TEEN TITANS GO! TO THE MOVIES
Writer: Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelenic
Director: Aaron Horvath, Peter Rida Michail
Cast: Kristen Bell, Nicolas Cage, Tara Strong, Will Arnett, Patton Oswalt, Halsey, Greg Cipes, Khary Paton, Hynden Walch, Scott Menville, Jimmy Kimmel, Lil Tachty
Review by Greg Brothers
As a parent sometimes, you have to make sacrifices to bring joy into your child’s life. I was hoping that taking my son to see Teen Titans Go! To the Movies would not end up being one of those times. One where I put myself through my own pain to see a smile on my child’s face. Don’t get me wrong. It’s not that I hate the animated show. In fact, at times I find some of the show humorous and entertaining. But for me, it is a show that is best consumed in small quantities. So, my biggest fear going into the movie was that the 93-minute run time might be 73 minutes too long.
I can say without a doubt every fear that I had about Teen Titans Go! To the Movies was unwarranted. One of the things that the movie does well balance humor that is both aimed at kids and adults alike. Sure, there is enough bathroom humor to keep any child entertained for hours. But adults can revel in the fact that there are jokes about classic movies, superhero fatigue, and plenty of pop culture referenced that only an adult will truly comprehend.
If you are a regular viewer of the Teen Titans Go! show, then you know that there is not a lot of superheroing going on. That is great for the team as they participate in regular hijinks. However, when you want to be the subject of your own movie, Hollywood questions how valuable of a franchise you are. Robin and the rest of the decide the best way to get their own movie is to find an arch-nemesis so that the rest of the Superheroes and the world will take them seriously. The team quickly focuses on the infamous super-villain Slade, (Deathstroke in the regular DC Universe) to become their foil and land them their own Hollywood movie. Do not worry though, even while finding an arch-nemesis plenty of hijinks still take place.
As I said before, the balance between childish humor and humor aimed at the adults in the room is spot on. At no time does either audience feel abandoned to appease the other. Many of the adult jokes are aimed at fans of comics and pop culture in general. Several times I found myself just smiling and nodding as a childhood, or even recent memory was referenced throughout. I was pleasantly surprised that one of the most common cameos in Superhero movies was included within Teen Titans Go! To the Movie.
Of course, any kid’s movie is going to need a catchy song that kids can annoy their parents with while they sing it on the car ride home and for days after. Teen Titans Go! To the Movies is no different. The difference is that the songs are in on the joke, making it much more enjoyable for parents to hear. Plus, they are catchy, so there is a good chance you will be singing them WITH your child instead of trying to keep them from worming their way into your brain.
Verdict: See It!
If you are a fan of the regular show, it is a no-brainer. Get to the theaters, grab your popcorn and prepare to be truly entertained. If you have a child, who loves Teen Titans Go! To the Movies, take joy in knowing that there is plenty to keep both you and your child entertained and laughing through the hour and a half. By the end of the movie, you will find yourself singing along and giant smiles on your faces as you exit the theater. In addition, there are enough Easter eggs throughout that if you have a child who wants multiple viewing you will be able to find something new each time. As a final note, make sure you stick around for the mid-credit scene. It will serve as a surprise for many DC animation fans.
