Batman: Under the Red Hood

Batman: Under the Red Hood

Based loosely on the comic book stories “Death in the Family” and “Under the Red Hood”, this gritty Batman animated movie is dark and entertaining with amazing animation thrown in for good measure. 

The Joker ends up capturing the second Robin (Jason Todd).  He beats the young sidekick with a crowbar to near death.  The Joker then blows up Robin right before Batman can get there to save him.  A few years later, Batman discovers that there is a new villain bringing all the mobsters and drug dealers into one group.  These groups of mobsters have to go by strict rules under the regulation of the Red Hood.  The new Red Hood also has a beef with both Batman and The Joker.  Black Mask, who control most of the crime world in Gotham City, isn’t too pleased about this new character. 

This home-DVD story is an extremely well put together Batman movie.  It’s dark and violent with a tragic emotional story.  The story gives us a peek behind the concept Batman and his partners.  Batman has to come to terms with bringing Jason Todd into the battle against crime in a personal way.  Plus, the movie also deals with Batman’s failure to save The Joker before he was The Joker.  The movie shows us that Batman carries the guilt with him all the time.  These aspects of the story have a deeper meaning than even some of the comic stories it’s based on.

I also enjoyed the friendship between Batman and his former partner Nightwing (Formerly first the Robin).  Neil Patrick Harris gives Nightwing the right amount of playfulness that the first Robin should comprise.  Harris is incredible with his characterization.  I just wanted more time with Harris and his Nightwing character.  The movie really doesn’t give that much in the way of this character, but what we have here is nice. 

And, that’s the biggest issue I have with the movie.  It needed an extra 15 minutes of screen time to flesh out the story.  Some of Batman’s stables of characters only get mere mentions or cameos. 

- The action and fights scenes are breathtakingly fast and well animated.  Praise goes to the animators and storyboard artists. 

- Bruce Greenwood does a good job as the voice of Batman.  He isn’t Kevin Conroy, but he’s close to Conroy. 

- John DiMaggio (AKA Bender) steals the movie with his near-prefect version of the Joker.  He almost fills into the role of The Joker close to Mark Hamill.  Hamill is the king of the Joker voice, but DiMaggio is pretty good. 

Batman: Under the Red Hood is an extremely dark and violent movie that could easily fit into Nolan’s world of Batman.  Under the Red Hood is a real treat for comic book fans.  DC comics should really take note of the direct to DVD movies and put these people in charge of their Super Hero live action movies. 

Grade: B+