TDKPH DCAU - Justice League vs Teen Titans 7/10

Ok guys here we go with my Justice League VS Teen Titans animated movie review! It seems the guys from DC Comics and WB are churning out these animated movies every other month. Before I write anything what this movie has done right and what it has done wrong, let us brush up on the Teen Titans.

The Teen Titans also known as the New Teen Titans and the Titans, are a teenaged superhero team published by DC comics. The intention was to create a team similar to the Justice League but composed mainly of young sidekicks of the main DC heroes. The three founding members was Kid Flash (Wally West), Robin (Dick Grayson) and Aqualad. They appeared in The Brave and the Bold #54 and was later joined by Donna Troy. Other members joined the team but it was the revamped New Teen Titans during the 1980’s by Marv Wolfman and George Perez with the inclusion of new characters Cyborg, Beastboy, Raven and Starfire that gained them critical success.

The Teen Titans are no stranger to being adapted to animation. We have the Teen Titans appearing briefly in the Keebler anti-drug commercial (1984), Teen Titans (2003-2006), Teen Titans Go (2013 – present) and Young Justice (2010 – 2013).

This is the first time the Teen Titans will be appearing in a direct to video animated movie. The roster is composed of Starfire, Raven, Blue Beetle (Jaime Reyes), Beast Boy and Robin (Damian Wayne). Main antagonist is Trigon voiced by John Bernthal. I will give a brief summary plot of the movie so to those who haven’t seen it yet. STOP READING SPOILER AHEAD.

Robin (Damian Wayne) has been sent to work with the Teen Titans after his volatile behavior botches up a Justice League mission. It was an uneasy adjustment as the other Titan members found it hard to get along with Damian’s attitude. The only member he seems to accept is Raven but who has her own inner demons. Meanwhile the Justice League was being attacked by magic with Superman being possessed. Trigon, Raven’s father, plans to use the League to get his daughter back so he can free himself. As the Justice League was possessed, it’s up to the Teen Titans to save Raven and to keep Trigon in his prison. They were successful and Robin and Raven learns how to work and depend on their new team. End credits we see someone flying towards the Titan’s Tower, Terra!

Ok now for the review. I was very excited when I’ve heard that the newest animated movie will include the Teen Titans. I’ve been a fan ever since I watched the animated series Teen Titans as well as the Young Justice series. I also have been brushing up on the Wolman and Perez run in comics.

The Good

It brought us back Blue Beetle (Jaime Reyes) and Beast Boy. Seeing them banter with each other makes me reminiscent on their Young Justice days.

Dick Grayson and Starfire (Kory) video call is hilarious. These two star crossed lovers is a must for any Teen Titan story.

Terra! This ending credit scene alone is enough to blow my mind. For those who are fans of the Teen Titans, they will know how important she is to the group specially Beast Boy. Seeing her being part of the next movie makes me think of one storyline – Judas Contract – Deathstroke….

The Bad

Robin (Damian Wayne) – Robin for the first time in the animated movie was cool. Seeing him the fourth time not so. We’ve been watching Damian and his angst and anger in four animated movies already, Son of Batman, Batman VS Robin, Batman: Bad Blood and Justice League VS Teen Titans. I don’t know why DC and WB is building him up as a character, he hasn’t changed that much during the four movies.

We’ve seen this Raven/Trigon plot before in the Teen Titans animated series. They’ve done it better.

I give it 7 out of 10 battarangs. It’s a fun movie but comparing it with earlier DCAU movies not much substance. Watch it if you’re a fan of Teen Titans, the ending credit scene alone is worth it.