First off I think its important for me to mention that going into this episode I already had some pretty strong negative feelings towards this show. Teen Titans Go and the rest of the new programming coming to DC Nation (not to mention the cancellation of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, even if that's somewhat more understandable) have replaced 2 of my favorite animated shows on television; Young Justice and Green Lantern the Animated Series. Both YJ and GL we're crowd favorites and their cancellations this spring came with a heavy heart and many a clenched fist from DC fans around the world. Especially when we learned the reasoning... toy sales were too low. This news was doubly frustrating when compounded with what we learned was to replace them on DC Nation, CN's super hero block. Beware of Batman (which, rumor has it, has already been cancelled and will only air for the 1 season) and this; Teen Titans Go. A much hyped return of the Titans to the small screen. Even the voices from the original cartoon are back.
"Don't worry Sparkle Face!"
Coming up to the launch of the show I was skeptical. Even though the original voice cast was returning, they were going in a completely new direction. Going away from the more straight forward approach to a new, very lighthearted and comedic direction. Now don't get me wrong, I enjoy a funny super hero just as much as the next guy, I just wasn't sure if this was going to work. But... it does, at least partially. Some of the gags worked, some didn't. The show takes the characters you know from the Titans: Robin, Raven, Cyborg, Beast Boy and Starfire, and puts them in a whole new light. For instance, the first part episode starts with Raven, the typically dower monotone, watching a show called Pretty Pegasus Which I guess is supposed to be a play off of My Little Pony. regardless, seeing Raven watching a show with a character called Sparkle Face was a well done humorous touch for fans who know the character. And With each 22 minute episode broken up into 2 parts, telling completely unrelated stories, its easy for their to be a lot different directions to take the comedy.
I have to say, having the original voice cast return is a nice touch. Even though I wasn't hugely into the original series, those voices are still what I associate with many of these characters. Special props goes out to the voice of Beast Boy, Greg Cipes. He's perfectly suited to the new comedic tone of the series, especially when you consider he also perfectly voices Michelangelo on the new TMNT show (you can find my review of the latest episode of that series here). That's not to say that the rest of the cast is doing a poor job. In fact they all seem to be thriving with the new the tone the show has taken.
"Batman never has to go grocery shopping"
Overall, I mostly enjoyed the premier. I found myself laughing more then I thought I would but still found many of the jokes to be forced and grating. That said, I'm willing to give the show the benefit of the doubt and let it grow into itself a bit more before I judge it too harshly. I mean any show with a song about loving pie (when i say yummy, you say pie) has at least my initial vote.
A few side notes:
- I'm undecided if I'll continue reviewing this series. email me at towerofbabblepodcast@gmail.com and let me know if I should continue.
- watching Starfire plan Cyborg's birthday was especially funny. (balloon animals made from balloons with animals in them!)
- Robin freaking some guy out at a supermarket with his bow staff was also very funny ("ha! clavicle!")
