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Wednesday, January 29, 2014

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: THE MOVIE

Well I reviewed the first episode of the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" the animated series, now's the time to review the first of the film trilogy starting out with...

 


A rat named Splinter who's the pet of a Ninja Master named Master Hamato Yoshi, sees his master and his master's girlfriend get killed by a rival of his named Oroku Saki. Splinter tries to fight him, but Saki gets away, but not before cutting off a part of Splinter's ears. Really he doesn't just kill Splinter; anyway, Splinter heads to the sewers and finds four turtles covered in toxic waste which turns them into the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" and Splinter himself gets bigger and begins to talk from the waste. This is the films origins to their story and while I like the films dark take on it, I prefer the TV shows origins. Yeah, I would loved to see Oroku actually kill somebody and perhaps blame it on Yoshi than having him pull a humiliating prank on him, but it's a kid show when here it's a PG movie where things aren't all that kid friendly. The reason why I like the TV shows origins better is because we get to actually spend time with Master Yoshi who in a twist actually becomes Splinter due to the toxic waste from the Turtles he takes care of. Yeah the TV shows origins is flawed too, come on, Yoshi can't find a place to live but the sewers? Not to say that this origin is bad, it's really good, I just like the TV show origins better. Anyway, years later, crime is spreading on the streets of New York City by a Ninja Master named Shredder and it's up to The Turtles, News Reporter April O'Neil and vigilante Casey Jones to stop him and save Splinter from his clutches.






The "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" in this film are completely awesome. They're always a lot of fun to be around with; they can be funny; they know how to kick ass; and I'm starting to feel more personality from each of them then I did in the first episode of the cartoon (However, that was only the FIRST episode, not the entire show or Season for that matter). Ok, some of the puns they make are lame, but they're still fun enough to at least sell those lame puns out. As for the swearing, it didn't really bother me as much since they only say the word "Damn" than any other curse words, but then again it doesn't feel needed nor is it funny, it feels just there to get the PG rating, like the swearing in the movie "Casper" for example. By the way, I like that the film doesn't show the Turtles right away, I like that they're kept in the shadows until the title to the movie appears.  When we finally do see them, not only are they cool and fun, but the puppetry, costumes and use of animatronics by Jim Henson is TURTLETASTIC!  I'm NOT kidding, they really do look very life like and look exactly like the cartoon characters from the 80's. I'm surprised this film wasn't nominated for an Oscar for its special effects; it's really a crowning achievement! Oh and as for the Turtle's disguise when they're in the city at night wearing a Trench Coat and Fedora Hat, while looking obvious in both the show and movie that's it's a turtle wearing clothes (I mean come on, how can anyone see them as human beings), I like that the movie tries to keep them in the shadows so they don't stand out as much. On top of it, I do like that the film knows it's obvious too and actually makes fun of it at one point. As for the cartoon (Again first episode), well it does kind of do that too, but it's mostly is just the humans buying into it. Usually I'd call out bull and attack it, but it doesn't bother me that much and it does work within the context of the episode as well as having fun with it, so I'm giving it a free pass...for now.





The Shredder, much like in the first episode, he doesn't do much accept look threatening and evil until he fights in the end of the movie (Which by the way, the final battle between him and Splinter is very anti climatic). Some people also call him a rip off on Darth Vader. In cartoon wise, NO; in film wise, YES I CAN SEE WHY. I mean in the cartoon he has a more original look, feel and personality; here in the film while looking cool and intimidating, I do indeed get a Darth Vader feel when I see this character. His presence, voice, costume design, hidden scars and even saying the words "I'm your Father" to his crew, is pretty clear that the writers did take some heavy influence if not ripped off from Darth Vader in "Star Wars". By the way, is it just me or did Christopher Nolan rip off or take some heavy influence from this version of Shredder when he recreated Bane for "The Dark Knight Rises"? I get a Shredder feel when I see Bane in the Nolan film, but I digress. As for his henchman, well I like his right hand man, but to be honest; his henchman while great fighters, they suck. Why you may ask, because they're not real Ninjas, thugs or robots (for that matter) they're kids that Shredder hired to join his life of crime as he teaches them how to fight while wearing silly looking Ninja costumes. I know there's a moral about family behind it and not joining crime, but it feels like a forced in moral that's not treated effectively. It feels like the film just needed to put in some kind of lesson for kids so it's not just a film about Turtles fighting crime with no moral at all.





The supporting characters are ok. Splinter is just as smart, wise and humble as he is in the cartoon as well as serving as a great Father figure for the Turtles. Just like the special effects for the Turtles, the special effects are perfect for him too. With that said, I wish to see him actually fight then be a hostage throughout the film. April O'Neil played by Judith Hoag is decent but forgettable. She's not as fun or interesting as April from the cartoon. They don't even give her that hot yellow jumpsuit; they only give her a yellow raincoat at one point during the film. All she is, is a bland damsel in distress with nothing all that engaging about her. Casey Jones played by Elias Koteas while I haven't met him yet in the cartoon and aside from that lame Jason Hockey Mask, he's pretty cool. I can't call him a complete badass, but he's still an interesting character with some good moves and a few funny lines. There's also by the way a kid who's the son of April's boss who's in Shredders gang and to be honest, he felt like a forced in character to give Splinter a reason to tell the dark side of his back story and to be part of that forced message.





The fighting and action in this movie is really awesome! It doesn't feel toned down or cartoonish, it actually feels real. The choreography is cool; the sound effects sound brutal; we get to see the Turtles use their weapons; there are gags thrown into the fights; and I love the different fighting situations that the Turtles get into. There's the off screen fight in the opening; the fight between Raphael and Casey; the short subway tunnel fight; the fight on the roof tops with the Turtles against Shredder; and my favorite of them all, the fight in April's Apartment. Aside from the climax, they are indeed really cool fights. As for the cinematography, it's pretty good; it’s not groundbreaking, but it fits the film just fine. Oh and as for the soundtrack and music, it's not to memorable, but it does indeed fit with the New York City atmosphere as well as help bring the movie it's fun and action.


While not really much of a masterpiece, it's still a decent film. Yeah, the film ruined the character of April O'Neil; turned Shredder into a Darth Vader wanna be; has a forced in moral; doesn't give Splinter any fighting time; and brings an anti climatic climax; but with those negatives aside, the Turtles are tons of fun; the action is cool; the retelling of their origins is a good new take on the story; the special effects are beyond amazing; the shots, darkness and cinematography are nice; the music fits with the films environment; and it's an entertaining film where you feel that the people behind this film were trying very hard to create something good for families even if it doesn't fully succeed. The film is full of things that I love and hate and I'm sure most people who've seen this movie (Especially fans of "TMNT") do have things they both love to praise and complain about this film. Check it out and see for yourself. However, if this your first time watching anything "TMNT" related, it's best to start with the 80's cartoon.

RATING 3/5

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