Robin is a crime-fighting superhero “sidekick,” but he’s not content in his role. He wants to be like the real Justice League superheroes: Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman. He wants to be famous. He wants a movie.
But to achieve that, he and his Teen Titans companions — Beast Boy, Starfire, Cyborg and Raven – must learn to be serious. They’ll also need an arch nemesis like the other superheroes have. You know, like Joker and Lex Luthor.
Thus, Robin and the others begin their search for a villain that just might boost their celebrity status and thrust them into the realm of well-known superheroes.
Will it work?
The animated film Teen Titans Go! To the Movies (PG) is now in theaters, telling the story of the teenage superhero team that battles crime like no one else. It stars Scott Menville (Teen Titans TV series) as the voice of Robin, Greg Cipes (Fast and Furious) as Beast Boy, Hynden Walch (Groundhog Day) as Starfire, Tara Strong (My Little Pony: The Movie) as Raven, Khary Payton (Teen Titans Go TV series) as Cyborg and Will Arnett (The Lego Movie) as the villain Slade.
The movie is based on the Cartoon Network television series and follows Robin as he searches for his role in the world and tries to escape the shadow of Batman. The movie has several solid life lessons and plenty of humor to keep the parents laughing, but is marred by flatulence jokes, diarrhea humor and potty jokes. It might be a record for a popular animated film.
Warning: minor/moderate spoilers!
(Scale key: Minimal, moderate, extreme)
Violence/Disturbing
Minor. With Looney Tunes-type animated violence. A giant villain destroys a city. Characters shoot laser guns. Police shoot real guns. A nightmare scene show Batman tossing a toddler Robin off a tall structure. A vehicle runs over an animal playing a musical instrument. Characters kick and punch other characters. Stuff explodes. In a flashback scene, Batman’s parents are killed. (We don’t see it.)
Sexuality/Sensuality/Nudity
None. One or two characters show midriffs. The film’s final scene shows Robin addressing the audience and saying, “Ask your parents where babies come from.”
Coarse Language
None. But we do hear “pooped” (7), “fart” (5), “booty” (3), “oh my gosh” (2), “butt” (1), “fool” (1) and “losers” (1).
Other Positive Elements
The Teen Titans might joke a lot, but they truly care for one another – and they want to team up to defeat evil.
Other Stuff You Might Want To Know
An inflatable villain is shot with a dart in the rear; flatulence jokes ensue. The Teen Titans accidentally use the bathroom in a movie prop toilet; poop jokes ensue. (See the pattern?) Robin’s rear end is the subject of two scenes. (He shakes it a lot in the movies of his dreams.) We see a baby Superman shake his naked read end while dancing. One of the film’s final scenes involves a joke about diarrhea. A villain who looks like Deadpool is told, “Look into the camera and say something inappropriate.” (He doesn’t.) One superhero performs magic, opening portals to other places and dimensions.
Life Lessons
Despite the low-brow silliness, Teen Titans Go! To the Movies has a few good messages. Encourage your friends. Learn to be comfortable with who you are. Don’t try to be someone else. Be content. Don’t chase fame.
Worldview
Our world worships the “famous” among us. We get their autographs. We take their pictures. We spend hard-earned cash to watch them on the big screen. But if you dig a little deeper into this worldview, you’ll discover something very fast: Famous people aren’t content with their lives, either. (Read the tabloids at your local grocery store for proof.)
Scripture commands us: “ Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’ (Hebrews 13:5).
Robin learns a valuable lesson about fame – a lesson that nearly costs him his friends.
What Works
Teen Titans Go! To the Movies is truly funny at times. Sadly, though …
What Doesn’t
The flatulence/potty jokes litter the film. A 10-year-old boy could have written those. Kids deserve better from Hollywood.
Discussion Questions
- Why is fame so alluring? Why do we want to be famous? Have you ever had a brush with somebody famous?
- What is the secret to being content? What does Scripture say? What are some examples from your life of not being content?
- What can we learn from the movie about encouraging others? How can you encourage a friend who is down?
Entertainment rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars. Family-friendly rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars.
Rated PG for action and rude humor.