TMNT
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Movie Reviews of TMNT
Movie Review: Return From the Sewers.
Summary: 4 Stars
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles came to huge national prominence during my early teenage years and my youngest brother was a huge fan of the original cartoon series. Therefore, I won't deny that part of my attachment for the Turtles is rooted in nostalgia and sentimentality. However, the concept of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is a very interesting one and is full of ripe movie making possibilities.
Attempting to pacify fans of all the various incarnations of the Turtles (comics, original cartoons, live action films, new cartoon series), TMNT incorporates CGI action more similar to the new animated series. However, the storyline of the film begins approximately a year after the events in the live action film TEENAGE MUTANT TURTLES III.
Since once again defeating Shredder and traveling through time, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have returned to a New York City that isn't as violent and crime-ridden as it used to be. For all intents and purposes the Foot has been disbanded and violent crime in the city has dramatically dropped. In short, the city doesn't seem to have any use for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles right now. Their sensei and father, the giant rat Splinter, knows that the current peace that pervades the city will not last. The Turtles seem to be growing apart and perhaps sensing his own mortality, Splinter wants the Turtles to work and fight together as a unified team and become a true family. Therefore, he sends Leonardo to South America to train and become a better leader. The brothers miss Leo, but they move on: Michelangelo works as a children's party attraction, Donatello has started a tech-support business, and Raphael, unbeknownst to his family, prowls the night as the hooded vigilante Knightwatcher.
Meanwhile, a cosmic alignment is on the verge of occurring for the first time in 3,000 years and seems connected to the appearance of various giant monsters appearing in and around the city. There's also the sudden revival of the Foot clan. Through their connection with April O'Neil (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and Casey Jones (Chris Evans), who now are dating, the Turtles learn that the events are all connected to the philanthropic billionaire Max Winters (Patrick Stewart). With the help of O'Neil and Jones the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have to figure out what the connection between Winters, the Foot, the monsters, and the stone warriors is and in the process save the city from destruction on an apocalyptic scale.
As far as CGI animated films go, TMNT is pretty good. Freed from the constraints of live action animatronics or costumed people, TMNT tells a much more action oriented story. The animation is vivid and sleek, but has an overall visually dark tone reminiscent of the original Turtle comics. The storyline of the film combines elements of both historical fantasy and science fiction and successfully connects the stories of the live-action Teenage Turtle Ninja Turtles movies to the newer animated series. Some might find the general plot a bit unwieldy, but for anyone who grew up with the Turtles, the plot doesn't seem all that far-fetched and actually is more grounded than some other turtle stories (TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES III anyone?).
Overall, I enjoyed TMNT. I thought the filmmakers did an excellent job of tying together all the different strands of Turtle canon that not only unites it in a coherent film, but also makes a good movie that appeals both to fans of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and the general public. I especially liked seeing the action sequences where the Turtles, Casey Jones, April, and Splinter fight together. Seeing Splinter in action reminded me of seeing Yoda fight for the first time in ATTACK OF THE CLONES. I also liked how April wasn't as prissy as she was presented to be in the first live action Turtle films; she's not afraid to fight in this movie and brings an additional asset to the team instead of a liability. The movie also has a great soundtrack and score. Highly recommended for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle fans, but also has appeal to anyone who enjoys well developed animated films.
As an extra, listen for Kevin Smith as the voice of a Diner. It's one of the few PG rated performances he's ever given on film.
Movie Review: Fun for fans and non-fans alike
Summary: 4 Stars
I'll admit that in the early 90's I was a massive Turtles fan. From blankets to this weird mirror to the abundance of toys and even a homemade costume for Halloween, I was quite the diehard. Of course now I grew out of it but still, I just had to check out the film. That's tricky since do you like the film because you were a fan, like the film because it's good or hate it. Well it does have its issues, the film is quite good whether or not you were a nut in the heyday.
Taking place after the defeat of Shredder, the 4 have parted ways. Leonardo is in Central America training to be a better leader, Michaelangelo entertains kids at birthdays as Cowabunga Carl, Donatello is an IT tech serviceman while Raphael takes on the persona of the Nightwatcher to help the people of New York. Meanwhile, April is now an archaelogist working for a powerful businessman named Max Winters and in a relationship with Casey Jones.
However, 3000 years earlier, someone opened a portal and became immortal and unleashed 13 monsters unto the Earth with his generals being turned to stone. Now with the help of his generals as well as the Foot Clan led by Karai, his plans could end up doing heavy damage around the world so it's up to the Turtles to stop him but with the Turtles at odds with each other, how can they save the world when they can't get along?
That's basically the story in a nutshell and it might sound complicated but trust me when I say it isn't. In fact, it's probably a bit too simplistic for some people but considering this is a comic book franchise, it doesn't have to be complex. But like a lot of stories, characters can get sidetracked (Michaelangelo and Donatello feel more like supporting characters than part of the group) and some such as Karai don't get much development or screen time at all. But at least it adds more to the other 2 Turtles as well and there's one scene many will feel is a long time coming.
As for voices, nobody really sort of steals the show since they're all good in their roles. As for Mako voicing Splinter, I don't really have an issue with his voice although it's more accent-y than I'd like but maybe I just saw the originals too many times but I loved Splinter's more wiser and older voice from the movies like a grandfather whereas here he sounds like an affectionate uncle. Animation though is superb and while some might chuckle at character designs (why are humans so scrawny looking?), the detail and the scope of it kind of makes up for it. As for the humor, it's mainly Mikey that provides it and at times it feels like we're still in the 90's. Burps, puns and surfer lingo were fine then but considering the more darker look of the film, having a California-sounding guy everywhere doing lowbrow humor might detract some.
It's a fair bet to say that there's no doubt a special edition to come since deleted scenes have commentary only and featurettes are minimal at best. Either look for a fully decked-out set one day or an extended edition with more darker, character stuff but if you or your kids have been into Turtles either in the 90's or now, than it's a fine watch that doesn't need nostalgia to make one enjoy it.
Movie Review: The only movie to make me care about Leonardo
Summary: 4 Stars
When I was a kid I was a huge fan of the Turtles watched the live action movies over and over. But of late pretty much any movie that I liked as a kid is being remade or re-mastered and destroyed in the process. This new TMNT is one of the first that feels like its being made by a fan. Written and directed by Kevin Munroe, which shows with the story and action flowing together in most cases seamlessly.
The story of the brothers is strong, Leonardo and Raphael hate and love for each other comes off strong leading up to their epic fight. The rest of the Turtles aren't explored so in deathly but knowing that it's a series and that there will be more, it gives me hope for the writer to explore Donatello and Michelangelo giving them something more then just jokes on their own creation. With Michelangelo lying on the couch talking while he sleeps, saying "dude, dude, dude..." and Donatello working Help lines for computers. Though I find this funny and well written I wish it would go further into their story but I'll wait and hope it comes to that in the next installment of the TMNT.
And it comes to the voice action, I found that the Turtles are done with respect, as well as giving these lifeless CGI models life. Even April and Casey done by Sarah Michelle Gellar and Chris Evans, is done well. The character that is lost with the voice is splinter (Mako), Mako also does the uncle in Avatar The Last Air Bender and is superb, having the ability to sound spacey but on point at all times. The only problem is that is not the character of Splinter and when he is demanded to be serious, his voice comes off stale. Leaving me wanting any scene that Splinter's in to end.
Then it comes to the design, I found that at first I was worried not the biggest fan of CGI and a traditional animator myself. But I found the CGI to be nice stylized with traditional animation technique giving the characters a fluid flow. The Turtles are skinny but seem to make sense to their bodies. But I have to say splinter again look horrible, like a rat put through a washing machine with a Asian looking cloth placed over him. Along with splinter there are the human, which as skinny, looking as if you punched them in the face they would snap in half with the b bottom half still standing.
And the thing that made me excited about it being animated was that the Turtles could actually use their weapons, because though the live action movies are amazing they lack one thing and that's a great weapon fight scene. It's just to hard in the suits, but this movie has them and has them strong, with Leo and Raph about to kill each other.
All and all I'm glad that it wasn't just another live action take off, but still gave the character depth. Their anger and strength come through them as they prepare to fight. I'm just left disappointed because Splinter isn't the father figure he was in the live action films, he's more of the distant teacher that just shows up.
I would recommend this film to any fan and any kid. And to those adults that can go to it as a film that's meant to entertain. 4 stars.
Movie Review: 4 stars. 1 for each Turtle
Summary: 4 Stars
I was 6 or 7 during the TMNT craze more than a decade ago. So of course I was intrigued yet skeptical about seeing them on the big screen again in more than a decade. I was pleasantly surprised that they hadn't changed much.
Good news for Raphael fans like me. His character is focused on quite a lot, as he has now taken up crime fighting in disguise at night, against the wishes of their sensai Splinter the rat. It gives him sort of a Batman/Wolverine quality that I liked. Leonardo is also at the forefront of this movie as well, returning home to his family after training alone in the jungles of South America. Donatello and Michaelangelo take a backseat to all this but still play their part and get in on plenty of the action.
Casey Jones makes a grand return to the series and plays off Raphael and April the best. Speaking of April, this is my favorite interpretation of her I've seen. She's no longer the pesky, whiny reporter looking for "a big scoop" and getting into trouble in the process. Instead she can take care of herself now and makes a welcome addition to the team.
Splinter's voice was probably my least favorite aspect, but that's a minor complaint. All the turtles were voiced by actors who obviously knew the characters and played them well. CG animation is the perfect medium for this type of movie. Definitely not realistic looking, but added to the cartoony nature of the idea of giant turtles. The turtles definitely looked better than the humans. I think the action sequences benefitted from that over the limitations of the live action movies. Some of the "camera" angles were definitely well crafted during the battles especially.
I enjoyed seeing the foot clan play a part in it as well. Seeing them animated to fight they way they did I enjoyed a lot better than the live action foot. These guys moved like ninjas. Maybe just the anime style is what I liked about it. I enjoyed the little details as well that they threw in there. The broken canister of ooze on the shelf along with Shredder's helmet was a nice touch.
Of course like any comic book movie, they set it up for a sequel. We'll just have to wait and see if they can keep it up or even top this. I just hope we can see Bebop and Rocksteady. Perhaps even Krang. I'm actually starting to get excited at the thought. I hope I don't get dissapointed now that my hopes are up.
Movie Review: Teenage Brooding Ninja Turtles
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a mostly enjoyable rendition of our terrapin friends. The story is pretty basic and straightforward, but it definitely feels like they developed it with a companion video game in mind. Many scenes just feel like they were meant to be great levels on the video game based on the movie.
If you can get past that, however, the action is actually done quite well.
The one thing that is really missing here is the lightheartedness of the first films. Whether you loved or hated those films, they definitely had more humor than this rather dour version. (I personally loved the first two, but the third one suffered from much more than sub-par animatronics due to the fact that the Jim Henson Company wasn't interested in doing the third one.)
Not to say that there is no room for a more brooding version of the turtles. It works, for instance, rather well for Raphael since he is by far the more broody of the bunch. Leonardo also does a fair amount of brooding himself, always wondering what more he could be doing as the leader, not feeling up to the job. However it does Michaelangelo and Donatello a disservice. Their strong point (as characters) is largely built around their playful, quippy, snarky attitudes in situations of great danger. They get a couple of quips out here, but they feel forced and there are not enough of them to really get a feel for their characters.
On the whole, I enjoyed the movie well enough, but I would have definitely preferred more for the cinematic return of the Turtle clan.
**Mild Mild Spoiler Alert**
They hint at a possible sequel, and I do hope that they get it out. This movie was largely bogged down by the attempt to re-introduce the characters to the movie-going audience. (April as a ninja? C'mon.) A sequel, however, would not be thusly hindered. Hopefully they could spend more development time in creating a very intriguing story and less screen time with the brothers fighting each other.