TMNT Movie #4 - REVIEWS (SPOILERS!)

[Raphael]

Ok, figured we might as well start a topic for movie reviews, since I know some of us are going (have gone) to see the movie early.

Post your comments, thoughts, reviews, etc. here!!

My review will come shortly - need to go do some more ice scraping.

I will say this...


SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

Yeah, got to see it, despite the weather...

[Leonardo]

Raph is squeeing????
The world IS coming to an end....

Hey, Raph...could you do us non-viewers a favoUr?
Can there be two kinds of review threads?
One for those who won't get to see the movie (for two weeks) so don't want the juicy good fun surprise stuff wrecked, but want a non-spoilered version to read about what those that did see it thought???
And one for those who did get to see it where you can go ahead and start hashing through all the details?

I for one, would truly appreciate that!
Domo arigato!!!
 

[Raphael]

I'm cheating here, posting this from my DJ. Here are some of my thoughts on the movie:

1) Animation - quite well done, although the humans' features were a tad long in the face. Although, there were times that Splinter looked more like a lion than a rat...and I wasn't digging the shoulder pads.
2) Voice acting - pretty good. Still not sure about Splinter's voice but it wasn't horrible. The 'celebrity' voices weren't so obvious that they were distracting. My friend that was with me thought she recognized Winters' voice (Patrick Stewart) but she wasn't sure. The one voicing Mikey reminded me a lot of Townsend Coleman's animated Mikey.
3) Soundtrack - not nearly as irritating as the first three movies. The few songs that were played weren't as 'in your face', more background stuff. Well, this IS an action movie and not a musical, so that was fine.
4) Editing - some of the lines from the toys that people were talking about weren't in the movie, and it seemed like some of the stuff from the book went missing too.
5) In a nice touch of continuity, at the end of the movie, Splinter is putting a helmet into a display case...which housed Shredder's helmet, the TCRI canister (I didn't get a chance to see if it was TCRI or TGRI, though), and the time sceptor from the 3rd movie. (at least, that's what it looked like) The lair seemed like a bit of a cross between the lair Karai trashed in the current cartoon...and the lair from the live action movies. There was also a bit with Splinter watching his 'shows' and being concerned that Cody was going to break up with Donna. A nod to FF, perhaps? And, although it wasn't a jumpsuit, that yellow outfit from Japan that April wore during the final fight scene looked strangely reminiscent of the original series' April's infamous outfit.
6) Definitely a Leo/Raph movie. Mike got some great oneliners & jokes, and Don got to do some good geek stuff...but a lot of the movie hinged on the tension between Leo and Raph. Oh, and they definitely state that Leo is the oldest brother. (I know there was speculation over the years that Raph was older and, thus, resentful that Leo was leader)

The bits about what each of the guys was doing in Leo's absence was great.
- Mike, as Cowabunga Carl, was quite funny (the van really reminded me of the original series' Turtle Van). When the kids beat him up, the show it from his point of view, inside of the mask, which was funny to see. He later admitted to having nightmares about doing the kids' parties and was more than happy to retire the costume head at the end of the movie.
- Don, doing the IT phone line. Easily one of the funniest bits of the movie. "No, I swear, I'm not teasing you. This is NOT one of those phone lines!" IT people will enjoy some of the comments he makes.
- Raph, as Nightwatcher. A major part of the movie storyline and he gets some good moments (even if Casey figures it out pretty fast). Really enjoyed the bit with the little monster ("Oh, who wants a butt kicking? Oh you do, don't you?"), they did a similar viewpoint bit with this scene - showing the monster trying to figure out how to get inside Raph's mask, from Raph's viewpoint.

Other scenes of note:
- When Leo returns home...I know this one's been commented on, with Leo riding on the landing gear of the plane. It's only for a brief moment, then he jumps off, snaps out a hang glider, glides over the water, trails his hand into the water, collapses the glider, dives into the water and swims home. While Raph is less than thrilled at the return, Don & Mike were quite happy - and watching Mikey wake up, and fall off the couch, was one of the funnier scenes.
- When the turtles go out for their first training session, after Leo returns, and end up fighting one of the 13 monsters. Splinter had forbidden them from fighting, until they were a team again, so it was kinda amusing to see them trying to hide their injuries from Splinter the next morning. Also amusing was Splinter's reaction when he saw the news report about the fight.
- The scene where Raph admits to Splinter what had happened between him & Leo on the roof...when Splinter tells Raph "Just because you may not be my favourite student, that does not mean you are my least favourite son." Awwwwwwwwwww.
- Ok, the big scene, the one everyone was waiting for - the Leo/Raph fight on the roof. Niiice. The close up shots of them, where the rain was running down their faces was very nicely animated. You could see the pores in their skin, for heaven's sake! Lotsa good action, lotsa serious butt kicking and Raph managed to snap Leo's katana with his sais.
- Big final fight scene - also nicely done (although the whole timing thing with the final monster might have been a little bit with the stretching the believabilty bit). The final scene between Karai & the turtles. Yeah, that was subtle...she says that they will meet again on other business, involving something from their past. Noooo, that wasn't setting things up for a possible sequel now, was it?

Any thoughts?

[WolfofMibu]

I am just going to copy and paste what I wrote in my Livejournal:

Most of my movie experience of course surrounded the character of Leonardo, because lets face it I am sucker for the blue clad Turtle *laughs* I was very pleased with the way his character was handled and the way he interacted with all his brothers. I admit I was surprised by the fact that at the start of the film they had him not wanting to return home, that he was hesitate to rejoin his family and had instead opted to stay traveling and just to stop communicating with them. At first I wasn't certain how I felt about this plot device until they actually delved into the plot of the film more. It seemed to me, that even with how much Leonardo loves his family and how much he wants to be with them, he really does fear failing them as a leader and failing his Master. I think it was difficult for him to come back feeling inside that he had not fulfilled his mission and that he hadn't learned how to improve as the leader and he tried to justify this to himself by thinking that the villagers needed him more then his family, when I think inside he knew this wasn't true.

This film was made for me by every interaction Leonardo and Raphael have. Watching the struggle with there obvious need to mend the fence between them. I think Raphael felt most bitter against Leonardo not for going away and training but for staying away too long and stopping communicating. I think Raph felt abandoned by his brother who he trusted the most and I think he felt that Leonardo was running away and he lost respect for him for that. I no longer think that Raphael picking up the mantle of the Nightwatcher was purely to bust heads or even to stop crime. I think Raph felt a little lost without Leo in his life. He needs that solid, sensible side of Leo to help balance him when he goes off guns blazing, ready to take on the world. Just the same I think Leo suffered from not having Raphael's brutal honesty to force him to see that he was being too hard on himself. Watching the two of them struggle with each other then in the end learn there lessons from one another really was the high point of the film for me. And this movie made me respect Raphael a lot more then I have lately in the 4Kids version where frankly he has been pushed aside a lot in the later seasons.

Mike is adorable in the film. There is no other word for him. Every time he is on the screen is memorable and you cannot leave the film without quoting at least half his lines.

Don is a little quiet in the movie, but still has a few real zingers of lines. I also really liked the fact that when April is expressing concern to Leo in the start of the film about him being away, it is Don; Leo thinks that will hold together the family. Showing the faith he has in his brilliant brother.

Sensei is a true Father in this version. He worries for his Sons, jokes with his Sons and loves them dearly. I like the part when they are all trying to hide the fact from him that they had been in a fight after being told not to and Splinter sees a news report on TV and he just bellows "BOYS!" through the lair. It all seemed very real.

The animation for the film is awesome. The Turtles look amazing, so real and there movement, sometimes it was so fast I had trouble keeping track of what was happening on the screen. The Raphael and Leonardo fight is really the high point of the film for me. So beautiful animated and acted. It will leave you with shivers.

Honestly I cannot say enough good things about this film. It was everything I wanted and more. The monster storyline was alright, but honestly it didn't seem like the main focus of the film. It was secondary to the family storyline and that felt right to me. This film honestly felt like a stepping stone a re-birth of the characters in preparation of bigger things. And form what Karai says at the end of the film it seems like big things from there past will be coming back if another film gets green lighted.

[LenniluvsBrian]

Ooooh. These just make me wanna see it even more! I even called the theater today to ensure that it WAS going to be here! Lol. They said "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" second, right after they said some other movie. I was like, "It's coming here!!!!!" Lol. Now, the computer game just bETTER be here Tuesday or I'm NOT gonna be happy! Lol.


~Lenni~

[LenniluvsBrian]

Okay, no computer game - BUT I did see an AWESOME TMNT MOVIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *squeals n throws confetti* LOVED IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My fave part was DEFINITELY the Raph/Leo fight scene!!!!!!!!! My jaw literally hit the floor when Leo told Raph he was better than him! OMG! Leo MUST have had a death wish that day! Either that, or he was cocky enough to figure he's always beat Raph 'cause he's the leader. Pfft. Raph broke your katanas is half, Buster! So WATCH it! Lol.

Everybody laughed when Mikey fell off the couch, though they laughed when they first showed Mikey & Donnie asleep - because I laughed - roflmao! I think that part looked so like true TMNT! Lol. Especially after the cartoons before FF where Mikey was the junk food addict - heck, I think he always has been! I'm STILL laughing here! Well, giggling mostly 'cause people ARE sleeping at 3:35am here, yanno. Lol.

Splinter's voice was odd, & Casey's face kinda long - but they were good. And I've SO many fave quotes! Lol. "Nice talk Raph..." - Casey --- was one of 'em - lol. Just 'cause Raph fell asleep - I'm amazed Mr. Ninja [Raph] didn't fall off the dang roof! Lol.

My Dad even laughed at some parts, but I don't remember which. And yanno, until I talked to Arista, I'd completely forgotten the whole, "Cowabunga Carl's.....Cowabunga Dudes!" I felt kinda dumb, 'cause I'd asked my Dad if they'd said "Cowabunga" & he was like, "Yeah. When they were eating pizza or something." Lol. So, he knew they said it, just not when. I didn't even remember hearing it - haha. I really need to get this on DVD, so I can watch & re-watch it a zillion times, so maybe I'll clue in! Lol.

And the part where Raph wakes up after being knocked out & they're at April & Casey's apartment, I missed the part where April tells them of the ancient curse - I had to pee! My slushie went right through me! I swear! Lol. But that was the fastest I've ever gone to the bathroom - even if I had to fight with the stupid taps, so I could wash my hands! Lol. But, according to my Dad, I didn't miss much. Lol.

And the end was good - but Karai didn't seem to be around too much. I'd have liked to see more of her - I like her - lol. But I did like the whole, "You think they'd be more concerned about the thirteenth monster." when Casey & April were bickering about April's driving-lol. All she did was prove the "crazy lady behind the wheel" theory-haha. Though, my pulling our tracker to the front of the drive-way & parking it in front of the truck was kinda funny too - I honked the horn without meaning too - haha.

I LOVED Max Winters!!!!!!!!!!!! Prolly 'cause I LOVE Patrick Stewart [almost called him Captain Picard-haha]!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But, yeah, he was cool!

Oh! And I almost cried when all that stuff happened after the Raph/Leo fight - yanno, when Raph felt horrible 'cause he couldn't save Leo - that. I'm a sap for my boys - lol. I love' em both, & to see that happen - it brought tears to my eyes. And Splinter telling Raph "Just because you are not my favourite student, does not mean you are my least favourite son." LOVED that!!!!!!!!!! That made me wanna cry more! Lol.

I went with my Dad - did I mention that yet? Lol. He enjoyed it - he even laughed a few times! I'd know, 'cause I heard him! Lol. And we're gonna go see it again in a few weeks when it comes to our theater to see it again [& so hopefully I can snag the poster-lol].

Also, when the movie started people my age & teens started cheering & clapping. Then when it was over, they clapped again - lol. Made me feel proud, though I dunno why. And my sister's boyfriend told me, that for the late show [they went to see The Hills Have Eyes 2] that there were 'freaks' wearing cardboard masks they'd made - one was Leo, one Donnie, one Raph, & one Mikey - lol. He asked me if I'd wear a mask & I was like, "If I actually had one." And he was like, "Yeah. But it wouldn't be stupid cardboard!" Lol. He might go see it & if he goes to see it sometime during this week, I'll insist upon going with him - lol.

Okay, think I've rambled enough for now. If you wanna see the quotes I've got, let me know & I'll start a new thread for them or something - lol.

~Lenni~

[Shredder]

Ok, figured we might as well start a topic for movie reviews, since I know some of us are going (have gone) to see the movie early.

Post your comments, thoughts, reviews, etc. here!!

My review will come shortly - need to go do some more ice scraping.

I will say this...


SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

Yeah, got to see it, despite the weather...

Saw it a day later than intended, but kind of fitting since I think we saw the first movie on a Saturday too... still remember going for ice cream afterwards...

It took a while to get used to the designs....while it does look like a moving comic book, sometimes it just didn't look 'clear' enough.  Like there was no weight to the characters at all and it was more of a video game movie.    But that could have been a fault of the somewhat crummy screen we saw it on...

Designs - I will say that the humans looked WAY to thin and skinny for the women, and too drawn out for the guys, like they had been in a stretcher.  THe only ones who looked normal where the South African military men.    But you got past that 20 minutes in.

Voices - You wouldn't have known it was Buffy if you didn't see the casting sheet.  
April - Good voice overall
Casey - Ehh, could take it or leave it..nothing really that special.  Marc Thompson does a better job, I think.
Karai - Great sound.  Although I like the 4Kids version better.
Leonardo - I think Leo and Don should have been switched in the begining, but I got used to 'em.  Best voice of the three turtles.
Don - Second best
Raphael - Third Best
Mikey - Sounded like a mix between townsend Coleman and Wayne Grayson.  Not bad.

Splinter - The toughest new voice of all of them to get used to.  I LOVED Mako in Samurai Jack, he does a great Aku.  But his Splinter is so far removed from what we have heard so far (that gravely old timey voice) that it took a while to get used to his take on it.  Far longer than the other VA's.  It didn't jar me out of the movie only until about 40 minutes in when I stopped comparing it to Kevin Clash or Peter Reneday.  Then I started to enjoy it more.  Finally Splinter is voiced by a Japanese VA....and it's well worth it.

Jim Cummings also made a surprise appearance as the head thief in a sequence.  I wonder what it's like for him to come back to turtles after almost ten years, and never in a movie version to boot.  I also forgot that Kevin Smith was the head chef, and the part is so small, I'm surprised the studios even gave him top billing, let alone any billing.  Stupid marketing machine..


Over all, I'm REALLY glad they went with a non Shredder plot.  As much as I love the guy, Shredder has been used alot recently, and needs a bit of a break.  The build up to seeing him again is what makes the character fun.  Karai is an interesting character anyway, with far more depth than Shredder ever had.  If they do a movie story with him in the sequel, I'd love to see more of his background, what turned him to evil, etc..  One girlfriend turning him down does not a killer make..

The action - It really is intense.  Much more so than the 4Kids series....and there was almost a silence in the theater as the  few parents in the room saw it, heh.  But not one kid ran out screaming or crying during the entire movie, so that's a good thing, and they where all under the age of 7 I'd say...which is not really the target audience for turtles, is it? I'd say 6-12. but these looked like really young kids...

The animation.  The CGI doesn't really gain 'weight' until we reach present day New York.  Again, the crummy screen didn't really give you much detail, but with my artists eye, I could see which segments would look great when they finally release this on hi-defenition DVD.  The sound in the theater was soft, but it should set my home theater setup a blaze .

I think that covers everything....but even on a Saturday afternoon, the theater was only 1/3rd full.  Are other showings selling out?

[AristaNiara]

I just got back from seeing the movie for the second time.  I LOVE the movie but my only MAJOR complaints are
1.) Don's computer system doesn't get shown enough.
2.) April = April the Vampire Slayer (I honestly HATED Sarah Michelle Gellar as April and I thought she was too young sounding)

I loved the whole brotherly interaction and I found it interesting that Splinter STATED that Leo was the oldest but does he REALLY know?  I did love the movie though.  I promise you that much.

[iloveshredder]

Hes coming back!!!!!!!!!!! sequal baby

[LenniluvsBrian]

YAY FOR SHREDDER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lol. He's my fave villain - other than Karai - lol.


Really hope they DO, do a sequel!!!! Which, I think they will!!!!! WHOOT!!!!!!!!!!!!! I mean, why ELSE would Karai state what she did?!?!?!?! Lol.


~Lenni~

[AristaNiara]

She may have actually meant that the foot is back or even some familiar faces such as Tatsu are back...again, just a thought.  But if they do bring back Shredder, the question is how will they do it without making it cliche?

[Michaelangelo]

Hey everyone,  I think I got a lot to say so I'm going to post this in parts.  This is part one of my review.  The Good and the Bad of TMNT.  

I really do enjoy this movie, the BEST thing being the interaction between the brothers through out the movie.  Each of the brothers get some good interaction at any given point of the movie.  Be it happy with hugs, or depression, or even the good sign of anger between each other it's a lot of family moments which makes the movie what it is.  I truely enjoyed even Splinter getting some good times in, like the hug between Leonardo and him when Leo says "I missed you father".  Very well display of emotions there.

Without this interaction this movie would not have worked so well.  The plot line given for it was not too strong, it played second to the family moments.  This type of story line would work better for Siderman, Superman or even Batman.  Seeing as how they are all heroes that go out and watch for evil to take it down.  The TMNT are not like that, they are defenders of good but only when they need to be.  If they are pulled into it, or happen to be in the area.  They are not heroes, but four teenagers trying to live their life, and this movie tried to make them be what they are not.  

Good examples of the Turtles not being heroes:
First Three Movies : Plot lines throw the TMNT into the spots where they have to fight.
Interview with Eastman and Laird from 1990 :  "They don't go out looking for trouble, but if trouble happens they kick butt"

It's been something I've noticed through out TMNT history and something I really enjoyed about the TMNT.  I'm sorry to see them tryingt o put the TMNT into a hero type of personality.  In this movie the Turtles are taking interest in things which they normally wouldn't... like Leo wanting to take out the Nightwatcher.  There's no reason for him to be that upset over the nightwatcher.  Casey does the same thing, but the TMNT don't go out to stop him.  This is something that needed more of a reason for Leo to get concerned... like if the Nightwatcher was spotted using the sewers as an excape rout, or if the police were getting closer to finding the lair.  Though these were not the case or at least not shown in the movie.

Another big point to the plot of the movie that did not make sense was Leonardo being forced to be a leader.  Splinter never pushed Leonardo this hard.  And if he was going to push him this hard a reason should of been given why the tables have turned, like if it's because of Splinter's worry about the family going under when  he does pass away.  Though this is stuff that for character sake should have been brought up in the movie.  In stead we have Splinter sending Leo off for training with no reason given besides to be a better leader.  We have him yelling at Leo about "There is NO excuses when you're the leader!"  

Movie One Leo : "I never said I was your fearless Leader"

That is just one of the strong points that show that Leonardo was never the titled Leader.  This movie does nothing but say that Leo is the leader no matter what.  This is showing that they are more of a hero team than a group of brothers.  I would prefer the family view over a crime fighting team.  

The animation of the movie was very well done.  I love all the details, the backgrounds are breath taking.  As you can see all the bricks, sewer pipes, and cars as if they're really there.   The Turtles have a wide range of expressions and can do just about any stunt that the director wants them to do.   If it wasn't for the humans in the movie, you would of looked like it was live action at times.  Though there were things where you could see the animation, some of Raphael expressions with his eyes reminded me of RJ the raccoon from "Over the Hedge".   The eyes were bigger than what I'm use to with the Turtles, which is why I think I felt that.  It was only in the eyes though.

The Humans were a mix of Sims and "Incrediables"  they look ok once you get use to it, it looks like a comic book on the big screen.  Though it did take away from the realizem of the movie, which is what I enjoyed the most about the first movie.    So I do miss the live action version, but understand why they went with CGI.  It's still all good and a lot of eye candy.

I think for me the biggest drag about the movie was that beginning.  The introduction of the Turtles than going into the past story about the plot of the story.  It slowed the movie down right away at the beginning.  In theaters I hear the crowds cheer when the TMNT logo would come up, but than give the WTF look when that beginning would start.  It took the thrill out of the beginning of the movie and was rather disappointing.  So for me that was the worse part, over all.  Though the animation was great the idea of having it there just did not work for me.

The jungle scene was handled very well, would of been nice if they went into how long Leonardo has really been there (besides for the fact that he's been there a year longer than he was suppose to be).  I would of also have liked to know a little bit about what type of training he was suppose to be doing out there.  Instead of just the fact that he was there on training.  So there could have been more to this scene.  Though the details here were very impressing.  I loved it that even April's knife has the writing on the blade where the maker would be listed.  

Each of the introductions of the Turtles was well handled.  I loved Donatello the best, it really felt like the real deal.  I've been around a tech support friend before while he was working and it was so close to how they treated it in the movie.  Mikey's was the most disappointing for me, since that is not how Bday party entertainment is really handled.   Raphael has a great like hero type intro, and I love the line "Hey look guys I got a toaster".  Tommy was a fun character.    I was a bit surprised that Leo left April like that.  Figured he would respect seeing a friend more than just disappearing on her.  

Once we go back into New York, I enjoyed the skate boarding through the sewer scene with Michelangelo.  Once he got down into the lair, you get one of the best scenes of seeing the lay out of the sewer, you can even see the display room next to the kitchen with Shredder's helmet and all.  You can see where Don's computer area is, even though you don't see the computers from that angle.  It's just a nice over all view of most of the lair.  

Next came Mike's reaction to the Nightwatcher, at first I enjoyed him sitting up and getting all excited, but as soon as it changed from just being a fan to missing the fights, I felt that brought Mike out of character.  Mike and Don didn't care too much for the fighting.   They more just wanted to live their lives.  I could see Mike being a fan of the Nightwatcher, since he's so much like a comic book character, but not for the reason they made it sound in the movie.  Though I do love Donatello's little talk with Raphael there.  It was a nice bit of family interaction.  

I'm going to break here, to make sure this is sent since I'm on a lap top and we're about to go driving again.  I'll post again next time I have internet access on here.

[Leonardo]

I have now seen it three times, and read the novel, too. (I didn't get to see it for the first time until this past Monday when we got back from Japan.)
I really enjoyed it!
As for the animation, the amount of detail put into the eyes in particular was awesome. There's so much expression, and the movement is like they are actually focusing on something, not just fixed in one spot.
The little story bits between the characters was sooo nice to have. Hiding their booboos from Splinter. The way Raph and Leo were eating their cereal. Mikey bringing out his cake on the table. Don and Raph with the fear discussion. Raph's gloating at Leo during Splinter's scolding. (grr!)
I really don't think Don got shorted out with the extra focus on the Raph and Leo story, I loved how they presented him throughout the movie. Don did a lot more than I was expecting, and was a very strong and intelligent presence. The IT stuff was hilarious, I loved him leaning back in his chair, nearly spinning with frustration at the calls.
Although I will agree it would be nice to see Mikey get a little more maturing kind of story arc, something that presents him as other than just the clown, albeit one super athletic one! They certainly did show Mikey as the most flexible and athletic mover in the bunch! And part of me wonders if Mikey was the bridge to the "old cartoon" style and movie style that some in the audience would be expecting?
I had gone into the movie having seen the pro-Raph clips expecting it to be a Leo-bash fest at times, but it didn't turn out that way when the whole thing was seen. I was very happy with the way Leo was presented. To me, this was the best representation of Leo in the movies. When they sneak up on the fight with the first monster they see, it was classic Leo, even when Raph goes charging in, his reaction was perfect. And I love the part when Leo says "Nightwatchman" and his "whatever" to the corrections of the other three. As for Leo becoming more of a leader in the movies? I loved it. About time! Let's face it, Splinter has to prepare this bunch as a team that can handle themselves without his always being there. It's growing them up a little more. Yes, things like the "there are no excuses when you are the leader" was painful, but...it's about learning to deal with the responsbility. (And there's a whole side discussion I could go into but won't because why talk about work here??? ) The key is it was a nice story arc of growth for Leo starting with his training and meeting up with April to the reuniting with Raph before the end.
Although I have to say the airplane thing with Leo on the landing gear...uh. When going to Japan, Ninjara and I took note of the speed and air temperatures reported during the flight and laughed over the impossibility of that scene. Even with the plane coming in for a landing?? gah! (Even if his work with the glider was superbly done.)
The battle with Raph and Leo was really well done. The first time it was blur, the second and third I could study it. You could see a difference in their styles and even their attitude during the fight. Great animation work! Even if Raph as the Nightwatcher knew Leo's moves, Leo was so poised through their battle, it's only when Raph is able to do something to totally surprise Leo that Raph really gets him. If Leo had really wanted to take Raph out, he had him at that sword to the neck attack. Withdrawing it, Leo just had to turn it 90 degrees to the side and go for it. And the impact when Raph breaks Leo's swords and then right after, is very emotional when Raph realizes what he's done and nearly done. (I have to say this made up for the loss of the Raph and Leo fight in the new cartoon for Return to NY.)
All the fights were well done, it was nice to see Leo actually USE his swords for a change, even if they were careful about the "no blood" policy. Pity about not really seeing any good nunchaku shots for Mikey, though.
Raph's character arc was very strong, too. They showed so many sides to Raph, I loved all of it. His extreme vigilante side. His sense of humor. His anger, his sorrow. I also can't help but smirk at how "buff" they made Raph, even to the way he runs.
I noticed others comments about Splinter's voice. I agree it took a bit of getting used to for Mako's voice, even though I had heard clips of it at SDC and WonderCon, but really, it does work for me. Splinter should have a true Japanese accent, even if his years in New York would have tempered it. I loved it when Splinter was singing his way into the kitchen where the Turtles are trying to be so low key. I still have the impression Splinter knew they had been up to something, even if he was acting like everything was just Happy Perfect Family with all of them there together the table. It was nice to see Splinter with a balance of humor and seriousness. And when Splinter had to be serious, like to Raph: "Kneel!" the voice had all the command in it you would instantly respect.
I loved watching April working out with the bokken in her apartment. (For RL: I sooo wish I had a high ceiling like that...I have to practice with a wakizashi bokken most of the time or I'd take out the ceiling.) The other fun part to that was the mess when Casey was alone and then it's all cleaned up. I know there's been some talk about April and her status change with the fighting, but I really like it. It just makes total sense for her character, as originally presented in the Mirage comics, anyway. When Leo leaves her at the beginning of the movie to go work through personal stuff from her information overload, it's clear Leo feels she is able to take care of herself. Very nice. And yes, I can't see her able to defeat Karai who's skills would be superior, but during their battle, April does manage a good surprise attack and then breaks off fighting and goes on.  Karai certainly was not down and out, so I'm okay that bit. I also liked April still had her intelligent side, too.  
As for Casey? He had some great moments, too. And I looooved the Casey and Raph team ups. Those were some great scenes. Raph snoring during Casey's talk about his issues? tsk!   (Although I would like to see some old classic Mirage-style Raph and Mikey action sometime, too.)
Winters was well voiced by Patrick Stewart, and they managed to make his character interesting. I liked the twist by the end, where he's not actually "just the bad guy" but trying to make right his mistakes. I'll agree with what some say that whole underlying plot with that wasn't overly deep, but I guess if you have to keep the movie to an hour and a half and you are focusing so much on the family elements...something has to go?
And Karai...I wished her voice was just a hair more Japanese in accent, although I have nothing against the talents of her voice actress. (When you just spent over a week in Japan, it's noticable.) I liked the way she was presented and her command of the ninja was great. She was very strong as a presence. If there is a sequel, it should be fun if she's in there again.
Although this leads me to one question I have--based on the novel, it was presented as Leo does not know who she is. In the movie, I actually got the impression Leo knew who she was. Anyone else have comments?


I know I am missing stuff to comment on, but I've probably babbled enough. I have to say, I am very pleased at what we got from Kevin Munroe and his whole crew.
I just wish the stupid critics out there weren't so narrow-minded on comic-book based things besides the accepted Spiderman or Batman stuff. Personally, sorry to Spidey fans because this is based on my preferences, but I enjoyed this TMNT movie far more than the Spidey movies. It had much more heart and soul to it, and less gratuitous violence than the last Spidey movie. But to the critics? <sigh>

I am looking forward to the dvd coming out!!!

[splintered]

My thoughts/reactions, in random order:

I love the first reaction from the kids to Splinter's first appearance in the movie. You can hear them all gasp and whisper with excitement "Splinter!" Splinter's voice took some getting used to since we're accustomed to hearing a different style for him, but now that I've seen the movie a bunch of times, I think Mako as Splinter works fantastic (unlike, say, TMNT3... no matter how many times I watch that movie -- and I am one of the few that actually likes the 3rd one -- Splinter's voice is too messed up in that version).

The look of the humans in CGI also took some getting used to, and now I like the look, with the exception of the females needing more realistic-looking waist sizes. April especially doesn't look physically capable of even lifting a heavy katana, much less easily kicking aside the leader of the Foot Clan (the scene would have been fine without showing Karai and just having April fight a Foot Ninja). Also, now that I've adjusted to the turtles' new appearance, they have never looked better. And all the extra effort the movie-makers put into the CGI animation really paid off.

As everyone else has already pointed out, the Leo-Nightwatcher/Leo-Raph fight scene is amazing. It's the character angst us adult fans have been craving. Especially Leo's expression when he yells "Why do you hate me for that?!?!" Leo is always trying to maintain control, and it was nice to see him display such emotion. I was a bit surprised that Leo would actually come out and say "I'm better than you!" because I always saw him as one to go out of his way to take the high road (no matter what his motivations) rather than broadcast that he is arrogant. Maybe that's just me putting him on a such pedestal though.

I also found it interesting, when Leo first encounters the Nightwatcher on the roof. "I want you to know that I appreciate your intentions, but you can't change the world like this. The road you're on is a dead end. Believe me, I've tried it. So I'm going to give you one last chance to (walk away or end this or whatever the last part was)." You can't hear the second and third sentences that well because the perspective changes to inside the Nightwatcher's helmet and Raph commenting in disgust that Leo's lecturing, but that's one of the most interesting lines of the movie. It sheds light on how Leo was feeling during his time in Central America, when he was pulling what was essentially his own vigilante antics as the Ghost of the Jungle. Leo misunderstood the Nightwatcher because Leo's and Raph's styles are different. The Nightwatcher was more flashy, in your face, and more visible, which Leo took as the Nightwatcher having an ulterior motive. At least, that's my take on the whole thing. I'd be interested in hearing other people's opinions on what Leo said.

Thumbs up to Casey Jones in this movie. He has always irritated me in the past because he's always portrated as this unintelligent, macho brute that runs around smashing heads and talking to April like she's a sex object. The 2007 version of him is so much better though because he tones down the macho act and he shows that he does think through things (such as when he's like "hello Raph?!?! what were you thinking?? we can't take on a monster, a bunch of foot ninja AND four walking statues like this???") I apologize if I offended Casey fans, it's just that in the versions of him I have seen (cartoons and movies), he's more often portrayed in a bad light than a good light. I applaud the movie for highlighting his positive traits a lot more.

I love Karai in this movie. I hope we see more of her in the future. I would have changed her last line though. "Savor your victory, for soon we will have further business together." Period. I think that is plenty to get people talking about a showdown with the turtles and the Foot in the future. Just that is more enticing than the battle against random monsters. The shock value would be so much higher if, should there be a sequel, if Karai had never mentioned the bit about there being familiar faces from the past, then someone in a Shredder helmet appears, wow! The second part of her sentence just wasn't necessary.

That's all for now. I'd love to hear what everyone else thinks.

[Leonardo]

My thoughts/reactions, in random order:

As everyone else has already pointed out, the Leo-Nightwatcher/Leo-Raph fight scene is amazing. ....Maybe that's just me putting him on a such pedestal though.

I also found it interesting, when Leo first encounters the Nightwatcher on the roof. ...At least, that's my take on the whole thing. I'd be interested in hearing other people's opinions on what Leo said.

Thumbs up to Casey Jones in this movie. ...I apologize if I offended Casey fans, it's just that in the versions of him I have seen (cartoons and movies), he's more often portrayed in a bad light than a good light. I applaud the movie for highlighting his positive traits a lot more.

Yeah, I enjoyed seeing a bit of emotional outbursts from Leo at times, too.
And at the same time Raph is commenting about the Leo lecturing thing, I just had to laugh. Everyone has their quirks, no one's perfect, and even being a Leo fan, Raph's comment had me laughing, it is true....

You bring up a good point Aig, Ninjara, and I talked about with Leo's "I'm better" line, too.
As a Leo fan, I admit to bias! And when I heard the line for the first time, it's...wow. That's a very arrogant thing to say, I agree!
Maybe Leo just had had enough of Raph to say such a thing? Raph had been pushing Leo's buttons prior to this encounter, after all. And it was something Raph was hiding from the whole family that Leo had just found out about.
But there's a way Leo composes himself as he says it that makes me wonder....
I also wonder that isn't an attempt to push the button on Raph and get him riled and off balance.
Leo certainly saw the Nightwatcher as a "showboat", maybe seeking fighting for fighting's sake and excitement and glory instead of only when the fight can't be avoided? To save someone or something?
Also, I am not sure about this either, but when Leo sees Raph as the Nightwatcher, Raph has the cash register drawer in hand. And Leo hurls the shuriken right into it. It wouldn't be clear from Leo's perspective if the intent of the Nightwatcher was to take money, too.... When Leo was in the jungle, he returned everything that had been taken from the people to them.
Now I could be reading entirely too much into this, and maybe the movie crew just decided to have Leo be arrogant. But it's fun to contemplate the other possiblities, too.

As for Casey, I agree on that, too. Casey was a nicely well-rounded character. In the movie, he's maybe not the most coordinated or aware of his surroundings all the time, but he's got other qualities that are great. I loved the scenes with Raph and Casey hanging out together.

[Raphael]

Funny, I didn't consider Leo's "I'm better" line as arrogance...it seemed to me like he was trying to push Raph's buttons and knew that line would get a reaction.

[Aignatius]

It's certainly a good effort for Leo to at least draw out Raph's internal resentments in a viable conversation. Or rather, a more volatile conversation. A risky thing to do, but Leo probably didn't know what else could be done to resolve the issue. And it looked like it wasn't planned, maybe more like a fortunate accident that they met and Leo just winged it. Goes to show his leadership talents came into play. How to handle difficult peers.

I'd pity any therapist who adopted the same technique with somebody like Raph. Said therapist would have to be really good at ducking and evading. Literally.  

[Raphael]

Now...is it totally resentment toward Leo (and possibly Splinter) that Raph is feeling, or do you think at least part of his feelings here are feelings of inadequacy? As in, why wasn't he good enough for Splinter to pick to be leader?

[Leonardo]

Like life? I'd say probably a mix of both. Good points, there!
I like Aig's complement of Leo's leadership skills. ahem

They do portray Raph as certainly resenting Leo for being "Splinter, Jr." The lecturing, etc. For Leo for just being Leo.
And yet, I think Raph is able to look at himself, and finally take responsibility for his own part in their ongoing conflict--in terms ofalso feeling he is inadequate, as you said.
But in the movie, the path he is taking to dealing with his issues, is focusing it toward picking at Leo, being disrespectful to Leo by leaping into battle, smirking at Leo when Splinter's scolding Leo, throwing it in Leo's face he doesn't want to work with Leo, then finally attacking Leo once Leo's "busted" him on the Nightwatcher gig.
And yes, to be fair, Leo's brought Raph to that point, when they get to the second part of their fight on the rooftop. First his 'dissing' of the Nightwatcher. And particularly in saying what he does with the "I'm better than you." It's like, the whole frustration of trying to improve himself for his brothers, and for Raph's treatment of him just finally comes out.
But Raph can't back down and find a solution that involves dialogue to resolve their differences. He lashes out in a fight.
I think you see the inner truth about Raph when Raph actually breaks Leo's swords, and darn near does serious damage to Leo, too--then he has to run off because he can't face the truth of himself at that moment. He isn't gloating at all, isn't laughing, isn't celebrating. He's horrified. Doubly so when he realizes that Leo has been taken, most likely as a result of how Raph left him.
And on the other end, Leo seems rather horrified, too. He's certainly completely shaken up, devastated, because it's like maybe he sees no hope to reconcile with Raph. And then, of course, that means he's failed Splinter's trust in him. And what Leo wanted for himself.

Some can say what they want about the plot? I'd say, even to having to hit a PG rating and having to turn in a movie of  only an hour and a half, there are areas of the movie where the plot is very deep if you know the characters.
And when Raph is able to reunite with Leo, there's some interesting stuff there, too....

[Absaraka]

Agreed.  It wasn't War and Peace--there's no way they could have nailed that in 90 minutes flat.  Also, you're right, the plot's much deeper if you know the characters--a sure sign Kevin was writing this at the hardcore fan base, and not random six-year-olds.

My personal awards, in no order:

Best side character scene: Village terror in Central America.  I thought that was well-done, considering it was a scene without any lead characters in it.
Funniest side character scene:  The diner chef freaking out at Nightwatcher
Best side character line: Tommy's "I should have stayed in law school..."
Funniest side character line:  "I got kids.  In college.  Community college."
Best enemy scene: Karai confronts Max Winters over unexpected monsters
Funniest enemy scene: Winters first meets the Foot.  "I've got a shareholders' meeting at ten, I'd rather miss it."
Best enemy line: "And thank you, brothers.  You've made a very old man very, very happy."
Funniest enemy line:  Karai--"You've got to be kidding me..."
Best ally scene: April calls Casey from the dock
Funniest ally scene:  Casey and April fighting behind the wheel while running from the last monster
Best ally line: April (realizing Casey is gone)--"Be safe."
Funniest ally line: Casey--"I'm the caveman type.  Au naturel."
Best Splinter scene: His consolation of Raphael.
Funniest Splinter scene: Ninja breakfast!
Best Splinter line: "Then the time has come to...take back what is ours."
Funniest Splinter line: "I still got it!"
Best Don scene: In April's apartment after Raph was knocked out--part doc, part detective, all brains.
Funniest Don scene: IT tech support.  No contest.
Best Don line: "Within hours, we'll lose the city to monsters.  Within days, the country.  And within weeks, the world."
Funniest Don line: "No, I'm not playing hard to get!  I'm telling you, sir, it's not that kind of phone line!"
Don's best brainiac moment: "Because this has Winters' name written all over it!"
Best Mikey scene: Overhearing Raph's conversation with Splinter.  He looks like he's fighting back tears.
Funniest Mikey scene:  The birthday party (sorry, Ivey).
Best Mikey line: "Did anyone get the license plate of that thing that hit us last night?"
Funniest Mikey line: "I have nightmares about birthday parties."
Mikey's best stolen scene: "Um, can I get rid of this, too?"
Best Leo scene: Visiting Splinter on his return home
Funniest Leo scene: The fight at the construction site.  (Leo didn't get that many funny moments.)
Best Leo line: (to Raph)--"I'm gonna need you, too."
Funniest Leo line: "You call that an attack?"
Leo's best leadership: The showdown with the generals
Best Raph scene: his return home after The Fight.  Biggest cry I've ever had during a TMNT film, and I wasn't the only one.
Funniest Raph scene AND Funniest Fight: The fight with the Jersey Devil
Best Raph line: "I'll tell you what we're going to do.  We're gonna rescue our brother, and then we're gonna save New York City."
Funniest Raph line: "Aw, ain't you CUTE!  You want a butt-kickin', little fella?  Yes you do!  Yes you DO!  I'm gonna drop-kick you all the way to Hurtytown!"
Raph's best angsty moment: His panicked flight and near breakdown following The Fight.
Funniest line: "Looks more like fall.  Get it?"
Best line: "But just because you are not my favorite student, does not mean that you are my least favorite son."
Best short line: "BOYS!"
Best unspoken line: Mikey almost crying when he overhears Splinter consoling Raph
Best surprise: Winters's true motivation
Best score: Leo's skydiving scene
Best song: "Rip It Up"
Best animation: Courtyard fight with the Foot
Best fight: The Fight
Funniest scene: Ninja breakfast
Best scene: The Fight
Best voicework, side character: Kevin Smith
Best voicework, enemy: Patrick Stewart
Best voicework, ally: Mako
Best voicework, Turtles: Nolan North

[Lisardo]

Funny, I didn't consider Leo's "I'm better" line as arrogance...it seemed to me like he was trying to push Raph's buttons and knew that line would get a reaction.

It didn't seem like the typical comment that Leo woudl make though.  Stunned me a bit too.

[Leonardo]

There's an online article about Kevin Munroe (speaking about Gatchaman) that had this in the Imagi blurb at the end:

IMAGI's first theatrical movie TMNT was released in March 2007, opening #1 in U.S. box office revenue, only the third time in history that an Asian-made film has achieved that honour.

I thought that was interesting info.
 

[NinjaNette]

I went to go see the movie the day it came out in theaters. I wasn't very impressed with it. At the beginning of the movie, I was kind of lost. It shows the turtles jumping, then it goes to Winters and his family turning into stone. It really lost me there.

One: Splinter's voice was bugging the heck out of me. I didn't like how he was drawn and he kind of didn't seem at all wise for some reason. I don't know, that's just how I feel.

Two: April just didn't fit at all. She seemed totally different from the original movies and cartoon. I didn't think Sarah Michelle Geller's voice went with it. I was distracted everytime she talked. It just made me think of The Grudge, Scooby-Doo and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Three: Karai not knowing Leonardo and the turtles, also didn't fit. Overall, I do like how she was drawn in the movie.

The fight scene was very well done. I do like the extreme close-up shot on the face. I liked when April was telling Leo about his brothers. The shots of showing each of his brothers was good. Especially, the Nightwatcher scene. One of the scenes I do enjoy is when Mikey comes home from worker and starts getting all excited over the news and jumps on the couch saying, "But they weren't like these guns". The skateboard scene was done well too. I liked that part. It made it look realistic like the audience was in it or something. It just brought it out.

[J.A.B.]

I loved the movie but I don't think the advertisements did it justice.  They marketed it as more of a children's movie then it turned out to be.

[BubblyShell22]

I loved this movie so much. I really hope they make a sequel. That would rock. The animation was great, especially Mikey's skateboarding through the sewers. The way he did it was well done. The voice acting was also very well done. I thought all of them did an excellent job in portraying characters we know and love. I also loved how April told Leo about what the others were doing and how Leo felt that Don would keep everyone together. Don's IT tech support was hilarious because he seems so frustrated at people who don't know what they're doing. Mikey's party business was great, especially his comment where he says he has nightmares about birthday parties. Raph's Nightwatcher gig was also cool, especially his fight with the Jersey Devil. That was hilarious.

I also loved the rooftop scene where Raph and Leo fight. I think Leo can be arrogant at times, but I think he said that "I'm better than you" line because he was angry at Raph for being so reckless. He meant that Raph was in danger of exposing the family while Leo was always cautious about that. I do like the fact that Leo didn't want to fight his brother because it shows he cares for him deeply. I also loved how Raph tried to go after Leo after he was taken by the Generals. His line, "I'm coming!" brought tears to my eyes. Another scene that really put tears in my eyes was when Splinter was talking to Raph and how Raph admitted that he messed up holding out the broken swords. That was powerful and Splinter's comment was very heartfelt.

The ending fight was pretty good, and I really liked Karai's last line. Let's hope they make a sequel to this movie because it was awesome. Overall I give it a ten out of ten. Nicely done.

[horserider]

I think Leonardo is the best leader next to Master Splinter. Where as Raphael is more of a lone wolf. Michealangelo is the knucklehead in the family which makes me wonder where Splinter wnet wrong in raising him. Donatello is the egg head in the family yet not all his ideas work the way he plans them to.

[Michaelangelo]

"Cowabunga Corner" Review video for this Movie:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVoddTLen-M

Like this, check out the Ivey's TMNT Video Blog Topic:
http://www.tmnt-l.com/index.php/topic,4917.0.html