I have a special place in my heart for the Teen Titans. It was the Wolfman-Perez team of the 1980’s that fueled my love for comic books. Wolfman’s words coupled with the artistry of Perez was magic to me as a kid. So when I heard that the Teen Titans were being showcased in the latest animated DC movie, that same excitement I experienced back then was in full force now. Unfortunately, that excitement fizzled when viewing Justice League vs. Teen Titans. Warning, spoilers ahead…
Once again the main focus here was Damien Wayne (Stuart Allan) and his inability to play nice with others. The movie started off great with the Justice League fighting Lex Luthor and the Legion of Doom. In hindsight, this would’ve been a better movie but only served as springboard for the central storyline involving Damien’s Robin and the unleashing of Trigon (Jon Bernthal), a demon-like creature with a connection to the Teen Titan, Raven (Taissa Farmiga) whom he wants to reclaim. Batman (Jason O’Mara) decides that his son and apprentice needs to be placed with a team of a similar age as himself. Nightwing drives Damien to meet Starfire, Beast Boy, Blue Beetle and Raven at Titans Tower. Right off the bat, Damien didn’t endear himself very well with his new team, picking a fight with the Blue Beetle who left Damien scarred and unconscious. Raven’s healing powers saved Damien and he becomes curious about her and his new team.
After Superman succumbs to Trigon’s mind control (a black ooze that enters the body of its victim), Batman arrives at Titans Tower with Wonder Woman, The Flash and Cyborg to take Raven. Damien stands in their way and tells Batman that the Titans can handle this on their own. This leads to a showdown of sorts between the Justice League who become possessed with the black ooze sans Batman and the Titans. It pains me to say it but it was pretty lame.
What could have been a strong story between the elder superheroes and their younger counterparts was very lackluster. What’s sad is that the opening fight with the Legion of Doom would have been a solid story to watch unfold over the 79 mins that was shown. Secondly, I wish we saw a Teen Titans story that was truly that and forget the Justice League altogether. Director Sam Liu and writers Bryan Q. Miller and Alan Burnett missed the boat on bringing a compelling Teen Titans story to fruition. It’s almost as if they didn’t have enough faith that these young heroes could carry a story on their own. They should’ve kept the beginning as is but then let it be solely be Damien learning what it’s truly like to be part of a team and learn to be both a follower and become a leader thereafter. By doing so, he would return to Batman a better solider.
This was DC’s 25thanimated feature a milestone to be celebrated. For the most part, they’ve all been wonderfully well crafted with superior voice casting. But I think the producers need to take a step back and re-evaluate their approach to their properties. With that said let’s hope the next 25 will be as interesting and overall satisfying as the first 25. And it all starts this summer with the R-Rated release of Batman: The Killing Joke.
May the Dork be with you,
JPB
The Dork Knight
JUSTICE LEAGUE VS. TEEN TITANS – *** (out of 5 stars)
Directed by: Sam Liu
PG-13 79 min
Jason O’Mara as Bruce Wayne/Batman
Stuart Allan as Damian Wayne/Robin
Jerry O’Connell as Superman
Rosario Dawson as Wonder Woman
Shemar Moore as Cyborg
Taissa Farmiga as Raven
Jerry O’Connell as Superman
Rosario Dawson as Wonder Woman
Shemar Moore as Cyborg
Taissa Farmiga as Raven
Sean Maher as Dick Grayson/Nightwing
Jon Bernthal as Trigon
Jake T. Austin as Blue Beetle
Kari Wahlgren as Starfire
Jon Bernthal as Trigon
Jake T. Austin as Blue Beetle
Kari Wahlgren as Starfire
Christopher Gorham as Flash
