Batman: Under the Red Hood
Batman confronts a resurrected Jason Todd as the Red Hood.
Batman: Under the Red Hood is a 2010 American animated superhero film released directly to video. Brandon Vietti directed it, and it was a collaboration between Warner Premiere, DC Entertainment, and Warner Bros. Animation, with Warner Home Video handling distribution. As the eighth installment in the DC Universe Animated Original Movies series, it adapts the comic book storyline "Under the Hood." The plot centers on Batman trying to uncover the true identity of a new vigilante known as the Red Hood. The main voice roles are filled by Bruce Greenwood as Batman and Jensen Ackles as the Red Hood, with additional performances from John DiMaggio, Neil Patrick Harris, Jason Isaacs, and Wade Williams.
The film came out on July 27, 2010. Critics praised it highly for its storytelling and animation, and it is widely regarded as one of the best entries in the DC Universe Animated Original Movies line. Commercially, it succeeded as well, earning over $12 million from home video sales. Special editions, including a two-disc set and Blu-ray, came with an animated short featuring Jonah Hex. A later interactive short film and spiritual sequel, *Batman: Death in the Family*, was released on October 13, 2020.
In the story, Ra's al Ghul hires the Joker as a diversion for a plan to destroy Europe's financial districts, but he loses control of the Joker. The Joker captures Jason Todd, the second Robin and Batman's partner, and tortures him in an abandoned warehouse in Sarajevo, Bosnia, using a crowbar. After leaving Jason locked inside, the Joker sets off a bomb that kills Jason before Batman can arrive. Five years later in Gotham City, a vigilante called Red Hood gathers the city's major drug dealers and announces he is taking over their trade, demanding 40 percent of their profits in exchange for protection from Black Mask and Batman, while threatening death to anyone selling drugs to children. Batman stops a theft of a shipment belonging to Black Mask that contains the advanced android Amazo. With help from Dick Grayson, the former Robin now called Nightwing, Batman destroys Amazo and learns the thieves work for Red Hood. A sniper kills the thieves before they can talk, and Batman identifies the shooter as Red Hood, chasing him to Ace Chemicals. There, Red Hood references the Joker's origin before blowing up the facility. Batman and Nightwing question the Joker at Arkham
- release_date
- July 27, 2010
- director
- Brandon Vietti
- producers
- Warner Premiere, DC Entertainment, Warner Bros. Animation
- distributor
- Warner Home Video
- genre
- Superhero, animated, direct-to-video
- running_time
- Not specified in article
- box_office
- Over $12 million in domestic home video sales
Lore & Background
The film's plot begins with Ra's al Ghul hiring the Joker as a distraction, but the Joker captures and tortures Jason Todd, the second Robin, in Sarajevo, Bosnia, eventually killing him with a bomb. Five years later in Gotham City, a vigilante called Red Hood takes over the drug trade, offering protection from Black Mask and Batman while threatening to kill dealers who sell to children. Batman, with help from Nightwing (Dick Grayson), investigates Red Hood, discovering that the vigilante is trained in Batman's tactics and knows his secret identity. Batman eventually learns that Red Hood is Jason Todd, who was revived by Ra's al Ghul using a Lazarus Pit, but driven insane by the experience. The film culminates in a confrontation where Jason gives Batman an ultimatum: kill the Joker or Jason will execute him. Batman refuses, and Jason disappears after a bomb explosion.
Reader's Guide
Batman: Under the Red Hood is significant as a critically acclaimed entry in the DC Universe Animated Original Movies, praised for its storytelling, animation, and emotional weight. It is generally considered one of the best films in the series and was the highest-rated direct-to-video Batman film until the release of The Dark Knight Returns. The film grossed over $12 million in domestic home video sales, making it one of the highest-grossing DC animated films. Its score, composed by Christopher Drake, blended orchestral and electronic elements to match the film's darker tone. A spiritual sequel, the interactive film Batman: Death in the Family, was released on October 13, 2020, with several voice actors reprising their roles. The film's legacy includes its exploration of Batman's moral code and the consequences of Jason Todd's death and resurrection.
Did You Know?
- The film is the eighth in the DC Universe Animated Original Movies series.
- Jensen Ackles voiced the Red Hood, and Bruce Greenwood voiced Batman.
- The score was composed by Christopher Drake, who avoided using a large choir to keep the tone intimate.
- A follow-up interactive film, Batman: Death in the Family, was released on October 13, 2020.
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