[Cipher]

Originally Posted by TristanHuwJones

Understand that what works in comics and what works in film are two entirely different things.

I'm completely with you there, and I meant no disrespect, although it may have seemed that way.

I'm against the clock right now, so I'll elaborate further later, but you cannot make City At War into a movie that is faithful to the themes of the comics without first having films that adapt the overall Shredder arc that encompasses #1-11 of the comics, and the Return to New York story.

The only elements needed to set up City At War are the death of Oroku Saki (for the plot), and a vengeful Splinter (for the themes). Those could easily be established in one movie. Hell, the first movie could be about Baxter Stockman, the second about Shredder, and the third about City At War. As long as it's established that Splinter intended to have the Turtles kill Shredder from day one, everything works thematically too.

You could, for example, have Splinter not mention the Foot Clan once until the second movie, as long as when he does mention it he says, "You're now ready to avenge my master." That was the element you suggested removing, and I didn't see a cause for it. As long as Splinter carries the fued, the option of adapting City At War (which is nothing without its themes) is open. If you change that element, the option of City At War is barred, and with it, the best of Turtles stories.

Maybe it was a mistake to begin with that quote. I really wanted this to be a discussion about the story, it's themes, and Splinter. But it's all part-and-parcel, I guess.

But then you have to consider this: Splinter would have to have followed Oroku Saki constantly over the time he mutates to know that Shredder and Oroku Saki are one and the same, which to me, isn't plausible.

The list of comic elements that are totally absurd, yet iconic enough for the public to swallow is a long one.