Batman: Under the Red Hood DVD Review - IGN (original) (raw)

The latest DC Universe animated feature takes its inspiration not only from the comic-book story arc that shares its name (well, close enough), but also incorporates elements from the game-changing "A Death in the Family" storyline. As you remember, around the time of the book's run in the late 1980s, DC set up a hotline so that fans could call in to vote on whether Jason Todd, who took over the mantle of Robin from Dick Grayson, would live or die. And comic fans, being the macabre bastards that we are, voted to kill him off.
Under the Red Hood, written by Judd Winick (who also wrote the "Under the Hood" story in the comic), begins with that infamous incident in Batman's past, setting in motion the events to come. We then catch up to the present, in which a new figure has appeared on the criminal scene, calling himself The Red Hood (Jensen Ackles). It seems as though he's engaged in a turf war with Black Mask (Wade Williams) for control of the city's drug trade. But is he trying to rule the criminals, or wipe them out? It doesn't matter much to Batman (Bruce Greenwood) who has teamed up once again with his former sidekick, now known as Nightwing (Neil Patrick Harris), to investigate this new, formidable player in the underworld.
In case you haven't read the original source material, I won't spoil the major plot points. I'll just say that most of them won't come as much of a shock to anyone paying attention. Fortunately, that predictability doesn't matter much in the end at all. What's interesting about Red Hood isn't the revelations, but how the characters handle them. The Red Hood takes Batman's own concept of vigilante justice and pushes it even further toward the line between good and evil. His goals of ridding the streets of criminal filth aren't all that different from Batman's, and just like the Cowled One, he operates outside the law. Compared to the three villains who appear in the film – besides Black Mask, there's also Ra's al Ghul (Jason Isaacs) and, of course, The Joker (John DiMaggio) – The Red Hood is only slightly less crazy, but his twisted logic does make a kind of sense. He asks Batman the tough questions, forcing him to ask them of himself.

The art is striking and distinctive, from the sharp angles of Batman's form to a meaty, menacing Joker, to the atmosphere of the city, with its dark warehouses and classic high rises. Director Brandon Vietti is just as competent handling the big chase scenes as he is with the dramatic confrontations. The way the flashbacks are handled is also interesting, with Batman ghosting in and out as he remembers the events of the past. The look is impressive, overall.

While it would be nice to see Warner Bros. and DC deviating a little and telling stories involving someone other than Batman and Superman, this is an interesting look into what makes the Bat tick, pointing out that even someone who lives in the grey area of moral ambiguity has to draw the line somewhere. Fans of the character and the comic won't be disappointed.

Score: 8 out of 10

Video and Presentation

Color levels are above-average on this SD release. Extreme close-ups of Joker's smile and Robin's eye pop as if you were reading the panels that inspired these visuals. Black levels are kinda sorta the hill Batman stories live and die on in this medium, and Hood earns many gold stars on this front. Some edge enhancement here and there during a few key battle scenes is noticeable, but not distracting. As animated features go, one could do worse.

If you want to see the transfer at its best, give it a fast forward to Batman and Nightwing's first run-in with the Red Hood. It takes place over and on the crowded streets of Gotham and never misses a beat.

Score: 8 out of 10

Languages and Audio

Do yourself a favor: Watch the movie with the sound system cranked up a few notches above what the neighbors find acceptable.

The action scenes and the subtle but engaging score really take advantage of the Dolby 5.1. Batman speaks in permanent brooding tones, so the crystal-clear presentation through the center channels is key here. At one point, Batman takes on a serious collection of badass thugs, duking it out in the middle of an area full of shipping crates. In doing so, the sound mix makes sure to hit all of the right notes when it comes to gunshot Batarangs cutting through the air and explosions rattling the Dark Knight's enemies.

Another impressive, active mix from Warners. Well done.

Score: 8 out of 10

Packaging and Extras

The extras are slim-pickings, as WB wants you to spend your Wayne Trust Fund on the Blu-ray. But those who want to keep their joy at more SD-friendly price point, here's what you get on the extras tip:

The second offering in the DC Showcase series, following "The Spectre" from Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths Clearly, the producers were hoping to capitalize on the recent live-action feature film based on Jonah Hex. But just because that didn't pan out doesn't mean this short, featuring Thomas Jane providing the lead voice, isn't worth your time.

In fact, it might just capture the spirit of the character and the comic series better in 12 minutes than Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor's tedious adventure did in an hour and a half. The animation is simpler than the main feature, but there's a certain style to it. It has a soft, weathered look that suits the material. And the ending is suitably creepy.

With the character of Robin playing such an important part in Red Hood, it's fitting that he should get a mini-A&E autobiography here. The doc runs 24 minutes, and discusses the background of the character and Dick Grayson's as Batman's first sidekick. Key DC staff members and filmmakers talk about Robin in such a way where you almost feel bad for the character's bad rap. Almost.

If you own the classic Batman animated series, then you will heart the two episodes from its run featured here. But what you'll really nerdgasm over is the sneak at Superman/Batman Apocalypse. This one, which cribs its look from the late Michael Turner's art, looks to be pretty pretty impressive.

Yeah, the extras are a bit thin, but in the age of "Must Own Blu-ray - Now!" what do you expect?

Score: 5 out of 10

The Bottom Line

A very PG-13 Batman movie, full of some of the darkest and bloodiest moments ever tackled by DC's animated movies, Under the Red Hood delivers a solid holdover until Batman 3 comes out. Batman fans should definitely add this one to their collection ASAP.