as his confidant, and with his childhood friend and love interest, Rachel Dawes.

The story also contains some memorable scenes, such as the rooftop confrontation between Batman and Catwoman, the tense showdown between Batman and Falcone's thugs, and the explosive finale in which Batman takes on the corrupt cops who have been framing him for crimes he didn't commit. These action sequences are well-crafted and serve to advance the story, rather than just being mindless spectacle.

In terms of flaws, there are a few minor quibbles to be had with Batman: Year One. Some viewers might find the pacing a bit slow, as the movie takes its time to establish the characters and their motivations. There are also moments where the dialogue feels a bit clunky or melodramatic, especially during the narration segments.

Nevertheless, these complaints are minor and do little to detract from the overall quality of the movie. Batman: Year One is a riveting, thought-provoking take on the Batman mythos, one that captures the essence of the character and brings him to life on screen in a way that few other adaptations have managed to do. If you're a fan of Batman or just a lover of quality animation, this movie is well worth checking out.

Batman: Year One is a 2011 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 4 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.4.