Batman: Year One [Blu-ray]

Even though the title story is only 64 minutes it is extremely faithful to the original comic story and didn't edit much. The artists lifted a lot of the imagery and dialogue right from the comic panels. The voice acting is well done all around.

I also enjoyed the Catwoman short on the disc. Neither of these titles are for kids though. The PG-13 rating is accurate.

The extras on the disc don't add much. Except for sneak peeks with little video and the rest are talking head collages. Unfortunately none of the talking heads are Frank Miller who was one of the original authors.

I only give 5 stars to films that I will watch repeatedly and Batman: Year One is such a title. Well done Warner Brothers.

Warner Bros.Animation and DC Comics presents "BATMAN:YEAR ONE" (2011) - (64 min/Color) -- Starring: Bryan Cranston, Benjamin McKenzie, Eliza Dushku, Jon Polito, Alex Rocco, Katee Sackhoff, Jeff Bennett, Saratoga Ballentine

Directed by Lauren Montgomery, Sam Liu

Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli's seminal comic book series, Batman: Year One, follows the original story of the graphic novel series, makes its way to the animated small screen with this Warner Premiere production. Enjoy the panel by panel illustrations, brings into focus that Batman is now being targeted more than ever to the adult readers. This Warner Premiere movie is totally aimed for the fans of the graphic novel. Gave me chills to see this on the screen, as this has always been one of my favorite tales from the Dark Knight years.

The story follows James Gordon (voice: Bryan Cranston) during his early years on the force just as the vigilante Batman (voice: Ben McKenzie) targets both the corrupt police officials and the crime-ridden streets for a clean-up - another good voice supporting cast Eliza Dushku (voice: Selina Kyle / Catwoman), Jon Polito (voice: Commissioner Loeb), Alex Rocco (voice: Carmine Falcone), Katee Sackhoff (voice: Sarah Essen), Jeff Bennett (voice: Alfred), Saratoga Ballentine (voice: Skeevers' Attorney) - Job well done!

For product description and editorial review check this out on the Amazon site above my review

* Special Footnote: -- Some outstanding reviews by other reviewers on this page, very detailed and informing, invite you to read them and vote "yes", if you agree ... DC Comics and Warner Bros. Animation should follow-up with another original movie 'Dark Knight Returns', with the same professional staff and or similar voice actors.

** Take Note: -- One lone reviewer is way off and a downer, he should re-read the graphic novel again, or if he ever did.

SPECIAL FEATURES:
1. 'Justice Leagues:Doom' (sneak peek)
DC Universe's Next Animated Original Movie
2. 'All-Star Superman' (sneak peek)
3. 'Green Lantern:Emerald Knights' (sneak peek)
4. 'DCU Application' (download digital comics trailer)
5. 'Thundercats' (trailer)
6. 'Looney Tunes Platinum Collection' (trailer)
7. 'Young Justice' (trailer)

DC SHOWCASE PRESENTS:
1. 'CATWOMAN' (15 minutes)

Mr. Jim's Ratings:
Quality of Picture & Sound: 4 1/2 Stars
Performance: 4 1/2 Stars
Story & Screenplay: 4 1/2 Stars
Overall: 4 1/2 Stars [Original Music, Cinematography & Film Editing]

Total Time: 64 min on DVD ~ Warner Bros.Animation/DC Comics ~ (October 18, 2011)

Batman Year One is another one of those small OVA's/Mini-Movies that both DC and Marvel do so well. Each company has well over half-a-dozen now and of them all, this one has got to be the grittiest and most down to earth of the bunch!

It's basically a very faithful reproduction of the Year One Graphic Novels by Frank Miller back in '87 that along with the Dark Knight re-invigorated the Batman Universe by taking him back to his darker past. And a dark and gritty past it most certainly is!

Forget about the Justice League or Superman or high tech gadgets. This is a city and a Batman that could actually exist! The most high tech gadget Batman has here is a motorcycle. This is a Gotham City along the lines of Tim Burton's '89 Batman movie which most likely was heavily influenced by this very same story line! A city where right does not always prevail and many have lost all hope. A Batman origin story more along the lines of Sin City!

The movie basically comes down to two main origin stories combined into one. One story line is the arrival of a dark and brooding Bruce Wayne intent on justice but not knowing how to even start. And the equally important second story line is that of a disillusioned Detective Gordon; an honest cop in a corrupt and disfunctional city where half of the police force is worse than the criminals! There's also a gritty smaller origin story on Catwoman thrown in here as well.

Overall, this movie is a bit too dark and angsty for my tastes; but it is very well told and done. Not surprising considering it's a very faithful rendering of the original graphic novels. The movie is also a bit on the short side running at just 64 minutes. But they do partially compensate for this by throwing in a full-featured 15 min. short on Catwoman which is equally as good!

As for the discs, this is a full-featured Combo collection. The BD is a 1080p 1.78:1 widescreen. Video is not up to the best of theatrical releases, but it's more than acceptable. Audio is a full DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 English track. There are also Dolby Digital 5.1 tracks in French and German, plus a Spanish Stereo Pro-logic track and an English commentary track as well. The main track sounded fine.

Like most of these DC mini-movies; this BD comes loaded with extras. In addition to the Catwoman short (which comes only with an English Pro-logic stereo track). There is a 40 min. interview with the top creators at DC Comics, a long documentary on the revival of the Batman Universe, three 10 min. long each mini documentaries on other major DC movies and two full Catwoman episodes taken from the '94 and '98 Batman tv series. It's quite impressive.

The dvd is similar, but not so fully loaded. Like the Batman/Superman Apocalypse BD that I recently reviewed; Year One comes with an unusual stripped down DVD/Digital Copy combo disc. It contains only the main movie, the Catwoman short and the three mini-documentaries. For the rest you have to go to the BD. In addition, the German audio track has been dropped in favour of a Portuguese track and an Arabic (I think) track has been added. Plus of course matching subtitles.

For me, I'll rate it at a 3 stars. But if you like them gritty, then you'll probably rate this at a 4!

J. A.