 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Batman: Under the Red Hood
- Review Date: July 25, 2010
- PG-13
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- 2010
Common Sense Media says
Drug dealers and brutal beatings in animated Batman movie.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Batman: Under the Red Hood is a fairly dark and violent direct-to-video animated movie in which Batman battles the Joker -- as well as some personal demons from his own past. Although the plot involves an organization of drug dealers, no drugs are mentioned by name, and no one is shown dealing or using. The violence includes brutal and bloody fights, guns firing, dead bodies, fighting with swords, explosions, and chases. The movie deals directly with death and loss and has some interesting ideas about where to draw the line between heroes and criminals, though Batman himself remains a rather complicated, tortured "good guy." Kids should stick with safer Batman fare, but teens will enjoy this one.
What's the story?
The second Robin, Jason Todd, is dead. A dour Batman (voiced by Bruce Greenwood) shuns any other partners, including the original Robin, now called Nightwing (Neil Patrick Harris). A mysterious and most peculiar masked man, the Red Hood (Jensen Ackles), appears on the scene. He takes over Gotham City's drug business from a kingpin called the Black Mask (Wade Williams) and offers the dealers a higher cut -- but under the condition that no drugs are sold to children. Meanwhile, the Black Mask enlists the aid of the Joker (John DiMaggio) to stop him. Batman soon discovers the Red Hood's secret identity, making his battle much more personal. Can he stop the Black Mask, the Red Hood, and the Joker, all in one fell swoop?
Is it any good?
Based on a Batman comic book storyline from 2005 and 2006, BATMAN: UNDER THE RED HOOD takes on some of the complex, ambiguous morals of recent efforts like The Dark Knight and does a remarkable job of exploring some tough stuff in its scant running time of 75 minutes. It follows, however, that the movie is undeniably dark and violent and deals directly with loss. In other words, this is not a family-friendly film.
Like the best superhero stories, this one focuses on characters and character history; each of the main characters has a pre-existing relationship with the others, making their meetings emotionally resonant. There's more here than just chases and explosions. Additionally, the filmmakers create an appropriately dark and mysterious atmosphere, bringing back some of Batman's mythic dimensions as a "dark knight" and a loner detective. In all, it's one of the stronger entries in the direct-to-video animated superhero genre.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the movie's violence. How did it make you feel? Was it thrilling and exciting, or was it shocking?
Why does Batman blame himself for what happened to the Red Hood? Is he really at fault?
The Red Hood argues that by killing the Joker in cold blood, hundreds of other lives could possibly be spared? Is this a sound argument? Do the ends ever justify the means?
What distinguishes Batman from the villains he fights? He, too, is angry and dark; why is he a good guy and the others bad guys?
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- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
Sadistic
If you let your kids watch it, be sure to skip the opening scenes when Joker beats a bound Robin to death with a crowbar and taunts him. It was a low point for DC Comics in the 1980s that has been graphically re-envisioned for new audiences. Just plain sick.
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Kid, 12 years old
February 7, 2011
AGE
Great movie but violent. In one scene joker is beating robin with a crowbare and bleeding. In another scene d__n and h__l is used in the first 15 to 20 minutes. Its not a bad movie but is dark.
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AGE
Very good,but violent
this is by far the best DC animated film yet, but it has a lot of violence.the joker beats robin with a crowbar (lots of blood is shown)a man comes out of a pit screaming in pain,the red hood opens a bag full of heads(nothing is actually shown) the joker and red hood both blow up lots of buildings, the red hood shoots a taser at a mans head blood goes on the wall. a guy named black mask swears a lot(mild, d--n, hell)the plot focuses around a bunch of drug dealers. overall a very good but dark movie.
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AGE
good for ages 11-15
i recently watched this movie it was a good movie it is somewhat violent there is brief language and there is one bloody scene when the red hood tasers someones head and a little blood goes on the wall
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AGE
a little dark but great
as a big batman fan I loved this film. The animation is great and is based on the comics. There is a lot about drugs and there is also quite a lot of comic violence. Its not extremely graphic. There is however one scene where the red hood shows drug dealers a bag full of heads of people he has cut off in the last 24 hours, however you don't see inside the bag.
there is also another scene where a guy gets beaten almost to death and there's blood alover his body. Also you see the joker beat jason todd with a crow bar. As well as jason beating the joker with a crow bar.
great film but dark
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AGE
Very Dark, but one of DC Comics BEST Movies to Date
The movie is very violent (murder, beatings, and blood) and dark (angst, The Joker-need I say more?-, and the Lazarus Pit), but the mood is appropriate for this film. The story was second to none and the fight scenes were amazing! This movie is enthralling and you see the characters depicted in a much deeper way than you normally do. This movie is one of the best DC has produced. No doubt.
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AGE
Nah
I am personally not a fan of this batman animated film. Jason Todd is an annoying character. For kids only.
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Kid, 11 years old
February 4, 2012
AGE
very violent!
mass swearing from black mask such as d**m and h**l there is mass violence when red hood drops a sack of heads on a table but you don't see the heads and someones head catches on fire!
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| Topics: | superheroes |
| Studio: | Warner Home Video |
| Director: | Brandon Vietti |
| Cast: | Bruce Greenwood, Jensen Ackles, John DiMaggio, Neil Patrick Harris |
| Genre: | Action/Adventure |
| Run time: | 75 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | July 27, 2010 |
| DVD release date: | July 27, 2010 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | violent content and some drug references. |
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