Batman: Year One
Batman: Year One (2011) is a extremely faithful adaptation of Frank Miller’s classic comic, focusing on Batman’s early days as Gotham’s vigilante and Jim Gordon’s struggles as a new cop in a corrupt city. The film keeps its story grounded and street-level, stripping away the more fantastical elements of Batman’s mythos in favour of a gritty, character-driven crime drama. Ben McKenzie voices Bruce Wayne in a more subdued performance, while Bryan Cranston’s commanding turn as Gordon is easily the highlight.
The first part of the film has Bruce return to Gotham after years away, testing his limits as he begins his war on crime. Parallel to this, Gordon arrives in the city and immediately clashes with both criminal elements and corrupt colleagues. The middle section builds tension as Gordon becomes more isolated within the GCPD while Batman grows into the terrifying figure criminals begin to fear. The plot lines intertwine, leading to an ending that solidifies both Batman and Gordon as the city’s unlikely protectors.
Overall, Batman: Year One delivers a stripped-down and serious take on Batman’s origins. The film remains an effective and atmospheric retelling that captures the tone of Miller’s story and its grounded approach and Cranston’s stellar performance make it a worthy addition to the Dark Knight’s filmography.