I'm a huge fan of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Not of the 1987 TV show that most people remember, but of the original comic books that started it all in the early 80's. Because of this, I thoroughly enjoyed the new TMNT movie. TMNT has always appealed to a small market. After all, the comic was a parody of the two most popular comics in the early 80's: the New Mutants, and Daredevil. With that said, there are going to be people who aren't going to like this movie: "professional" movie critics, and fans of the original TV series come to mind.
If you're going into TMNT expecting to see Beebop, Rocksteady, Krang, or the Technodrome, you will be sorely disappointed. Those characters were created for the 1987 TV series, which is widely regarded by fans of the comics as being the "sell-out" series. It's seen as a money grab attempt to move the turtles away from the underground, independent comic series into mainstream media. Since TMNT is based on the new 2003 TV series, which in-turn is based on the comic books, you wont find those characters here. However, if you're going into TMNT familiar with the comic books, or with an open mind you will find that TMNT is one of the best-animated films in recent memory.
***MINOR SPOILERS BELOW***
The movie opens with a brief recap on events leading up to the current events. 3000 years ago, an army lead by 5 generals raged across South-America. Seeking eternal power, they unleashed an army of monsters from another world. This gave their leader immortal life, but also turned his generals to stone.
TMNT takes place during the current timeline of the 2003 TV show, but not directly tied to it. Shredder, the Turtles arch-nemesis is dead, having been killed by the Turtles previously. Lacking purpose, the Turtles have grown apart and even hostile towards each other.
Splinter has sent Leonardo away to South-America to train to become a better leader. In his absence, the Turtles have gone their own ways. Donatello works as a remote helpdesk technician (I got a good laugh out of that). Michelangelo dresses up as a fake Turtle named "Cowabunga Carl" and does children's birthday parties (a parody of the kid-friendly 1987 TV show). Raphael has become a vigilante. Meanwhile, April (she's a scientist in the comics, not a reporter) and Casey Jones have a romantic relationship, and are living together.
From there the movie takes off on a plot centering a round the Turtles trying to reunite to defeat this evil menace. It's got some minor plot holes, such as how 13 monsters could roam around New York undetected, but these are minor. Remember, we're talking about walking, talking ninja turtles; monsters in New York isn't much of a stretch.
***END OF SPOILERS***
TMNT, much like the 2003 TV series, tries to bridge the gap between the underground comics, and the 1987 TV show. It does this with mixed results, but it's mostly good. You'll see flashes of the mature and sometimes violent Turtles from the comics. But you'll also see a lot of light-hearted humor that attracts the kiddies. Overall, it does this fairly well, and it knows where to draw the line. The Turtles wont be throwing back beers, or cutting people up like they did in the comics. But they also aren't as goofy and childish as they were in the Saturday morning TV show.
The animation is very well done, and is perhaps the best I have seen since Disney's Cars. Seriously, it's that well done. It's atmospheric, stylish, and at the same time very detailed. Some of the best scenes are the fights: especially the rooftop fight in the rain. It's very fast paced martial arts fighting, and seems inspired by Hong Kong kung-fu movies. The cinematography is fantastic as well. Kevin Munroe did a great job to make TMNT feel like a comic book come alive. He makes good use of lighting, panning, and distance shots. Not to mention special effects. Did I mention the rooftop rain fight?
The voice acting is top-notch talent as well. Patrick Stewart leads the cast with a great performance of Max Winters, a billionaire up to no good. This is also Makoto Iwamastu's final performance before he died. He gave voice to Splinter, and is perhaps his best voice-over performance of his life. He voiced the part so well, that it's a shame he wont be around to lend his fantastic talent to future TMNT projects. Sarah Michelle Gellar also rounds out the known voice-talent playing the role of April O'Neil. The rest of the voice-overs are pretty much unknowns, but they play their parts well.
The sound track is also well done for the theme of the movie. It features several licensed tracks, and a few original scores. For the most part you wont notice it, but it does the job and helps set the mood. Perhaps the best use of a licensed track I have heard in a long time is a scene in which Michelangelo is skateboarding in a sewer with Jet's "Rip it Up" blasting in the background as he does moves that would put Tony Hawk to shame.
TMNT is the best movie in the series to date. It appeals to a mixed audience. Some of which are going to like it, and some wont. It's both kid friendly, and fun for adults. And overall it does strike a good balance between the different incarnations of the Turtles. There are some noticeable plot holes, but the kids' wont notice this, and they're easily over-looked. What you have in the end is a fun, and entertaining CG action film. If you're a fan of the Ninja Turtles, you shouldn't miss this film. Consider this the official rebirth of the franchise, and expect to see more TMNT movies in the future.
