Based on a funny second trailer (but not the tv show), I caught an early screening of Teen Titans Go! To the Movies today. This is the big screen adaptation of the kid’s not-so-serious take on a superhero team. Or what passes for a superhero team on this oddball, hyperactive show.
The animated film stars Robin, Cyborg, Beast Boy, and ermm… <googles it> Raven and Starfire as second banana superhero team that doesn’t get the respect from the big (and small) DC superheroes or the bad guys they kinda sorta think about fighting. To say this movie (and show) are not serious-minded or even “plot driven” might be pretty apt. I’ve seen a half an episode of the tv show and this seems like a step up but still just a goony lark.
Robin is annoyed nobody has gotten around to making a superhero movie about the Teen Titans (or himself specifically). They go to see the new Batman movie – Batman Again – and aren’t even let onto the red carpet. They realize their problem is that they don’t have an arch nemesis whose name you can say menacingly. When they run into Slade Wilson (aka Deathstroke, aka a guy who they are pretty sure is actually Deadpool), they think they’ve found their nemesis and ultimately get tapped to make a movie. The teen titans are most impressed by the toilet on set and they each spend time pooping in it, only to find out its a prop.
Yes, that’s sometimes the level of humor in the movie… and its childish and stupid but in a pretty good way. But the movie is also overstuffed with jokey references to all sorts of general and super detailed DC and superhero things. To the point I would often recognize a joking reference had happened but not get what it was… maybe it was a deep cut into DC comics lore or a direct reference to the show. But enough yuks are general enough to not lose the casuals.
One of my favorite unstated jokes is that Nicholas Cage plays Superman in a few scenes. This is funny because Nicolas Cage was being considered for Tim Burton’s live action Superman reboot in the early 2000s. It’s also funny when Robin gets mad at his friends for picking on Superman because, “He’s a national treasure.” HAH! Nic Cage starred in the National Treasure movies. It’s two jokes that only people who get it will even realize are jokes. So, yeah, poop jokes, meta superhero comedy, and random references.
I had a decently good time at this movie. I know I’m not really the target market but they spent a lot of time crafting jokes for the olds too. I appreciate that. This is an entertaining trifle of a film. Maybe see it if you are just sick of superhero movies and want something less R rated that Deadpool to take them down. Or just see it because it’s pretty fun.
Score: 80