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

[VaughnMichael]

I think people get the asumption that Mikey was a stoner because he would say things like "dude I've got a serious case of the major munchies!"
He was talking about how hungry he is allot of the time so I think people just got it from that.
Much in the same way people think about Shaggy and Scooby who eat all the time yet aren't super fat.

Btw I went with the Image comics version because I think he had the most going for him in that version even if it was short lived but next after that I'd have to go with Mirage.
I've never been much of a Michaelangelo fan mostly because of the cartoon, but once I got into the comics more I didn't mind him so much.
I think my least fave version of him though is the 2k3-Now version he's just such a goof off and is just so annoying.

[Roseangelo]

Originally Posted by Putrescent

Btw I went with the Image comics version because I think he had the most going for him in that version even if it was short lived but next after that I'd have to go with Mirage.

Another reason I can't bring myself to pick an answer... Image Mike is very much a continuation of Mirage (Vol. 1-2) Mike, so picking it (for me) would be like ignoring how he got to be the character he is in Vol. 3. But Vol. 3 definitely did some good things for Mike.

[Sage Ninja]

I voted for old toon Mike because to me in that version he wasn't dumb for all the reasons I've already mentioned, but just...unpretencious and--nice. I think alot of people tend to attribute smarts and intellect with being sly and cunning and even deceitful, which Michaelangelo wasn't. Michaelangelo is just a nice person and nice people tend to get taken advantge of because they appear weak or easy to targets. No one really messes with mean or sarcastic people because you naturally think they are to smart to go along with anything. But nice genuane people tend to get used as a result of their good natured dispostions. How many times did Michaelangelo in the old toon have to reluctantly have to do something embarrassing to distract an enemy? Why not the other turtles? Because he was the most mild of the turtles he was forced to do the dirty work and look the foolish. Unless you are a calculating dishonest bastard that can manipulate people and pull the wool over their eyes you aren't considered very smart, especially if you are also have a positive out look and amiable disposition. I don't why this is but individuals who are sunny and genuane personas, people tend to think theat you are eighther simple because you don't realize all the bad stuff around you, or you are just stupid. And that why I think Michaelangelo in the classic toon came off as dumb character in the old toon when he wasn't.

Mikey in the new toon isn't dumb so much as he is foolish. He does things that he should know better about and that me makes him appear like an idiot. When you do something that any one could see would get you trouble you look like an idiot when you do it. Now any one can do something they should no better about but this is a regualr habit of him. Alot of Mikey's antics are things that he should not do but does any way, so every one rolls their eyes at him and thinks he is a moron. Perfect examples are when he was playing with the buttons on some air craft even after Don tells him to "leave the shiny buttons alone Mikey" and suddenly the compartment he is in detaches and he falls away screaming. Thing like that make you people go ... dumbass. So it's not really that Mikey is actaully stupid but he does stupid things eighther delberately or accidently because he doesn't think things through. Mikey also tends to says thing out of context and nothing makes you look like a idiot more than when people are having a serious conversation during a tense moment and you make some radom off the wall comment. Another thing and I think this is the biggest thing that makes Mikey look like a moron is he is an attention whore.

[Jelly Bean]

Originally Posted by Roseangelo

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.

um, maybe I'm not understanding you very well but it seems you kind of contradicted your self here. The first thing you said was that worst thing about Mikey in the current series he is stupid and an incompentent fighter, then you say that no one would consider him unintelligent and is a good fighter.

For all of his idiotic antics Mikey is actually rather smart, it just doesn't come up very often, and when it does it's like his brothers make a big deal that he actually had an idea. It's like when ever Mikey has something smart to say every one is shocked like hell just froze over or pigs just learned to fly. It's almost like Mikey isn't allowed to be smart, and I've noticed this in other versions as well like the new movie. I think this is why I voted for 80's toon Mikey because I felt that there wasn't a standard that he had to be the dumb one. In the the current toon it seems like there are standards that the good ideas have to come from Leo or Don, the badass stuff has to come from Raph and the wacky dumb stuff has to come from Mikey.

I don't really get this in the 80's toon, in an episode where a robot goes crazy because it's control by a video game Mikey figures this out and hooks up his game to it to take control of it. I was shocked, because I wouldn't think Mikey would be the one to pull something off like that, because I would think it be Don. I could never picture mikey in the current toon or movie written to do something like that.

[Roseangelo]

Originally Posted by Jelly Bean

um, maybe I'm not understanding you very well but it seems you kind of contradicted your self here. The first thing you said was that worst thing about Mikey in the current series he is stupid and an incompentent fighter, then you say that no one would consider him unintelligent and is a good fighter.

No, not contradicting, but trying to reflect how poorly Mike has been written lately. Read what I wrote again... it makes sense.

[Spitfire]

Easily Image, he writes books and he has a lot more character depth. There's more to him then stupid one liners and a surfer attitude.

[Jelly Bean]

I voted for old toon Mike because to me in that version he wasn't dumb for all the reasons I've already mentioned, but just...unpretencious and--nice. I think alot of people tend to attribute smarts and intellect with being sly and cunning and even deceitful, which Michaelangelo wasn't. Michaelangelo is just a nice person and nice people tend to get taken advantge of because they appear weak or easy to targets. No one really messes with mean or sarcastic people because you naturally think they are to smart to go along with anything. But nice genuane people tend to get used as a result of their good natured dispostions. How many times did Michaelangelo in the old toon have to reluctantly have to do something embarrassing to distract an enemy? Why not the other turtles? Because he was the most mild of the turtles he was forced to do the dirty work and look the foolish. Unless you are a calculating dishonest bastard that can manipulate people and pull the wool over their eyes you aren't considered very smart, especially if you are also have a positive out look and amiable disposition. I don't why this is but individuals who are sunny and genuane personas, people tend to think theat you are eighther simple because you don't realize all the bad stuff around you, or you are just stupid. And that why I think Michaelangelo in the classic toon came off as dumb character in the old toon when he wasn't.

I just read what you wrote here and I think maybe you are being a teensy bit biased. From what I saw in season six Mikey showed that he could do dumb things that doesn't involve being to much of a nice guy that gets taken advantage of. Like in one episode called Nightmare...something he gets himself in trouble by messing with a machine that Donatello directly forbids anyone from useing and gets himself and Leo trapped and releases this wacky ghost. I would say that was pretty dumb.

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

I don't get why people keep saying this Mikey acted no diffrent in FF than how he always does. Seriously peaple give me one instance where Mikey acted more stupid or immature in Fast Foward than how he was in seasons 1-5?

[VaughnMichael]

Originally Posted by Jelly Bean

I just read what you wrote here and I think maybe you are being a teensy bit biased. From what I saw in season six Mikey showed that he could do dumb things that doesn't involve being to much of a nice guy that gets taken advantage of. Like in one episode called Nightmare...something he gets himself in trouble by messing with a machine that Donatello directly forbids anyone from useing and gets himself and Leo trapped and releases this wacky ghost. I would say that was pretty dumb.



I don't get why people keep saying this Mikey acted no diffrent in FF than how he always does. Seriously peaple give me one instance where Mikey acted more stupid or immature in Fast Foward than how he was in seasons 1-5?

I agree with you about old toon Mike, I think that's why I'm not a fan of him since I got to know that version first growing up.
He was very selfish allot of the time, didn't listen to the other turtle or splinter, would cop a serious attitude if he didnt get his way and lets not forget the time he went all emo when they made him think they forgot his birthday lol
&
I'm sure people could give you quite a few.
How about when he keeps taunting Raph when he wins the battle nexus for instance?
I'm sure there's more but it's 5am here and I don't feel like thinking about anymore times when a character I really don't care for acts like an idiot.

[Coola Yagami]

Originally Posted by Jelly Bean

I don't really get this in the 80's toon, in an episode where a robot goes crazy because it's control by a video game Mikey figures this out and hooks up his game to it to take control of it. I was shocked, because I wouldn't think Mikey would be the one to pull something off like that, because I would think it be Don. I could never picture mikey in the current toon or movie written to do something like that.

Well dude... Bebop and Rocksteady used a chip from the same videogame Mikey was playing alot with in the same episode on that robot. Krang's robot kept talking like the game's computer. Even during the episode one of the turtles was like 'Michealangelo, would you turn off that damn videogame!' when they heard Krang's robot talking. Then Mikey realized it and hooked up his game to the android. I don't see it so OOC for Mikey to think this up, and he would have done it even sooner in the 2K3 version since he's a bigger game fan there, while in the old show he just so happened to become this big videogame fan just in that episode.

[Sage Ninja]

you are right Jelly Bean that Michaelangelo in the old toon does do dumb things occassionally with out some one taking advantage of him. When I wrote that I just ment that in the old toon Michaelangelo was constantly getting picked on over little things and basically being told he was dumber than he actually was at times in the series. When I don't think he really deserved it since he did try and most of his "stupid" moments where just mistakes that any one could have. But then I kind of felt that the times where Michaelangelo acted randomly dumb it seemed a bit forced like it was just a plot device to let the Shredder get away. I think Michaelangelo in the old toon was more flighty than down right stupid, and made mistakes like of the turtles.

He was very selfish allot of the time, didn't listen to the other turtle or splinter, would cop a serious attitude if he didnt get his way

He was no more selfish and had bouts of rebellion any more than the other turtles. And the attitude thing, Michaelangelo in the old toon seems to be one of the more milder version when it comes to coping an attitude.

[Jelly Bean]

Originally Posted by Coola Yagami

Well dude... Bebop and Rocksteady used a chip from the same videogame Mikey was playing alot with in the same episode on that robot. Krang's robot kept talking like the game's computer. Even during the episode one of the turtles was like 'Michealangelo, would you turn off that damn videogame!' when they heard Krang's robot talking. Then Mikey realized it and hooked up his game to the android. I don't see it so OOC for Mikey to think this up, and he would have done it even sooner in the 2K3 version since he's a bigger game fan there, while in the old show he just so happened to become this big videogame fan just in that episode.

meh, I guess we will have to agree to disagree here, in the same situation as this, I don't see Mikey in the current toon catching on quicker, just based on how his character generally acts in situations like this. Mikey from the current toon might be more of video games fanatic but I don't normally see him display the kind of awareness or inciative that I've seen 80's toon Mikey show so far.

He was very selfish allot of the time, didn't listen to the other turtle or splinter, would cop a serious attitude if he didnt get his way and lets not forget the time he went all emo when they made him think they forgot his birthday lol

lol, bitter much? be careful, if Mikey fans are as rabid as Raphael fans you might be torn apart for saying stuff like that. LOL I haven't seen much of evidence of this yet in his character but is he as self centered and childish as Mikey in the current can be?

[Sage Ninja]

Originally Posted by Jelly Bean

meh, I guess we will have to agree to disagree here, in the same situation as this, I don't see Mikey in the current toon catching on quicker, just based on how his character generally acts in situations like this. Mikey from the current toon might be more of video games fanatic but I don't normally see him display the kind of awareness or inciative that I've seen 80's toon Mikey show so far.

there was that time in Reality Check where Mikey figured out a way to adjust the bomb to just take out the building instead of the city with out any of the turtles having to sacrafice them selves to disarm it. So even though Mikey doesn't show very it often in 2k3 he does have moments of ingenuity.

lol, bitter much? be careful, if Mikey fans are as rabid as Raphael fans you might be torn apart for saying stuff like that. LOL I haven't seen much of evidence of this yet in his character but is he as self centered and childish as Mikey in the current can be?

Michaelangelo fans are bit more docile than Raphael fans That and some the negative things said about our favorite turtle is sadly true sometimes so we can't really get to indignant when his flaws are pointed out. But as to whether Michaelangelo in the OT is as self centered and childish as 2k3 Mikey I would say comparatively no, I feel OT Mike isn't portrayed as the younger brother like Mikey is in the 2k3 series is. Plus when the show get into Red Sky Michaelangelo as well as the other turtles act more mature and smart, so Mike's potrayal in the classic toon evolves, where is Mikey in the 2k3 series de-evolves when it his FF.

[Jelly Bean]

Michaelangelo fans are bit more docile than Raphael fans That and some the negative things said about our favorite turtle is sadly true sometimes so we can't really get to indignant when his flaws are pointed out.

and yet you guys are the ones that are forever bitching about him and crusifying him for his flaws As fans you guys should look at his posetive traits and acomplishments not dwell on his negative ones.

Originally Posted by Sage Ninja

there was that time in Reality Check where Mikey figured out a way to adjust the bomb to just take out the building instead of the city with out any of the turtles having to sacrafice them selves to disarm it. So even though Mikey doesn't show very it often in 2k3 he does have moments of ingenuity.

I forgot about this that is true.

But as to whether Michaelangelo in the OT is as self centered and childish as 2k3 Mikey I would say comparatively no, I feel OT Mike isn't portrayed as the younger brother like Mikey is in the 2k3 series is. Plus when the show get into Red Sky Michaelangelo as well as the other turtles act more mature and smart, so Mike's potrayal in the classic toon evolves, where is Mikey in the 2k3 series de-evolves when it his FF.

Ok what exactly is Red Sky? I've heard this phrase before and I bit confused on what it referes too. Is it a seperate series from the 80's toon or a continuation?

[Coola Yagami]

Red Sky is when the series changes the opening theme, Shredder and Krang are replaced by Lord Dregg, and the turtles mutate into hulk-wannabes.


Everyone seems to make a big deal about how 'dark' and 'serious' the show gets there, but bleh. I've seen a few eps, and the only difference I see from the rest of the show is how the episodes feel more like part of an on-going saga and not so episodic... but the turtles are still cracking jokes and one-liners, there's barely any actual non-slapstick fighting... and they're still fighting silly looking cartoony monsters and things. Oh.. and in the eps regarding their transformations, suddenly the turtles are unable to do anything unless they transform.

[Jelly Bean]

you know now that I've seen more of the 80's toon I believe I've gotten a better feel for the turtles characters, and I have to wonder why exactly did every one one including the turtles think Mikey was dumb? From what I've seen he seems pretty capable and intelligent enough over-all and he doesn't screw up all that much but I'm noticing that the other turtles tend to make little quips about him not being too smart in the 80's toon, and he doesn't seem (to me any way) to really do anything that terriably dumb. From what I've seen so far 80's Mike seems to deserve being called stpid even less than CGI and NT Mikey.

[Drtooth]

Originally Posted by Jelly Bean

you know now that I've seen more of the 80's toon I believe I've gotten a better feel for the turtles characters, and I have to wonder why exactly did every one one including the turtles think Mikey was dumb? From what I've seen he seems pretty capable and intelligent enough over-all and he doesn't screw up all that much but I'm noticing that the other turtles tend to make little quips about him not being too smart in the 80's toon, and he doesn't seem (to me any way) to really do anything that terriably dumb. From what I've seen so far 80's Mike seems to deserve being called stpid even less than CGI and NT Mikey.

Mainly because the "goofy one" is usually saddled as the dumber one. I think the episodes by Jeff Scott made him a might stupid. Like the "This is like looking for a noodle in a haystack" line.

All and all, it depends on the episode. Sometimes he appears dumber than others. I can't remember anything off the top of my head, though. But occassionally he's seen as the most gluttonous, food loving one.

As for the 2k3 Mikey... I compare him to Dale of Rescue Rangers. he isn't so much dumb, as not the smartest in the group, and he has an over abundant hero worshipping love of comics and movies. Of course, in FF, this was what the character was defined as, leading to "Graduation Day" and his Darkwing Duck-esque apperance in the "Clash of the Turtle Titan" episode.

So, I could never so much call him dumb in any aspect as much as the least mature. Though, I'm sure multiple times in the old series he was the first to say "In English please?" when Donatello explains something technical. Usually him or Raph.

[Kendamu]

My feeling a lot of the time is that when Mikey is acting "dumb" he's doing just that: acting. His style of humor is very similar to my own. I tend to poke fun at myself or act dumb to make people laugh. Its kinda subtle, but the fact that I'm joking is just obvious enough that people don't legitimately think that I'm stupid.

[Darth Shredder]

It certainly isn't the 2k3 Mikey.

I swear, in that series, it's one stupid, unneeded joke/crack after another from Mikey. It's so excessive that it becomes annoying to the viewer. They tried making it a more serious, adult-oriented animated series that kids could still enjoy, but they incorporated too much Mikey stupidity so the series comes off as weird and unbalanced. Mikey from 2k3 is WAY cornier than anything I ever watched in the OT, so I don't know where a lot of people get off with the complaints (not in this thread, I'm talking about in general where some claim the OT was a total cheese show).

[NameGoesHere1066]

you know if I where to be honest with my self, and be unbiased, no version of Michaelangelo is actually "dumb"; some are more stupidly portrayed than others but it would be untrue to say that him on his own is merits is stupid. We can all say what we want about the little twerp but the very fact that he is a ninja and effective one (in varying degrees) means he isn't a total retard and has enough smarts that, honestly, the average joe probably doesn't have to survive as a ninja.

I don't think that the comic versions of Michaelangelo should even be up there since those versions of him are in a completely diffrent catergory than the cartoon versions of him and are naturally going to appear more intelligent than their bastardized cartoon versions. Big diffrence? the comics take him seriously as a character and the cartoon/movie medias doesn't.

since I don't think the comic mediums should be up there competeing against the toon versions, I'm going to just concentrate on the media versions. So from smartest to dumbest, to me it goes:

Orginal toon Michaelangelo

CGI Movie Michaelangelo

2k3 series Michaelangelo

I swear, in that series, it's one stupid, unneeded joke/crack after another from Mikey. It's so excessive that it becomes annoying to the viewer. They tried making it a more serious, adult-oriented animated series that kids could still enjoy, but they incorporated too much Mikey stupidity so the series comes off as weird and unbalanced. Mikey from 2k3 is WAY cornier than anything I ever watched in the OT, so I don't know where a lot of people get off with the complaints (not in this thread, I'm talking about in general where some claim the OT was a total cheese show).

and this is exactly why 2k3 is at the bottom and OT is at the top. 2k3 Mikey's antics and demeaner makes him come across more stupid than CGI Mikey's Haley's comet remark or his klutz fests, or OT Mike's surfer lingo does.

[NameGoesHere1066]

aw, sh*t I forgot about L.A movie Mike He was smart and creative too and a decent portrayal of comic accurate Mike. I don't think anything can top his idea of the "Anceint Prefight donut" LMAO . The Live action Mike'a are in a catergory all by them selves.