Donnie
02-08-2012, 01:02 AM
I thought it would be cool to start adaption-specific threads to keep discussions in the general threads a little more...general. We all go on tangents about some versions of characters during unassociated threads, and some of what winds up being said is worthy of a discussion on its own. So, with an adaption-specific thread in mind, what better place to start off than the first movie (especially cause I'm a believer of "each universe on its own")? I watched TMNT #1 and took notes on Michelangelo's character throughout the whole film - what scenes built upon his development, scenes that were cool, shout outs to the comics, or just plain ol' classic Mikey moments. It's written in a kind of free flowing style, I didn't organize it into an essay or anything - although one day I would like to analyze the Turtles of the first movie in essay format.
Anyway, let's discuss my favorite Turtle, Michelangelo in movie 1 from 1990!
http://i42.tinypic.com/fomx46.jpg
Michelangelo is very intent after the first battle/first scene to consume some pizza - hunger and the intense love of food is a classic trait that is usually present in various adaptions of Mikey. The needs of his stomach are certainly presented well in the first film! Ex:) Calling the pizza delivery, "LET'S GO FOR IT!", "I could really go for some deep dish action right about now", Mikey & Donnie salute the fallen pizza, amongst others.
The first "major" character scene we get for Mikey, in my opinion, is when Donatello rides up to him on his skateboard and talks to him about what Splinter said - about not having him around. Mikey avoids the subject completely, pretending Donnie didn't ask him the question. In fact he never answers the question, but we can tell from his tears during the later campfire scene that one could definitely guess at what his answer would have been.
Gypping the pizza-delivery guy is funny and shows us that this Mikey is strong in his convictions. He really sincerely thought the guy didn’t deserve the full amount for the pizza. He doesn't give him the full tab. This is also arguably the rudest moment for Michelangelo in the first film, but hey, "forgiveness is divine, but never pay full price for a late pizza." The influence of the OT is certainly felt in the form of pizza during the first film, but it's very tastefully (no pun intended) done, methinks.
http://i42.tinypic.com/2dgjdrl.jpg
The impressions scene in April's apartment is comical and adds a dimension to Mikey the performer, furthering not only his being the most out going of the bunch but also showing a creative side that we don’t see again for the rest of the film. As a TMNT comic fan, I like to think of this as a precursor to his creativity concerning his writing as would be elaborated upon much later in the both the Mirage and Image comics. It's a bit of a stretch, and I'm sure it wasn't intentional, but in my absurd mind it works. :)
Move over Donnie, Michelangelo has (maybe) the biggest outward crush on April in this flick. He's kissing the television set saying saying that he's in love with April. This crushing on April continues throughout the whole film, most defined in my opinion with Mikey but apparent in the other Turtles as well. Leo actually called her a "fox", lol. "She called me Mikeyyy" - he was gushin'!
Mikey is usually depicted in most mediums as the jokester, and the most light-hearted/childlike of the bunch. Mikey’s spontaneous and naive behavior comes through a little when he interrupts Splinter’s origin story - "that was us!" while the other three Turtles lament and Donnie face-palms himself - a theme that became common in other TMNT media, most notably the 2k3 series. Mikey's confirmation of "that’s me" again cements him as the most outgoing of the bunch. Mikey is a character that likes to stand out, and he's the only one that chimes in during the origin story.
In most mediums Michelangelo likes getting under the skin of his brothers - this is true to certain extent for first movie Mike, but it is more notable in the later films, specially "Secret of the Ooze". The one moment that stood out to me was when Mikey snuck behind Leo with the cymbals in April's shop.
Mikey usually is the one who gets in between his brothers when they fight, but him and Donnie avoid the Leo & Raph fight instead like it's commonplace, and their drill is as usual - snack out while the two strong-heads duke it out. I would have liked it better if Mikey came between the fight, and helped cool off his brothers like we saw him do in movie #2 ("tiiime share"). Of course, we wouldn't have seen the subsequent Raph through window scene, which is one of the most epic scenes of the film - so I can deal. :D
True to his nature, he's a showboat - "and I thought insurance salesmen were pushy" before with the chucks stint. In my opinion he may have acted a little too nonchalant that his brother was just thrown through a window and "barely" alive, this scene owes more to his OT counterpart than it does the comics, I believe. Same thing applies with the "wheel of fortune" stint - you gotta love it, though! Mikey keeps the mood light throughout the fight. I love his snarky "the only thing safer than the woods..would be the trees!"
One of my favorite traits of the character in all mediums, Mikey's light-heartedness is shown throughout this film. The Turtle Wax scene pops into my head first. Throughout the whole movie his disposition is friendly and non-confrontational. Although this same case can be said for all four Turtles in their respective situations, his fighting style is intermingled with his light-heartedness and is carefree, ditching/loosing his chucks for cymbals during a crucial point in the first Foot battle in April's shop. I don't know how he got his chucks back so quickly, but they eventually pop back in the picture when Casey shows up. His carefree fighting style shows once more in the last fight with the Foot as he pretty much just sets the goons up to be pounded in the head by April using Don's bo staff - it's pretty clear Mikey's flirting with April here. I think they nailed Mikey's humor, and it was cool when he & Don exchanged verbal expressions during this last rumble - also interesting in the fact that Mike was failing where Don was the judge, contrary to the rest of the film where the other four are usually judging Donnie's "sayings". Also concering Mikey's fighting...I thought it was really awesome that he is shown blind-folded during the farm-house sparring.
I really wish they dived into Michelangelo dealing with Splinter's absence more, but I realize they could only fit in so much and I am just thankful they showed the clip of Michelangelo hitting the hell out of that punching bag, clearly pissed off. It comes across that Mikey is very mad, which isn't exactly normal for him. It would have been cool to hear April narrate over how Mikey isn't acting like himself, but like I said I'm just glad we got that short clip of him beating the punching bag. Although I see why they went with Raph's VA part of me would have liked to hear Rist's voice during the "SPLIN-TER!" yell on the rooftop, it would have added extra flesh to the punching bag scene.
An interesting tidbit as an amateur nunchaku practicer (I took a decent amount of lessons but didn't progress too far since I had to quit the dojo due to funds) I notice when Mikey swings his nunchucks in a relaxed position during the film he just swings them around in a circular motion rather than swinging them tightly in an inside-outside motion - most martial artists will tell you that swinging them simply in a circular motion won’t get you very far, at least as far as style is concerned. Maybe I'm wrong.
http://i43.tinypic.com/evask8.jpg
The rooftop battle against Shredder is probably my favorite scene in the film. I love how each Turtle gets a solo shot at Shredder. Mikey's light-heartedness and jokester side is displayed with his initial comments on Saki - "but I bet it never has to look for a can opener!" Although Mikey didn't last too long when we see all 4 Turtles go at Shredder separately for the second time, during the first "warm-up" round against Shredder it is interesting that Mikey's voice is heard (so he fought Shredder longest the first time around) from the roof while Casey, Danny, and Splinter are showed on the street - "so much for family huh?"
All in all, when I think of the perfect Mikey, I think of movie 1 Michelangelo. He's my favorite adaption of the character for many reasons - he seems to be an excellent blend of Mirage Mike and OT Mike. He is seen to have a good, tasteful sense of humor, a big heart for family & pizza. He is clearly a skilled yet carefree fighter but can be a serious fighter when the time calls for it. He can be a jokester, childlike, and naive. Mikey sleeping with the panda stuffed animal in April's apt. was a nice touch! I like how they took many elements from OT Mike's and gleaned out what was necessary to take out for a movie that is a blend with the comics - the surfer dialect was toned down considerably for Mikey and this film, and for that I am grateful!
So there you have it! A detailed synopsis of movie 1 Michelangelo. Discuss what you love about the character, and feel free to make your own movie-specific (or any adaption-specific) thread!
Anyway, let's discuss my favorite Turtle, Michelangelo in movie 1 from 1990!
http://i42.tinypic.com/fomx46.jpg
Michelangelo is very intent after the first battle/first scene to consume some pizza - hunger and the intense love of food is a classic trait that is usually present in various adaptions of Mikey. The needs of his stomach are certainly presented well in the first film! Ex:) Calling the pizza delivery, "LET'S GO FOR IT!", "I could really go for some deep dish action right about now", Mikey & Donnie salute the fallen pizza, amongst others.
The first "major" character scene we get for Mikey, in my opinion, is when Donatello rides up to him on his skateboard and talks to him about what Splinter said - about not having him around. Mikey avoids the subject completely, pretending Donnie didn't ask him the question. In fact he never answers the question, but we can tell from his tears during the later campfire scene that one could definitely guess at what his answer would have been.
Gypping the pizza-delivery guy is funny and shows us that this Mikey is strong in his convictions. He really sincerely thought the guy didn’t deserve the full amount for the pizza. He doesn't give him the full tab. This is also arguably the rudest moment for Michelangelo in the first film, but hey, "forgiveness is divine, but never pay full price for a late pizza." The influence of the OT is certainly felt in the form of pizza during the first film, but it's very tastefully (no pun intended) done, methinks.
http://i42.tinypic.com/2dgjdrl.jpg
The impressions scene in April's apartment is comical and adds a dimension to Mikey the performer, furthering not only his being the most out going of the bunch but also showing a creative side that we don’t see again for the rest of the film. As a TMNT comic fan, I like to think of this as a precursor to his creativity concerning his writing as would be elaborated upon much later in the both the Mirage and Image comics. It's a bit of a stretch, and I'm sure it wasn't intentional, but in my absurd mind it works. :)
Move over Donnie, Michelangelo has (maybe) the biggest outward crush on April in this flick. He's kissing the television set saying saying that he's in love with April. This crushing on April continues throughout the whole film, most defined in my opinion with Mikey but apparent in the other Turtles as well. Leo actually called her a "fox", lol. "She called me Mikeyyy" - he was gushin'!
Mikey is usually depicted in most mediums as the jokester, and the most light-hearted/childlike of the bunch. Mikey’s spontaneous and naive behavior comes through a little when he interrupts Splinter’s origin story - "that was us!" while the other three Turtles lament and Donnie face-palms himself - a theme that became common in other TMNT media, most notably the 2k3 series. Mikey's confirmation of "that’s me" again cements him as the most outgoing of the bunch. Mikey is a character that likes to stand out, and he's the only one that chimes in during the origin story.
In most mediums Michelangelo likes getting under the skin of his brothers - this is true to certain extent for first movie Mike, but it is more notable in the later films, specially "Secret of the Ooze". The one moment that stood out to me was when Mikey snuck behind Leo with the cymbals in April's shop.
Mikey usually is the one who gets in between his brothers when they fight, but him and Donnie avoid the Leo & Raph fight instead like it's commonplace, and their drill is as usual - snack out while the two strong-heads duke it out. I would have liked it better if Mikey came between the fight, and helped cool off his brothers like we saw him do in movie #2 ("tiiime share"). Of course, we wouldn't have seen the subsequent Raph through window scene, which is one of the most epic scenes of the film - so I can deal. :D
True to his nature, he's a showboat - "and I thought insurance salesmen were pushy" before with the chucks stint. In my opinion he may have acted a little too nonchalant that his brother was just thrown through a window and "barely" alive, this scene owes more to his OT counterpart than it does the comics, I believe. Same thing applies with the "wheel of fortune" stint - you gotta love it, though! Mikey keeps the mood light throughout the fight. I love his snarky "the only thing safer than the woods..would be the trees!"
One of my favorite traits of the character in all mediums, Mikey's light-heartedness is shown throughout this film. The Turtle Wax scene pops into my head first. Throughout the whole movie his disposition is friendly and non-confrontational. Although this same case can be said for all four Turtles in their respective situations, his fighting style is intermingled with his light-heartedness and is carefree, ditching/loosing his chucks for cymbals during a crucial point in the first Foot battle in April's shop. I don't know how he got his chucks back so quickly, but they eventually pop back in the picture when Casey shows up. His carefree fighting style shows once more in the last fight with the Foot as he pretty much just sets the goons up to be pounded in the head by April using Don's bo staff - it's pretty clear Mikey's flirting with April here. I think they nailed Mikey's humor, and it was cool when he & Don exchanged verbal expressions during this last rumble - also interesting in the fact that Mike was failing where Don was the judge, contrary to the rest of the film where the other four are usually judging Donnie's "sayings". Also concering Mikey's fighting...I thought it was really awesome that he is shown blind-folded during the farm-house sparring.
I really wish they dived into Michelangelo dealing with Splinter's absence more, but I realize they could only fit in so much and I am just thankful they showed the clip of Michelangelo hitting the hell out of that punching bag, clearly pissed off. It comes across that Mikey is very mad, which isn't exactly normal for him. It would have been cool to hear April narrate over how Mikey isn't acting like himself, but like I said I'm just glad we got that short clip of him beating the punching bag. Although I see why they went with Raph's VA part of me would have liked to hear Rist's voice during the "SPLIN-TER!" yell on the rooftop, it would have added extra flesh to the punching bag scene.
An interesting tidbit as an amateur nunchaku practicer (I took a decent amount of lessons but didn't progress too far since I had to quit the dojo due to funds) I notice when Mikey swings his nunchucks in a relaxed position during the film he just swings them around in a circular motion rather than swinging them tightly in an inside-outside motion - most martial artists will tell you that swinging them simply in a circular motion won’t get you very far, at least as far as style is concerned. Maybe I'm wrong.
http://i43.tinypic.com/evask8.jpg
The rooftop battle against Shredder is probably my favorite scene in the film. I love how each Turtle gets a solo shot at Shredder. Mikey's light-heartedness and jokester side is displayed with his initial comments on Saki - "but I bet it never has to look for a can opener!" Although Mikey didn't last too long when we see all 4 Turtles go at Shredder separately for the second time, during the first "warm-up" round against Shredder it is interesting that Mikey's voice is heard (so he fought Shredder longest the first time around) from the roof while Casey, Danny, and Splinter are showed on the street - "so much for family huh?"
All in all, when I think of the perfect Mikey, I think of movie 1 Michelangelo. He's my favorite adaption of the character for many reasons - he seems to be an excellent blend of Mirage Mike and OT Mike. He is seen to have a good, tasteful sense of humor, a big heart for family & pizza. He is clearly a skilled yet carefree fighter but can be a serious fighter when the time calls for it. He can be a jokester, childlike, and naive. Mikey sleeping with the panda stuffed animal in April's apt. was a nice touch! I like how they took many elements from OT Mike's and gleaned out what was necessary to take out for a movie that is a blend with the comics - the surfer dialect was toned down considerably for Mikey and this film, and for that I am grateful!
So there you have it! A detailed synopsis of movie 1 Michelangelo. Discuss what you love about the character, and feel free to make your own movie-specific (or any adaption-specific) thread!