How many times have we heard the following phrase: “They ruined my childhood”? I’m willing to bet ‘too often’ considering Hollywood’s natural inclination to remake popular movies from the past. In the comic book world, things are certainly the same. This phrase was uttered by many in 2013 when Teen Titans Go! first premiered. This may be, in part, due to the animated series including more kid-friendly content and depicting less character depth and storytelling. Additionally, the new show adapted an episodic structure which is a contrast to its predecessor, Teen Titans the animated series (2003-2006). While some fans have come to terms with their “ruined childhoods,” others have been hesitant to give Teen Titans Go! a chance altogether.
Even after taking over Hollywood in their debut film (Teen Titans Go! to the Movies, 2018) last summer, some fans just refused to give this livelier take any consideration. As a fan of the original series, I get it. You’re probably sick of Robin’s baby hands or the Titans’ habitual eagerness to burst out in song at any given moment. Unfortunately for some, it works for new and younger fans. And quite frankly, Teen Titans Go! is here to stay. For those who did see Teen Titans Go! To the Movies, a post-credit surprise promised to revitalize the one thing we’ve all been missing: the OG Titans team.
For one, WB announced a Titans mash-up then premiered the film soon after at San Diego Comic-Con 2019. There, fans got to witness the epic and unstoppable showdown between these two clashing teams. That’s right! It was the new versus the old, the jovial vs. the serious, our childhoods vs the ruined derivation of it: Teen Titans Go! Vs. Teen Titans… And it was nothing short of phenomenal.
The straight-to-video animated feature, directed by Jeff Mednikow, follows the TTG team, who’s been called to competition to face their more serious, mature, and better-equipped counterparts. Think of an arena match where two powerful teams get to show off all of their best moves and each character is given ample time to shine. That’s the battle of Teen Titans Go! Vs. Teen Titans. However, this is only the beginning. What’s to follow is a thrilling adventure that promises to be action-packed, hilarious and genuinely heartfelt.
When the teams realize that they’ve been manipulated into battle, they must put aside their differences to save not only themselves, but their friends and universe as well. Can the Titans cooperate with each other to stop the greatest threat each team has witnessed? Or will their allegiance to their own teams, much like the audiences’, stop them from seeing the bigger picture?
Teen Titans Go! Vs. Teen Titans is more than meets the eye.
Like all the latest versus movies within the animated DC Universe, TTG! vs TT is more than meets the eye. However, this statement shouldn’t deter fans (of any iteration) away from the film. This aspect, along with the countless surprises throughout the movie, should excite you even more.
Viewers should expect double the action, fun and humor with two favorite teams battling it out in more ways than one. There are great interactions among the characters’ parallels, where audiences will get to witness the best (and worst) of both teams. The best part about these hilarious exchanges is that underneath all the bickering and, perhaps one-sided competition, is a triumphant story about teamwork, self-worth and strength. Additionally, the two teams’ unification towards finding these morals of the story will be satisfying to audiences of all ages.
If there’s one last thing Teen Titans Go! Vs. Teen Titans had to get right to keep me locked in, it was the final battle. Not only is the road there nothing short of extraordinary, but the finale is unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. It’s goofy, in your face, unabashed in its delivery of well-landed jokes and perfectly-timed sincerity; and it’s all accompanied by eloquent and clever dialogue. The creative team took it a step further to ensure that none of these moments cheapen the severity of the stakes while maintaining its effervescent appeal. In fact, this one’s a nail-biter yet balanced enough to make fans appreciate all shades of the film – characteristics that display true brilliance that no one will see coming.
This animated feature is a masterpiece of humor and delight.
In short, no matter what side of the ongoing Titans war audiences may find themselves, I know we’ll all be unified in one thing: loving Teen Titans Go! Vs. Teen Titans. Simply put, Mednikow’s feature is a masterpiece of humor and delight. And with our favorite voice actors reprising their roles (Greg Cipes as Beast Boy, Scott Menville as Robin, Khary Payton as Cyborg, Tara Strong as Raven, and Hynden Walch as Starfire), fans will fall in love with everything this film has to offer.
This ultimate love letter to all-things Titans might not unite fans from the ongoing debates, but the film, set to release digitally on September 24, 2019, will surely make us all appreciate everything we’ve been given in Titans history. Sure, these wonderful characters have been improved, at times, worsened, and not modified to our liking, but the truth is this: as long as a Titans team exists, our childhoods can never be ruined because they will live on within iterations to come.
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