Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014) Review

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014)

D: Jonathan Liebesman

W: Josh Appelbaum, Evan Daugherty, Andre Nemec

S: Megan Fox, Alan Ritchson, Jeremy Howard, Pete Ploszek, Noel Fisher, Will Arnett, Danny Woodburn, William Fichtner, Johnny Knoxville, Tony Shalhoub

The heroes in a half-shell are back in their fifth onscreen adventure. This time around they combat the evil underground criminal organization, The Foot Clan, and their boss the evil Shredder. Will they be able to stop the Shredder's evil plans?

I want to first go over my opinions on the other Ninja Turtles films. The original film from 1990 to me is still a pretty decent film, with a pretty good story and some great costumes. The second film is a massive guilty pleasure, yeah it is a weak film but I still enjoy it. The third film... just lame. TMNT (2007, Dir. Kevin Munroe) for me is probably the weakest film, mainly because it seems to think that by making everything dark and angst ridden it is automatically deep. Oh and the new tv show on Nickelodeon is really damn good. 

But now let us get to the newest film. Like a little people I wasn't looking forward to this film, and yes one reason was because of Michael Bay being attached to the project, but after the first trailer... I still wasn't too sure about it. But after seeing more and more and seeing the Turtles interacting with each other I was getting a bit more excited. But after watching the film now I can say that this is... lackluster. It is far from being the worst film in the series, but it could have been so much better.

Let me get this off the bat, Megan Fox was a bad choice for April O'Neil. This part should have gone to someone like Rachel McAdams or Emma Stone. Also the new designs are a mixed bag for me. I don't like that they're really bulky, but the extra features of clothing and such give them nice distinct looks. Except for Donatello's glasses. You know, in you case you forgot he was a nerd. But other than that I like the extra stuff they added. They'll never top the original puppets created by the Henson Company, but they're a little better then the ones used in the 2007 movie. 

Seriously, these designs are so freaking dull!

Speaking of the Turtles themselves, they're fine persona wise. Also they have plenty of funny lines and moments in the film. The director, Liebsman, stated that he really wanted to get the Turtles humor down and he did in my book. Come on, how could not crack a smile at this scene here. 

So what's the major problem with this film? The script. It feels like they're using the first draft of the screenplay for it. It had the ideas and what they want but it feels really underdeveloped. There are some interesting ideas that needed to be explored a lot more. The biggest example of this is that the turtles were not some random turtles found in a random puddle of ooze by a rat (or in some cases Hamato Yoshi). Nope, this time around the turtles and Splinter were part of a scientist experiment conducted by April's now deceased father. One of the other scientists (Fichtner) turned out to be EVIL! And turned out to be a disciple of the Shredder. And they are going to use it to take of the world. OF COURSE! Now April managed to rescue the turtles and Splinter from the lab when April's father destroyed the lab, after finding out the evil scientist's plan. Oh, and spoilers Fichtner killed April's father. Yeah, I'm sure you're all surprised. 

This is an interesting idea, it gives the Turtles and April and stronger connection then just, 'Oh hey I found a bunch of giant mutant turtles. Okay I'm friends now.' But it isn't really developed. The film wants to have the message of family and how even though they come from completely different backgrounds in a way they're still one. But instead we get clunky dialogue about how they're family and such. Critic Jeremy Jahn pointed out that the film seem to rely on you already knowing about the Turtles and their history instead of developing it in the film. (By the way check out his videos, he is awesome.) They could have gone a little deeper by having Splinter still be Hamato Yoshi's pet and then April's. He could have been unsure if this girl was worthy of owning him. 

But what about the action? This movie has to be good in that department. Well... yes and no. The use of CGI does allow them to do more but it goes by so fast that it is a little hard to keep track of what's going on. Also, there is way too much slow motion being used. 

As it stands for me, this isn't the worst Ninja Turtles product, but it could have been better. If you're interested go see it or at least wait until it is out on DVD and Redbox it. If you've been one of those guys who has been going, "F**k Michael Bay!" Then this film won't change your mind. In the meantime, go check out the first two films from 1990 and 1991, and the latest show that's on Nickelodeon. 

Cowabunga!