TMNT 2014 - Thoughts from UK viewers - SPOILERS

[discordiatookie]

I went in last night with my expectations low and was actually surprised that I enjoyed it. I didn't love it, it very much was a check your brain in at the door movie, but it entertained me.

[Vicky82]

Does anyone know if TMNT had a red carpet premier in London.

Also does anyone know if any of the actors are over here promoting the movie, if there on any talk shows ect.

I'm going to see the movie again tomorrow.

[D Piddy 1982]

Originally Posted by Vicky82

Does anyone know if TMNT had a red carpet premier in London.

Also does anyone know if any of the actors are over here promoting the movie, if there on any talk shows ect.

I'm going to see the movie again tomorrow.

I too wondered this.

Maybe it's this Thursday or Friday? As the film isn't "officially" released until this Friday.

But I've seen or heard nothing. Maybe I'll tweet a couple of the actors, see if they respond?

You'd think they'd have something, even if hardly any of the films cast turn up.

[TigerClaw]

Originally Posted by D Piddy 1982

I too wondered this.

Maybe it's this Thursday or Friday? As the film isn't "officially" released until this Friday.

But I've seen or heard nothing. Maybe I'll tweet a couple of the actors, see if they respond?

You'd think they'd have something, even if hardly any of the films cast turn up.

If there is, I'm sure we'll hear about it on the Megan Fox Fan site, They posted a bunch of pics and videos from the German premiere.
http://meganfox86.tumblr.com/

[JoshDA7X]

Originally Posted by Vicky82

Does anyone know if TMNT had a red carpet premier in London.

Also does anyone know if any of the actors are over here promoting the movie, if there on any talk shows ect.

I'm going to see the movie again tomorrow.

I believe there is to be one on tomorrow, but I'm unsure as to where I read it, facebook I think.

However, I don't think lack of promotion is going to be a problem as literally every bus and bus stop and billboard around my area (Leeds) has the Turtles on it!

[nimajneb]

Originally Posted by JoshDA7X

I believe there is to be one on tomorrow, but I'm unsure as to where I read it, facebook I think.

However, I don't think lack of promotion is going to be a problem as literally every bus and bus stop and billboard around my area (Leeds) has the Turtles on it!

Croydon and the bits of London I see on my commute are the same. It's heavily publicised which is a good thing - plus the more I see the posters, buses etc the more I'm excited by the costumes etc.
Can't wait to see it but don't think I'll get to a cinema for a week

[discordiatookie]

Originally Posted by JoshDA7X

I believe there is to be one on tomorrow, but I'm unsure as to where I read it, facebook I think.

However, I don't think lack of promotion is going to be a problem as literally every bus and bus stop and billboard around my area (Leeds) has the Turtles on it!

Aberdeen's the same. Near enough every bus stop seems to have a poster!

[JoshDA7X]

I saw it last Sunday thanks to the preview screenings but only in normal 3D. I'm hoping to see it again this weekend at IMAX!

My view echos many peoples, in that it is a really good film but with a few bits of lazy writing/changes that make no sense. For me it was interesting enough to forget about the cons whilst you're watching but it kind of hurts when you think about it after! Definitely not a bad movie though!

[Hannurdock]

Going to see it on the Giant Screen today. This will be my second viewing. Am excited

Will be at Millennium Point at 15:25 sharpish.

[Vicky82]

I'm in Milton Keynes (in Nando's at the moment) I'm seeing the movie again at 1pm showing.

I was just reading the sun and saw the review for TMNT, they gave it 2 out 5 stars

I went to build a bear and got all 3 turtles (already got Mikey)

[JoshDA7X]

Originally Posted by Vicky82

I'm in Milton Keynes (in Nando's at the moment) I'm seeing the movie again at 1pm showing.

I was just reading the sun and saw the review for TMNT, they gave it 2 out 5 stars

I went to build a bear and got all 3 turtles (already got Mikey)

I wouldn't trust anything written in the sun! if its not got tits they won't like it will they!

I'm only missing Donnie from build a bear, maybe someone will get me him for xmas haha!

[HotNunchuckFury]

Interesting review Chris. Even though our reactions to the movie are very different I found your words thought-provoking. Here's my two cents

Originally Posted by Chris

"Taken your armour to the next level" - so? We never saw the original so it's not an upgrade at all as we have no comparison

I just figured it was a way of acknowledging that this wasn't just a standard suit of armour, but that it had been designed by scientists to make it capable of the nifty tricks we saw when in battle. Maybe this line could of been worded better, but without it (or something to the same affect) I think the audience would of questioned why his suit could do the things it could.

Originally Posted by Chris

"Remember that thing you used to say when we were kids?" - erm no because he never said it or tried to say it in the sequence where we see them as kids!

I loved this line! Most of the people I know couldn't tell you the turtle's names, but they recognise 'Cowabunga!' as their catchphrase, so I don't think anyone needed to hear them say it before this scene. I also took it as if Raph was talking to the overgrown children in the audience, like myself, who used to yell it as kids. Made me feel warm and fuzzy like all trips down memory lane.

Originally Posted by Chris

Raph's speech - honestly I felt it was a little over the top but it would have been fine if they'd shown any of that stuff in the film, but they didn't. Raph says he's going to leave once and that's it. It relies on you knowing the characters already because they didn't put any effort in to develop the characters or have proper character arcs. It's meant to be the emotional payoff but there's no real character arc to justify it, they didn't put the groundwork in to earn it so it just feels forced and hollow.

I for one thought the speech was great. Very moving and I'm so glad they showed this side of Raph and feel they did it well. As for knowing the characters, I think it's difficult for many of us here who are so familiar with the turtles to forget what we know about them when watching the film, which means it's tricky trying to judge how much we'd pick up on their identities from the film alone. I also think that fans who are very familiar with the characters may be looking too deeply, and in doing so miss the subtleties that reveal so much - tone of voice, facial expressions, body language. One example is when April wakes up and asks them what they are, they all choose a different word to represent themselves. As a recap, Leonardo takes on a serious tone and describes them as 'Ninjas', Raphael uses an aggressive almost threatening tone to add 'Mutants', whilst Donatello calmly brings things back into a factual perspective by explaining that 'Well, technically we're Turtles' , leaving Mikey to point out that they're also 'Teenagers' in his own whimsical way. I know this sounds very simplistic, but what I'm trying to get across is that I believe, even if I'd had no prior knowledge of TMNT, that this scene of literally a few seconds would of given me a reliable introduction into who these characters are as individuals. And that's just one example. These little clues and character traits are acknowledged constantly throughout the movie. I can't say how much people who are less familiar with the franchise will be able to connect with the characters, but it wasn't an issue for me. I'm seeing it again tomorrow with friends and my partner, and I'll be really interested to hear their views on this, considering none of them are shellheads.

Originally Posted by Chris

A mutated Splinter learning Ninjutsu from a book doesn't really ask any more suspension of disbelief that a pre-mutation Splinter mimicking Yoshi's moves so that doesn't really bother me (as others have said seeing it beats reading about it but you can easily argue that learning pre/post mutation cancels that out). However, the complete removal of Hamato Yoshi from the origin removes any real connection between Splinter and Shredder and with that it removes the driving force of their conflict. Here they fight simply because Splinter and the TMNT are the heroes and Shredder and The Foot are the villains. Even if Sacks had remained the Shredder there's still no real connection between the two, no cause for animosity. It's never personal and that's something it's always been in the past. I'm not against change but this one was not for the better, it just made it a more generic good guys vs bad guys conflict.

I think this is one point many of us agree on. I always like it when characters have an interesting backstory, particularly when it effects the current relationship between them, and having no link between Shredder and Splinter was a poor choice in my eyes.

Originally Posted by Chris

Which I guess brings me to Shredder. To be fair, whilst his design is over the top it's probably my favourite of the redesigns (Splinter is definitely the worst) and he's definitely felt like a powerful threat in the film. The guy playing him/voicing him is also fantastic, easily the best casting in the film.

Yeah, Shredder was played really well, very intimidating. Still think he could of done with a purple cape though

Originally Posted by Chris

Sacks was clearly intended to be main villain, it's his plan, his company and by splitting the characters Shredder is reduced to simply being Sack's boss and the muscle for the fight scenes, he has no real character or motivation. They pretty much split 1 character into 2 to try and appease fans and the movie is worse for it. Karai also suffers as with Sacks now being Shredder's protege there's no real need for her character.

I really enjoyed Fichtner's performance and look forward to seeing him in the sequel, however I did feel there was too much of his character in favour of Shredder, which is the wrong way round. I think Karai's role as Chunin for the Foot Clan is still clear though and entirely necessary, just wish she'd been given more lines.

Originally Posted by Chris

There was no real emotion or heart to it and that's the worst thing of all.

We'll just have to agree to disagree on this one, although I confess it doesn't take much to stir my emotions when watching a film.

Overall I'm glad you had fun watching the film and aren't too disappointed. I would also echo your comments that it's great for the team behind TMNT to take on board the opinions of fans, however not at the expense of losing confidence in what they're trying to achieve. I dare say that's easier said than done, especially considering the massive backlash they endured throughout the making of this one. Roll on TMNT 2

[Vicky82]

I just got back from seeing it again and I still enjoyed it. The screen was more bigger (not IMAX) which made the movie more epic (the screens in Luton are smaller and not so good)

It wasn't busy (only 10 people watching it, I was the only female there) but it was the 1pm showing so most people still at work or at school.

I asked if they had any of the special TMNT 3D glasses but Cineworld don't have them. I was going to go to the Odeon to see if they had them but I didn't have enough time as I had to catch my bus (as it's every hour and takes nearly over an hour to get home),

So does anyone know if Odeon, Vue, Empire or any other ones have the special 3D glasses.

I will probably go see it again

[Galactus]

Originally Posted by JoshDA7X

I wouldn't trust anything written in the sun! if its not got tits they won't like it will they

You'd think with Vernon staring at April's backside and the sexual humour it'd be right up The Sun's alley.

I'd like to think that the movie is just so bad that even The Sun can't condone it.

Originally Posted by HotNunchuckFury

I just figured it was a way of acknowledging that this wasn't just a standard suit of armour, but that it had been designed by scientists to make it capable of the nifty tricks we saw when in battle. Maybe this line could of been worded better, but without it (or something to the same affect) I think the audience would of questioned why his suit could do the things it could.

Surely a better way to convey that would be to actually establish the Shredder normally wears regular armor instead of a brief line explaining that the guy with no name is going to wear a new armor.

You also have to wonder why it was necessary for the character to have upgraded armor in the first place. To their credit it's clearly based on the armor for the '03 series albeit distorted through Bay's design aesthetic that says that everything has complicated but no one actually watched that show to see that despite wearing more intimidating armor they kept the selling point of a TMNT vs Shredder fight in the martial arts.

I loved this line! Most of the people I know couldn't tell you the turtle's names, but they recognise 'Cowabunga!' as their catchphrase, so I don't think anyone needed to hear them say it before this scene. I also took it as if Raph was talking to the overgrown children in the audience, like myself, who used to yell it as kids. Made me feel warm and fuzzy like all trips down memory lane.

I'm not so sure about that. Cowabunga is their catchphrase in the current animated series nor was it in the previous version.

The weird thing about this movie is that puts in a lot of superficial aspects from the 80s cartoon with purpose invoking nostalgia from the older audience but tries to coat it in a weird way.

I get that feeling a lot from the movie. I get that they wanted to show the audience that they are aware of the ridiculousness nature but almost every scene comes off like they are making fun of the concept. At first some of the jokes were fine but after a while I found myself thinking "y'know this whole thing IS stupid"

I for one thought the speech was great. Very moving and I'm so glad they showed this side of Raph and feel they did it well. As for knowing the characters, I think it's difficult for many of us here who are so familiar with the turtles to forget what we know about them when watching the film, which means it's tricky trying to judge how much we'd pick up on their identities from the film alone. I also think that fans who are very familiar with the characters may be looking too deeply, and in doing so miss the subtleties that reveal so much - tone of voice, facial expressions, body language. One example is when April wakes up and asks them what they are, they all choose a different word to represent themselves. As a recap, Leonardo takes on a serious tone and describes them as 'Ninjas', Raphael uses an aggressive almost threatening tone to add 'Mutants', whilst Donatello calmly brings things back into a factual perspective by explaining that 'Well, technically we're Turtles' , leaving Mikey to point out that they're also 'Teenagers' in his own whimsical way. I know this sounds very simplistic, but what I'm trying to get across is that I believe, even if I'd had no prior knowledge of TMNT, that this scene of literally a few seconds would of given me a reliable introduction into who these characters are as individuals. And that's just one example. These little clues and character traits are acknowledged constantly throughout the movie.

The stuff that Raph was apoligising for was barely in the movie so it really has no emotional impact if this is the first depiction of TMNT you've properly seen.

The example you give of the characterisation would be fine if that wasn't the only aspect present in the movie. It makes the turtles seem like one note characters that can only act and react to things based on the descriptions in the classic theme song.

I really enjoyed Fichtner's performance and look forward to seeing him in the sequel, however I did feel there was too much of his character in favour of Shredder, which is the wrong way round. I think Karai's role as Chunin for the Foot Clan is still clear though and entirely necessary, just wish she'd been given more lines.

Considering that a lot of people liked that he was cast even those who didn't like the idea of white washing Shredder based on how good an actor he was I was curious as someone who hadn't seen him in much. Sadly I thought his acting was poor in parts but it's probably not his fault.

I certainly don't want to see him in the sequel. His character serves no purpose if he isn't going to be the Shredder then again neither was Karai in this movie either.

it's great for the team behind TMNT to take on board the opinions of fans, however not at the expense of losing confidence in what they're trying to achieve. I dare say that's easier said than done, especially considering the massive backlash they endured throughout the making of this one. Roll on TMNT 2

I think it's pretty clear that they did lose confidence in what they were trying achieve otherwise we would have gotten The Blue Door script made into a movie and it's clear even as far as their section at the panel of comic con that they were confused and even a little upset they had to change it.

Of course you could say Paramount did good by ordering changes but even then there seemed to be more changes during filming that didn't seem to be connected to fan wishes which suggests they didn't have confidence in the movie they were making.

I suppose the real proof is how they approach the sequel if they really care about the fans. Sadly what little faith I had has been lost so I say roll on reboot.

[Hannurdock]

Above from L to R : Me (with TMNT wristwatch and band) Mark, Danielle and my gorgeous Matthew. Looking very dapper in his long black leather jacket.

Second time around! We decided to pose with the controversial poster. The guy from The Giant Screen promised I could have the cardboard standee for my flat I can't wait to pick it up.

I was with my mum, my boyfriend Matthew and Danielle and her fiance Mark.

Loved it just as much as the first time.

[CharmedSerenity]

Now I finally saw it, I loved it and bring on the sequel,

[Vicky82]

TMNT tops the UK Box Office, knocking Gone Girl off the top spot.

TMNT did £4.75M ($7.70M) at the weekend (think it includes special previews) I reckon it will end up doing £27M + ($30M +) in total.

I wonder if TMNT will get the 2nd week at no 1 or will Fury (rated 15) knock it off the top spot. With it being the start of half term as well I expect it be pretty close. I expect The Book of Life will end up at no3/4.

[D Piddy 1982]

Forgot to mention this:

House of Vans in London is hosting "Legend of the Yokai" TMNT art event.

Ends this Sunday 26th.

I'm hoping to get down there on Sunday to check it out.

http://houseofvanslondon.com/events/...d-of-the-yokai

[joefsas]

Originally Posted by D Piddy 1982

Forgot to mention this:

House of Vans in London is hosting "Legend of the Yokai" TMNT art event.

Ends this Sunday 26th.

I'm hoping to get down there on Sunday to check it out.

http://houseofvanslondon.com/events/...d-of-the-yokai

Get loads of pics dude! Saw about it on Facebook. Would love to go to this

[HotNunchuckFury]

I saw about this on fb too, it looks awesome. Won't be able to get down there myself unfortunately, so would love to see photos from others.

Good to know the movie's #1 here as well, I was wondering how it was doing.