Batman: Under the Red Hood
Aw, Hell Damn Crap!!

DC's been saving us all a lot of time, money and effort with their Direct-to-Video Animated movies. Instead of having to sit through 20 episodes of continuity of a cartoon world that is somewhat based on the actual DC Comics, they're just releasing 75 minute videos with closer ties to the comics. So instead of spending 12 to 20 episodes of a Batman cartoon with a subplot of "The Red Hood" and Jason Todd gibberish, it's all here for us to watch in one handy carrying case. Even better, you don't have to READ it, you can sit back and watch it! Who says these aren't the Mighty Marvel Days of Mercurial Minsiscule Merriment?! Oh wait...wrong company.

But anyways...

Based off of a 2005-2006 story arc in the "Batman" comics, "Red Hood" is full of testosterone as it gets to the VIOLENCE before the credits even roll. With a slight re-working of the infamous 1989 "A Death in the Family" storyline, things begin with the Joker beating on Robin (Jason Todd) with a crowbar, then leaving him to die in a warehouse explosion. For once, Batman can't save the day and arrives to find his lifeless sidekick in the rubble.

Jumping ahead 5 years to Gotham City and its ominous police blimps, a new criminal called the Red Hood has arrived on the scene. Thwarting the operations of crime boss Black Mask, the Hood uses an array of GUNS and EXPLOSIONS to muscle in on the turf. Of course, this leads him to confrontations with Batman and the original Robin, Nightwing (Master Dick ...Grayson). There's even an exciting run-in with Amazo to get things started.

Through flashbacks, the story of how Jason Todd avoided his death is covered; juxtaposed with flashbacks of the "original" Red Hood, the unfortunate temporary identity of an unknown knob who accidentally fell into a vat of chemicals and became the Joker. After his return from the grave, the enraged Todd took up Joker's old nom de plume to begin his revenge. Of course, Batman puts it all together, leading to a final face-off with the Red Hood; with the Joker, Black Mask and the GCPD along for the ride.

As mentioned, there's a LOT of violence in this thing. Mostly EXPLOSIONS, as both the Red Hood and Joker seem extremely fond of bombs. Even Batman gets in on the fun, with some strategically placed plastique. I'm not sure of the rating, but it definitely seems PG-13. Unlike the squeaky clean cartoons of the 70's, 80's and even 90's, there's no avoidance of the words "kill" and "death". Remember how, in older cartoons, villains could only say stuff like: "I will destroy you!". Well, here's there's no skirting the issue: Joker KILLED Jason Todd, so now the Red Hood is out to KILL the Joker.

The language is a little harsh, but not to the point of annoyance. I did, however, notice several uses of the word "Hell". Combined with lots of "Damn" and the occasional "Crap". Definitely not the Seven Dirty Words, as it's more like the invasion of the Somewhat Socially Acceptable Psuedo-Curse Words.

The voice acting is well done. I suppose I could Google some of the names listed, but most of them I had never heard of. Except for Neil Patrick Harris (yeah, yeah, Doogie Howser or Barney from "How I Banged Your Mother"-- the #1 Most-Watched CBS Comedy in its Timeslot on Tuesday Nights®). Harris is cast as Nightwing and for the most part does his usual schtick. The guy who did Batman (Bruce Greenwood) did his best to emulate the iconic tones of Kevin Conroy, the 90's "DC Animated" Batman. The Joker has a somewhat fresh voice, but his maniacal laughs bring up comparisons to Mark Hammil's 90's work as well.

Probably my favorite part of the entire package was the sound. With shades of the soundtrack to "The Dark Knight", the theatrical backgrond music sets the tone and pace of the story. Visually, the style presented here is a rougher version of the recent "The Batman" series.

As for the story itself....well, it's a mixed bag. Sure, the action is engaging, but the whole concept of Jason Todd returning from the dead isn't all that interesting. It's a shame that the words "Judd Winick" are listed as "Writer" of this thing, since most of the concepts covered were NOT his ideas.

Joker killing Jason Todd? Not his, that'd be Jim Starlin. The Red Hood? Pretty sure that was Alan Moore in 1988. Jason Todd returning from the dead? Not his either, that'd be Jeph Loeb in 2003. So all Winick did was connect-the-dots and add a buncha' explosions. Oh well, at least Bob Kane got his usual credit.

The only thing that's truly "original" to Winick? Probably the dialogue. All characters talk like smart-asses, with lines like: "yeah, talking to the guy with the AK-47 is probably a good way to get yourself killed". Yuk....yuk.

Yet, thankfully--and not to spoil too much-- in this flick Todd's resurrection does NOT involve Superboy-Prime and any of that Crisis nonsense. The way it's done is much easier to swallow and; while outlandish; ties nicely into Batman's usual world.

Overall, this package is still fairly entertaining. I'd rate it about a "C+". It may be a little tough for mainstream fans to enjoy (ie: do NOT --I repeat-- do NOT try to get your girlfriend or significant other to watch it), but it's actually better than Batman comic books of the past 6 or 7 years.

But wait...there's more! If you actually pick up the DVD or Blu-Ray, you'll get a "DC Showcase" BONUS feature: Jonah Hex!

Like 90% of all Old West stories, it starts in a saloon with an altercation. When the initial antagonist is introduced, we know he's EVIL! Why? Because he shoots a dog! We also get hookers, beer, fistfights, gunshots and all the other stuff you'd expect in an animated version of "Deadwood". Hex's background isn't covered-- he's just a scarred, bounty-hunting bad-ass. Like he normally does, Hex seems to collect his bounty while dispensing his own brand of justice. It's a quick little diddy for Hex. It'll only take up 12 minutes of your time...which, if you think about it, is a HELL of a better deal than watching the 2010 big screen, live-action "Jonah Hex" movie.

I suppose the only thing I didn't like about the "Hex" feature was the "DC Showcase" introduction that preceeded it. I believe they've used this same intor for all of their "DC Showcase" snippets and it's quite bad. It starts with a "live-action" pan of.... a comic shop. No doubt, that's THE coolest place around and something you want to show, right?! I mean, who doesn't dream of going to a nerd ghetto with overpriced statues, ridiculous t-shirts and action figures tagged up on the wall?! Dang...and I used to think the old 1970's Disney Magic Kingdom introductions were lame.

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