Steven Universe: The Movie review

STEVEN UNIVERSE: THE MOVIE:

THIS CARTOON NETWORK TV MOVIE IS A “GEM” TO TREASURE!

By Nico Beland

Movie Review: *** ½ out of 4

CARTOON NETWORK

Garnet, Steven Universe, Pearl and Amethyst in Steven Universe: The Movie

            Taking another detour from theatrical movie reviews to talk about another TV movie premiere and the second one this year following my review of the live-action film adaptation of Kim Possible. This time it’s for Cartoon Network’s Steven Universe: The Movie, based on the series of the same name created by Rebecca Sugar.

            Before I dive into the movie let me take a moment to discuss my history with the Steven Universe show. It’s no secret that I’m an “oldie” when it comes to Cartoon Network as I grew up with their earlier programs like The Powerpuff Girls, Ed, Edd n Eddy, Dexter’s Laboratory, and Samurai Jack to name a few and I remembered the late 2000s-early 2010s to be a dark age for the channel when it comes to programming with an experimental phase of live-action shows, game shows desperately trying to compete with Nickelodeon, and cartoons that just weren’t all that good with some exceptions like Chowder and The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack. 

            It wasn’t until the releases of acclaimed shows like Adventure Time and Regular Show and a new management team was brought in to Cartoon Network when I got interested in their programs again. One of the shows that really took off aside from Adventure Time was Steven Universe which became a critical and cultural phenomenon with cosplays, merchandise, and garnering viewers of all ages and genders being completely engrossed in the gorgeous animation, memorable characters, and poignant and mature stories and themes geared towards a family-friendly audience but done in an intelligent and thoughtful way (Not gonna lie, there have been episodes that actually got me teary-eyed!), it quickly became one of my favorite shows on the network, got the DVDs, and even had a couple of encounters with Steven’s voice actor Zach Callison at Comic Con.

            Because of the success it had over the years, we have Steven Universe: The Movie celebrating its six-year run (as of this review) and as a thank you to the fans for making one of the greatest and most influential animated shows of all time. Does the movie live up to the hype and do the show justice? The answer…ABSOLUTELY! And it has the honor of being not only one of Cartoon Network’s best movies but also one of the best films based on an animated series I have ever seen whether theatrical, television, or direct-to-video.

            After redeeming the Diamonds on Homeworld, Steven Universe (voiced by Zach Callison-Diary of a Single Mom, Sofia the First, Just Add Magic) who is now sixteen-years-old returns to Beach City and reunites with the Crystal Gems, Garnet (voiced by Estelle-Empire, We Bare Bears, OK K.O. Let’s Be Heroes), Amethyst (voiced by Michaela Dietz-My America, Mighty Magiswords, 101 Dalmatian Street), and Pearl (voiced by Deedee Magno Hall-Dellaventura, Rear Window (TV movie), Third Watch) as well as his dad Greg (voiced by Tom Scharpling-Tom Goes to the Mayor, Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!, Adventure Time) and friend Connie (voiced by Grace Rolek-Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children, Lou and Lou: Safety Patrol, Kung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Furious Five) to finally have his “Happily Ever After”. However, a new threat comes in the form of Spinel (voiced by Sarah Stiles-Tootsie, Get Shorty (TV series), Unsane) who plots to inject a toxic liquid into the Earth’s core and destroy the entire planet. 

            That is the least of Steven’s problems as Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl lose their memories in battle with Spinel and Steven’s gem reverts back to its old state where he’s unable to use his powers…again. Steven along with gems Peridot (voiced by Shelby Rabara-Glee, The League of Extraordinary Dancers, Me and My Grandma), Lapis (voiced by Jennifer Paz-The Defender, The Angry Beavers, As Told by Ginger), and Bismuth (voiced by Uzo Aduba-Orange is the New Black, My Little Pony: The Movie, Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir) must find a way to stop Spinel, fix Steven’s gem, and get Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl’s memories back through nostalgic callbacks and references to events of the series. 

            However, the key to stopping Spinel’s wrath may lie within Steven’s past and the actions caused by his gem mother Rose Quartz/Pink Diamond. If he’s able to get his powers and his friends’ memories back in time, Steven might be able to confront Spinel and put her on a different path.

            Overall, Steven Universe: The Movie offers the same magic, beautiful animation, and LGBTQ themes that made the show a hit done in the style of a Broadway musical much like other films based on cartoons such as South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut and the first SpongeBob Squarepants Movie. Given how the songs and music in the show are just as popular and acclaimed as the series itself, the musical tone works perfectly for Steven Universe.

            Since the series’ creator Rebecca Sugar also has a successful career as a singer-songwriter you can tell her determination was set to overdrive in creating the best songs she could for this movie, and it shows in the musical numbers on-screen. From the lyrics, vocals, and the animation set to the music there is a kinetic energy to these songs that makes the movie feel bigger while still retaining the Steven Universe charm.

            Like the series, the animation and art design are absolutely gorgeous and despite being a made-for-TV movie the animation looks higher in quality than the show with extra polish, shadows, and vibrant colors to make the characters and environments really pop. It makes me wish Steven Universe: The Movie had a theatrical release because of how stunning and lively this animation is. 

            However, the animation definitely embraces its wacky and bouncy side as well with the villain, Spinel who I can best describe as a gem version of The Mask running entirely on cartoon logic and one of the show’s more comedic antagonists. She’s completely cuckoo and psychotic and can stretch, inflate, and transform parts of her body like an old Tex Avery cartoon but she also has a tragic backstory that makes you understand why she’s doing all this and like most of the show’s antagonists she’s more of a lost soul rather than an evil entity. 

            I don’t know what else to say, Steven Universe: The Movie is absolutely wonderful and one of the best movies Cartoon Network ever put out alongside Ed, Edd n Eddy’s Big Picture Show and the Samurai Jack premiere movie as well as one of the best films ever made based on a cartoon. It’s guaranteed to satisfy fans of the show and I’ll go on record and say it’s a great movie to watch with the entire family, whether half your family is gem or not it’ll make you laugh, cry, and “Believe in Steven” over and over again.