Under the Red Hood

This is easily the most mature of the three movies we’re reviewing as it deals heavily with the death of Jason Todd, the second Robin, Batman’s feelings of guilt, and the difference between revenge and justice.

As before, the animation is very good, this time slightly influenced by the old series but for the most part is something all its own.  The voice actors are largely unfamiliar to the world of animated Batman movies but everyone does a good job, especially Jensen Ackles, who plays the Red Hood.  There are also small parts by Neil Patrick Harris as Nightwing, and Jason Isaacs as Ra’s al Ghul.  John Di Maggio plays the Joker particularly well, showing influence of both Mark Hamill’s definitive animated portrayal and Heath Ledgers equally definitive live action rendition of the character.

Fair warning, it is pretty much impossible to talk about this without spoiling anything so I won’t bother trying.  Of course the movie doesn’t really try to hide anything either.  This isn’t about the mystery, it’s about the character conflict.

The movie gets going with the famous beating to near death of Jason Todd by the Joker and the subsequent explosion that finishes him off, an event that haunts Batman for the rest of his life.  We then jump to Gotham where we meet the Red Hood, an outsider who comes in and rapidly starts to take control of the criminal underworld in Gotham, igniting a war with Black Mask and attracting the attention of Batman, which of course is part of the plan.  You see, the Red Hood is none other than Jason Todd, back from the dead courtesy of Ra’s al Ghul and his handy-dandy Lazarus Pit.  Incidentally, this is just about the only thing that really bothers me about this story; it continues the long established comic book trend of brining people back from the dead.  Until recently, DC didn’t do it very often, but they have definitely jumped on that bandwagon with Marvel by now. 

I digress.  Jason’s primary purpose through the whole movie was simply to stage a showdown with Batman and the Joker.  You see, he isn’t blaming Batman for his death or anything like that, he’s too smart.  But what he does want to know is why, “Why on God’s earth is he (pointing at the Joker) still alive!”  Why wasn’t his death the final straw, the one that finally made the Batman break his one rule and rid the world of “this piece of death worshiping filth?”  A fair question, one that comic nerds have been debating for decades.  Why not kill the Joker?  After all, it seems no prison can really hold him and all he does when he gets out is to kill as many people as he can.  Batman’s answer is simply that it would take him to a place that he wouldn’t come back from.  Once he kills the Joker, why not Two-Face?  The Riddler?  The next random mugger?  I admit, it isn’t really satisfying on a visceral level but the right answer rarely is.  Not that there couldn’t be better answers but a long dissertation on the value of the rule of law and the inherent dignity of even the worst bastards probably would not have fit.  In any case, Todd is also less than satisfied and tries to force Batman to kill either him or the Joker, which of course doesn’t work.  The Joker goes back to Arkham in the end and it looks as though Todd is dead, but we all no better don’t we?

Near the beginning of the movie there is also a great fight scene, featuring Batman and Nightwing vs. Amazo, a super-powered android.  This version possesses a number of the Justice League’s powers, leading to the original Dynamic Duo having to be pretty creative in their tactics.  My personal favorite is when Batman puts some plastic explosives over his eyes, which Amazo obligingly detonates with his heat vision.  That scene alone is worth the entire runtime. 

Anyway, like I said, this is not for the kiddies.  It is awesome and for older teen Bat-fans it is a very worth while viewing experience.