Review of Batman: Under the Red Hood (2010) by Mark D — 25 Feb 2011

"Under the Red Hood" is one of the best animated Batman features to come along in a while, and feels very much like a throwback to the darker days of "Batman: The Animated Series" in contrast to more recent (and unfortunately less mature) cartoons like "The Batman" or "Batman: Brave and the Bold". This more adult-oriented focus is surprising considering "Red Hood" is helmed by Brandon Vietti, who has worked as a director on both of those previously mentioned shows.

This direct-to-DVD feature is essentially just an animated re-telling of the '05/'06 "Under the Hood" storyline from the comics, wherein ex-Robin Jason Todd (the second Robin after Dick Grayson, who was brutally murdered by the Joker in the controversial late '80s comic arc "A Death in the Family") is seemingly brought back from the dead as a new vigilante who shares Batman's hatred for crime, but feels no remorse when it comes to killing villains. The mystery surrounding the Red Hood's identity is pretty much non-existent here, but the film itself thrives more strongly on it's brutal violence and adult themes, as well as its plentiful display of action and its talented cast of voice-actors. The inclusion of familiar faces including The Joker and Ra's Al-Ghul is balanced by lesser-seen characters like The Black Skull and the often overlooked (or forgotten) Jason Todd. The story lacks any truly original twists, borrowing everything from the comic arc that inspired it; yet the fact that Batman fans can now place this well-made story on their DVD shelf alongside other great animated Batman works warrants its existence. It is not without its flaws, but "Under the Red Hood" is still an undeniably great animated feature that fans of The Dark Knight and Batman: TAS will surely enjoy and appreciate.