Why else would they fight crime?

[saul]

I can kind of see why the new movie would use the plot device of the Turtles needing to "fulfill their destiny" and battle against the killer of their father (Krang in this case). It makes sense for a hollywood movie to have a strong motivation for the characters as this makes the movie more engaging.

Now I know we all take issue with this, as it's not true to the source material. But if we're going to have a good TMNT movie, why else would or should the Turtles risk their lives to fight crime?

In the 1st movie, they were mostly just defending themselves from the Foot. They were never out looking for a fight. And when they did return to the city, it was for Splinter. But unless there is a threat attacking them, why would they be motivated to go out and risk their lives?

[Andrew NDB]

I can kind of see why the new movie would use the plot device of the Turtles needing to "fulfill their destiny" and battle against the killer of their father (Krang in this case). It makes sense for a hollywood movie to have a strong motivation for the characters as this makes the movie more engaging.

Now I know we all take issue with this, as it's not true to the source material. But if we're going to have a good TMNT movie, why else would or should the Turtles risk their lives to fight crime?

In the 1st movie, they were mostly just defending themselves from the Foot. They were never out looking for a fight. And when they did return to the city, it was for Splinter. But unless there is a threat attacking them, why would they be motivated to go out and risk their lives?

They shouldn't be fighting crime at all. Period.

[ToTheNines]

The way I always saw it, training among themselves is good practice but nothing compares to actual life threatening combat, so why not practice on sh*theads?

[CyberCubed]

I always figured they would fight crime merely as training exercises.

What better way to test your skills if you purposely pit yourself against guys with guns and knives?

[Coola Yagami]

Their reason for fighting is (mostly) always tied into the reason why they were trained to fight as ninjas in the first place. There was really no reason at all for Splinter to train them if he didn't have a bigger reason, like revenge against Shredder.

[Andrew NDB]

The way I always saw it, training among themselves is good practice but nothing compares to actual life threatening combat, so why not practice on sh*theads?

As long as that's all it is. Actively rooting out humanity's crime like good samaritans while they have to live their lives in a sewer seems apocryphal.

[saul]

You make a really good point Andrew, that they aren't "crime fighters". And I'd agree.

But for a TMNT movie, the question is: how could they be compelled to fight? Or what would be a good reason for them to?
Outside of City at War and Return to New York (which both were about stopping the Foot), what reason have the Turtles had to get involved in anything?

It wouldn't be a very fun TMNT movie without some combat action. :D

[Leo656]

I always figured it was something for them to do to stay sharp. Without the occasional Shredder or Foot or Triceraton attack to keep them busy, I think their lives would be pretty uneventful and boring if they didn't go out and do something (pro)active on occasion.

[pannoni1]

It seems like the Turtles fight crime only if their compadres are seriously threatened by strangers or need to rescue somebody who has been taken hostage by somebody else, in which the Turtles would battle the villain and their minions. Otherwise, the Turtles aren't following the Ninja Code and would rather do other things (pizza, video games, ninja exercises, designing gadgets) so they can make the most of the good life, just like us in the real world when crime isn't a threat. It seems like the police under normal circumstances provide the job when no TMNT buddy is part of the scene. This even includes characters from alternate worlds/dimensions. That's why I feel that TMNT is good in terms of presenting when it is necessary to battle for the appropriate occassion, it isn't like some other shows where it is a total war.

[chrisdude]

As far as the first movie, it seemed to me that they were out looking for a fight when they saved April from the muggers. It was part of their training, but still.

I'm fine with the idea of fighting crime just because it's there. Is everyone agreeing that the turtles shouldn't fight crime for the sake of helping people?