TMNT: Mutant Mayhem

[IMJ]

Originally Posted by Zog The Magnificent

Guys, you're all taking language that was clearly poetic way too literally. Obviously a 2D animated show doesn't actually have "assets."

All that was being said was that the basic building blocks that made Rise what it was (in terms of overall identity) have clearly been at the very least a large influence in this new iteration.

Whether or not you agree with that opinion is up to you, but acting as though the argument was that this show was literally made of "Rise Assets" is a misrepresentation of what was actually said at best.

I appreciate this because it is in total alignment with the reality of the conversation, and points out pretty clearly the strange gas lighting that went on in response.

People's inability to discuss things in truth and on their own merits is unbelievable. Like - what world can anyone possibly be residing in, in their own mind, to create conflict over things that clearly never occurred to them or threatens their understanding over how the world works so badly that get tribal over it.
Absolutely ridiculous level of responses above, and I apologize to you for combining your point there with my current vitriol over it, but I'm absolutely disgusted by some of these people at times.

And on point to anyone else - a 2-D show does indeed have "assets" in terms of design and intellectual property, art direction, all of it. Those are all assets. And so if you took the design of Raphael from Rise and adapted the fundamental design for Mayhem, then you did indeed repurpose that asset for the show. The Fred Wolf designs are catalog assets and although not repurposed, those assets were used in "Turtles In Time" cartoon.

I am sorry that this rattles anyone's understanding of the world so badly that the clown army came out to fight against me that strongly over it, but many of the responses to what I was saying are categorically wrong.

[IndigoErth]

Just one of those points I personally feel is better to stay vague and largely unexplained. Let people have their own theories.

If it's going to be given an explanation...why a kids movie where it's "hey, look how cool and stealthy they're being while they rob some places" and at a time when shoplifting by younger generations is increasing. (Was it to be relatable to a chunk of Gen Z who doesn't think stealing is a problem?) At least have them showing a bit of remorse for having no choice, because they know it's wrong and the MM Turtles WANT to be accepted and heroic. And maybe make it up to those shop owners in the end once they're known to the public.

[Andrew NDB]

Again, don't care if they steal or not, but you just know TPTB are super proud of this. Like, "We did it! We found a truly original take on the TMNT! Nobody has ever shown how they get their stuff and WE did!" So that piece is annoying. Plus these writers are all big lefties who are counting the days until the socialist utopia. Which is to say, you just know the general idea is "screw those rich shop keepers, their wealth should be redistributed anyway to people like the poor, down-trodden TMNT!" and not just a kind of matter-of-fact "I guess they steal?"

For me, it's a combination of picking up junk people throw away in dumpsters or leave in alleys or ends up floating down the sewer. For food, honestly a mix of bugs and rats and whatever they could find. Until the April and Casey days, of course. No stealing whatsoever required.

[LeotheLateBloomer]

Originally Posted by Zulithe

The lengths some of you will go to find any problem with this movie so you can find more angles to attack it. It's truly amazing.

No offense but the lengths some of you will go to defend nearly everything about this movie is also truly amazing. It's just another person's opinion. You may not agree with it which is totally fine but there's no reason to get excited over a different viewpoint.

For all the problems I have with this movie, stealing supplies is not really a major deal for me. I can see why others take issue with it but to each his own.

[Autbot_Benz]

Finally watched it tonight. I enjoyed it. Better than Bayturtles/Rise will never top the 1990 movie.

Enjoyed the animation too.

[IMJ]

I think it's a sign of the mentality when some people here read "repurposed assets" and you join a tribe over it and then go on to use words like "I don't think they stole assets".

OMFG. I can't even begin to unpack the stupidity on display there... I can't....

[BornAgain]

I guess I can see why the turtles stealing would rub people the wrong way given the context of society today along with the fact that it’s a movie aimed at children, who may not understand the complexity.

I think it’s easy to justify the turtles stealing given their unique situation though. Give them a break on that one - it’s not going to hurt the big chains and they are truly shunned by society.

They could just as easily dumpster dive though I suppose.

[Andrew NDB]

Originally Posted by BornAgain

I guess I can see why the turtles stealing would rub people the wrong way given the context of society today

As opposed to 10 years ago? Or 50?

[IndigoErth]

Originally Posted by BornAgain

along with the fact that it’s a movie aimed at children

The part that bugs me. If it was a film for older audiences that might be different, but kids young enough to still lack the maturity to understand that the good guys looking cool doing it doesn't make it okay... ehhh...



Though even for older audiences... I dunno, I just don't even find it an interesting solution. Also seems kind of out of character for characters in the "hero" genera of media (grey area or no), and I'd still rather there was some sign of being the good guys balanced with still needing to get by in life.

So... maybe don't go rob the grocery store, but rather swipe something from a street food vendor while his back was turned. And leave a few coins that had been picked up off the street, even if a mere fraction of the price, so it's at least a show of effort to do good despite the circumstances.

And seeing how stores also often have open, mildly damaged, or recently 'expired' things they don't even clearance and instead just end up chucking it, fictional easy access to this stuff breaks suspension of disbelief less imo... even if it doesn't make for an exciting scene going all Mission Impossible with shoplifting.

MM Turtles are just gonna go in there during open hours and we don't even see how? Come on. At least hitting a place after closing, when most of the lights are off and being stealthy to avoid camera would at least be more clever. But just rummaging through what people have tossed out sounds like a lot less effort.

[Andrew NDB]

Originally Posted by IndigoErth

So... maybe don't go rob the grocery store, but rather swipe something from a street food vendor while his back was turned

That's much worse. Like, have them rob the probably family-based street food vendor who's barely getting by but not the big corporate Safeway or QFC?

[IMJ]

Nowadays the social-puritans would have a problem with Michaelanglo stiffing the gig-economy worker when he said "never pay for price for late pizza!"

[BornAgain]

Originally Posted by Andrew NDB

As opposed to 10 years ago? Or 50?

Theft is out of control in places like California due to insane laws being passed, so yeah in a way it seems bit touchier now.

Personally I don’t mind if the TMNT steal but if you’re going to take a property about ninjas and sell it to wee children I guess you’re going to run into conundrums about what you want to glorify and what nuance they will understand.

That’s why they should just give them a little Sesame Street version and cater the brand towards slightly older fans who can handle mature themes.

Did you guys see that TLR was the top selling graphic novel of last year? The success of that book is ridiculous. You won’t convince me that a live-action version wouldn’t have made more money than Mutant Mayhem at the box office. Granted, it would cost more but that’s what audiences want to see from TMNT.

Selling strictly to kids is just another roll of the dice at the Pixar & Dreamworks casino which is why MM barely made money. Apparently TMNT merch sales were through the roof last year but no way that’s chalked up to MM.

[IndigoErth]

Originally Posted by Andrew NDB

That's much worse. Like, have them rob the probably family-based street food vendor who's barely getting by but not the big corporate Safeway or QFC?

Yeah, that isn't great, but purely from a standpoint of what might actually be most accessible to them, vs trying to hit up a store during open hours like the movie did and expected us to believe. Hey, I included a "pay what they can" part to try to make up for it a little, okay...

Shoplifting hurts everyone else in the long run too, not the corporations who will pass the loss on to anyone else but their own pockets, when prices get jacked up and jobs get cut. Sticking it to "the man" is only sticking it to the locals. No way are the rich guys at the top going to take the loss themselves.

[LeotheLateBloomer]

Originally Posted by BornAgain

Did you guys see that TLR was the top selling graphic novel of last year? The success of that book is ridiculous. You won’t convince me that a live-action version wouldn’t have made more money than Mutant Mayhem at the box office. Granted, it would cost more but that’s what audiences want to see from TMNT.

Selling strictly to kids is just another roll of the dice at the Pixar & Dreamworks casino which is why MM barely made money. Apparently TMNT merch sales were through the roof last year but no way that’s chalked up to MM.

You're definitely right but the question is if Paramount is smart enough to realize this. You know how them and Nickelodeon have been handling the brand in recent years.

[tmntpower1988]

I wish they'd do more animated movies like the Batman vs TMNT one. Wish we got a sequel for it, really want to see more of Joker Shredder. A Last Ronin animated movie would be nice too or a live action one similar to the tone of the 1990 movie. I thought the 2007 movie was decent too, even if they made another one similar to that.

[Cowabung-Gal]

Originally Posted by IndigoErth

Shoplifting hurts everyone else in the long run too, not the corporations who will pass the loss on to anyone else but their own pockets, when prices get jacked up and jobs get cut. Sticking it to "the man" is only sticking it to the locals. No way are the rich guys at the top going to take the loss themselves.

Exactly. Theft hurts the little guy more than anyone else, so are the Mayhem turtles misunderstood heroes or just thieving bums? They’re not the Robin Hood type of thieves since they’re only stealing for themselves and not helping those in the lower class. They’re not even the Aladdin type since Aladdin gave up his only loaf of bread to feed hungry orphans, even though he is starving too. Not exactly good role models for young children.

[IndigoErth]

Originally Posted by tmntpower1988

Wish we got a sequel for it, really want to see more of Joker Shredder.

Still shaking my head that they left off like they did, suggesting a possible sequel, and it was pretty well received, so then... nothing.

[BornAgain]

They should get an anime studio like Madhouse to do the animation on a TLR adaptation.

I know many will be turned off by the mention of anime but it’s pretty much the only chance we have of it actually looking great on a direct-to-dvd budget. Compare their work on “Batman: Gotham Knights” (2009?) to the rest of DC’s animated home-released and be amazed at the difference in quality.

Man, that’s about the only way I want to see it adapted now.

[I Crave Pizza No More]

For those complaining that shoplifting has no place in a kids movie, and that it's somehow a sign of the imminent radical left takeover that a movie would ever casually depict that sort of thing...you are demonstrating a stunning lack of awareness.

Do you have any idea how many silent comedies, movies that are 100 years old or more, show their protagonist stealing? Like, this isn't some new thing in society, or some new thing depicted in film. It's a pretty easy narrative device storytellers have used for a quick laugh or to show us something about a character or the film's setting.

Yes, it struck me as odd that the TMNT were shown shoplifting (I like Andrew's idea of them being scavengers), but for goodness sake maybe that's because it was lazy storytelling, or a misunderstanding of the ethos of the TMNT, more than some sort of indication that golden society as we knew it is crashing into the sun.

[tmntpower1988]

Originally Posted by IndigoErth

Still shaking my head that they left off like they did, suggesting a possible sequel, and it was pretty well received, so then... nothing.

Yeah I hate it when they do that or when good shows get cancelled and end on a cliffhanger (I really wanted to see more of Dark Matter after it ended with that alien invasion).