"TMNT" Talkback (Spoilers)

[Spider-Man]

Raising Shell In 2007

Leonardo: "Within hours, we'll lose the city. And within weeks... the world."​

Release Date: March 23, 2007
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures
Director: Kevin Munroe
Screenwriter: Kevin Munroe
Starring: Patrick Stewart, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Chris Evans, Ziyi

Plot Summary: After the defeat of their old arch nemesis, The Shredder, the Turtles have grown apart as a family. Struggling to keep them together, their rat sensei, Master Splinter, becomes worried when strange things begin to brew in New York City. Tech-industrialist Max Winters is amassing an army of ancient monsters to apparently take over the world. And only one super-ninja fighting team can stop them—those heroes in a half shell—Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello and Raphael! With the help of old allies April O'Neil and Casey Jones, the Turtles are in for the fight of their lives as they once again must face the mysterious Foot Clan, who have put their own ninja skills behind Winters' endeavors. Making this new incarnation of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles truly cutting-edge, the film will be created entirely with state-of-the-art CG animation, giving them a completely new look for the 21st century.

Comments?

Related Threads:
-Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Talkback (Spoilers)
-Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze Talkback (Spoilers)
-Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III Talkback (Spoilers)

 

[JustJack]

I've been planning to see this all week, but I just found out the "giant monster vs. Asian family" flick 'The Host' is in town this week, and I certainly can NOT miss that one. Hmmm...decisions decisions...

 

[Lord Dalek]

According to the Tomatometer, this one's a dog folks.

 

[Bird Boy]

According to the Tomatometer, this one's a dog folks.

Not like the original movie fared that much better. I don't think TMNT is going to appeal to the Siskel and Ebert's of the world.

-BB

 

[Sketch]

I like the front page image's tag line. Nice throw back to the first movie.

I'm going to see it this afternoon and I can't freak'n wait!

 

[GWOtaku]

This might just be nostalgia talking, but I'm not sure any turtle film could beat the orignial movie. I'm also a bit skeptical of the whole monster thing, I think I'll wait on the Sketch test and see what he has to say. This could be good lighthearted fare after I watch Amazing Grace this weekend.

 

[Frank Castle]

I just got back and I loved it. The fight scenes were amazing and the humor was balanced very well with the drama. My only complaint was that Don wasn't featured enough as the rest of the turtles though. They did hint at a sequel in the end as well.

 

[Temple Fugate]

**1/2

Screw the critics. This movie was pure, unbridled fun for new and old fans of the Turtles.

Flaws: The pacing could have been better. Not to mention the one-liners are as touch-and-go as they've always been with these dudes. April is nowhere near any sort of personality we've ever seen before, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. She can't always be the damsel in distress.

Die-hard fans got a lot of things in this movie: Raph being Batman, Casey being Casey, Leo vs Raph, Splinter charging into battle and kicking tail. ("I've still got it!") They mention the Shredder having been killed prior to the movie, but it really doesn't matter what continuity this is set in.

Voice acting is absolutely brilliant. Patrick Stewart's in it, and so is Mako (in the final performance of his life). The Turtles sound just like they should, and I'm frankly amazed they got a voice for Casey that sounds exactly the same. (Did they hire the animated series VAs?)

The animation is more stilted than a Dreamworks movie. I don't mean to diss the character animators, but the poses jumped between keyframes so often it was like everybody was hopped up on pills and it distracted from the dialogue. I often found myself watching every miniscule movement of the eye sockets and brows just to see how much work those guys put into animating the faces. The designs themselves are superb, especially Casey.

A major element to this movie is Raphael taking on a secret identity to continue protecting NYC while the rest of the Turtles are taking a break. Of all people to realize it's him under the costume, Leo should have been able to tell it was Raph through his fighting technique. (Then again, perhaps Raph anticipated one of the Turtles or Splinter figuring him out and developed a completely different technique to throw them off?) They seriously expect us to believe Casey Jones is the ONLY ONE who could figure it out on his own?

Bottom line: If you love the Turtles, you won't be disappointed. If you don't care about the Turtles, there isn't much else this movie can offer you. The plot is a tad complex (Would have been nice if they spent a little more time discussing the intricacies of the portal and the other dimension and a little less time on Mikey's sewer skating. Not that there was anything wrong with the action scenes!)

I'd like to go into more detail, but my carpal tunnel is acting up. A fun film for people who don't care that they're essentially watching a kids' movie. And by the way, it seems the little tykes in my theater enjoyed it just as much as I did. It's definitely not one of those "try to be mature to appeal to the adults" movies.

And thankfully, there are only two or three toilet jokes in the entire movie. What a relief!

TMNT - **1/2

(Just to clarify, the rating doesn't indicate how much I liked the movie. It measures quality only. * = Manos: The Hands of Fate, ***** = Citizen Kane)

 

[Space Cadet]

Voice acting is absolutely brilliant. Patrick Stewart's in it, and so is Mako (in the final performance of his life). The Turtles sound just like they should, and I'm frankly amazed they got a voice for Casey that sounds exactly the same. (Did they hire the animated series VAs?)

No, they got different VA's for this.

 

[Mr. Manager]

I don't like how they're just calling it TMNT. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is more fun to say.

 

[Conan-san]

My eye wondered on the poster on my way out of Uni today, noticing Chris Even's role in this thing.

Many a "WTF" was uttered as a result.

Not realising it's not Even's the Radio guy.

 

[DarkAngel]

TMNT - **1/2

(Just to clarify, the rating doesn't indicate how much I liked the movie. It measures quality only. * = Manos: The Hands of Fate, ***** = Citizen Kane)

So then there's no real reason to say "screw the critics".

 

[Hanshotfirst1138]

I've been planning to see this all week, but I just found out the "giant monster vs. Asian family" flick 'The Host' is in town this week, and I certainly can NOT miss that one. Hmmm...decisions decisions...

You are so lucky. I really, really want to see that, and hostmovie.com said it was coming to my area, but it lied.

So then there's no real reason to say "screw the critics".

Yes, how much I enjoy something and how good I think that it is are two separate entities.

And where's Sketch? I thought that his post would be the first.

 

[FidoMcCokefiend]

This movie won for the line "You look like a big metal turtle". But in general, I loved it, and I'll definately see this at least once more in theatres. If they were to make a sequal or something to continue this, I would be very, VERY happy. I just don't know if they could ever find a splinter for the role (I can honestly say that was the best Splinter voice IMO).

 

[DarkAngel]

Yes, how much I enjoy something and how good I think that it is are two separate entities.

Oh yes. Of that I'm quite aware. In fact, I was just discussing that in the Pan's Labyrinth talkback (which was actually prompted by my response to one of your posts). That's how I always approach any judgment I make, with an attempt to separate objectivity and subjectivity.

But since critics, generally, are discussing the quality of the movie, there's no real reason to say screw the critics when giving a 2.5 star rating that matches what the critics are saying overall. The critics might or might not have enjoyed the movie, but they seem to agree with TF that its low quality.

 

[Majin_Megabyte]

Just got back from the movie. I can say it was a great and excellent movie, Raph vs. Leo fight scene pretty much stole the show to me. The entire cast did a great job on the movie. The scene I love the most was entire segment with Casey, April, and Karai going after the 13th monster. I hope they do make a sequal this movie, since they kinda hinted something might gonna happen soon.

 

[Sketch]

Just got back and I only have moments to post before I go to work so I'll go a bit more indepth at a later time.

The movie was solid. The turtles were just as they should be. The human's designs did suffer a bit but April with her hair down was hot stuff. *thumbs up*

The plot was a bit iffy but it's nice to see something original. The foot clan are pretty worthless in this movie and the monster don't add much.

The family conflict is apparent all around and Leo VS Raph was truely a spectacle to be seen.

By the end of the movie everything felt a bit rushed though. I'd rate it higher than the 2nd and 3rd TMNT movies without a doubt (who wouldn't). Though I'm not too sure I can say I like it better than the first live action movie.

I recommend it to any turtle fan but don't expect the amazing cause you might be dissapointed. But if you're going to a turtles film to see the turtles you'll be pleased to know they are good or perhaps even better than ever and the animation of them roaming the streets is a sight you MUST SEE on the big screen.

 

[creativerealms]

Will see it this week end.

 

[Temple Fugate]

But since critics, generally, are discussing the quality of the movie, there's no real reason to say screw the critics when giving a 2.5 star rating that matches what the critics are saying overall. The critics might or might not have enjoyed the movie, but they seem to agree with TF that its low quality.

What I meant by "Screw the critics" was "Don't let the critics panning this film stop you from watching it." And you're right, it makes me look hypocritical to rate it objectively, but it's what I've been doing when I review any film so the contradiction didn't occur to me. I'll give it a star rating that reflects enjoyability instead.

TMNT - ****
(* = Kicking and Screaming, ***** = Snakes on a Plane)

 

[Cortez2301]

I thought the movie was great.Better than the previous ones IMO (don't ask why).The action was great and the dialogue was better than I expected.I don't think it is a kids movie but it is more of a family movie as it does appeal to adults as well.Patrick Stewart and the Late Mako gave excellent performances in the movie.I gave it 3.5 stars.