Review Summary: Doesn't amaze...but man, does it entertain...
To be honest, I miss the old days of TV cartoons getting movies for the big screen. That was a popular trend back in the late-90's/early 2000's with Recess, Pokemon, Spongebob Squarepants, Hey Arnold!, Wild Thornberries, Rugrats and Doug all getting the big-screen treatment. With Teen Titans GO!, one might ask if we are entering that era again. And while I never watched the Teen Titans as a kid or as an adult in its rebooted stage, I did know of them. Eventually, I decided to go see this with an 11-year old fan accompanying me.
I knew of the strong critical reception heading in, so imagine my surprise that this movie was better than I was expecting(!) Now, is it still a kids' movie through and through? Heck yes. Will it be an Oscar contender? Nope. But, does it leave parents or adults out in the dust? Absolutely not. In fact, parents and teens that are comic book fans will find plenty to laugh about in this picture.
I have to give credit to the writers here. They pulled off quite an impressive balancing act. The film is full of meta humor, and yet also has a generous amount of heart. The serious state of DC's film universe is definitely mocked here, as is the Marvel Universe's heavy leanings on recurring tropes. A creative plot idea of changing the superheroes' origin stories is mostly effective. But that's not all. The film industry's lack of creative imagination is poked at, and the film even has the guts to make fun of Disney (albeit very briefly, you'll know the moment when you see it).
But, at the same time, the film doesn't rely solely on gags (thank goodness). There's a solid, old-school morality story here for kids about friends over fame, centered around Robin's deep desire to have a movie of his own in the midst of a superhero movie era. Now, this is no deep character study (this is a kids' movie). However, the film does wisely slow down at the right moments to reflect. And, the selfless example the rest of the Titans show to Robin is fairly touching all things considered.
There's also some stellar voicework here. Of course, the original voice actors are terrifically cartoony. But, Warner Animation did score in perfect casting for its new characters. As film director Jade Wilson, Kristen Bell brims over the top with infectious energy. Nicolas Cage is a good choice to voice this version of Superman, delivering a few scene-stealing lines. And as the villainous Slade, Will Arnett also nearly steals the show. After voicing LEGO Batman, Arnett does an incredible job of keeping viewers from confusing the two characters' voices (I initially didn't think it was Arnett voicing Slade until I Google'd it later).
There's also an old-school feel to the animation that is irresistible. In an age where hand-drawn animation has basically gone extinct, it takes a small-scale movie to show the big studios how its' done. There's some interesting detail in many scenes, as well as a genuine comic book feel to how the whole film is executed. The idea of placing some of the film on an animated version of the Warner Bros. lot was a very smart choice as well.
Now the film does have a few flaws. As usual for kids' movies, there are moments of bathroom humor and over-the-top zaniness. Yes, this isn't a big issue, as many kids and parents find fart, poop and butt jokes funny. But, these overly-juvenile moments do pull you out of the movie's otherwise fun atmosphere. There were about maybe a half-dozen times where I rolled my eyes thinking, "Really?"
There are also over-the-top musical numbers. Some work (Robin's musical plea to get his own movie is the best of the bunch), and some don't. Despite cleverly utilizing rock star Michael Bolton, the "Inspirational Song About Life" does last a little too long. The heavy rock element in one of the time-traveling scenes also seemed brash and a too over-the-top for my taste. The post-credits sequence, while serving as a nod to older viewers, does seem out-of-place.
With a clever script and some of the best jokes I've heard in a movie this year so far, Teen Titans GO! carries more intelligence than many kids' movies. It lacks the emotional resonance and characterization of the best animated films, but its' not supposed to be that. It's supposed to just put on a show and entertain. With that in mind, this movie does its' job and perhaps more.
My Score: 7.9/10
Content Concerns for Family Viewing: Teen Titans GO! To the Movies is rated PG for "action and rude humor". Superhero action violence is part of the game here, with cartoonish destruction here and there as well (the Titans' home is destroyed). Rest assured, however, no blood is spilled (the only deaths assumed include a grenade thrown at two security guards, an explosion seen from a distance and then lifeless hands seen in the corner of a screen). It might be a little intense for kids younger than first grade.
Of course, parents should be aware that bathroom humor is an occasional recurring gag here. One (kinda long) gag involves discussing "pooping" in a fake toilet. Also, an inflatable bad guy is hit in his rear end and he loses air in a fart-sounding noise (causing giggles and a couple of comments). Someone is said to not be available due to "explosive diarrhea". Robin is saying he "wants to shake his booty in 3D", and we see that up close a couple of times. In a flashback to Superman's origin, Baby Superman is shown dancing with his bare rear at one point.
The only other moment of potential concern involves the film's very last line. Frustrated over not being able to think of a moral for the movie's story, Robin blurts out to the audience, "Kids, ask your parents where babies come from!"
