Review of Teen Titans Go! To the Movies (2018) by Omar L — 29 Jul 2018

"Teen Titans Go!" has an interesting history with fans of the "Teen Titans" cartoon that ran from 2003-2006. Using the same characters with the same voice actors as that original show, "Teen Titans Go!" went in a completely absurdist direction, purposefully cheapening the quality of its animation for a slapstick parody of superheroes in general and superhero cartoons in particular. Fans who were expecting a continuation of the comparatively mature storytelling of "Teen Titans" were shocked and dismayed that "Teen Titans Go!" was concerned with only one thing: making people laugh. And now with over 200 episodes, the show's transition to the big screen was inevitable.

This movie (like the tv show) is irreverent, full of self-awareness, and teeming with in-jokes that can even challenge the most die-hard fan's knowledge of obscure comic book references. The irony is that these are the fans that take superhero movies and comics seriously, and the point of the movie (and the show) is to not take these things seriously at all. How else can we be treated to a cheerfully dark retelling of Batman's origin story, or laugh at how a baby Aquaman chokes on those plastic rings that suffocate sea life?

If you believe that the inherent tragedy of becoming a superhero means that everything needs to be serious, then this isn't for you. I would also say that you need to lighten up. If you want to laugh and enjoy an Upbeat Inspirational Song About Life, then see this movie.