Every now and then there comes a film that exceeds all expectations. A film that no one really believed in, made for some easy dollars with minimal effort, which however manages to rise above its limitations to deliver an experience we're all going to remember. Batman: Under the Red Hood is one of those film. Released direct to DVD it tells the story of Jason Todd, one of the least likable Batman sidekicks ever conceived on paper. It doesn't have the voice talents of Mark Hamill as the Joker or Kevin Conroy as Batman, its animation looks relatively cheap and it lacks that tight focus films like The Dark Knight have, where it'd feel more than a "mere" superhero film.
And yet, somehow, it all works. Most of the excellence stems from the story, which is about Jason Todd, yes, but unlike in the comics, where he's simply a whiny little brat with few redeeming qualities, in here he's a surprisingly likable main character alongside Bruce Wayne. Yes, he's moody and brooding and even a bit whiny, but the film goes to extra lengths to show why he's like that and because of that he's more sympathetic than ever. The final scene between him and Batman is one of the best DC moments I have ever witnessed. It delves deep into the mythos of Batman and asks some really pointed questions, most of which we have been unable to answer. Not that the film gives us any definitive answer, because there are none, but it shines light on a certain point of view.
Furthermore, the voice acting is surprisingly good, lack of Hamill and Conroy notwithstanding. The animation has that direct-to-DVD quality to it and it's really nothing groundbreaking, but it does its job and every now and then there's a really cool visual scene. I also like the world they have built here. Unlike most Batman movies, where it feels like there's nothing all that important going on outside of Gotham City, here it feels like a proper DC universe - full of heroes and villain, magic, alien science and freakish beings.
Some have claimed Batman: Under the Red Hood to be the best Batman movie ever made, and I can see their point. It has a strong story, stays true to its characters, is technically solid and delivers everything we have ever wanted from a Batman movie. I'd claim that the average animation and some minor hiccups in the voice acting and all around execution keep it from being the best, but it's still a really good film. Easily recommended to all fans of Batman or superhero films in general.
And yet, somehow, it all works. Most of the excellence stems from the story, which is about Jason Todd, yes, but unlike in the comics, where he's simply a whiny little brat with few redeeming qualities, in here he's a surprisingly likable main character alongside Bruce Wayne. Yes, he's moody and brooding and even a bit whiny, but the film goes to extra lengths to show why he's like that and because of that he's more sympathetic than ever. The final scene between him and Batman is one of the best DC moments I have ever witnessed. It delves deep into the mythos of Batman and asks some really pointed questions, most of which we have been unable to answer. Not that the film gives us any definitive answer, because there are none, but it shines light on a certain point of view.
Furthermore, the voice acting is surprisingly good, lack of Hamill and Conroy notwithstanding. The animation has that direct-to-DVD quality to it and it's really nothing groundbreaking, but it does its job and every now and then there's a really cool visual scene. I also like the world they have built here. Unlike most Batman movies, where it feels like there's nothing all that important going on outside of Gotham City, here it feels like a proper DC universe - full of heroes and villain, magic, alien science and freakish beings.
Some have claimed Batman: Under the Red Hood to be the best Batman movie ever made, and I can see their point. It has a strong story, stays true to its characters, is technically solid and delivers everything we have ever wanted from a Batman movie. I'd claim that the average animation and some minor hiccups in the voice acting and all around execution keep it from being the best, but it's still a really good film. Easily recommended to all fans of Batman or superhero films in general.