Batman: Under The Red Hood (2010) Netflix Review

Director: Brandon Vietti

Starring: Bruce Greenwood, Jensen Ackles, John Di Maggio & Neil Patrick Harris

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1569923/

Dug this up on the netflix "Watch Instantly", totally worth it. I've been down on a lot of the straight to dvd comic flicks that have been coming out as of late. Not so much worth it. They started off strong, making good quality flicks. Good animation with a tight storyline. Then they started dropping 'em out every five seconds. They became a dime a dozen and the writing and art both started to suffer. Not the cast with "Under The Red Hood" though. This it top choice.

We all know the story of Batman, but you all may not know the story of The Red Hood or of Robin. Two central characters in this film. So let me fill you in. The Red Hood was a career criminal identity taken by many, the night it became significant was the night The Joker was created. (This was told in Alan Moore's "The Killing Joke" go to your local comic shop and get this key book) So The Red Hood from this fateful night became the infamous villain the Joker. The original boy wonder, Dick Grayson, grew up and left Bats to become Nightwing. Batman later picked up a new squire by the name of Jason Todd. In the comic book world the readers hated him. He was a whiny little prick bitch. They hated him so much they actually had a contest where the readers dialed a number to vote what happened to him and had The Joker off this kid. So in the "A Death In The Family" story arc (also available at your local comic shop) The Joker beats this kid to near death with a crowbar and then, blows him the fuck up... and Batmans bitch ass still doesn't kill him.

SO here we are at the dvd... "Under The Red Hood" opening with what I never thought I'd see on the screen... The Joker, beating Robin into a bloody pulp with a crowbar. Nice. Then... blowing him to Kingdom Come. Now, I don't want to give the story away, for those who have not seen or red the comics about this story. So, if you afraid of spoilers skip this... I'll be vague, but it still might give some away. Basically, a new Red Hood comes to town. He's crime boss supreme, turning all the crime bosses against each other and taking over the turf. Of course the Joker is suspected so a trip to arkham is necessary. We got some Ra's Al Ghul action and a little Black Mask and if I tell you more I've told you the film. All you need to know is this... if you only rent one comic book themed cartoon this year... this is the one to get.

Verdict: * * * * 1/2

- Xtoph