Teen Titans – Review: Revved Up

Robin’s most prized possession is stolen by the hip hot-rodder DING DONG DADDY,
and to get it back they’re going to have to beat him in a cross-country ROAD
RACE. But with Ding Dong Daddy making the rules and a few unexpected rivals
joining in the competition, it’s anyone’s guess who will cross the finish line
first!

Reviews by Bird Boy
Media by Bird Boy

Titans Voices
Greg Cipes as Beast Boy
Scott Menville as Robin, Red X
Khary Payton as Cyborg
Tara Strong as Raven, Gizmo
Hyden Walch as Starfire
David Johansen as Ding Dong Daddy

Part of what I love about Teen Titans is those designated “wacky”
episodes. The ones that start with a crazy intro and then we’re met with the Japanese theme—that’s something that really gets me excited for an episode. I realize not everyone loves these kind of shows, but for me they’re just icing on the cake. I’ve yet to be disappointed by one (though “Mother Mae-Eye” certainly creeped me out a little) and this one follows the trend of hilarious and satisfying zany episodes.

Ding Dong Daddy (God, I love that name) stole Robin’s titanium alloy briefcase. What’s inside? Robin won’t tell, but all of the Titans biggest villains, including the mysterious Red-X, are out for the big race against Ding Dong Daddy for the prize. If you need another few examples to paint the picture of this episode, I give to you two extra words: “Wacky Races.”

Yes, this is a pretty much clone of the old Hanna-Barbera cartoon from the late 1960s. Not only do we get the crazy off-roading and side stories that “Wacky Races” gave us, but it’s also mixed with the usual Titans goodness. The humor, crazy faces and great fights (that fight with Red-X and Robin on the motorcycles was pretty damn awesome) were all present and made up a very satisfying episode.

Initially while I watched the episode, I figured that more of the
Red-X “synovium” (or however you may spell that) formula was inside.
This theory was fueled by the information that Red-X would be one of the racers in this episode, but by the end it was obvious there was something else in the case.

Moving on, we have some great animation in here to be seen, especially during the fight scenes. Also the character designs for
Ding Dong Daddy and his weird-as-hell multi-colored munchkin mechanics were a real hoot (yes I said “hoot”) to see. Music was good as well, fitting well with this episodes tone.

Whatever’s in this brief case is hopefully going to play further into the series finale. If it doesn’t and is a “Pulp Fiction” type issue, I’ll be mighty ticked. Of course it could also be a “Lost”
issue and the revelation could be utterly flat out stupid…