Back when it was released, Teen Titans Go! To The Movies was an unexpected treat on a year dominated with superhero behemoths, both in live-action and animation. That's saying a lot for a show that's known for having one of the most polarizing receptions possible (and a notoriously bad teaser trailer) among animation and DC fans.
The feature-length motion picture of the 2013 reincarnation of the Titans sees Robin, Cyborg, Starfire, Raven and Beast Boy motivated to get their own studio movie through wacky hijinks. And for better or worse, it proved to the best Teen Titans movies. Here are five reasons why (and other reason why it fell short).
IT'S THE BEST: The Eclectic Voice Cast
The cast of the show (comprising of Greg Cipes, Scott Menville, Khary Payton, Tara Strong and Hynden Walch) reprised their voice roles from the animated series. And they retained that same energy from the show. Yet, they are joined by other figures doing splendid voice roles.
The main supporting players are Will Arnett as Slade and Kristen Bell as Jade Wilson. And several figures made cameos like Michael Bolton as the singing tiger, Nicolas Cage finally fulfilling a lifetime role as Superman and Stan Lee appearing in a DC movie.
IT FELL SHORT: Robin’s Odiousness
Robin in Teen Titans Go! is meant to poke fun of his reputation as the world’s famous superhero sidekick. As a result, he is usually portrayed as a spoiled try-hard lead hero wannabe, which diminishes him from any leadership merit. This is meant to draw a difference between his more serious self in the 2003 show.
Even if that is reasonable, Robin’s petulance being the movie’s driving point is kind of intolerable. This unintentionally makes him even more unlikable than usual, since his shtick in the series is wanting to be the center of attention at all costs. Take it, as one will.
IT'S THE BEST: The Titans Are As Bright As Ever
For better or worse, Teen Titans Go! is aimed for a younger demographic, unlike the more acclaimed 2003 show which targeted teenagers and young adults. As much as fans would like to note for the show on simply stretching Teen Titans’ chibi-inspired humor to 11-minutes segments, the 2013 show embraces the cynicism and finds its humor on their charming self-deprecation.
Teen Titans Go! To The Movies recaptured the show’s lively charm. Every second is brimming with colorful gags from each of the Titans, which shows they are a superhero team that never takes them seriously.
IT FELL SHORT: The Hit-and-Miss Songs
Believe it or not, Teen Titans Go! To The Movies is a musical... sort of. The songs in the movie are meant to convey the situation that the Titans are in now. However, they came off randomly, which either lands its joke or becomes a head-scratcher. The “Crystals” beat during Superman’s birth is an example of the latter.
However, the only song to hold in is “Upbeat Inspirational Song About Life," where Michael Bolton lends his vocals on an anthropomorphic tiger, who eventually got hit and run by the Titans. That happened.
IT'S THE BEST: The Self-Aware Humor
One of the aspects that made Teen Titans Go! succeed, despite the negative reception, is its self-aware humor. The creators are fully conscious that this reincarnation of the Titans is something audiences would not take seriously and is even hated in a certain sector. Thus, they incorporated that fact to the self-deprecating humor and to the plot of the Titans proving themselves to other DC heroes.
However, it is not only the Titans having this self-awareness; the film also takes swipes on the DCEU and other DC failures, like the Green Lantern bit and mistaking Slade for Deadpool.
IT FELL SHORT: The Amateur Animation
The film uses Teen Titans Go!’s traditional animation that has been outsourced from Copernicus Studios and Bardel Entertainment, the animation house behind Rick and Morty. Despite staying consistent and faithful to the show's presentation, it felt cheaper to use the same animation method for its big screen debut.
As a result, most of the scenes never felt cinematic, as much as they try. The sequences that got close to a cinematic experience are the “Upbeat Inspirational Song About Life” segment and the climax. So, expect less on its animation upgrade.
IT'S THE BEST: Poking Fun At Superhero Tropes
With its penchant for self-referential humor, Teen Titans Go! To The Movies boasts on poking fun of established superhero tropes. And it is both clichéd and subversive. An example of this is Slade (Will Arnett). While the show features an array of supervillains, the team (or specifically Robin) has yet to find its definitive villain. And the movie makes most fun on this trope.
One thing that Teen Titans Go! also made fun are the origin stories of its DC heroes during its second-act time-travelling bit. Guess they predicted Endgame.
IT FELL SHORT: Toilet Humor
One of the most groaning criticism about Teen Titans Go! and its film is the overabundance of juvenile humor, mainly toilet humor. The most infamous instance of the latter was featured prominently in the trailers, with Balloon Man and the hole on his rear. Seeing it in the movie feels longer and needless. There are even shots of Baby Superman’s butt shot and an entire running gag about fart noises.
To be fair, it is not surprising to see such humor in a kids-oriented movie, but relying on it alone at the expense of cleverly written jokes will alienate newer audiences and irritate older Titans fans even more.
IT'S THE BEST: It Retained The Titans’ Spirit
Fans and audiences admire the Teen Titans for their charm, quirks, likability and overall superhero fun. This is incorporated in the 2003 series, the 2013 series and eventually the latter’s feature-length release. Like it or not, this movie rightfully captures the irreverent spirit and the indulgent self-awareness of their reincarnation.
Each Titan has his or her signature quirk retained; Robin is an arrogant leader, Starfire is still preppy, Cyborg is louder than ever, Beast Boy is more laidback and Raven is her sarcastic, deadpan self. Yet, their dysfunctional selves save the day, like every time.
IT FELL SHORT: The Original Titans Didn't Get A Cinematic Feature
Before the movie’s release, the first teaser for Teen Titans Go! To The Movies was panned online. The negative reception is severely linked to the existence of the show, rather than being a continuation of the acclaimed 2003 series. As much as the older fans disagreed with it, the debate on which Teen Titans is worthy of a continuation was decided by the studio when Teen Titans Go! got a cinematic release.
But for those still looking forward to the original Teen Titans getting their own feature besides the made-for-TV movie and glorified episode that is Trouble in Tokyo, at least there is the mid-credits to spare that teased the eventual Teen Titans Go! vs. Teen Titans crossover.