Search - Teen Titans - Trouble in Tokyo (Original Movie) on DVD

How appropriate...

Tim Coogan | Millville, NJ | 11/10/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"A sigh of relief for all you Titan fans out there, it's your favorite superhero team in their very first full-length movie where they all head off to the "Land of the Rising Sun". (You know, Japan. How appropriate...) Endless sights aside, the Titans are on a mission to locate the enigmatic villain Brushogun and stop him once and for all.



I'd hate to do this but, let me tell you the top five things you may or may not know about the DVD movie (This depends on any of you seeing the movie when it made it's Cartoon Network premiere last September.):



5. In the "special features", amidst the bonus mini game: "Robin's Underworld Challenge", there's also supposed to be the Titans' "Lost Episode" that was originally released online from Post cereals. I'm anxious to see that because it features a brand-new villain named Punk Rocket.



4. Some of the secondary characters and villains in the movie sound just like Kaz from "Hi Hi Puffy Ami Yumi". Maybe because it's the same actor that plays him. This principle goes the same to Numbuh 3's dad in "Codename: Kids Next Door".



3. Speaking of which, musical montages abound in this movie, but neither of them is a song by J-pop duo "Puffy Ami Yumi". Darn.



2. Beast Boy sings a rather "lopsided" version of the "Teen Titans" theme song. Seems to me like a translated version of the Japanese version of the song. Either way, it's not at all bad, especially with the fact that ALL the Titans sing it during the credit roll.



1. We see Robin and Starfire - *GASP* - KISSING ?!?! OK... I didn't expect that at first either.



I hope Cartoon Network is planning to rerun the movie again, because I can't wait that long (the beginning of February ?!?!) for the DVD release."

I will obey the traffic rules.

T. Oliva | CA USA | 02/09/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've loved everything about the Teen Titans series since episode 1, and I must say, this movie succeeded in living up to what made the show so enjoyable to watch. Trouble in Tokyo was exciting, funny, and all around a blast to watch. It's especially a must-have if you're a big Teen Titans fan!



I will admit that the plot was a bit Robin-heavy, though I get the feeling that was intended. Despite this, the amusing antics of the other Titans (specifically the loveable green joker, Beast Boy) in a strange new place make for a fun-filled adventure of a movie. Starfire and Robin also finally manage to sort through their feelings while in Tokyo; definitely not something to miss, especially if you've been a fan of these two.



The music was also beautifully done, and some of the art was especially captivating. The characters singing their own mangled version of the theme song in the ending credits was also quite a treat, and left me in stitches by the time it was done playing.



Overall, an enjoyable film that's definitely worth buying. Here's to hoping that the Titans get more Direct-to-Videos (or even better- more episodes)!"

Teen Titans - Trouble in Tokyo

Dianalicia Lewis | New York, NY | 03/12/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"My son loved it. He watched it over and over again. If you are Teen titans fan you will enjoy this one."

Eh....

Lit Nerd | 02/07/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I've loved Teen Titans from episode 1. The characters, the nicely paced fight scenes, the villians... Sure it had its lame moments (and moments when they tried too hard to be "anime") but overall it was a great action series! When I heard about this movie, I was excited by the previews. The fight scenes looked cool and there was a lot to laugh about as an anime fan from all the hidden references they put in (a robot that looks like Astro Boy, the gal style in Japan where they tan their bodies in put on white lipstick, etc etc etc). So I was pumped.



BUT... I hate to say this, I really do, but this movie was a huge disappointment for us older fans. Here's the basic, basic plot: The Titans get attacked by a strange multi-colored spandex wearing ninja. After interrogating him, they find out he came from, duh, Tokyo. So off they go. Once there, they discover a plot to take over Japan and I'm guessing the world as well. However, things get really nasty when Robin kills the ninja (don't worry mothers/fathers, it's not as bad as it sounds, but I won't say why because it's a "surprise" ) the Titans become Tokyo's most wanted.



This sounds cool, but it's really not. First of all, the pacing is bad. There are moments that made me want to turn the DVD off BADLY and watch SpongeBob or something. There are whole scenes that are suppose to be entertaining/funny/cute but they just slow the whole movie down. Also, fans of Robin/Starfire will get their fill, but the moments are cliche and not as cute/funny as their moments in the series. But..the ending will probably make up for all these awkward, long moments in the movie for most rabid R/S fans. Secondly, the (few) fight scenes aren't as great or exciting as the ones in the series. I mean, yes, there are a few good moments in these fights but I just wasn't on the edge of my seat. And when I mean moments, I mean moments. Finally, the writers were trying way too hard to jam in every anime sterotype in the movie. At first, us anime fans are like "That guy looks like Zenigata from Lupin III!" or "Hey, a cat girl!" But after seeing about 30 references to anime/stereotypes in ONE SCENE...it gets old fast.



All in all, this is a shockingly mediocore "movie." There have been pleads to buy this movie so that Warner Brothers will release more Teen Titans direct-to-DVD movies. But if they're all as useless as this one, I think I'll move on from Teen Titans, thanks. It's a shame, really, that Teen Titans' future hangs in the balance of how many people by THIS movie. You can see this movie had potential, but it just never lives up to it. The good thing about this DVD release is that, as usual, the animation is decent and the voice acting is top-notch, oh and the Titans sing during the credits. But if this is the last Titans, it could've been better."