Written by: Kevin Berge
I would bet about 90% of the young audience for this film had no idea what this was a reference to. (Image Courtesy of: nerdist.com)
Quick Take: Teen Titans Go! to the Movies may not appeal to all audiences but is surprisingly smart for a film so wholly focused on a young demographic. From its plethora of comic book and superhero references to its consistently affecting plot, this is a silly but fun film especially for kids.
***This review will not contain spoilers for Teen Titans Go! to the Movies beyond basic set-up in the plot. Those who have not seen the film can read ahead without worry.***
The original Teen Titans came out at just the right time, combining with Justice League Unlimited to get me fully engaged with DC superheroes growing up. It was not always a perfect TV show, but it had many quality moments and running threats that make for good weekly viewing.
The 2013 followup Teen Titans Go! took a much more lighthearted approach to the team of Robin, Cyborg, Starfire, Beast Boy, and Raven, and that choice caused severe backlash. Despite coming out in another strong time for Cartoon Network, this new series was almost universally panned to start.
I cannot personally comment on the quality of the show as I never felt it was aimed at me. It's far removed from the superhero series I grew up on, taking a wacky and almost surreal take on this group of heroes. Something like that was always going to be tough for fans of the original to take.
Despite not knowing much of the series, I was interested in the movie that came out of the still-running series. Even the title alone sounded surprisingly subversive, introducing the idea of the Teen Titans especially Robin obsessing over getting a movie about them.
The film is far better than it has any right to be. This is a funny film that shows more knowledge of its peers than even some of the best superhero films. It is reminiscent of The Lego Batman Movie with more intelligence but also more inconsistency along the way.
In particular, it is obvious that this is not a film trying to appeal all audiences. I cannot remember a film I have seen with more juvenile humor especially butt jokes that probably only work with those less than 12. The comedy in this film is dual in identity that it's hard to reconcile.
The original Teen Titans came out at just the right time, combining with Justice League Unlimited to get me fully engaged with DC superheroes growing up. It was not always a perfect TV show, but it had many quality moments and running threats that make for good weekly viewing.
The 2013 followup Teen Titans Go! took a much more lighthearted approach to the team of Robin, Cyborg, Starfire, Beast Boy, and Raven, and that choice caused severe backlash. Despite coming out in another strong time for Cartoon Network, this new series was almost universally panned to start.
I cannot personally comment on the quality of the show as I never felt it was aimed at me. It's far removed from the superhero series I grew up on, taking a wacky and almost surreal take on this group of heroes. Something like that was always going to be tough for fans of the original to take.
Despite not knowing much of the series, I was interested in the movie that came out of the still-running series. Even the title alone sounded surprisingly subversive, introducing the idea of the Teen Titans especially Robin obsessing over getting a movie about them.
The film is far better than it has any right to be. This is a funny film that shows more knowledge of its peers than even some of the best superhero films. It is reminiscent of The Lego Batman Movie with more intelligence but also more inconsistency along the way.
In particular, it is obvious that this is not a film trying to appeal all audiences. I cannot remember a film I have seen with more juvenile humor especially butt jokes that probably only work with those less than 12. The comedy in this film is dual in identity that it's hard to reconcile.
I know multiple roles in the same superhero universe is becoming more common these days, but why does Slade have the same voice as Lego Batman when Batman is also in this film? (Image Courtesy of: ew.com)
How are the young members in the audience expected to enjoy the breadth of references? There's nods to Superman, Back to the Future, Animaniacs, Deadpool, and so much more, and none of these are going to work for the same viewers that laugh at the fart jokes.
This film just does quite seem to know how to balance itself. There's not an intended audience here as much as a mishmash of potential audiences. If the film wholly invested in the side you'd expect it to, it would be a worse movie, but there's better ways it could have appealed to everyone proved by so many animated movies before it.
The story of the film is also a bit of a mixed bag yet enjoyable enough. The Teen Titans' characterization is limited at best especially anyone not named Robin. All of them are so silly that they don't go much past that. The supposedly reserved Raven gets just as wacky as Cyborg and Beast Boy, and Starfire's aloofness is only somewhat highlighted.
The overarching plot works though in part because it seems to understand why there is a divide in reaction to TTG. These Titans are treated as jokes because that's how the series portrays them, and they must only now finally be the heroes they were expected to be.
Robin must find his purpose and remember the importance of his friends above all. In many respects, this is a Robin movie more than a Titans movie, which is where the film shines. This is a nice movie about friendship and heroism that is sometimes funny, sometimes embarrassing.
It is interesting for this film to come out right after the Titans trailer was recently unveiled, a series that takes the Teen Titans in a far darker direction to the show's detriment (at least as far as the trailer looks). This film shows that it's all right for superheroes to be silly and fun, embracing it almost to a fault.
While I don't know that this film will ever be as good as it could have been, it is still far better than it had any right to be. It is an enjoyable animated romp that should appeal to young audiences and superhero movie fans though never quite at the same time.
This film just does quite seem to know how to balance itself. There's not an intended audience here as much as a mishmash of potential audiences. If the film wholly invested in the side you'd expect it to, it would be a worse movie, but there's better ways it could have appealed to everyone proved by so many animated movies before it.
The story of the film is also a bit of a mixed bag yet enjoyable enough. The Teen Titans' characterization is limited at best especially anyone not named Robin. All of them are so silly that they don't go much past that. The supposedly reserved Raven gets just as wacky as Cyborg and Beast Boy, and Starfire's aloofness is only somewhat highlighted.
The overarching plot works though in part because it seems to understand why there is a divide in reaction to TTG. These Titans are treated as jokes because that's how the series portrays them, and they must only now finally be the heroes they were expected to be.
Robin must find his purpose and remember the importance of his friends above all. In many respects, this is a Robin movie more than a Titans movie, which is where the film shines. This is a nice movie about friendship and heroism that is sometimes funny, sometimes embarrassing.
It is interesting for this film to come out right after the Titans trailer was recently unveiled, a series that takes the Teen Titans in a far darker direction to the show's detriment (at least as far as the trailer looks). This film shows that it's all right for superheroes to be silly and fun, embracing it almost to a fault.
While I don't know that this film will ever be as good as it could have been, it is still far better than it had any right to be. It is an enjoyable animated romp that should appeal to young audiences and superhero movie fans though never quite at the same time.
