[Review] Batman: Under the Red Hood (2010)

Release: July 27, 2010 DC Animated Starring : Jensen Ackles as Red Hood (voice) Neil Patrick Harris as Dick Grayson (voice) Bruce Greenwood as Batman (voice) John Di Maggio as The Joker (voice)

I’ve gotten to the point that I really look forward to these DC Animated events. Generally they are good and at times can reach very good to great* (as opposed to Marvel’s somewhat lack-luster direct to DVD animated releases). Batman: Under the Red Hood, in short, is very near great.

*Keep in mind that my comic background began last year, so I am not one to judge on the adherence to book arcs.

Under the Red Hood adapts  Under the Hood and Batman: A Death in the Family comic arcs where fans of the goddamn Batman murdered Jason Todd – the second Robin – via a 900 number.

Under the Red Hood opens by showing a brutal beating being administered by a crowbar wielding Joker on a tied-up Robin. This is easily one of the most violent scenes I have seen in the DC Animated offerings. Robin’s is a tough cookie, though, and Joker makes The Evil Mastermind top mistake of, instead of finishing Robin off, leaving him alive after setting a bomb.

Batman is shown rushing to the scene on the Batcycle. The Joker knew he was coming and set the bomb to go off just before Bats arrives. Robin manages to free himself and tries the securely bolted door to no avail. The door won’t budge and the timer on the bomb reaches 000.

Batman witness the explosion from nearby before finally arriving. But he is too late. Robin is gone.

Five years later, in Gotham, Black Mask is reeling from attacks on his people and shipments. At another location during a meeting of the city top crime lords owing loyalty to Back Mask, a man revealed as Red Hood shows up, kills a henchman, and informs all present that he is now the boss. His promise? To protect the mobsters from both Black Mask and Batman.

Later, Batman and Nightwing (Dick Greyson, the original Robin) take on Amazo, an employee of Black Mask. Red Hood shows up, interferes, and the chase is on as Batman and Nightwing take off after the villain. Red Hood seems to anticipate the Bats every move and avoids capture. Then, just before getting away, Red Hood says something that jars the memory of Batman. The moves, the voice? Where has Bats seen and heard it before?

And that is the explosive opening sequence of scenes which sets the tone for the noir like action to come. Under the Red Hood is a fast paced action film clocking in, like most DC Animated offerings, at just over an hour. That hour is not only jammed full of action and some of the best voice work to date by Bruce Greenwood as Batman, but is also surprisingly emotional. Batman’s touching memories of Jason Todd are shown as flashback scenes to Todd’s beginning as Robin and some of the Dynamic Duo’s first adventures. These flashbacks show an aggressive Robin with a less strict ethical code than Batman.

Nightwing has an extended cameo and it is interesting to see he and Batman team-up and how their dynamic, since Dick has “graduated,” is awkward. Batman is understandably distraught throughout the film due to his agitated guilt from failing Jason Todd and the growing suspicion that Red Hood might someone pretending to be Todd or, heart wrenchingly, Todd himself – as the antitheses to all for which Batman stands.

Eventually an escaped Joker comes in to play as well where voice actor John DiMaggio sheds all pretenses and presents a full on Heath Ledger inspired psychopathic Joker. It’s a great performance and will resonate with fans of The Dark Knight. The Joker is one of the many highlights of Under the Red Hood, gained by being portrayed as sadistic, vindictive, and absolutely obsessed with Batman. The Joker and DiMaggio steal the show a little from Jensen Ackles’ Red Hood, but the interplay between Dimaggio and Greenwood is so lively that it hardly matters.

The finale of the animated film is appropriately ambiguous and ends much like it started – with a bang. The sum of the movie is a well paced, well acted, and emotional action thriller that should please Batman die hard and casual fans alike.

Coop says: 3.5/5

The film is released direct to DVD July 27, 2010 or can conveniently be watched on demand at Amazon.

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