After Teen Titans’ second season aired in 2004 (same year Code Lyoko fired aired) on Cartoon Network, a third season immediately aired earning positive reviews from critics, fans and viewers alike. There’s a variety of reasons why I wanted to share my thoughts on Teen Titans’ third season. Number 1, Robert Pattinson’s Batman is earning praise as one of the best Batman movies. Number 2, Michael Keaton will make his grand return as Tim Burton’s Batman in “The Flash” set in the DC Extended Universe or DCEU for short. Number 3, the live action Titans’ fourth season is green-lit. Number 4, Bruce Timm & J.J. Abrams are working on an animated Batman series streaming soon on HBO Max.
Today’s review contains no SPOILERS.
Positive & Negative Aspects
Positive: Scott Menville, Khary Payton, Hynden Walch, Tara Strong & Greg Cipes reprise their roles and they all did an excellent job for their respective voiceover performances.
Animation is a unique combination of anime and an American cartoon.
Action Sequences are decent without making me look at the clock.
Bruce Timm (Batman: The Animated Series) served as a producer.
Chemistry between members of the titular team serves as the main highlight. Much better than the horrendously bad “Teen Titans Go.”
John DiMaggio, (Bender from Futurama) Lauren Tom, James Hong, (Mr. Ping from Kung Fu Panda) Wil Wheaton, Tom Kenny & Ron Perlman guest star.
Like Season 1 mostly focusing on Robin, Season 3 mostly involves Cyborg as the lead. He gains new allies while tries to put a stop to Brother Blood’s plans.
The Tone shifts between seriousness and comedy.
Season 3’s story arc involving Titans East is influenced from the comics.
Raven is my favorite character. When I was a kid, I used to have a crush on her.
Japanese pop duo Puffy AmiYumi perform the theme song in both English & Japanese. They had their own series “Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi.”
An unaired episode involving The Gang’s encounter with a punk rock themed villain. It was included as a bonus feature in “Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo” on DVD.
Negative: The Gang never take their costumes off at Titans Tower or wear civilian attire in public. “Peacemaker” poked fun on how illogical somebody in a super suit eating at a restaurant.
Some episodes features animation errors or rather illogical zaniness.
Episode 27 – Deception
True: Cyborg goes undercover as a student so he can search for intel involving Brother Blood. To avoid suspicion, he must play along.
Cyborg’s fake name is Stone. A reference to his surname. In the comics, Cyborg’s real name is Victor Stone.
Cyborg’s interactions with “students” were hilarious.
False: At the 19:36 mark, an animation error with Cyborg giving a battle cry, but his mouth isn’t moving at all.
Episode 28 – X
Easy: Red X makes his return. This time it’s not Robin, an unnamed masked man dons the suit. Red X previously appeared in the Season 1 episode, “Masks.”
Beast Boy’s theory on Red X’s identity made me laugh.
Besides Red X, Professor Chang factors in as another baddie. He’s voiced by James Hong.
Hard: No issues spotted.
Episode 29 – Betrothed
Promote: Starfire reunites with her sister Blackfire. She previously appeared in the Season 1 episode, “Sisters.”
Starfire is summoned back to her planet for an unplanned wedding.
First time I saw Starfire’s groom, I nearly laughed to death. Looks like something came out of Cardi B’s colon.
We get a glimpse of Tamaranean culture.
Without giving anything away, we get a “stop that wedding scene.” “Ella Enchanted” also had a similar scene. Plus, it came out in 2004.
Demote: How the flying fudge is Robin capable of breathing in space?
Episode 30 – Crash
Sturdy: When Cyborg is infected with a computer virus, The Gang are forced to enlist Gizmo for help. Beast Boy & Gizmo shrink themselves to cure Cyborg.
Cyborg is funny as heck in this episode. The virus within, causes him to go on a binge-eating rampage.
Fragile: Although witnesses are present, where’s the po-po?
Episode 31 – Haunted
Stable: Episode 31 escalates to darker territory.
Ron Perlman reprises his role as Slade/Deathstroke. Despite Slade’s death from the Season 2 finale, he comes back. I can’t tell you how he made his unexpected comeback. You’ll have to see for yourself.
When Raven goes inside Robin’s head, a circus alludes to Dick Grayson’s origins. There’s another glimpse of Robin in the shadows in The Batcave. Obviously, alluding to Batman.
The final scene sets up a future episode.
Unstable: No problems spotted.
Episode 32 – Spellbound
Upgrade: Raven becomes fascinated with a book containing the spirit of a sorcerer.
After learning new spells, Raven dons a white cloak.
Raven nearly crosses a huge line.
The sorcerer’s intentions to escape the book makes sense.
Downgrade: No flaws detected.
Episode 33 – Revolution
Victory: Mad Mod (who looks like Austin Powers with red hair) makes his return. This time he’s altered history making it look like The American Revolution never happened. By the way, Malcolm McDowell voices Mad Mod. He also voiced Metallo in “Superman: The Animated Series.”
This episode is a breather as it pays tribute to British pop culture such as The Beatles & “Monty Python.” It’s my favorite Season 3 episode.
Beast Boy’s rendition of The Revolutionary War made me chuckle. Unlike his friends, Beast Boy has zero education.
Starfire delivers an epic speech.
A montage sequence is played for laughs.
Defeat: No boo boos detected.
Episode 34 – Wavelength
Yay: Aqualad seeks help from The Gang by wiping out Brother Blood’s machine made from Cyborg’s tech before it makes a massive tidal wave.
Bumblebee (not from Transformers) factors in. She later shows up in a two-part episode. Her powers are like Ant-Man’s partner, The Wasp.
After Beast Boy gets hurt, he kisses his “wound.” I died from laughter.
Nay: No flaws found.
Episode 35 – The Beast Within
Strong: Beast Boy acts aggressive after he accidentally crashes into chemicals.
Beast Boy’s painful transformation pays homage to “An American Werewolf in London.” Speaking of werewolves, “Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban” & “Van Helsing” both came out in 2004.
Both Raven & Beast Boy have a heartwarming moment.
Weak: When Beast Boy’s unstable form captures Raven, she has no injuries.
Episode 36 – Can I Keep Him?
Normal: Starfire watches Beast Boy’s “pet.” The way she takes care of it is pretty funny. However, babysitting duty becomes a big problem.
Killer Moth makes a return. He previously appeared in “Date with Destiny.”
Silkie evolves into a giant moth. A reference to “Mothra.”
The final scene is gross yet funny.
Abnormal: Nothing terrible occured.
Episode 37 – Bunny Raven… or How to Make a Titananimal Disappear
Well: Mumbo Jumbo turns The Gang into animals. Things get difficult for them. He previously appeared in the Season 1 episode “Sum of His Parts.” By the way, Mumbo Jumbo is voiced by Tom Kenny. It’s up to The Gang to outsmart Mumbo before he attempts to make them disappear as part his magic act in a kid-friendly version of “The Prestige.”
This episode is goofy one. An equivalent to a wacky side quest from the “Fallout” video games.
Mumbo performs a musical number.
Statler & Waldorf from “The Muppets” are depicted as Mumbofied versions.
Sick: No cons listed.
Episodes 38-39 – Titans East
Epic: This two-part episode focuses on Cyborg teaming up with Bumblebee, Speedy, Aquadlad & a pair of Spanish speaking twins with super-speed. Lacking a leader, they must act like a team if they want to apprehend Brother Blood. Meanwhile, Cyborg is conflicted taking full responsibility as the new leader of Titans East and his association with his friends back home.
Fun Fact: Cyborg eventually became a member of the Justice League as part of DC Comics’ New 52.
Brother Blood builds an army based on Cyborg. He’s also in cahoots with Professor Chang. Blood’s sheme is to use Cyborg’s tech.
Part 1 ends on a shocking cliffhanger. Indicating the battle is not over.
Part 2 continues Cyborg’s intense battle with Brother Blood. Without giving too much away, the former has a magic trick up his sleeve.
Failure: No flaws uncovered.
Episode 40 – The Lost Episode
Fresh: The Gang battle a punk rock themed villain who wields a guitar for a weapon.
Starfire cooks up her favorite dish from her planet.
At one point, Beast Boy said, “Let’s Rock the House.” A possible reference to the Goriallaz’ song “Rock the House.” Goriallaz are one of my favorite bands.
Beast Boy’s temporary loss of hearing really comes in handy.
Expired: Nothing bad happened.
The Final Verdict: B, FOR Bright DAY!
Teen Titans’ third season is pretty decent. If you wanna introduce your kids to the original Teen Titans, I highly recommend all five seasons.
Nickthemoviecritic.com 