Teen Titans kept fans in the early 2000's entertained for five full seasons. Many fans believed that even if a sixth season or a full on reboot was done, it couldn't recreate the same magic as the original did. Luckily, the reboot - Teen Titans Go! - it not only recreated the same magic but also added to the already memorable characters.
Thanks to the changes it makes and its boundless sense of humor, Teen Titans Go! is a masterpiece of children's entertainment that doesn't just keep fans entertained but also is good enough for fans to rewatch countless times. However, there's a well-known part of the old fanbase who really dislikes Teen Titans Go!, going as far as to say that it disgraces the original. So, what are the best and worst things about the reboot? Here are five ways that Teen Titans Go! is actually a good reboot and five more that say otherwise.
IT'S GOOD: It Adds Personality To The Characters
In the original Teen Titans, there were some standouts when it comes to personality that has left an enduring impression on fans. Beast Boy and Cyborg were lovable, funny characters that soon became fan favorites. Yet, Robin, Terra, and Starfire left more to be wanted.
In Teen Titans Go!, each one of the main and side characters has personality upgrades that help showcase the show's strengths. None of these characters lack the charisma needed to carry a show on their own.
IT'S BAD: There's A Lack of Locations
Not very many shows can honestly say that they provide quality entertainment, even though, they are just centered in the living room for the entire episode. Sadly, neither can Teen Titans Go! as the lack of locations creates a repetitive nature that even all the wackiness cannot make up for.
The original Teen Titans animated series reflected the lives of superheroes in that they were always out saving the day from a new menace, instead of just sitting around flipping through the channels every episode.
IT'S GOOD: It Ups The Tempo
If there was one fault of the original Teen Titans animated series, it was that at times it got bogged down in pointless storylines that didn't really add to the overall story arc of the season. One or a few of the characters would mope around and finally be brought back into the fold at the very end of the episode, making for an overall dull experience.
Teen Titans Go! never slows down, not even for a second as it consistently flows throughout each episode.
IT'S BAD: It Lacks Character Growth
The original Teen Titans provided some quality heroics that went above and beyond even for standard superhero series or movies. These heroics usually led to a change in perspective for that particular Titan. Sadly, the same cannot be said for Teen Titans Go!, which begins and ends with the same zaniness that it started with from Episode 1.
It doesn't bother with character growth, instead, it just focuses on the character in that character's current form and doesn't even attempt to progress that hero in any form throughout the series.
IT'S GOOD: It Doesn't Have To Rely On Conflict To Entertain
Slade was one of the most memorable supervillains to ever appear in any form in regards to superhero movies, cartoons, or series. He made the Teen Titans entertaining by presenting them with obstacles that they must constantly overcome. Without him, they would have lacked the ability to capture viewers' attention for five seasons.
The same cannot be said for Teen Titans Go!, as it rarely ever had a need for antagonists - especially since most of the series takes place in their living room. Yet, it still manages to entertain more as a sitcom than a typical superhero story.
IT'S BAD: Conflict Is Sometimes Needed
Let's face it, there are only so many fart jokes that one episode can have and still be funny. There needs to be some form of conflict between the characters that forces them to go on a journey or to even get off the couch for once.
Sadly, Teen Titans Go! often fails to deliver even the smallest amounts of character conflicts within any of its episodes. Much of the needed conflict is replaced with bodily sounds and the abundance of overreactions that become tedious over time.
IT'S GOOD: Memorable Songs
Fans might that Teen Titans had a very catchy intro. Unfortunately, besides the occasional instrumental version of the Teen Titans song being played in the background, memorable music was all but obsolete.
The same cannot be said for Teen Titans Go! as it is constantly finding creative ways to introduce catchy songs to its long list of memorable tunes. This added bonus of catchy, addictive lyrics helps Teen Titans Go! separate itself from all the other hyperactive cartoons that are currently shown on Cartoon Network.
IT'S BAD: Romance Never Blooms
Teen Titans had some really powerful moments when it comes to romance and the occasional heartbreak that comes with it. Robin spends the better part of five seasons trying to find a way to show Starfire how much he truly cares for her, while Beast Boy's tragic love story with the traitorous Terra was downright heartbreaking.
For better or worse, Teen Titans Go! often makes a mockery out of these established relationships with its childish attempts at humor in regards to Robin and Beast Boy's pain. While some are fine with these jokes, others take offense.
IT'S GOOD: It Brings Humor To A Humorless DC World
Anyone who has watched any of the DC movies of the past ten years or the Arrowverse on the CW knows that humor is oftentimes missing. This is primarily why DC movies are falling so behind the MCU because they lack likable characters.
Teen Titans Go! goes out of its way to make a gag out of pretty much anything it can get away with on a children's show. It is this humor that has drawn in so many young fans to the series.
IT'S BAD: It Fails To Bring In Viewers Of The Original
Frankly, even in a time when nostalgia is all the rage, certain adult fans just won't be interested in a show that doesn't even try to have a serious moment. Yes, fart jokes are fun when someone hasn't hit puberty yet, but there are limits to what even the most hardcore televised fart connoisseur can tolerate.
Sadly, beyond the humor, there just isn't any substance behind Teen Titans Go! that would draw fans of the original series back into the fold. Compared to successful cartoon reboots like She-Ra and the Princesses of Power and DuckTales which have massive followings among children and adults, Teen Titans Go! and its penchant for farting fall extremely short.