Episode Reviews - The Beast Within
Episode #35 - The Beast Within
Original Airdate - Month Day, Year
When Beast Boy begins turning into an angr and aggressive Man-Beast against
his will, can the Titans save themselves from their savage friend?
Review by Amazing Spidey
Media by Bird Boy |
Titans Writers
Written by David Slack
Directed by Alex Soto
Producer Glen Murakami
Producers Linda M. Steiner, David Slack
Music by Michael McCuistion
Casting and Voice Direction Andrea Romano
Animation Services by Dongwoo Animation CO., LTD.
Titans Voices
Greg Cipes as Beast Boy
Scott Menville as Robin
Khary Payton as Cyborg
Tara Strong as Raven
Hynden Walch as Starfire
Dee Bradley Baker as Werebeast |
Review
Despite his name suggesting otherwise, David Slack is quite easily the
best writer Teen Titans have. His episodes have always been a cut
above the rest of the writing talent even from the first few sub par
episodes. The show relays on visuals more than writing to reach it’s younger
audience, but despite the fact it doesn’t use it’s visuals to aim for the
older audiences, like the noir setting of Batman: The Animated Series, or
the gigantic scenery of Spider-Man: The New Animated Series it still works
as a cartoon adults can enjoy, thanks to the diversity between the
characters and GASP, characterization and good storytelling. Take note, The
Batman.
The Beast Within works on many different levels. The writing perfectly
displays Beast Boy’s desire to be more of a bad ass, and the visuals display
how different this new creature is from the annoying little frog boy. The
one thing it doesn’t work as however, is a mystery. When the other creature
showed up, I was wondering what the hell was going on. It lacks any logic.
Why would Adonis turn into a beast like creature? The chemical alteration
would have made sense for Beast Boys alteration, but not a regular human.
I’m prepared to accept that 5 teenagers can afford to buy a big ass T
building and live in the middle of an island without having any jobs to pay
for them, but the Adonis beast lacked any sense at all, and basically ended
the better story that was being told.
One of the highlights of the episode was Robin’s characterization. I thought
him being a hard ass was perfectly just, considering he literally told Beast
Boy to tell him what happened, therefore giving him a chance before deciding
that Beast Boy was a threat, and needed to be locked up. If someone else
attacked Raven, I’m sure he’d have the same attitude. Well done, David
Slack.
Animation wise, it’s of typical Teen Titans brilliance. Some nice
storyboarding when the Titans where fighting Beast Boy in the sewers and a
great performance by Greg Cipes made this a very memorable episode, despite
it’s really stupid ending.
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