Batman: Under the Red Hood

Bruce Timm has done it again. After retiring what fans call the DC Animated Universe (The New Batman/Superman Adventures and Justice League), he has begun to produce movies based on DC Comics storylines. Batman: Under the Red Hood is the second solo Batman movie after Batman Gotham Knight. This new Batman movie combines elements from the comic book storyline Under the Hood and the older storyline Death In the Family. The former is relied more heavily on with the latter acting as simply a back story to the movie.

The story goes that Batman is facing a brand new threat. The villain Black Mask (first time animated movie appearance) has taken over all of the crime in Gotham City, however, a villain taking over the Joker’s old Red Hood persona has come to challenge his kingdom. The gang war accelerates out of control, with Batman and Nightwing (Dick Grayson, the original Robin), trying to settle the war before the circumstances get worse. However, Batman soon discovers that there is a mysterious link between this new Red Hood and Jason Todd (the second Boy Wonder, killed in action by the Joker at the beginning of the film). Black Mask, in desperation, turns to the one person crazy (quite literally) enough to take on the Red Hood, the Joker, leading to a calamity like no other.

This is definitely not a kid’s movie. While the film has no sexual content whatsoever, it does have vulgarity and several drug references. The violence in the film is typical of a PG-13 movie. It has lots of fight scenes and gunfire that will scare little children. There is a brief bloody scene where Red Hood jabs an assassin in the face with a taser. The camera moves away, but we see blood splatter. The Black Mask’s face is slightly disturbing. It is reminiscent of Marvel’s Red Skull, but looks charred.

From a Christian perspective, the movie deals a lot with justice and vengeance, a recurring theme in Batman titles. When asked why he does not kill the Joker, Batman explains that he wants to, but does not, because once he crosses the line, he cannot go back. God tells us in His Word that vengeance is His, and we should not take it for ourselves. He will take care of us and that He remembers all of our tears. Despite Batman’s violent approach to battling crime, his decision not to fight like the criminals he captures, makes him stand out as a hero.

Bottom line, I will say that while Bruce Greenwood and Joe DiMaggio do a great job as Batman and the Joker, no one beats (not even Bale and Ledger) Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill. They are still number one as the Caped Crusader and the Clown Prince of Crime. Batman fans like me will love this film. Those of you who like the animation style films will love it. Action film fans will adore it. Parents thinking this is related to the popular “Batman The Animated Series” will be disappointed. I must again stress this is not a kid’s film.

Violence: Moderate / Profanity: Mild / Sex/Nudity: None

See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.