Photo via warnerbros.com
In an oddball mix of sophisticated satire of the superhero genre and fart jokes, when Teen Titans make it to the big screen, it’s an hour and a half of Pop art-inspired color and giggles. Unicorns are abundant, as are rainbows. But don’t worry, there’s plenty following for the kids who don’t do cutesy.
For example, there’s Slade, otherwise known as Slllllaaaade, and the arch nemesis young egocentric Robin needs to hit it big in Hollywood. The banter between the Teen Titans and this Deadpool lookalike (with a much more PG-rated mouth) is hilarious, especially if you’re a fan of the Marvel character’s infamous history and Ryan Reynolds’ hand in making that happen. The inside superhero jokes are nonstop, including a Stan Lee who keeps getting lost on set and just wants to have a cameo, and an attempt by the Teen Titans to stop the Alpha superheroes’ origin stories so they can have center stage (for once!).
Armed with time cycles that look like the kind of pedaled, three-wheeled mostly plastic rigs anyone born near the ’80s will miss riding as a kid, the Teen Titans finally get the “rad meter” high enough with some cotton streamers and ride back into time while jamming to Ah-ha’s “Take on Me.” Past enough pop-culture icons to make your eyes almost hurt from all the reminders and rainbows, they stop some of the best origin stories from happening (spoiler alert, they tell Batman’s parents not to walk down “Crime Alley,” duh!) but return to find the superheroes are more than just the mean adults who steal all the Teen Titans’ glory.
Rated PG for action and rude humor, Teen Titans touches on topics of friendship, self-worth, and hubris, and there’s even a bit at the end where Robin feels the need to point this out to the kids watching. Its visual design is decidedly 2D without apologies, and the characters’ eyebrows are so expressive it becomes a running joke just watching them move. The gags are nonstop and even meta at points. It’s funny enough to keep the kids laughing throughout and satirical enough of the genre to keep adult fans engaged, as well.
Watch the trailer below: