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Average User Score: 8 (219 sources)

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digiwasteland

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I really wanted to love TMNT. Back in the early nineties when the turtles were hot, I collected everything. I saw the movies, saw the cartoon, bought the action figures, read the graphic novels, and even played the role playing game. So when I...
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I really wanted to love TMNT. Back in the early nineties when the turtles were hot, I collected everything. I saw the movies, saw the cartoon, bought the action figures, read the graphic novels, and even played the role playing game. So when I heard the franchise was coming back with a CGI movie, I was very excited as my nostalgia factor kicked in. But as a turtle fan, I'm sorry to say I was very disappointed with this movie. The movie is pretty much a sequel to the first 3 films. The story takes place with the turtles having discontinued their crime fighting ways. Leonardo was sent to Central America by Splinter to train how to be a leader. Donatello runs a tech support hotline. Michaelangelo performs at kid's birthday parties. And Raphael has taken up the mantle of the **** a crimefighting vigilante. Their personalities are pretty much the same, although they could have done a better job of distinguishing Leo and Donny, (the blue and purple bandannas look very similar plus they sound the same). The problem is with the plot. The ninja turtles have historically had very odd storylines including giant mutant monsters, alien brains, alien triceratops, and time traveling samurai rabbits, so the storyline of an immortal man searching for 13 monsters doesn't seem too far fetched. It's just a little unbelievable how the timing came together, how these 13 monsters are suddenly in New York and have been caught so easily, and how the time to send them back has come up so quickly. See the movie and you'll know what I mean- actually on second thought...

I can't recommend this movie. There are fun parts, but the plot is slow moving, the action is muddled, the movie is so dark I had to turn up the brightness, and the animation is nothing special. It's like Pixar wanabees made the film. Plus the few jokes in the movie mostly fall flat. For top notch animation and storytelling, stick with Pixar movies like The Incredibles or Finding Nemo. Maybe if they made TMNT, it would have been stellar.

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Posted jul 4, 2008 11:32 am pt

The_Gnat_5000

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This is the way that CGI should be used. It is a good cartoon that moves quickly and while it isn't against the typical villain/bad guy for the turtles, it stays true to the style of the comic. It has some funny moments and a some corny moments...
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This is the way that CGI should be used. It is a good cartoon that moves quickly and while it isn't against the typical villain/bad guy for the turtles, it stays true to the style of the comic. It has some funny moments and a some corny moments and a lot of action, basically like the cartoon series.

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Posted apr 10, 2008 3:06 am pt

HaydenMovie

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I was very disappointed by this film. It was not entertaining at all!

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Posted feb 20, 2008 1:03 pm pt

supercin721

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What the heck was that? I respect CGI for the limited times it should be used but there is something to be said for the realism of costumes and makeup. The original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies were just 80s awesome. For all CGI fans,...
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What the heck was that? I respect CGI for the limited times it should be used but there is something to be said for the realism of costumes and makeup. The original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies were just 80s awesome. For all CGI fans, they may prefer the newer version, may enjoy what this new installment has to offer but I for one did not. The originals were "real" and I felt like they were human. These cartoonish figures just disappoint.

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Posted feb 2, 2008 3:47 pm pt

MovieMan2

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I think, personnally, that the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie was really not that bad. There a few positive things to say about the movie, but they're are many things that the movie really could have improved on.

First, I'll...
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I think, personnally, that the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie was really not that bad. There a few positive things to say about the movie, but they're are many things that the movie really could have improved on.

First, I'll comment on how visually bueatiful TMNT looks. The CGI looks amazingly detailed, and has an interesting colour, look and mood to it. The movie often takes place in a dark setting, and that is when the movie looks its' best.

Also, the loveable characters of the franchise are one of the older characters to remain in cartoon history, they have not got none the bit wiser. All the characters are still exactly the sane as they have always been throughout their 20-year history, and they will definetly appeal to the fans. TMNT obviously has loads in it for the fan, despite Leonardo and Raphael are a bit more serious this time around, it still is a classic charmer to hear Michelanglo and the other turtles cracking on about pizzas once again.

But, the story in TMNT, really needed to be polished. The story is cliche, and, for that retrospect the whole things' highly predictable. Also, the movie is much more serious than the other films, and that really does make the movie loose its' spirit from the cartoons.

Overall, TMNT is a visually stunning package, and has a more interesting and darker approach to the franchise, and is a much more action-packed romp. But, this movie can get a little carried away with it's action and animation, and, occasionally, does loose spirit of the cartoons we know and love.

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Posted jan 23, 2008 5:06 am pt

bgres077

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Being a longtime fan of the series since I was young, I had high hopes for this movie, but I was highly disappointed with this new installment to the series.

This movie ruined Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for me, and to be honest I...
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Being a longtime fan of the series since I was young, I had high hopes for this movie, but I was highly disappointed with this new installment to the series.

This movie ruined Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for me, and to be honest I couldn't even finish this movie.

I guess I will have to stick to the old Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies, this one did not do justice to the pizza-eating ninja turtles I once knew. Hopefully kids who l liked this movie will have a chance to watch the old movies and see what this series was all about.

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Posted jan 7, 2008 2:18 am pt

sporkman5353

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TMNT is an awesome movie!
Its better than the 3 before it, especially the 3rd. Taking place after the 1st 2 movies this one erases the 3rd from continuity of these movies. The CGI for this film is spectacular and the story is also awesome....
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TMNT is an awesome movie!
Its better than the 3 before it, especially the 3rd. Taking place after the 1st 2 movies this one erases the 3rd from continuity of these movies. The CGI for this film is spectacular and the story is also awesome. It seems to be inspired by the awesome new show, which will ironically be inspirerd by it, next season. This movie couldnt be all that much better and i cant wait until the next one.

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Posted nov 1, 2007 6:05 am pt

mizasterj

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I was really impressed. It was very entertaining. The graphics were still cartoonish looking, it very much reminded me of the incredibles. Some of the few complaints I have would be, that the turtle lair was too lit up, considering there in a dank...
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I was really impressed. It was very entertaining. The graphics were still cartoonish looking, it very much reminded me of the incredibles. Some of the few complaints I have would be, that the turtle lair was too lit up, considering there in a dank tunnel in the ground there was way too much lighting. Splinter, who by the way had no robot limbs, ( contrary to what others might tell you ) wasn't the least bit old looking. His eyes were of a newborn and his fur perfectly combed and fluffy. Not a single wrinkle in his face or a speck of dirt on his clothes. April was freakishly skinny, to the point of making Barbie jealous. Guess that goes along with the cartoonish style they were going for but..its a bit much. The animation was great from my perspective, plenty of action. Can't say I disliked anything about the movie except that...Donatello had basically no role whatsoever. You barely even notice he's here. Still I have to recommend it to anyone that enjoys butt kicking animation.

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Posted oct 2, 2007 1:14 am pt

mntnbkr

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This is the way the movie should have done in the first place! Wow! The CGI of the movie is spectacular and more adult than the live action movies ever were. Don’t get me wrong, I liked the live action movies fine but this way works so...
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This is the way the movie should have done in the first place! Wow! The CGI of the movie is spectacular and more adult than the live action movies ever were. Don’t get me wrong, I liked the live action movies fine but this way works so much better. I have the TMNT comic #1 (3rd or 4th printing that is) so I was a fan of the comic and to me, the CGI movie resembled the feeling of the comic. They still didn’t go all the way with the movie like having someone getting sliced and diced but they did show some of the Foot Clan hunching over after a slice in the gut. The story was a good story. It kept me entertained. All of the old characters made their way from the comic and movies except for Shredder. Only his helmet makes a cameo. Over it is a good movie. I wouldn’t buy it on DVD but I would watch it if it was on TV any time I could.

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Posted sep 12, 2007 3:35 am pt

hart704

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I was excited about seeing TMNT when it was announced in 2006. I was all about the decision to do the whole movie in CGI. Here's my thoughts after finally seeing the movie a few days ago.

The first thing you'll notice about this movie...
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I was excited about seeing TMNT when it was announced in 2006. I was all about the decision to do the whole movie in CGI. Here's my thoughts after finally seeing the movie a few days ago.

The first thing you'll notice about this movie is the look of it. It really is beautiful to look at. However, that's about all I can say good about this film.

My first problem with this movie is a minor one -- Splinter's voice. It definitely wasn't what I expected it to sound like. I did get used to it by the end, but it was actually difficult for me to understand what that character was saying at first.

The story was more problematic to me. While it made sense there wasn't much of a threat. At first you think that Max Winters is the villain of the movie, but then realize, near the end, that his Generals are actually the ones that fill the role. Even then they weren't effective in being very threatening. Neither were the 13 monsters that Winters needed to capture. His Generals captured all of them very easily despite the creatures themselves being out-of-control beasts.

I was more intrigued by the Turtles getting back together and how that affected Raphael and Leonardo's relationship. That's when I felt the story was at it's best.

Overall the movie came off as very "blah." The CGI looked fantastic, but the story was just very uninteresting for the most part.

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Posted aug 9, 2007 6:25 am pt

• [+] New York Daily News
  
  63
  At its best, TMNT does recall the slangy fun of the series' glory days. But there are too many moments when it feels as stale as one of Mikey's half-eaten pizzas.

  by Elizabeth Weitzman | Read Full Review »
• [+] Philadelphia Inquirer
  
  63
  TMNT has a cool, noirish sheen. There's an attention to detail in the visuals and sound design that pushes it up several notches above most kiddie fare. It's not art, dude, but it will do.

  by Steven Rea | Read Full Review »
• [+] The Onion (A.V. Club)
  
  58
  Only those already predisposed to love a TMNT movie that at least LOOKS edgy are likely to care.

  by Tasha Robinson | Read Full Review »
• [+] Entertainment Weekly
  
  58
  This all-CG reboot is missing the goofy excitement of the old TMNT.

  by Gregory Kirschling | Read Full Review »
• [+] Seattle Post-Intelligencer
  
  58
  The story -- something to do with an ancient evil returning after 3,000 years -- plays like a multi-episode story arc of the TV series.

  by Sean Axmaker | Read Full Review »
• [+] Los Angeles Times
  
  50
  That's really what TMNT lacks most -- humor. Despite the doll-like cartoonishness of the human figures, the filmmakers seem to expect us to take this animated romp seriously. Too seriously.

  by Michael Ordona | Read Full Review »
• [+] Washington Post
  
  50
  The upshot is that the film is technically superb and quite enjoyable as long as you don't bang your head against the plot.

  by Stephen Hunter | Read Full Review »
• [+] The Hollywood Reporter
  
  50
  A tad too conservative and calculated. CGI delivers best on moody sets and a noirish atmosphere achieved by lighting, backgrounds and visual effects. But the characters look like plastic dolls, and the story is recycled sci-fi.

  by Kirk Honeycutt | Read Full Review »
• [+] Variety
  
  50
  Munroe's script denies fans the satisfaction of a decent story or amusing interactions. Rather than waiting for a screenplay that warranted their bigscreen return, TMNT feels like an attempt to exploit the phenomenon further.

  by Peter Debruge | Read Full Review »
• [+] Village Voice
  
  50
  Writer-director Kevin Munroe parties like it's 1989, grooving on the extreme-sports set pieces and vintage slang to generally cowabusted effect.

  by Nathan Lee | Read Full Review »
• [+] The Globe and Mail (Toronto)
  
  50
  With your sharper minds, you'll probably figure it out. I hope so. Hope you'll like the movie too. But here's a bit of advice: Don't bet your allowance on it. Make Daddy pay.

  by Rick Groen | Read Full Review »
• [+] Baltimore Sun
  
  50
  Fans should be satisfied, but it's hard to imagine anyone else will be much interested in TMNT.

  by Chris Kaltenbach | Read Full Review »
• [+] Boston Globe
  
  50
  The movie is a serviceable way to pass the time: Kids will cheer the bright colors and funny new words ("Kowabunga!").

  by Wesley Morris | Read Full Review »
• [+] San Francisco Chronicle
  
  50
  Silly, but an enjoyable, well-paced fantasy-action story.

  by Will Crain | Read Full Review »
• [+] The New York Times
  
  40
  The turtles themselves may look prettier, but are no smarter; torn irreparably from their countercultural roots, our superheroes on the half shell have been firmly co-opted by the industry their creators once sought to spoof.

  by Jeannette Catsoulis | Read Full Review »