And the ending! God, it's awesome! Just wait till you watch it.
Batman: Under the Red Hood
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Easily. I didn't think Gotham Knight was very good.
Sonic1002
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It was truly fantastic. Comparing it to Gotham Knight would a total disservice to Under the Red Hood. It was in a completely different league. From the voice acting (all spot-on) to the drama (the ending did in fact make me misty eyed), I do not think it's a stretch to say that this is the best of the new DC animated movies, and I'm putting it up there with the best of the Batman cartoons.
Justkidding
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Didn't really like it. Found the dialouge to be a little too awkward and at times unbearable to listen to(the Joker's was my main issue) and I didn't like the actors for any of the roles.
Certainly not my cup of tea, and I'm starting to lose faith in the DC animated line, as I've yet to really like any of them. Starting to wish Timm would but his time into making a show again.
Certainly not my cup of tea, and I'm starting to lose faith in the DC animated line, as I've yet to really like any of them. Starting to wish Timm would but his time into making a show again.
boywondernerdDC
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How are you guys getting to watch it early? I ordered a copy but it says it won't arrive until July 27th.
The Joker
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I got mine off ebay.
The Joker
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There's a few little changes. Nothing dramatically different.
Jeremy Dylan
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I thought this film was a vast improvement over the most recent run of DC Animated movies, mainly due to two factors:
1) It wasn't an attempt to squeeze in every character from the DCU in some universe ending crossover story.
2) The adaptation was done by the author of the original incarnation, who was pragmatic enough to ditch and rearrange alot of his narrative to make it work as a film. It didn't feel like it was trying to pack two hours worth of story into 75 minutes. It had a concise, focused supporting cast and a clear, single protagonist.
It doesn't entirely work - Davison falters as Batman sometimes, forcing the gruffness and grit a little. I sympathize with those who want Conroy to continue playing the role until dotage. In other mediums, an actor who develops an iconic portrayal of a character has a limited lifespan because after a while, they age beyond the character. This is far less limited with regards an audio performance - Conroy probably still has another ten years in him before he sounds too old to convincingly play anything but The Dark Knight Returns, Kingdom Come or Batman Beyond incarnations of the character.
That being said, I totally understand the desire to give each film it's own identity separate from the DCAU, although I don't think they've found a suitable replacement for Conroy yet. It occured to me that Hugh Laurie, an actor who would never enter the picture for a live action version, might make a fine audio Batman, as would Jon Hamm.
John Dimaggio took on a far different frequency level that we're used to hearing from the Joker, which was momentarily jarring, but after I adjusted to it, I was very taken with his portrayal. Sinister and subversive, a lot closer to the incarnation we've seen in contemporary comics than any other committed to animation.
Neil Patrick Harris was fine as Nightwing - a good piece of obvious casting that worked for an insubstantial part. Black Mask was excellent comic relief - making his animated debut if I'm not mistaken?
As, of course, is Jason Todd. We got a very nice piece of Death of the Family stuck on the front as a prologue, which was great to see animated in a 'Oooh, I read that when I was seven and here it is moving!' kind of a way. I've always found bringing characters back from the dead as a bit of a copout, but having been prepared for Todd's resurrection for a few years before seeing this film, I could deal with it - and it's handled about as well as it could be. Jensen Ackles does a marvellous job with the part, easily selling the vengeful zeal and ruthlessness of the character and especially nailing his dialogue in the climactic confrontation with Batman and the Joker.
Gordon's presence being no more than a fleeting cameo was odd - it seemed like the kind of story he should be involved in, considering it concerned the entire organised crime structure of the city he's Police Comissioner of being turned on it's end.
Jason Isaacs was basically born to play Ra's Al Ghul - visually, they just need to slap some funky facial hair on him to be perfect and he nails what is essentially a Very Special Guest role with aplomb. In his own way, as good as the great David Warner in the part.
Oh, and Jim Piddock was dreadful as Alfred. The weakest link in the entire cast. I know it wasn't a huge part, but couldn't they have got Zimbalist back for a few lines? Or even just a random convincing British character actor?
It's not perfect - the Amazo scene felt very tacked on (there's probably a big action scene quota they had to fill) - but it's very good indeed, and probably the best of the lot so far. More films with this style, quality animation and tightly focused storytelling would be very welcome for the future.
1) It wasn't an attempt to squeeze in every character from the DCU in some universe ending crossover story.
2) The adaptation was done by the author of the original incarnation, who was pragmatic enough to ditch and rearrange alot of his narrative to make it work as a film. It didn't feel like it was trying to pack two hours worth of story into 75 minutes. It had a concise, focused supporting cast and a clear, single protagonist.
It doesn't entirely work - Davison falters as Batman sometimes, forcing the gruffness and grit a little. I sympathize with those who want Conroy to continue playing the role until dotage. In other mediums, an actor who develops an iconic portrayal of a character has a limited lifespan because after a while, they age beyond the character. This is far less limited with regards an audio performance - Conroy probably still has another ten years in him before he sounds too old to convincingly play anything but The Dark Knight Returns, Kingdom Come or Batman Beyond incarnations of the character.
That being said, I totally understand the desire to give each film it's own identity separate from the DCAU, although I don't think they've found a suitable replacement for Conroy yet. It occured to me that Hugh Laurie, an actor who would never enter the picture for a live action version, might make a fine audio Batman, as would Jon Hamm.
John Dimaggio took on a far different frequency level that we're used to hearing from the Joker, which was momentarily jarring, but after I adjusted to it, I was very taken with his portrayal. Sinister and subversive, a lot closer to the incarnation we've seen in contemporary comics than any other committed to animation.
Neil Patrick Harris was fine as Nightwing - a good piece of obvious casting that worked for an insubstantial part. Black Mask was excellent comic relief - making his animated debut if I'm not mistaken?
As, of course, is Jason Todd. We got a very nice piece of Death of the Family stuck on the front as a prologue, which was great to see animated in a 'Oooh, I read that when I was seven and here it is moving!' kind of a way. I've always found bringing characters back from the dead as a bit of a copout, but having been prepared for Todd's resurrection for a few years before seeing this film, I could deal with it - and it's handled about as well as it could be. Jensen Ackles does a marvellous job with the part, easily selling the vengeful zeal and ruthlessness of the character and especially nailing his dialogue in the climactic confrontation with Batman and the Joker.
Gordon's presence being no more than a fleeting cameo was odd - it seemed like the kind of story he should be involved in, considering it concerned the entire organised crime structure of the city he's Police Comissioner of being turned on it's end.
Jason Isaacs was basically born to play Ra's Al Ghul - visually, they just need to slap some funky facial hair on him to be perfect and he nails what is essentially a Very Special Guest role with aplomb. In his own way, as good as the great David Warner in the part.
Oh, and Jim Piddock was dreadful as Alfred. The weakest link in the entire cast. I know it wasn't a huge part, but couldn't they have got Zimbalist back for a few lines? Or even just a random convincing British character actor?
It's not perfect - the Amazo scene felt very tacked on (there's probably a big action scene quota they had to fill) - but it's very good indeed, and probably the best of the lot so far. More films with this style, quality animation and tightly focused storytelling would be very welcome for the future.
Drz
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I received my Blu-ray copy from Movietyme today. Went over to friends' place and we watched the blu-ray. Heres my thoughts:
Batman: Under the Red Hood:
8.5/10. Recommending Under the Hood comic volumes.
Jonah Hex:
10/10 Best thing in the blu-ray.
Special Features:
Whole Product: 9.5/10 We also watched Robin's reckoning BTAS episode(s). I really recommend checking these out again, because it really had some questionable pedophile moments from Bruce and Dick. Making us wonder did the writerrs have a twisted mind, or we're we just being dirty minded.
Batman: Under the Red Hood:
Good adaption of the story, cutting it down to it's core between Batman, Jason Todd and the Joker. The connection between these characters is all there. Nightwing's appearence in the movie was nothing more than a cameo, while also telling the common watcher what the first and original Robin had become.
Batwing, Batmobiles and Red Hood's car we're awesome tributes to the many cars and gadgets Batman has had. I kinda actually did feel Hood's car was a quick tribute to the Neal Adams' batmobile. I also liked that Joker had been Red Hood for sure in this movie, since i do enjoy the silver age tributes.
Speaking of the original red Hood and Joker himself. John Dimaggio was so-so for me. You got alot of great moments where his voice work was stunning, but sadly alot of times he sounded like Bender. Which is uncreative and dull voice acting. I shouldn't be thinking about Dimaggio's previous careers. It's like if Mark Hamill sounded like the Joker when voicing Solomon Grundy. That would be bad voice acting, but alot of times Dimaggio does pull these great moments and laughs, yet there we're those sparks of Bender too.
Bruce Greenwood was Batman for me. This guy had such emotion especially on the scene where he keeps insulting himself as stupid and careless, for not making sure Jason Todd's body was in his possession. I also loved the moment he referred Jason as a Soldier. Awesome nod to Frank Miller's Batman.
Neil Patrick Harris was such a cheerful Dick! I loved his moments! He was so child-like playful badass! Just like in the comics! Tho i still felt his role did nothing in the movie outside of a cameo for comic fans, and telling the common watcher what happened to the 1st Boy Wonder.
Jense Ackles steals the show really. I mean, he really packed emotion and i do question. Did he actually cry when he did his last lines? The emotion was so powerful and believable! Jason Todd flashbacks we're also awesome. Showing that a playful Robin is indeed a total badass, which is what the public really nededs to see more, since we can't force them to buy comics and whatnot.
The story itself was the core of Under the Hood, but i still prefer the comic and really wish to recommend the comic book. Yeah it has that Infinite Crisis tie-in crap, but its easily ignorable and it only effects Jason Todd's return really. Which actually reminds me of a minor annoyance. Talia al Ghul trying to shoot the crazed Jason Todd really felt out of character. Why would she do that? She wanted Jason back so she could get some love from Bruce Wayne, but i wouldn't think she'd try and just drop him dead again, even tho he was nuts when resurrected at first.
The action sequences we're all stunningly beatiful. I completely understood why they saved some budget money by cutting Dick's hair down. They saved all the good money for the action sequences, and it did pay off alot! Even the ridicilous over the top scene with Batman jumping in-and-out from the car.
Black Mask's character was obviously changed for the movie. They needed more comical character, which is understandable completely, but not something i really approved. Black Mask is a cynical nasty monster. He makes people eat their loved ones meat and whatnot. Here he was over the top comedy character. Tho his voice was awesome, so props to Williams.
The ending was really bittersweet, but i also preferred the comic ending more to this.. Go get the comic volumes! Really. It's that great!
Batwing, Batmobiles and Red Hood's car we're awesome tributes to the many cars and gadgets Batman has had. I kinda actually did feel Hood's car was a quick tribute to the Neal Adams' batmobile. I also liked that Joker had been Red Hood for sure in this movie, since i do enjoy the silver age tributes.
Speaking of the original red Hood and Joker himself. John Dimaggio was so-so for me. You got alot of great moments where his voice work was stunning, but sadly alot of times he sounded like Bender. Which is uncreative and dull voice acting. I shouldn't be thinking about Dimaggio's previous careers. It's like if Mark Hamill sounded like the Joker when voicing Solomon Grundy. That would be bad voice acting, but alot of times Dimaggio does pull these great moments and laughs, yet there we're those sparks of Bender too.
Bruce Greenwood was Batman for me. This guy had such emotion especially on the scene where he keeps insulting himself as stupid and careless, for not making sure Jason Todd's body was in his possession. I also loved the moment he referred Jason as a Soldier. Awesome nod to Frank Miller's Batman.
Neil Patrick Harris was such a cheerful Dick! I loved his moments! He was so child-like playful badass! Just like in the comics! Tho i still felt his role did nothing in the movie outside of a cameo for comic fans, and telling the common watcher what happened to the 1st Boy Wonder.
Jense Ackles steals the show really. I mean, he really packed emotion and i do question. Did he actually cry when he did his last lines? The emotion was so powerful and believable! Jason Todd flashbacks we're also awesome. Showing that a playful Robin is indeed a total badass, which is what the public really nededs to see more, since we can't force them to buy comics and whatnot.
The story itself was the core of Under the Hood, but i still prefer the comic and really wish to recommend the comic book. Yeah it has that Infinite Crisis tie-in crap, but its easily ignorable and it only effects Jason Todd's return really. Which actually reminds me of a minor annoyance. Talia al Ghul trying to shoot the crazed Jason Todd really felt out of character. Why would she do that? She wanted Jason back so she could get some love from Bruce Wayne, but i wouldn't think she'd try and just drop him dead again, even tho he was nuts when resurrected at first.
The action sequences we're all stunningly beatiful. I completely understood why they saved some budget money by cutting Dick's hair down. They saved all the good money for the action sequences, and it did pay off alot! Even the ridicilous over the top scene with Batman jumping in-and-out from the car.
Black Mask's character was obviously changed for the movie. They needed more comical character, which is understandable completely, but not something i really approved. Black Mask is a cynical nasty monster. He makes people eat their loved ones meat and whatnot. Here he was over the top comedy character. Tho his voice was awesome, so props to Williams.
The ending was really bittersweet, but i also preferred the comic ending more to this.. Go get the comic volumes! Really. It's that great!
8.5/10. Recommending Under the Hood comic volumes.
Jonah Hex:
Thomas Jane is just magnificant as Hex! Linda Hamilton's role as Madame Lorraine was also great, but what this short does is it's true magic. It makes me angry that it's over in 10 minutes, and makes me beg for more. Magnificent art style and great level of detail! This is truly the wild wild west. 
Bitter sweet ending like in Under the Red Hood aswell! The music was also really fun and western-like. Really set me up for the mood for some spaghetti western.
Bitter sweet ending like in Under the Red Hood aswell! The music was also really fun and western-like. Really set me up for the mood for some spaghetti western.10/10 Best thing in the blu-ray.
Special Features:
The Jason Todd and Dick Grayson features we're pretty good. Especially the Jason Todd one because Denis O'Neill is being freaking hilarious. Talking about the crazy rumours regarding some man making multiple phonecalls to get Jason Todd murdered and whatnot. It's fun stuff, but nothing new or interesting for me.
Talking about the crazy rumours regarding some man making multiple phonecalls to get Jason Todd murdered and whatnot. It's fun stuff, but nothing new or interesting for me.Whole Product: 9.5/10 We also watched Robin's reckoning BTAS episode(s). I really recommend checking these out again, because it really had some questionable pedophile moments from Bruce and Dick. Making us wonder did the writerrs have a twisted mind, or we're we just being dirty minded.
Jeremy Dylan
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I question the wisdom of including BTAS episodes as extras, as the new features are likely to suffer by comparison. Certainly, this one had nothing on ROBIN'S RECKONING.
GamerSlyRatchet
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The Batman beat the movie to it for almost five years.
As for the movie, I loved it! Easily the best of the DCU DTVs so far.
Fenrir
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Saw it a couple of days ago. I'd give it somewhere in the range of a 7.5 to an 8 out of 10. Overall, it's a pretty basic story, but it includes a lot of the stuff from Batman comics that I never really liked to begin with, and is the reason why this will never top Mask of the Phantasm for me.
Anyways, the good bits -
Bruce Greenwood. I'd be lying if I said I knew it wasn't Kevin Conroy just Batman's voice if I didn't know any better. In fact, I'll go one up and say he's better than Conroy. As of late (in the Arkham Asylum game and other DCU animated movies), Conroy's Batman sounds less like what he did in the early seasons of BTAS, deep voice and all, and more like just another generic superhero. Bruce Greenwood on the other hand, takes what worked from Conroy's earlier performances and runs with it. Great work all around.
The Joker. John DiMaggio was a hit and miss when it comes to the voice acting, but when he works, he really works - I mean Hamill level, especially in the end when goes all [blackout]"No, no, this is better! I am the only one who's going to get what he wants tonight! Bing bam boom! Let's all go out with a bang! Don't you just love a happy ending?![/blackout]. He was generally well written, even if he was a tad predictable every now and then.
The action. Yup. For an animated movie, this features a lot of amazing acrobatics, brilliant gadgets clever moves and hard-hitting fisticuffs. One real standout was Batman handing out a good old fashioned Bourne style beatdown in a restroom that felt eerily similar to Sam Fisher's interrogation bits from Splinter Cell Conviction. It was refreshing to see Batman be a bit more 'brutal' than his usual tame animated version.
As for what I didn't like...
The plot. I was never a fan of the Death in the Family arc, and if you weren't either, then chances are you won't be changing your mind anytime soon. And though it has a good mix of comic relief and low-brow seriousness, it doesn't have the heart of Mask of the Phantasm. Despite it being based on one of the most significant moments in Batman lore, oddly enough it feels strangely detached. It just doesn't connect as well emotionally as Mask of the Phantasm does.
Batgod. Let me explain. I don't like it when writers overpower Batman and try too hard to make him a 'badass'. It just feels forced and contrived. I don't like it when his actions and gadgetry almost make superpowers redundant. Unfortunately, there is a fair amount of it in this and it did affect my final opinion of the film, if only slightly.
Of course, if the aforementioned issues don't bother you, then you'll most certainly have a blast with Batman: Under the Red Hood.
Anyways, the good bits -
Bruce Greenwood. I'd be lying if I said I knew it wasn't Kevin Conroy just Batman's voice if I didn't know any better. In fact, I'll go one up and say he's better than Conroy. As of late (in the Arkham Asylum game and other DCU animated movies), Conroy's Batman sounds less like what he did in the early seasons of BTAS, deep voice and all, and more like just another generic superhero. Bruce Greenwood on the other hand, takes what worked from Conroy's earlier performances and runs with it. Great work all around.
The Joker. John DiMaggio was a hit and miss when it comes to the voice acting, but when he works, he really works - I mean Hamill level, especially in the end when goes all [blackout]"No, no, this is better! I am the only one who's going to get what he wants tonight! Bing bam boom! Let's all go out with a bang! Don't you just love a happy ending?![/blackout]. He was generally well written, even if he was a tad predictable every now and then.
The action. Yup. For an animated movie, this features a lot of amazing acrobatics, brilliant gadgets clever moves and hard-hitting fisticuffs. One real standout was Batman handing out a good old fashioned Bourne style beatdown in a restroom that felt eerily similar to Sam Fisher's interrogation bits from Splinter Cell Conviction. It was refreshing to see Batman be a bit more 'brutal' than his usual tame animated version.
As for what I didn't like...
The plot. I was never a fan of the Death in the Family arc, and if you weren't either, then chances are you won't be changing your mind anytime soon. And though it has a good mix of comic relief and low-brow seriousness, it doesn't have the heart of Mask of the Phantasm. Despite it being based on one of the most significant moments in Batman lore, oddly enough it feels strangely detached. It just doesn't connect as well emotionally as Mask of the Phantasm does.
Batgod. Let me explain. I don't like it when writers overpower Batman and try too hard to make him a 'badass'. It just feels forced and contrived. I don't like it when his actions and gadgetry almost make superpowers redundant. Unfortunately, there is a fair amount of it in this and it did affect my final opinion of the film, if only slightly.
Of course, if the aforementioned issues don't bother you, then you'll most certainly have a blast with Batman: Under the Red Hood.
bullets
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I thought the last half hour of the film was really good. The final confrontation has some good dialogue. It made me wish this was a running series or that they could connect the following Batman films .
A thing about the film that bothered me was how they portrayed Nightwing . It was like he was a lesser Robin and Todd was a true prodigy. Then Grayson was getting ditched like he was a hindrance. If they did this to play up the emotional aspect of
Wayne not wanting a sidekick because of losing Todd then it makes sense . Wasn't sure if it was intended that way or not.
A thing about the film that bothered me was how they portrayed Nightwing . It was like he was a lesser Robin and Todd was a true prodigy. Then Grayson was getting ditched like he was a hindrance. If they did this to play up the emotional aspect of
Wayne not wanting a sidekick because of losing Todd then it makes sense . Wasn't sure if it was intended that way or not.
darkknightNRY
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Article reviewing Batman: Under the Red Hood!
http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-...Batman-Under-the-Red-Hood--On-Top-of-the-Game
Thoughts? Opinions?
http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-...Batman-Under-the-Red-Hood--On-Top-of-the-Game
Thoughts? Opinions?
The Joker
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It's a great review. Heaps a load of praise onto the movie, and highlights all the positives about it, from the voice acting, to the animation, to the emotional power of the story.
Wolfwood
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Some of those action scenes were pretty freakin' slick. It's rare for me to shout "Damn!" as I'm watching an animated movie, but this one got me going a few times. Especially the final fight and that scene when Batman jumps through the open car door, that was pretty cool.
Joker's voice took some getting used too, but by the end, I was pretty adjusted to it.
Joker's voice took some getting used too, but by the end, I was pretty adjusted to it.
Doctor Who
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Let me get this straight: you have yet to watch this movie when you can easily find the parts on youtube and have yet to read the Joker novel.....?
Rasputin911
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For all those dissing Dimaggio's Joker: stop judging based on interpretations that came before. Comparisons and contrasts are great, but knocking it because he isn't Mark Hamill isn't really a legit criticism. I thought his voice acting was superb (not EVERY Joker has to have a high voice). The way he growled his lines was creepy and great. I found him very well-written as well, emphasizing his unpredictability and sadism, but with enough zany one-liners to stay true to the character.
It was a happy medium between Ledger and Hamill.
This film ties with MOTP for me, and is better than ROTJ
It was a happy medium between Ledger and Hamill.
This film ties with MOTP for me, and is better than ROTJ
Rasputin911
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I'm a bit over half-way through the film so far, and does anyone else besides me think the single best character is Black Mask's right hand woman? She's awesomely and hilariously level-headed and logical, if it wasn't for her Black Mask probably wouldn't have taken over in the first place
The way the whole organized crime angle is handled is great. These crooks are believable, and the differences in personality/methods between Black Mask, Red Hood, Ras, and Joker make for an interesting dynamic (though it does seem like a few too many villains).
I loved how the J man's unpredictable, untrustworthy nature is highlighted. Both Ras and Black Mask try to "make a deal with the devil," and both end up suffering for it. The Clown Prince has his own plans, and is no one's pawn.
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