A very fun but flawed episode.
In this episode, the Wonder Twins and (sigh) Gleek the space monkey go on a camping trip. There they discover some trolls that are forced to serve an all-powerful villain called Mal Havok in the middle of the Earth. Mal Havok then turns the Wonder Twins into trolls. Gleek escapes to warn the Super Friends. However, when the Super Friends go down to rescue them, they are turned into trolls as well. They then go on a journey to find a magic ring which can stop him.
While the Super Friends don't meet any characters from Lord of the Rings, this episode is clearly inspired by Tolkien's books. The trolls' designs look like how Tolkien describes the hobbits. Also the whole idea of them going on a quest for a magic ring is obviously taken from the books. There is even an attack by monstrous spiders. Even the title calls to mind Tolkien.
There is a lot to enjoy about this episode. Mal Havok is a wonderful villain. He has a great design, a well-fitting voice and feels like a major threat to our heroes. This whole episode is also full of a great sense of imagination. There are tons of creatures that the superheroes run into and all of them are wonderfully designed. I especially love the designs of the spider monsters and the giant slugs. I even love the designs of the Super Friends as trolls. This episode also features a wonderful sense of atmosphere. The way Middle Earth is designed is fantastic and the background art is often breathtakingly good. Not only is this artwork a joy to look at but it also adds makes this strange world all the more real to us.
Unfortunately, this is a Gleek heavy episode. He is just as annoying and unfunny here as ever. I also hate the ending, as it feels like a complete cop-out.
Despite its flaws though there is a lot to enjoy and even love about this episode.
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