by Ryan Burton

Created on: November 30, 2010   Last Updated: March 16, 2011

     In the world of animation, ANY story can be adapted into a film. The question is how well you adapt the story, and does it live up to expectations. The release of "Batman: Under The Red Hood" proves how bold you can go with story-telling. However, the film has faults with its execution of the plot, and its message.

     The story to this film is adapted from 2 novels: "Batman: A Death in the Family," and "Batman: Under the Hood." We see the character Batman deal with the loss of Jason Todd (the second Robin; the first being Dick Grayson) after he is beaten to death by the Joker. Five years later, the Dark Knight deals with a costumed vigilantee known as the Red Hood. Who just happens to be Jason. After being "ressurected" by Ra's al Ghul, Jason embarks on a quest to not only take over the gangs of Gotham City, but to "get even" with the Joker. As the Caped Crusader is pushed to his limits by his former partner who has no moral code of right and wrong, we are drawn not just into a mystery, but a drama-filled film which never stops with its action. New fans of the Batman legend should enjoy this film about as much as "The Dark Knight."

     The animation to this film is nicely done when compared to the Batman comics of recent. It is MORE of that art style with the gritty, realistic depiction of Gotham City, and is NOTHING like the Fletcher-style of "Batman: The Animated Series". Though it's interesting to note this movie was made by the same team behind that series. It is very realistic even if it relies on computer generated animation. You see examples with the car chase scenes. Still you give credit to the animators when they interpret a comic book this way.

     The voice acting deserves great applause. Bruce Greenwood (best known from the 2009 "Star Trek" film) makes a good Batman. If you ever watched a behind-the-scene featurette of this film, you MIGHT be skeptical listening to him make the famous growling voice too comedic. However, when you get into the film, you don't have those fears anymore, and he gives Batman a true commanding force. Then there is John DiMaggio as the Joker. He OUTSURPASSES the work Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker from "Star Wars") did on "Batman: The Animated Series." Its the same pattern, but only it has more charm and deviousness,

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