Thoughts on the new movie!

[discordiatookie]

Originally Posted by tmntluv

It actually follows one of the stories that occured in the comics that many may not read, (except for us here) but me being a geek.....I know the whole story line.

Which comic is that? Cos I have pretty much all of the TMNT comics, (only missing a few from the archie series and one from vol 2, perhaps a coupla crossovers) and not once have I came across the storyline from the film. In fact I believe it has been said, by either Peter Laird or Kevin Munroe, that Laird wanted to do an original storyline and not one from the comics...

Other than that I agree with you about the film being amazing! As for the Wii game, I just got a Wii yesterday and had to pick up TMNT, only just completed Donnie's level, its pretty neat!

[Aignatius]

Egadz. After seeing the movie, I needed a few hours just to take it all in. I'm still mentally digesting it all.
I'm just a sap, I know, but some of the scenes made me literally weep with happiness.
Especially the part where Raph realizes Leo got captured. Some may snicker at it sounding too Darth Vader-esque and risque`, but I thought it quite appropriate. What else would you say in a situation like that?

[DrSpengler]

My review

It's kinda long, so here's a few chunks:

As a Ninja Turtle fan, I really enjoyed the flick. It had all the plot of a Saturday Morning Cartoon, so don’t go into this expecting all sorts of complex storytelling. Honestly, had the script been shopped to 4Kids Entertainment and not the Weinstein Company, this probably could’ve ended up as an episode of the cartoon series and nobody would’ve noticed. Yet it’s rated PG and it’s a kid’s movie, so really, what else did you expect? As far as being a kid’s movie is concerned, don’t worry, this is far darker and more intelligent than both “Secret of the Ooze” and “TMNT III”. This new film never gets any grittier than the original 1990 TMNT film, but that’s okay by me.

The voice acting is mostly good. There was nothing wrong with any of the actors playing the Turtles, at least nothing I noticed. Sarah Michelle Gellar phones in a rather underwhelming performance as April and her lines are delivered with all the fluidity of a pile of rocks in a tornado. The late and great Mako almost steals the show as Splinter, balancing the stern martial arts sensei with the loving father and throwing in some hilarious character quirks along the way. A terrible shame we’ll never hear him in the role again. Kevin Michael Richardson voices the most prominent of the four generals, General Aquila, and does fine. He’s one of my favorite cartoon voice actors and can sound very villainous when it counts. Patrick Stewart has become quite good at voice acting over the years and plays the sympathetic Max Winters as well as you can imagine. Ziyi Zhang is a bit of an oddity, I must confess. Karai is supposed to be Japanese, but Zhang’s accent is entirely too Chinese sounding. In all likelihood, most Americans won’t be able to tell. And finally Chris Evans delivers a perfectly appropriate performance as the lovable hockey mask-clad vigilante, Casey Jones.

And then there’s the leftovers. Laurence Fishburne, of all people, provides an opening narrative briefly recapping the Turtles’ history as well as the backstory of the villains. Kevin Smith also makes a surprise cameo as the cook at a diner. He actually does a pretty good job. A few more recognizable cartoon voice actors can be spotted throughout the movie if you’re a cartoon buff like me. You’ll notice Jim Cummings as a generic thug who keeps winding up in the wrong place at the wrong time. Billy West also shows up as a news anchorman.

[ZariusTwo]

Well, it was great. As I expected, this story served as a reintroduction of the characters to mainstream audiences, and told a small, yet satisfying story. Whilst the trailers boasted of a battle between the Turtles and the Warriors, nothing could be further from the real, emotional core of the story. This was not about Stone Warriors and endless fight scenes, this was the story of two brothers settling their disputes and Rapahel finally learning long sought lessons.

The humour was solid, especially since Casey was the star as far as that was concerned, the only time he was trumped was with Raph being semi-conscious when the Turtles found him, and falling asleep talking to Casey.

The battle between Raph and Leo was the film's highlight, and an extradordinary addition to the TMNT mythology, it's a part of the mythology fans have reinterpreted time and again, and now it's been interpreted on screen

Karai I thought was'nt as wasted as people claim. Her character is arguably more fleshed out in the series, but I thought for the film, and as a heavy, she worked rather well in the context of the story, it balanced her sense of honour and her ever present clear and implied resentment towards the Turtles. Loved her exchanges with the Foot Soldier in the Party Wagon, really brought a human touch to a character who has long become more human in the series.

Spoiler:

Yeah, Shredder's coming back sometime, but at least he was implied, not revealed, and the twist with Max NOT being an antagonist, just a wayward, regretful and tormented immortal outcast was quite a nice touch

Arguably one of the best TMNT movies, and a great movie in it's own right. It went full throttle without Shredder, and unlike the third movie, balanced everything out so he did'nt matter.

[AquaParade]

100% sure that the movie was written originally by Kevin Munroe and maybe some others. Glad you liked it though. I already can't wait to see it again. I think I may tonight.

[Vicky82]

I saw the film today and loved it. TMNT came out a week early here in the UK which I think was a bad idea as 300 was out the same time. The annoying thing was that there was no sound for the 1st 5 mins of the film about 8 people ran out to tell the staff. Loved the fight scene between Raph and Leo.
I might go see it again next week.

When I was in the queue to get a drink some people behind me (Who were gonna watch 300) said that TMNT should have been like the 80s film and that TMNT shouldn't have been called TMNT

[Willis]

In my theater it was two fold.

One part it was like everyone was in sync. We all laughed at the same parts and all "oo ahhh" at other parts. I couldn't help but notice and it was amusing on it's own.

The second part were the peanut gallery comments coming all around me. I was sitting maybe 4th or 5th row from the screen. (3-4 rows right up front, then an isle, then my row). -- In front of me I could hear little kids talking and pointing out the turtles or stuff. And behind me there was a group of people making half funny jokes about what was happening.

My favorite had to be when Winter's vaporates. "Well that's one multi-billion dollar company down the drain!"

[jezza]

Although it did have some similarities with the episode 'The Darkness Within' in the 2K3 series. Planetary alignment and old man trying to cure a curse.

[Rooish]

Hm, today I took some friends to it and they didn't like it. I think they thought it had potential, but it was butchered by some of the more unforgivably bad lines ... the worst one probably being (although Nolan did the best he could have with it):

DON: I hate seeing families fight.
RAPH: Unless it's together!

They did seem awed by the Leo/Raph fight, though.

[Buslady]

Originally Posted by Aignatius

Egadz. After seeing the movie, I needed a few hours just to take it all in. I'm still mentally digesting it all.
I'm just a sap, I know, but some of the scenes made me literally weep with happiness.
Especially the part where Raph realizes Leo got captured. Some may snicker at it sounding too Darth Vader-esque and risque`, but I thought it quite appropriate. What else would you say in a situation like that?

yeah he did sound a bit Vaderish, I thought it was cool though. It worked for his Nightwatcher persona hehe

I just got back from taking the boys. My nephew liked it, I dunno if Chris liked it! He'll never admit it if he did or not.

[jezza]

Surely Mikeys line at the end got a giggle out of them?

[Rooish]

Yes, it did. (I giggled hardest, though). The whole theatre laughed at that.

One of my friends also said that Don's finding ("This has Winter's name written all over it") was too much of a cop-out ... no detective work was really involved. I liked that part, though.

[discordiatookie]

Originally Posted by Buslady

Her YELLOW outfit, ugh…okay lady we’re going ninja here, yellow is a flag that says KILL ME.

Don'tcha mean "KILL BILL"?

[Fledermaus]

Originally Posted by tookie

Don'tcha mean "KILL BILL"?

Haha. Didn't know that yellow signified "kill me."

Anyway, it's been less than 24 hours since I walked out of that theater, and I'm dying to see TMNT again!! All that can suffice for now are those few bootleg videos (including Leo vs. Raph) -- god, I hope no one actually records the whole movie and puts it up on the internet. I really, reallyreallyreally want a sequel and kickass DVD...

[Aztec General]

Just saw it and I loved it overall. Here's the breakdown:

**Spoilers** Read at your own risk!!

The Good

1) Lots of action. The fight scenes were intense, violent, and plentiful. I'm glad the action to humor ratio favored action more.

2) Karai and the Foot were awesome in this film. I like the idea of them acting as hired guns while they reorganize to reconquer NYC's underworld.

3) Leo vs. Raph. Best fight scene in the movie and also the most poignant scene in the movie.

4) Casey, Splinter, and heck even April got to kick a little ass too. April and Casey's relationship developing was cool to see as well.

5) The introduction was very cool. Winters and his generals were total badasses and frightening fighters.

6) The subplot of the TMNT needing to come back together as a family. This was foiled very nicely by the not too dis-similar familial problems of Winters and his generals.

7) The Shredder references were cool. I like the fact that he still had a "presence" even after his death. This reminded me of "City At War" a bit.

This film was a worthy sequel to the first film. I'm glad they chose to basically ignore films 2 & 3 (but still not contradict them for those of you who enjoyed them).

The Bad

1) Mikey and Don got very little screen time. It's a real shame for Donny because he got very little screen time in the first film too.

2) Winters' "change of heart" was a little sudden. Early in the film while talking to Karai and the Generals he seemed pleased at the opportunity to take over the world with his army of darkness. Then all of sudden he just wants to die in peace? There was very little explanation for this sudden change.

3) The 13 monsters portion of the storyline was pretty nonsensical. Why 13 anyway? They only showed maybe 7 or 8 in the film as it was. I still don't see how destroying the monsters would serve to de-stonify the generals and finally kill Winters.

4) How is it that they couldn't find the biggest, meanest, and most destructive monster for so long? Don't you think someone would've noticed the dinosaur like thing running around destroying the city?

5) It was too short. It flowed well but another 30 minutes would have been awesome. Hopefully they'll release a director's cut DVD (and hopefully they'll do this for the first film as well!).

[Spitfire]

Alright time to get harsh.

The movie hasn't set right with me. I watched it and I wanted to love it every second but I couldn't. I need to watch it again. I was honestly bored most of the movie. It lacked an epic feel. The last battle felt like nothing. They were fighting hundreds of Foot soldiers and they only show it for a minute.

Don being my favorite turtle the lack of him pissed me off but seeing as how the movie was completely focused on Leo and Raph I can understand but this is a movie not an episode of the TV series. All turtles should have gotten fair screen time.

Alot of stuff was implied, reading those prequels or playing the first 5 levels of the game seemed needed to understand some of the film.

As short as it was it was paced horribly. Some parts really dragged.

The humans, I can't stress how horrid they looked. But I guess I could get used to them.

Splinter's voice was terrible, I had to try hard to understand him half the time. The guy they used in the game was way better.

What was the point of Karai and the Foot? They did not need to be there. For one they were hardly in it. Seemed like they were just tossed in so the TMNT could fight them at the end.

Alright enough bad stuff here's some good.

Loved the animation at some parts. The fight in the rain looked amazing.

Voice acting was great, I wouldn't have changed any voice, except Splinter.

The Leo Raph fight was what I wanted to see. Seeing Leo's asshole side was something I've been waiting for. And I didn't at all expect it in this movie.

While the story lacked substance it got it's point across.

Okay I didn't have to much good to say. Like I said I need to see it again. I seriously over hyped myself for the movie. I went to the first showing on Friday.

[Mr. Snackpants]

Alright well i'm going in a few minutes. Hopefully it will be good...it should because I've kept my expectations low. That and I know very little about the movie...i've stayed away from screenshots and spoilers and only know the basic plotline, so it should be a good time.

[Aignatius]

Originally Posted by Aztec General

2) Winters' "change of heart" was a little sudden. Early in the film while talking to Karai and the Generals he seemed pleased at the opportunity to take over the world with his army of darkness. Then all of sudden he just wants to die in peace? There was very little explanation for this sudden change.

Spoiler:

From what I understood from watching the movie once, he had this change of heart over the course of the last 3000 years. His intention at the beginning was to open the portal to send back the monsters, and to make him-- and the generals-- mortal again. When the generals found out what his intentions were, they decided not to seek out the 13th monster but put a substitute in there instead. They used Leo. Then they turned against Winters, and threw him down, and he ended up at the feet of the turtles. There he explained to them what he intended, because he said immortality is a curse, and he wanted to right the wrong he'd done. So then, they joined forces to complete Winter's mission.

Anyway, I could be off about this, just my take on it...

[ZariusTwo]

Spoiler:

Winters HAD no "change of heart", his heart was always in the right place, he just did things the wrong way, and his brothers felt betrayed and used. They had their own schemes and were'nt prepared to die, as Winters knew they would.

Anyone who swallowed the film's illusion of Winters being a villain is an idiot.

[ikology]

saw TMNT late last night, and I honestly enjoyed it more than I thought I would going into it, and I was already expecting a decent film at the least

I'm not gonna write a review because I'm sure you're all gonna see it for yourself if you haven't already

All I'll say is that:

1. Wished it were longer (which is a complement to the film)
2. Wished it had more Donnie and Mike, but for all the Leo stuff it had in it, it was all good stuff, and I gotta say Raph OWNED this film and I didn't mind one bit

But still really had a good time, really felt like I was watching a Turtles movie made by people who know the Turtles well and care about the series, and I would definitely pay to see it again and buy the dvd when it comes out

I'll also add that I had to practically drag 2 people to see it with me who went into it very cynical and came out saying that they had a good time and thought that it wasy visually and stylistically very impressive
If they had been TMNT fans in the first place they certainly would've liked it that much more

So Kudos to Kevin and his staff
and here's hoping that many more people will go see it and make future TMNT projects possible!

p.s. a bit of advice to those who have yet to see it:
TMNT is a fun light-hearted series that certainly doesn't take itself too seriously, so audiences shouldn't either.
If your goal is to disect and critique this movie into pieces then yes you will be able to find things "wrong" with it
But if you're someone who loves the Turtles and just wants to sit down and spend an hour and half in their fun, action-packed world, then there's no way IMO that TMNT doesn't deliver!