A reboot of the "Turtles" franchise, this $125-million dollar action sci-fi comedy film
was unsurprisingly, a huge hit at the box office, taking home nearly half-a-billion
in ticket sales following its August 8, 2014 release.
Although the credits list Jonathan Liebsman as the director - producer Michael Bay's fingerprints
are all over this film; the scope, actors, set design, cinematography, and music all
feel identical to his "Transformers" series - for better or worse.
The fast-paced 101-minute story follows Megan Fox as an eager, low-level New York TV reporter
who uncovers the existence of the titular heroes, as they embark on a mission to save
the city from an evil kingpin.
As many of the in-movie characters are quick to point out, Fox makes for great eye-candy,
but she's commendably much stronger as the lead than her forgettable performances in
the aforementioned "Transformers" series.
Plus, having a relatable and ambitious protagonist helps anchor some of the absurdities on screen.
Speaking of which, the eight-foot-tall 'heroes in a half-shell' are portrayed by some convincing
motion-capture work, and voiced by Alan Ritchson, Noel Fisher, Johnny Knoxville, and Jeremy
Howard.
Although their updated design is a distance departure than their iconic look, far grittier
and cluttered than necessary.
Thankfully though, their personalities still shine through: with Donny even given a pair
of glasses to really drive home his "intelligent" demeanor.
It's a lazy writing trick, but it does work.
Tony Shalhoub provides the voice of their sensei master, who reminds his pupils in a
colorful opening montage that they're "bound for greatness".
In supporting roles, Will Arnett is wonderful as a horny news colleague who provides some
decent comic relief, William Fichtner is fantastic as an unscrupulous bad guy, while Whoopi Goldberg
is the hard-nosed news producer.
Although the story takes some interesting liberties regarding the source-material's
origin stories...
they actually make for a more involved and effective dynamic between our characters.
The turtles are no longer the result of a random accident, but Fox's old pets, whom
she deliberately saved following an act of corporate sabotage.
Despite initial rumors that the turtles would actually be aliens - Liebsman smartly keeps
their bizarre story firmly planted in its mutagen home.
Regardless of their updated appearance and backstory: they feel like the Ninja Turtles
we all know and love.
When they speed off in their supped up Turtle-van, Michelangelo can't resist blasting "So Happy
Together"... the upbeat pop song from the 60s by... who else, "The Turtles".
A later scene perfectly illustrates the charm and playfulness of the group when Mikey busts
out an impromptu beat-boxing session in an elevator, moments before returning to battle.
Although the sequences rarely following any real-world logic or physics, the action here
is well-executed and particularly fun.
Especially an extended slide down an icy mountainside - that sees all the turtles working in unison
to save an 18-wheeler before it careens off a cliff.
While the visual effects effortlessly blend the mo-cap stuff with the real environments,
it's the dynamic and free-floating camera moves that provide some of the coolest imagery.
Woven throughout is a great score from Brian Tyler that lends an epic-scale to an otherwise
one-dimensional narrative.
Being obsessed with these characters and concepts as a kid, I honestly did not expect to enjoy
this newest incarnation.
But the PG-13 rated picture does a fine job of capturing the spirit and humor of the "Turtles",
in a modern and exciting action adventure.
It has plenty of flaws, especially with its clunky script... but a follow-up picture in
2016 no longer seems like an awful idea.
"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" is fast and exciting fun, even if these aren't the turtles
we grew up with.
Here's what you had to say about it.
Mixed, but mostly negative opinions here: with many criticizing the character development,
and story - you scored it a FOUR.
"Impressed" is definitely too strong a word, but I enjoyed this one more than I thought
I would - it doesn't always feel like a proper "Turtles" experience, but when it does - it
works well.
I thought it was GOOD.