TMNT

I remember when the first trailer came out for “TMNT” and I was pumped. I was a little excited to see my first Ninja Turtle movie in theaters and I had a nice time watching this film the first time. I liked the new style and I some of the decisions made in terms of story are noteworthy. The film has serious story moments that we haven’t seen since the original 1990 film. However, it is not a perfect film in that is does not stand the test of time. The animation is somewhat primative after you watch it a bunch of times. The director had certain goals in mind and at least he met them.

The story obviously abandons lightheartedness but it does not start a new storyline. Rather, it is the fourth film in the series that began in 1990. This is apparent when you look at the shrine at the end of the film. It is a cross between a reboot and a sequel much like the new "Planet of the Apes" movies. It also acknowledges the Ninja Turtle comic books. The film opening 3000 years ago and then moving to modern day Central America however feels out of place for a Ninja Turtles movie. I still enjoy it because as we watch the band of robbers encounter “the ghost of the jungle”; we wonder why a Ninja Turtle is there in that part of the world. Even when we know that it is Leonardo because of his katana, we still feel lost as to what is going on. It has been more that 10 years since a Turtles movie so it is good to reintroduce the personalities of the Turtles. I felt however that Donatello was not as unique a character as I would have wanted. His personality seems the least consistant across all the incarnations, from the first animated TV show to live action feature films to this movie. Sometimes he resembles Michelangelo in terms of personality and other times he is portrayed as intelligent. This inconsistency with Donatello bothers me a little. We get a new April O’Neal in this movie as well but I like that. It seems as though April’s antique store is now a large business that acquires “junk” from around the world. I like how April and Casey’s relationship is very apparent in “TMNT”. It is something that was begun but was lost in the film series until now. Also, April knows how to fight and this adds to her appeal very much. Because I am partical to animation, April in this version is more attractive physically than ever before. In past films and TV shows, April is also attractive but what she is known for most is hard work and spunkiness. In "TMNT", she still has these qualities but her outward beauty and Sarah Michelle Gellar's voice create something we haven't seen before. I did not recognize her until Leo says her name. Raphael and Casey’s relationship also makes a return, which is needed. The story moment that makes this film unique is the fight scene between Leo and Raph. It is something that we fans have wanted to see as they fight out their differences. Once the Nightwatcher’s mask comes off, they argue verbally so that it is understood what the subtext of the fight is. Raph feels that Leo turned his back on the city and the family. He resents Leo’s return as a result and his usual personality clash with Leo's add to this resentment. He wins the fight but then comes to realize the emotional error of what is going on: he is fighting his brother. Also, he doesn't know what to do now that he has won the fight. He runs away out of guilt and shame, which causes greater inner turmoil when Leo is taken. The animation on Raph in this scene is the greatest animated acting in the whole film. In the end, Raph recognizes Leo’s leadership but it is made clear that Raph completes the team. The film does have some humor and I love the joke about Splinter’s “stories” but the sense of fun in "TMNT" is lacking.

There are other elements to this film I wish to point out. The new style is what is most different from the earlier films, not to mention that "TMNT" is computer animated. The color and design of New York is a departure from past films but it is needed due to the out-of-this-world story. Speaking of that, I did not care much for the villains in this movie. While I am happy that Winters' intentions were revealed to be good, his stone generals felt very one dimensional. The casting for the movie is pleasing to me. The performance of Oscar-nominated actor Mako as Splinter is very well done. This was one of his last roles before he died. For the first time cinematically, Splinter has a legitimate Japanese voice. There is good voice casting for the turtles as they each represent in the vocal sense the personalities of the characters. Nolan North as Raph sounds perfectly like a guy with an attitude. At the time of the release of this movie, Chris Evens is the perfect guy to voice Casey Jones because of his Human Torch persona. Patrick Stewart’s voice has age but that works for a character that is immortal. His voice just barely fits the character’s appearance so that is good.

I like the movie because it is not meant to be silly but at the same time, it isn't as much fun to watch as the live action films. It has serious story conflicts even though some of the animation could have been a lot better. I did like the rain during the Leo and Raph fight because it adds a lot of realism. "TMNT" recognizes the comics and past films. We therefore have a unifying of different media and genres that seems to have been pulled off nicely as was a goal of the director it seems. The rest of the world did not accept this movie and I can understand that. The Ninja Turtles however were apparently not through on the big screen and as a Turtle fan since childhood, I will see anything they are in.

3.5 Stars