Michaelangelo smart? Boy has he got the wrong turtle...

*Sage Ninja* · 05-23-2008, 01:26 AM

In nearly every medium Michaelangelo has had the reputation as being the dumb one of the group. And why not, in a group of hero's there has always got to be the dumb person in the group to ask the obvious questions for eighther comic relief or to have one of the intelligent characters spell it out to him as an excuse to inform the audiance step by step on what they are going to do and why, with it it looking like the plot is being patronizing to the veiwers. I don't know why Michaelangelo has always been viewed as the dumb one or where it started but almost all universes portray him as being on the "duh" side. Maybe it started in the orginal comics, or maybe it was the classic toon, but in most cases Michaelangelo is at worst the idiot and at best mearly the least intelligent of the bunch. Some universes emphasis this more than others and show im with have more gray matter between his ears than others. Eighther that or maybe much of his "dumb" behavior is misinterpurted for stupidty when he's really not not. So in your opiniuon which is the smartes version of michaelangelo where he is shown to actually be more clever than moronic?

I think where Michaelangelo's repuation of being dumb orginated in the classic cartoon. He is forever getting picked on by Raphael for being kind of an air head and the others don't seem to have much faith in his smarts. But since i've been rewatching the old show I've been noticing that Michaelangelo isn't as dumb as as i rememer him being. He actually seem rather quick on the up take in several situations and clever/imaginative with dealing with adversaries. And actually seemed pretty capable at solving or figuring out a problem when one was laid on him. He could actually pretty perceptive on occasion and ushaully can see that something is wrong or amiss pretty early on before it really starts making trouble. In the old toon it seemed you where told that Michaelangelo was dumb more often than he genuanly was.

In the New toon there have been alot of complaints that mikey is just an moron, and even though he is at times I think there is more mystery to his intellectual prowess than what is seen on the surface. He seems like he can stratigize when he has to, and whether he is just pulling scenarios comic book plots or if he is coming up with it himself his plans can work. Amybe mikey pretends to be dumber than he is because he doesn't think any one will take him seriously, since most of thetime his brothers think he's an idiot. But it's not as concrete that he is a moron as he lets on to be.

Mirage comics, I haven't read the comics so but it seems he took a back seat when it came to plans or giving input on stratigy and sometimes asked obvious questions. But seemed to enjoy reading. Now I don't know if liking books is a sign of being smart but it least that shows he akes the inciative to learn.

Live ation movie Mikey, he seemed he had an out side the box way of thinking. He seemed to come up with wacky ideas on how to reach a goal like putting an antidote into a bunch of donuts to feed to two monsters, that almost worked.

CGI Mikey seems to be regared as the least intelligent version of Michaelangelo so far due to his over all flightiness.

which Michaelangelo is the smartest version of him?

*Ninjinister* · 05-23-2008, 01:45 AM

In Volume 4 of Mirage, the Triceratons see him as a tactical genius in combat.

*triplexxx* · 05-23-2008, 02:04 AM

Quote:

Live ation movie Mikey, he seemed he had an out side the box way of thinking. He seemed to come up with wacky ideas on how to reach a goal like putting an antidote into a bunch of donuts to feed to two monsters, that almost worked.

Well, as a matter of fact it did work, just after a little persuasion from the carbon dioxide in the fire extinguishers. I know not to automatically assume he's dumb, I've never thought about the turtles as typical stereotypes.

*Scandia* · 05-23-2008, 05:29 AM

I do not know if you have read the Archie TMNT Adventures. But I do not remember Mikey being particularly dumb in that version. He may have been comic relief, but in no way was he incompetent.

Buffy · 05-23-2008, 07:56 AM

I've been rewatching some old toon TMNT cartoons, and I noticed that Mike comes up a lot with good plans. He may come off as a slacker sometimes, but he knows how to handle himself in a tough situation.

*odupianist* · 05-23-2008, 12:13 PM

I think it was also that stoner/surfer persona that he had in the old toon that has led to him being the moron of the group. I agree on all of your points Sage. I think Mikey has a lot more intellect than he lets on, and I do think that ties in to the goofball nature of him. I think the live action movie is the best overall persona of Mikey. He was a bit goofy but still was quite smart. CGI and FF have probably been the worse versions of Mikey.

Monte Williams · 05-23-2008, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by odupianist

I think it was also that stoner/surfer persona that he had in the old toon that has led to him being the moron of the group.

That's exactly my thought; he's much more a stoner than an idiot.

That said, I am not adequately familiar with the various universes to really say which presented him as the smartest. I know the old 'toon made him way too Spicoli for me; accordingly, he was my least favorite Turtle, and might still be...

thebrownranger · 05-23-2008, 06:55 PM

vol. 3 Mikey seemed to be more mature since he was taking care of shadow and spent his time being a writer.

Jelly Bean · 05-24-2008, 12:59 AM

you know I really haven't seen much of the 80's cartoon but I never got a "stoner" vibe off of him. Or really that he was much of a "surfer" persona, expect for a few "surfer" slang thrown aorund here and there he seemed like a chilled out sort or guy.

I actually voted for the 80's cartoon Mike, even though I've only seen two seasons of it. From what I've seen this version of him seems like he has more awareness of whats going on and a better grasp on things. Mikey in the current toon although I think is smarter than he's given credit for, seems much more scatter brained and...I don't know, clueless at times.

Mr. Stay Puft · 05-24-2008, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jelly Bean

Mikey in the current toon although I think is smarter than he's given credit for, seems much more scatter brained and...I don't know, clueless at times.

That's because he's Mikey for the ADD generation.

*Guitar_Raph* · 05-24-2008, 07:48 AM

I voted for "Other" because of Next Mutation.

Thought it was cool that Mikey drove around on his jeep, doing his pirate radio show "The Sewer Hour".

TheUltimateShredhead · 05-24-2008, 12:02 PM

Mikey may not be a brainiac, but his not directly stupid eather.

Jelly Bean · 05-25-2008, 07:52 PM

Quote:

CGI Mikey seems to be regared as the least intelligent version of Michaelangelo so far due to his over all flightiness.

Quote:

CGI and FF have probably been the worse versions of Mikey.

You know I really don't get why CGI Mikey is considered so stupid. Based on how little his screen time was and what little speaking scenes he actually had I don't think there was enough time given to show how smart or dumb he was. Other than getting beat up by bunch of kids and falling down a few times, I don't think he did or said anything that outrageously stupid.

In alot of ways I thought he was more mild than the cartoon version of him on 4KIDS.

Quote:

That's because he's Mikey for the ADD generation.

having ADD doesn't mean you are scatter brained or dumb, and it's to bad that tv execs think not being able to concentrate equals stupidity.

Quote:

vol. 3 Mikey seemed to be more mature since he was taking care of shadow and spent his time being a writer.

Vol. three? What version are you talking about?

thebrownranger · 05-25-2008, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jelly Bean

Vol. three? What version are you talking about?

Umm Image.

*Revan* · 05-25-2008, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jelly Bean

Vol. three? What version are you talking about?

volume three refers to the third volume of the comics.

volumes 1,2, and 4 were mirage

vol 3 was done by image comics and is not cosidered canon

turkishproverb · 05-25-2008, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebrownranger

vol. 3 Mikey seemed to be more mature since he was taking care of shadow and spent his time being a writer.

He got a book published. And Oprah Liked it.

*Buslady* · 05-25-2008, 09:26 PM

i like Mirage Mike best. He was pretty mature most the time in Archies if I recall correctly

I'm really tired of seeing them portray him as a moron and a wuss. he can be funny and be smart at the same time. in FF he really regressed like they all did

*Warhorse* · 05-26-2008, 12:01 AM

I liked the live version Mikey the best. He jus happened to have more of a smarter, appealing way about him in the live action movies than any other incarnation.

Jelly Bean · 05-26-2008, 11:37 PM

I don't get why Mikey is the "stupid" turtle at all. Why does he have to be the idiot any way? Is it to make him funny or is it because he is the the most light hearted of the group? Does liking comics and video games and being hyper automatically make you a moron?

*Roseangelo* · 05-27-2008, 06:06 PM

Well, I've been putting off posting in here for a bit, mostly because I'm torn about how to answer it. For me it's hard to classify each Mike in the different universes as completely different characters. Oh sure, there are some variations, as happens with all the Turtles, but in general for me it's just one big Mike (really, this can probably be applied to all of the Turtles).

I'll attempt to make sense of this...

I discovered the TMNT through the original toon and it's from there that Michaelangelo became my favorite character. Why? I think I liked him because he was light-hearted and funny. I never saw him as stupid (or stoned, as I've been seeing people say around here lately). Quite the opposite; I loved the times when he had the idea that saved the day. I don't think it was that rare, although it wasn't the specific role he was meant to play regularly.

Next for me was the first movie, which came out about six months after I started watching the cartoon. The obviously different feel of the movie when compared to the cartoon was too much for a lot of people to handle (especially movie critics), but that honestly never bothered me. What I saw in the movie was more depth to the same character and a new way to understand how Mike works. Ordering pizza while Splinter's giving them a lesson, changing the subject when Don asks him what he thought about what it'd be like not having Splinter, the rage we see briefly displayed in the barn, etc. And all of that just added to the reasons why he would remain my favorite character.

And then the comic books eventually fed into that (and for simplicity at this time, I'm lumping all of that together).

While all of the different genre Mikes were slightly different from each other, none of them contradicted themselves. UNTIL it started working its way into the 4Kids series that Mike was actually stupid AND, worst of all, an incompetent fighter. For all the jokes that the other Turtles might make towards him - and let's face it, he asks for it - I don't think any of them would ever, ever, in honest truth, consider Mike to be unintelligent and especially a less than competent fighter.

Now, with all of that said, I think Vol. 1-3 of the Mirage(Image) comic book feature the best exploration of Mike's character. Although the Archie series did a pretty darn good job, too. And the live action Mike was really fun. And CGI Mike was really cute...

See, this is why I was avoiding this topic; I can't pick just one!

View Poll Results: Which is the smartes portrayal of Michaelangelo?
Classic Toon Mike	13	18.06%
New toon Mike	3	4.17%
Live action movie Mike	6	8.33%
Mirage comics Mike	34	47.22%
Image comics Mike	12	16.67%
CGI movie Mike	2	2.78%
other	2	2.78%
Voters: 72. You may not vote on this poll

05-23-2008, 01:26 AM	#1
Sage Ninja Band of the Hawk Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: USA Posts: 3,924	Michaelangelo smart? Boy has he got the wrong turtle... In nearly every medium Michaelangelo has had the reputation as being the dumb one of the group. And why not, in a group of hero's there has always got to be the dumb person in the group to ask the obvious questions for eighther comic relief or to have one of the intelligent characters spell it out to him as an excuse to inform the audiance step by step on what they are going to do and why, with it it looking like the plot is being patronizing to the veiwers. I don't know why Michaelangelo has always been viewed as the dumb one or where it started but almost all universes portray him as being on the "duh" side. Maybe it started in the orginal comics, or maybe it was the classic toon, but in most cases Michaelangelo is at worst the idiot and at best mearly the least intelligent of the bunch. Some universes emphasis this more than others and show im with have more gray matter between his ears than others. Eighther that or maybe much of his "dumb" behavior is misinterpurted for stupidty when he's really not not. So in your opiniuon which is the smartes version of michaelangelo where he is shown to actually be more clever than moronic? I think where Michaelangelo's repuation of being dumb orginated in the classic cartoon. He is forever getting picked on by Raphael for being kind of an air head and the others don't seem to have much faith in his smarts. But since i've been rewatching the old show I've been noticing that Michaelangelo isn't as dumb as as i rememer him being. He actually seem rather quick on the up take in several situations and clever/imaginative with dealing with adversaries. And actually seemed pretty capable at solving or figuring out a problem when one was laid on him. He could actually pretty perceptive on occasion and ushaully can see that something is wrong or amiss pretty early on before it really starts making trouble. In the old toon it seemed you where told that Michaelangelo was dumb more often than he genuanly was. In the New toon there have been alot of complaints that mikey is just an moron, and even though he is at times I think there is more mystery to his intellectual prowess than what is seen on the surface. He seems like he can stratigize when he has to, and whether he is just pulling scenarios comic book plots or if he is coming up with it himself his plans can work. Amybe mikey pretends to be dumber than he is because he doesn't think any one will take him seriously, since most of thetime his brothers think he's an idiot. But it's not as concrete that he is a moron as he lets on to be. Mirage comics, I haven't read the comics so but it seems he took a back seat when it came to plans or giving input on stratigy and sometimes asked obvious questions. But seemed to enjoy reading. Now I don't know if liking books is a sign of being smart but it least that shows he akes the inciative to learn. Live ation movie Mikey, he seemed he had an out side the box way of thinking. He seemed to come up with wacky ideas on how to reach a goal like putting an antidote into a bunch of donuts to feed to two monsters, that almost worked. CGI Mikey seems to be regared as the least intelligent version of Michaelangelo so far due to his over all flightiness. which Michaelangelo is the smartest version of him? __________________ Cassandra: You won't fight me, but will you fight--for him! Cassandra's Revenge ~Tangled the Series ________________________________ http://frankviola.org/2012/01/30/godsviewofawoman/ _______________________________ http://nox-artemis.tumblr.com/post/4...k-and-feminism Last edited by Sage Ninja; 05-23-2008 at 01:32 AM.

05-23-2008, 01:45 AM	#2
Ninjinister 無問題 Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Moesko Island, WA Posts: 14,348	In Volume 4 of Mirage, the Triceratons see him as a tactical genius in combat. __________________

05-23-2008, 05:29 AM	#4
Scandia Mad Scientist Join Date: May 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 2,265	I do not know if you have read the Archie TMNT Adventures. But I do not remember Mikey being particularly dumb in that version. He may have been comic relief, but in no way was he incompetent. __________________ Turtles fight with honor!!!

05-23-2008, 07:56 AM	#5
Buffy Mad Scientist Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: where am I? Posts: 1,472	I've been rewatching some old toon TMNT cartoons, and I noticed that Mike comes up a lot with good plans. He may come off as a slacker sometimes, but he knows how to handle himself in a tough situation. __________________ Forgiveness is divine, but never pay full price for late pizza.

05-23-2008, 12:13 PM	#6
odupianist Mad Scientist Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,744	I think it was also that stoner/surfer persona that he had in the old toon that has led to him being the moron of the group. I agree on all of your points Sage. I think Mikey has a lot more intellect than he lets on, and I do think that ties in to the goofball nature of him. I think the live action movie is the best overall persona of Mikey. He was a bit goofy but still was quite smart. CGI and FF have probably been the worse versions of Mikey.

05-23-2008, 06:55 PM	#8
thebrownranger Stone Warrior Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: NY Posts: 782	vol. 3 Mikey seemed to be more mature since he was taking care of shadow and spent his time being a writer. __________________ https://www.instagram.com/allenjac0b/ WANTED: A.C. Farley Leonardo Bust (bronze & unpainted) Playmates TMNT statues- Donatello, Michelangelo

05-24-2008, 07:48 AM	#11
Guitar_Raph Superhero musician Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 2,191	I voted for "Other" because of Next Mutation. Thought it was cool that Mikey drove around on his jeep, doing his pirate radio show "The Sewer Hour". __________________ Mikey drums with nunchucks!

05-24-2008, 12:02 PM	#12
TheUltimateShredhead Stone Warrior Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 642	Mikey may not be a brainiac, but his not directly stupid eather.

05-25-2008, 09:26 PM	#17
Buslady WingsOfDarkness! Perkele! Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: In 7803... Posts: 4,366	i like Mirage Mike best. He was pretty mature most the time in Archies if I recall correctly I'm really tired of seeing them portray him as a moron and a wuss. he can be funny and be smart at the same time. in FF he really regressed like they all did __________________

05-26-2008, 12:01 AM	#18
Warhorse Emperor Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 5,544	I liked the live version Mikey the best. He jus happened to have more of a smarter, appealing way about him in the live action movies than any other incarnation.

05-27-2008, 06:06 PM	#20
Roseangelo Emperor Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: California Posts: 9,107	Well, I've been putting off posting in here for a bit, mostly because I'm torn about how to answer it. For me it's hard to classify each Mike in the different universes as completely different characters. Oh sure, there are some variations, as happens with all the Turtles, but in general for me it's just one big Mike (really, this can probably be applied to all of the Turtles). I'll attempt to make sense of this... I discovered the TMNT through the original toon and it's from there that Michaelangelo became my favorite character. Why? I think I liked him because he was light-hearted and funny. I never saw him as stupid (or stoned, as I've been seeing people say around here lately). Quite the opposite; I loved the times when he had the idea that saved the day. I don't think it was that rare, although it wasn't the specific role he was meant to play regularly. Next for me was the first movie, which came out about six months after I started watching the cartoon. The obviously different feel of the movie when compared to the cartoon was too much for a lot of people to handle (especially movie critics), but that honestly never bothered me. What I saw in the movie was more depth to the same character and a new way to understand how Mike works. Ordering pizza while Splinter's giving them a lesson, changing the subject when Don asks him what he thought about what it'd be like not having Splinter, the rage we see briefly displayed in the barn, etc. And all of that just added to the reasons why he would remain my favorite character. And then the comic books eventually fed into that (and for simplicity at this time, I'm lumping all of that together). While all of the different genre Mikes were slightly different from each other, none of them contradicted themselves. UNTIL it started working its way into the 4Kids series that Mike was actually stupid AND, worst of all, an incompetent fighter. For all the jokes that the other Turtles might make towards him - and let's face it, he asks for it - I don't think any of them would ever, ever, in honest truth, consider Mike to be unintelligent and especially a less than competent fighter. Now, with all of that said, I think Vol. 1-3 of the Mirage(Image) comic book feature the best exploration of Mike's character. Although the Archie series did a pretty darn good job, too. And the live action Mike was really fun. And CGI Mike was really cute... See, this is why I was avoiding this topic; I can't pick just one! __________________ www.ninjapizza.net www.colorsbyrosemary.com