Batman: Under the Red Hood
I'm currently on a rather rambling path through the animated DC universe. My newest purchase has been the Batman animated movie Under the Red Hood.
First I need to point out that this is not a kids movie, which is to say, twelve year-olds could probably handle it (I would have been all over it at that age), but probably not eight year-olds, and certainly not any younger than that. It's rated M (in Australian ratings) for a reason.
Now that that's out of the way... It's an excellent movie. The first scene justifies the rating by showing the violent and graphic murder of Robin (the second Robin, Jason Todd). The Joker beats him to near death with a crowbar and then blows up the building to finish the job.
The bulk of the movie takes place five years later: The Joker is locked up for the murder (having healed, after Batman broke all his bones), and a new player shows up in Gotham city. This new player is using the Joker's previous costume, from before he became the Joker: the Red Hood. No one knows who this Red Hood is, but he starts by taking over the drug trade in the city like a kind of mafia boss: Red Hood provides brutal protection to those dealers that pay him a cut, and murders those who resist paying him. He effectively directs the city's drug trade.
This, of course, draws the attention of Batman and Nightwing (Dick Grayson, who was the first Robin), who go on the hunt. Red Hood manages to outwit and outrun both of them. Almost like he knows Batman's training inside-out. Hmm.
However, by taking such ruthless control of crime in the city, Red Hood also manages to put limits around it, like forcing the dealers away from children and schools, taking dangerous weapons off the streets and destroying them... and at one point jumping in front of a shot meant for Batman. Keeping control and order on the streets, his way.
If you're familiar with the story, you'll know Red Hood is Jason Todd, back from the dead, thanks to dark mysticism that also injects him with a powerful blood-lust. Batman figures it out, of course, and confronts his adopted son.
I'm really impressed with how sympathetic the movie made Jason though. He was always a troubled boy, even vicious, and yet even after being resurrected he's not entirely a villain. He's extremely successful at cleaning up crime in Gotham City, and he does do a measure of good.
It can't have been easy following in the footsteps of favourite golden boy, Dick Grayson. This isn't stated in the movie, but it's implied by the presence and juxtaposition of Nightwing with Red Hood. Two Robins. Two soldiers. Two different approaches.
Besides, there's not going to be many people watching the movie who don't agree with Jason: the Joker deserves everything he's ever dished out. If anyone deserves a date with Death, it's that murderous psychopath.
Meanwhile, Bruce Wayne hasn't had a new sidekick - a new Robin - since he lost Jason. Too much pain and mourning. And of course he believes that Jason's death is his fault, and not being able to save him means Bruce has something to atone for.
And then Jason is back, killing and using methods that Batman shuns and disapproves of; his son becoming something close to a villain himself. But Jason is still his son, working for the greater good, with great results that make the city safer... though his methods are dubious. I could spend hours analysing exactly where the grey lines are.
I'm still turning over the climactic ending too. A lot happens very quickly, and looking at the reviews online, it's amazing how many people missed the news voice-over at the end. Pay attention, people!
In the comics, I believe Batman sticks Red Hood in Arkham Asylum at the end. This movie has a different ending. Without spoiling too much, the ending suggests that none of us can ever go back in time to fix our failures, but sometimes, if we're very lucky, we get a second chance, to do things differently. Better.
So, Under the Red Hood is basically a family-drama action movie. It manages to hit those emotional notes: not just the loss of a child, but the loss of innocence. It's heartrending to see those shots of an angry young man juxtaposed with the ghosts of a cheerful young boy that Jason used to be.
And did I mention lots of action? Animation is where the superhero genre can really shine, pulling off feats that would be impossible in live-action (or at least very expensive). There are a lot of great action scenes in this movie, with the story being told through tension, jeopardy, and, well... when the Bat-family members fight among themselves, they really do beat each other to a pulp. Family, huh? No, it's not healthy, but then Batman has never claimed to be a paragon of mental health.
The soundtrack also stands out, which I really didn't expect from a straight-to-video release. The music carries the story perfectly, faux orchestra and all.
You might recognise some of the actor's names too. Jensen Ackles (Dean Winchester on Supernatural) voices Jason Todd/Red Hood.
Neil Patrick Harris (Barney Stinson on How I Met Your Mother) voices Nightwing/Dick Grayson, which I thought would be really distracting, since Neil Patrick Harris isn't an actor I like, and he has a very distinctive voice. But he's actually pretty good. He nails Grayson's lighthearted side, which is a much needed contrast to Batman's stoicism.
In fact, I think the characterisation of every character in the movie is wonderful. They all ring true to me.
And Jason Isaacs (Lucius Malfoy in Harry Potter), voices the dignified villain, Ra's al Ghul. I didn't recognise him, because he's one of those actors who disappears into a role completely, it's like he's a totally different person. He's amazing.
Shh, you didn't hear it from me, but you can watch the whole film online here:
http://kisscartoon.me/Cartoon/Batman-Under-the-Red-Hood
In summary: if you can stomach the agonising first scene, it's a VERY good movie. I have watched it twice already. It may even end up being my favourite Batman movie ever.
First I need to point out that this is not a kids movie, which is to say, twelve year-olds could probably handle it (I would have been all over it at that age), but probably not eight year-olds, and certainly not any younger than that. It's rated M (in Australian ratings) for a reason.
Now that that's out of the way... It's an excellent movie. The first scene justifies the rating by showing the violent and graphic murder of Robin (the second Robin, Jason Todd). The Joker beats him to near death with a crowbar and then blows up the building to finish the job.
The bulk of the movie takes place five years later: The Joker is locked up for the murder (having healed, after Batman broke all his bones), and a new player shows up in Gotham city. This new player is using the Joker's previous costume, from before he became the Joker: the Red Hood. No one knows who this Red Hood is, but he starts by taking over the drug trade in the city like a kind of mafia boss: Red Hood provides brutal protection to those dealers that pay him a cut, and murders those who resist paying him. He effectively directs the city's drug trade.
This, of course, draws the attention of Batman and Nightwing (Dick Grayson, who was the first Robin), who go on the hunt. Red Hood manages to outwit and outrun both of them. Almost like he knows Batman's training inside-out. Hmm.
However, by taking such ruthless control of crime in the city, Red Hood also manages to put limits around it, like forcing the dealers away from children and schools, taking dangerous weapons off the streets and destroying them... and at one point jumping in front of a shot meant for Batman. Keeping control and order on the streets, his way.
If you're familiar with the story, you'll know Red Hood is Jason Todd, back from the dead, thanks to dark mysticism that also injects him with a powerful blood-lust. Batman figures it out, of course, and confronts his adopted son.
I'm really impressed with how sympathetic the movie made Jason though. He was always a troubled boy, even vicious, and yet even after being resurrected he's not entirely a villain. He's extremely successful at cleaning up crime in Gotham City, and he does do a measure of good.
It can't have been easy following in the footsteps of favourite golden boy, Dick Grayson. This isn't stated in the movie, but it's implied by the presence and juxtaposition of Nightwing with Red Hood. Two Robins. Two soldiers. Two different approaches.
Besides, there's not going to be many people watching the movie who don't agree with Jason: the Joker deserves everything he's ever dished out. If anyone deserves a date with Death, it's that murderous psychopath.
Meanwhile, Bruce Wayne hasn't had a new sidekick - a new Robin - since he lost Jason. Too much pain and mourning. And of course he believes that Jason's death is his fault, and not being able to save him means Bruce has something to atone for.
And then Jason is back, killing and using methods that Batman shuns and disapproves of; his son becoming something close to a villain himself. But Jason is still his son, working for the greater good, with great results that make the city safer... though his methods are dubious. I could spend hours analysing exactly where the grey lines are.
I'm still turning over the climactic ending too. A lot happens very quickly, and looking at the reviews online, it's amazing how many people missed the news voice-over at the end. Pay attention, people!
In the comics, I believe Batman sticks Red Hood in Arkham Asylum at the end. This movie has a different ending. Without spoiling too much, the ending suggests that none of us can ever go back in time to fix our failures, but sometimes, if we're very lucky, we get a second chance, to do things differently. Better.
So, Under the Red Hood is basically a family-drama action movie. It manages to hit those emotional notes: not just the loss of a child, but the loss of innocence. It's heartrending to see those shots of an angry young man juxtaposed with the ghosts of a cheerful young boy that Jason used to be.
And did I mention lots of action? Animation is where the superhero genre can really shine, pulling off feats that would be impossible in live-action (or at least very expensive). There are a lot of great action scenes in this movie, with the story being told through tension, jeopardy, and, well... when the Bat-family members fight among themselves, they really do beat each other to a pulp. Family, huh? No, it's not healthy, but then Batman has never claimed to be a paragon of mental health.
The soundtrack also stands out, which I really didn't expect from a straight-to-video release. The music carries the story perfectly, faux orchestra and all.
You might recognise some of the actor's names too. Jensen Ackles (Dean Winchester on Supernatural) voices Jason Todd/Red Hood.
Neil Patrick Harris (Barney Stinson on How I Met Your Mother) voices Nightwing/Dick Grayson, which I thought would be really distracting, since Neil Patrick Harris isn't an actor I like, and he has a very distinctive voice. But he's actually pretty good. He nails Grayson's lighthearted side, which is a much needed contrast to Batman's stoicism.
In fact, I think the characterisation of every character in the movie is wonderful. They all ring true to me.
And Jason Isaacs (Lucius Malfoy in Harry Potter), voices the dignified villain, Ra's al Ghul. I didn't recognise him, because he's one of those actors who disappears into a role completely, it's like he's a totally different person. He's amazing.
Shh, you didn't hear it from me, but you can watch the whole film online here:
http://kisscartoon.me/Cartoon/Batman-Under-the-Red-Hood
In summary: if you can stomach the agonising first scene, it's a VERY good movie. I have watched it twice already. It may even end up being my favourite Batman movie ever.