From TMNT Front Lines...

[johnnyblaze]

I'm guessing when Mikey is training in the barn--pissed off to the point where he destroys a bunch of stuff in it.

[Splinter's Iroonna]

*slow to realize that this refers to the FIRST movie...*

[Michelangelo-Sama]

Here is a link to the article. An interview with Kevin and Tom Grey where they talk about cut footage. Its towards the end of the article. I cant remember where I heard about the cut mike footage, I could be wrong about that so don't hold me to it lol.

http://www.superherohype.com/news/tmntnews.php?id=5133

[johnnyblaze]

oh I thought you guys were talking about the first flick

[Michelangelo-Sama]

There are a few fight scenes that were cut from the first movie that peter laird said he would like to put back into the film if they ever did a special edition of the first movie. I really want New Line to make that happen. A nice 2 disk set and no double sided disks ughhh I hate those.

[Michelangelo-Sama]

Hey Kevin I was wondering if the classical score for the movie will be released for purchase on CD. I saw a clip of leo talking to splinter and the music was very close to the first films score like when splinter was talking to raph. I loved it.

[Thad]

Saw it Saturday. I don't have any questions offhand, but I do have plenty of praise (and a little mild criticism).

(For other readers: there are a few very mild spoilers coming, but they're probably nothing you didn't already know.)

I really liked it. As good as the first movie and far better than the second or third. The action was intense, and the jokes didn't grate; I found myself laughing along with the kids on most of them.

The Leo/Raph fight was the high point IMO, both visually and emotionally. Those two characters were just spot-on, and it was a good choice to put their relationship front-and-center. It evoked their fight from the beginning of Return to New York, which I assume was the idea.

That said, as others have pointed out, the prominence of Leo and Raph came at the cost of screentime for the other 50% of the titular characters. Mikey was little but comic relief, and Don was barely in it (though as a guy who does tech support himself, I loved his scene in the beginning). If there's a sequel (sure hope so), I'd like to see more of those guys.

That complaint aside, though, the supporting cast was great, and each got his moment to shine -- Splinter, April, Casey, Karai, and the surprisingly deep Winters. Good stuff all around. The voice casting was impeccable too.

I liked the animation, particularly in the aforementioned Leo/Raph fight scene with the rain. The lighting stood out, and reminded me of the original movie. I'll jump on the bandwagon that says the creatures look a lot better than the humans -- I understand the idea of using exaggerated, cartoony humans to avoid uncanny valley, but they just seemed a little plastic for my tastes. And I didn't care for the six-inch waists on Karai and April -- I realize comic books aren't known for realistically-proportioned women, but that's a little creepy. Waist measurement aside, April was really interesting visually -- I liked the variety in outfits and hairstyles, something you seldom see in animation (I'm still wondering what she was thinking wearing a tube top to her job in a robotics lab in the '03 cartoon).

All in all you've made an old fan happy. I'm hoping this movie does really well; sounds like you're already itching to do a sequel.

Looking forward to it.

Great work, and thanks.

[Shreddar90]

Is there any storyline from the comics that this movie comes from?

[Kevin Munroe]

Hey Gang,

So it's... I dunno what time it is actually. Here in Hong Kong for the premiere here on the 23rd... which I think is today. I'm not so much jetlagged as I am restless for TMNT to finally see the full light of day, and have slept about 4 hours in the last week from all the excitement. And before all that craziness starts, just wanted to swing by and say hi.

Lots going on. A seemingly unending string of press from australia, holland, singapore, china, hong kong, thailand, etc. in the last week. Sitting down and talking about the movie is actually the easiest part of the process, so I'm not complaining. Hearing the journalists' first hand account of their fun preview screenings is great.

There's a definite TMNT presence here. We sat down for dinner on tuesday and a bus drove by the window that had tmnt plastered all over the side. Very cool. Seeing the chinese posters all over the place too.

We had our LA premiere last weekend, and it was great to see some of the cool folks from the boards here afterwards. And even cooler was that they got into the screening! See what tenacity buys you nowadays? Sitting in a room with 1200 people cheering at the screen was an unbelievable feeling. Turtle power is seemingly alive and well.

We have the glitzy Hong Kong premiere tomorrow night on the 23rd, but then immediately after that, the real fun starts with the crew screening. About 400 of my closest chinese friends who busted their humps to make the movie. Imagi was also cool enough to fly out a lot of the US crew as well, so they're all flying somewhere over the Pacific Ocean right about now. This night is all about them and their hard work, and tho I'm bummed not to be in the states for the release, I couldn't think of better people to hang with as TMNT rolls out.

(otherwise I'd be in the streets berating kids for not being in a theatre watching TMNT)

So, in an attempt to tire myself into sleep, here are some answers. (not that it's boring, but I've tried everything else)

Leonardo Warrior Turtle - I can't say specifically what's on the DVD. But I can tell you that we sent a LOT of cut footage, alt takes, animatics, etc. to WB for their consideration. Animation tests too. So we'll see. I think the production is going on as we speak of the discs.

Anarchistguy - Am I satisfied with the outcome? Yeah, definitely. We did a great movie that in no way could have ever been done at a big studio. The last thing I wanted was to work so hard and it be a rip off of other stuff out there. And we did it outside of the system, and Warners got it right away. How long have I worked in animation? If you count games, probably around 10 years between the games, comics, tv and film stuff.

TMTWBR - My favorite characters from each medium? I love Krang from the animated series. Karai from the comics. And probably Elias in the movies, nothing against Chris' voice work. Team up with Usagi or Moomesa? Never thought about it, but those are cool books. I saw Stan at the premiere on saturday, but couldn't make it over to say hi.

Ralph Machio - Other favorite comic book characters? I love Plastic man (classic one, not the newer version), Sgt. Rock and I'm a huge huge fan of Kingdom Come. Address to send for signature? Send me a PM and I'll try to get you an address.

Aignatius - Thanks!

TMTWBR - Plans after Gatchaman? Oy. Haven't even really cracked the surface of G yet, really. We're heavy in preproduction and script right now. But after that? I dunno. If it continues to be animation, we're setting up some pretty big precedents with TMNT and G to just do any animated feature. I suppose anything with a good opportunity for story and character and where I can push a visual medium.

Davetoon - DUDE! How are you?! Nice to hear from you. PM me and give me your info so we can catch up.

TMNT - Again, can't say what's on the dvd, but I know they're talking about a commentary track, which is really cool. Peter commentary? Dunno. Would be neat to hear his take on things. Or else I could do an imitation of Pete, which would be fun too. Just maybe not to him.

Michaelangelo Sama - Again, can't say about dvd, but we DID submit the full Mikey scene and the following scene in the van to WB for review. I'd love to have that on there. It was one of my favorites that has been in there since day one. Will the score be on CD? I don't know. I have a copy of it, but I legally can't sell it to you. I'm sure like all things, if the movie hits big enough, who knows what'll happen.

Thad- Thanks man. Glad you liked it! Itching for a sequel? As a fan, damn right. As a director... maybe a weekend off before we start. Okay, maybe two.

Shreddar90- No, Pete was pretty adamant to have a new storyline. It was a fun challenge. But it looks at the end like it could dovetail into a pretty wellknown comic storyline... not that I'm saying anything.

Okay, so I'm still just as awake as before. But at least I got some q and a's done.

So before the film opens up in a day or so, thanks so much for all your support and enthusiasm. You guys are the reason we did the movie, and I can only hope that you see that spirit when you eventually see it this weekend.

See you on the other side...

Kevin

[The Terror of Death]

Originally Posted by Kevin Munroe

I can't say specifically what's on the DVD. But I can tell you that we sent a LOT of cut footage, alt takes, animatics, etc. to WB for their consideration. Animation tests too. So we'll see. I think the production is going on as we speak of the discs.

The bigfoot fight seemed to me like it was slightly cut so its good to know that it might be on the dvd. (Was it cut?)

Edit: It was not you guys who cut it. G4 TV showed a clip of the fight and they cut some of it.

[Ralphmacchio]

Ralph Machio - Other favorite comic book characters? I love Plastic man (classic one, not the newer version), Sgt. Rock and I'm a huge huge fan of Kingdom Come. Address to send for signature? Send me a PM and I'll try to get you an address.

I will have to check those out. Thanks for the reply.

[Masked Ninja]

Originally Posted by Kevin Munroe

I can't say specifically what's on the DVD. But I can tell you that we sent a LOT of cut footage, alt takes, animatics, etc. to WB for their consideration. Animation tests too. So we'll see. I think the production is going on as we speak of the discs.

I think I just drooled. It'd be great so see any of that stuff on a Turtles disc.

Good luck for the premiere, dude. I know I can't wait... just 26 more hours, heh. I really gotta log off and work on painting those Turtle shirts my friends and I will be wearing to the theater. It's a great time to be a Turtle fan.

[Vegita-San]

Kevin -

Are the songs on the movie soundtrack actually IN the movie, or was it WB's attempt to get more merchandising and publicity in? I'm not a band guy, but if it was released past the 80's decade, I probably don't care for anyone who's on there .

I heard the Nightwatcher theme on XM last night and loved it. I can't wait for the REAL score if none of those songs on the official soundtrack are in the movie.

Seeing it tomorrow either at 5PM or 7PM. Depends on where and when it's showing..

[xChri5x]

Well, from the clips from IGN We've heard P.O.D.'s song, and Jet's song in the actual film and also, in the scene in Aprils appartment where Raph gets ticked off and starts to leave we hear the begining of a mellow song starting.
So I'd say yes. I'm not really against it though. I think it's kinda energizing. Plus the TMNT movies are known for popular music (at least at the time they were made)

[Raph]

I AM SO PISSED. The movie will have it's premiere here in The Netherlands on April 18th, but we are only getting a dubbed version! WHY?!?!??

I mean movies like Madagascar and all the Disney flicks are being showed dubbed and subbed, and for TMNT we are ONLY getting a dubbed version. I HATE IT. Now I have to go to another country to see it with the original voices, cause frankly when its come to Dutch voices in cartoons/ animated movies....it sucks big time!

I'll just crawl back in my shell and wait till I can buy the US or UK DVD release

[1984TMNT]

Kevin,

Thanks so much for caring about the TMNT and their fans. My entire family is going tonight and I am totally excited. A lot of people don't really understand why I enjoy these characters so much, but I can tell that there are others out there that do (including yourself) which makes this 28 year old happy as can be.

[johnnyblaze]

Kevin I have to say you and your cast and crew did a great job--I left the theater with a big dumb grin on my face, and i'd like to thank you guys for that. Great start to what will hopefully become a brand new run for the movie turtles.

[Dr. Doom]

Outstanding work, Munroe. Doom is very pleased indeed. And that is no small feat! Doom attended...nay...DEMANDED a midnight showing this evening in his private theatre and decided that the film was exceptional enough to warrant his glorious praise. Enjoy it, Munroe, for it is a rare treasure!

Stepping out of character, I wanted to thank you for all your hard work on the film, I think it really paid off. I have a huge argument in store for anyone who immediately dismisses the medium in which the film was produced, because the CGI was absolutely beautiful, I was very impressed (especially the scene in the rain). That was only one small facet of this wonderful movie, there was so much there to be appreciated in what everybody put into it, especially by us fans. I enthusiastically anticipate seeing it again and again and hope there will be a sequel in the future for us all to enjoy.

[Katie]

I just got back from watching it, Kevin....ya done good

Tell everyone how fantastic their work was and that a new generation of Turtle fans were left oohing and ahhing at our favorite guys in green


Now....I have to see it a bunch more. To pick up on anything I might have missed

[johnnyblaze]

Kevin I have to say as well

Spoiler:

that although it was a small part but that scene of Leo smiling as he watched Mike and Don sleep was great. Just that one part alone spoke volumes about how fond he is of Mike and Don. Plus Leo telling Raph he needs him after Raph gives him his new swords=