It’s been quite awhile since we’ve had a good animated Batman movie. Sure, we’ve had a quite a bit of them (Mask of the Phantasm, Sub-Zero, Return of the Joker, Mystery of the Batwoman, Gotham Knight), but none have quite surpassed the quality of Mask of the Phantasm. Now, Under the Red Hood has surpassed the champ.
As per Batman’s luck, he arrives too late to save the 2nd Robin (Jason Todd) from being killed by the Joker. Years later, a new threat has emerged on the crime scene known as the Red Hood. Originally the mask of Jack Napier before he became Joker, the new Red Hood is a cross between vigilante and mobster. Under his control, gangs and drug traffickers are kept somewhat in line. They don’t sell to kids, and anything the Red Hood says goes. This does not sit well with mob leader, Black Skull, who wages a war of power against him. And poor Batman is caught in the middle fighting both sides with the Joker thrown in for good measure.
As if it weren’t clear from the opening, the identity of the Red Hood should be obvious. It’s treated as a bit of a shocker in the middle act as Batman checks his facts, but it’s not really a surprise. What is shocking is how hard it hits Bruce Wayne when he comes to the realization. This makes his war on Red Hood both personal and tragic, like most of Batman’s villains. However, this is probably the most tragic of all his villains as Red Hood has been treated worse than any other, and that he is somewhat justified in his actions.
I'm not Deadpool, guys! Seriously! STOP LAUGHING!
Anyone who grew up watching Batman: The Animated Series in the 90’s will probably be asking how Under the Red Hood stacks up against it? It both surpasses the show in story and animation. Given its PG-13 rating, we finally have a Batman animated movie that has no fear of not only showing a bit of blood, but a LOT of blood. Mobsters are picked off left and right by Red Hood, Black Skull, and the Joker in graphic detail. In one of the best moments, Joker slays an entire room full of gangsters with nothing more than a glass. Word of advice--If the Joker asks you for a glass of water, don’t give it to him. Or at least put it in a sippy cup.
As for the characters, they are all brilliantly designed and voiced. Sure, Bruce Greenwood and John Dimaggio are no Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamil, but they fit the roles well. As a matter of fact, their voices are much more subtle which works perfectly for a darker story such as this. Even Ra’s Al Ghoul and Nightwing, two characters who have almost nothing to do in the movie, are perfectly cast.
Up to the incredibly dramatic final climactic fight, I would go so far as to say that Under the Red Hood comes extremely close to matching the intensity of The Dark Knight. It’s dark, tragic, and severely questions retribution. If you like your Batman gritty and brutal, you won't find a better movie with the exception of The Dark Knight. But everyone and there grandma has seen that film at least five times by now, so this would make a great substitute until Nolan whips up the next sequel.
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