Justice League vs. Teen Titans

The 25th film of the DC Universe Animated Original Movies and the seventh film in the DC Animated Movie Universe. Interesting story with emotional moments, iconic characters' interaction and smooth pacing with excellent action sequences.

The 25th film of the DC Universe Animated Original Movies and the seventh film in the DC Animated Movie Universe. Interesting story with emotional moments, iconic characters' interaction and smooth pacing with excellent action sequences.

The 25th film of the DC Universe Animated Original Movies and the seventh film in the DC Animated Movie Universe. Interesting story with emotional moments, iconic characters' interaction and smooth pacing with excellent action sequences.

So this 'movie' wasn't a bad idea on paper, but it's the mediocre-fanfiction level writing that holds it back. I enjoyed a lot of the action sequences and seeing some classic characters in animated form (this animation style reminds me of Young Justice, which is a plus). But let's just get to the elephant in the room... Damian Wayne. Having a kid save the day in an action film this scale is not a good idea, especially when he's not supposed to be the main focus. Son of Batman was acceptable because it was his story and not many of the other villains or heroes were involved, but when Superman, Wonderwoman, the Flash and the Teen Titans face up against a villain like Trigon? I thought this was a movie about teamwork! Instead, Damian is portrayed as a Gary Sue who solves all the problems without even breaking a sweat (inability to be a team player is not a flaw in this case because it doesn't even cause him any problems). This is amateur writing... Yet, the action and animation are pretty solid in this movie. If you'd like to see some familiar characters (such as those from the original Teen Titans cartoon), just give this movie a casual shot and don't expect too much.

People should just relax and enjoy the stories, I read some of the reviews and they are just so mean... it is a good story, and the introduction of some good characters, we need this, we need to expand our DCU, The story reminds me a lot the good old times when the Teen Titans were taken seriously in the old cartoons, and back when Young Justice was a great success, I guess the writers need to undust the Teen Titans muscles and get down to business, create more and better stories. I don't like the New 52 a lot, but I can watch this... my complaint, No Green Lantern, no Kid Flash and too little Beast boy-Cyborg interaction!

Robin is sent by Batman to join the Teen Titans after his easy behavior undermines the Justice League mission. The Titans then have to face Trigon who is threatening to conquer the world.

With the title Justice League vs. Teen Titans, I expected there would be a fight between the two groups, but in reality it wasn't. Expecting a fierce fight, it actually features a fight action that is not too important to be used as a conflict. The pace at the beginning of the film to build conflict is fairly slow. Too many portions were given to Raven. The fighting action at the end of the film also looks minimal so that this film has a less than optimal finish. If you look at it, the appearance of the Justice League members here is only as an igniter or build a story to provide a development of the power of the Teen Titans themselves. Until it reached the anti-climax, the film did not improve in terms of story. Whether you like it or not, this movie does perform well. With the concept of young heroes as a group under the auspices of Justice League, the film still presents the feel of teenagers in general.

Too much focus on Raven closes the rest of the characters to perform at their best, except with Robin starting to seem to be undergoing changes in her. Appearing with advising dialogue is proof that Robin is experiencing character development. I see Starfire as like an older sister to the Titans. Beast Boy and Blue Beetle are like sweetener roles in this film. The rest of the Justice League, it seems quite helpful in directing the story.

Like what was said with 'Teen Titans: The Judas Contract' (which to me was the better film), 'Justice League vs. Teen Titans' may not be among the best of the numerous animated superhero/comic book films, and there are some pretty good to excellent ones out there (as well as some disappointments). Can definitely see why it's divided fans and it's towards the weaker end of the films, but there is a lot to like here.

It is not in the same league as the animated 'Justice League' show, the 2003 'Teen Titans' or 'Young Justice', all three wonderful shows and three great examples of how to do iconic superheroes justice. It's certainly far more preferable than the series 'Teen Titans Go!', that was cheap, poorly written and was basically dumbed down childish stupidity that forgot basically everything that made the original series so great.

There are some not so good points with 'Justice League vs. Teen Titans'. The romantic/love interest subplot was forced and unneeded. The expected big fight indicated in the film's title was too short and anti-climactic.

Not all the characters are particularly well handled. For examples, Trigon is far too ordinary a villain with very little to him and he is poorly utilised, Raven didn't seem developed enough and wasn't compelling enough for a character so heavily focused on and the whole Beast Boy's forms stuff was interesting on paper but was very confused and underdeveloped in the film. Taissa Farmiga sounds like she was phoning in as Raven. A longer length may have helped.

However, there is a good deal to like about 'Justice League vs. Teen Titans'. The animation consists of atmospheric colours, detailed character designs and backgrounds and fluidity of movement. The music has an ideal mix of haunting intensity and jaunty infectiousness.

Really liked the dark grit tone the writing, while adding a little levity here and there to stop it from getting too seriously. The story may be standard and doesn't break new ground, but it's fun and absorbing and goes at a snappy enough pace. The action is thrilling and generally the characters and the interaction intrigues enough. The voice acting on the whole is well done.

Overall, decent but could have been a lot more. 6/10 Bethany Cox