So we went to see it on opening day. It wasn't the first showing, but I'm here writing this, so it must have been close enough to it to keep me alive. For now.
Added to all of that with my daughter, I like the Turtles. The original comic series was pretty brilliant, and the first movie (1990) was so well done it sealed my fate as a fan. That said, I never liked the original animated series. I was more than a few years too old for that when it came out, and "silly" was probably the best description I ever had for it. Needless to say, the Turtles have undergone many changes and interpretations over the years, so I'm not going to try to compare this to any previous incarnations. As much as that's possible, at any rate.
There will be spoilers:
As with any Michael Bay movie, the story is the movie's weakest link. If you've seen The Amazing Spider-Man, you might recognize the plot device of releasing a pathogen from a tower on the top of a prominent building in New York City which accompanies a rooftop battle to stop said release of said pathogen. Add to that the rather overused (at this point) plot of having a secret stash of the antidote to the pathogen on hand to charge the unsuspecting populace for and become insanely wealthy and you'll see the lack of thought that went into the story. Even the twist, that the antidote is in the blood of the Turtles and they must be drained to retrieve it, has been done more times than I can count. Or remember.
But, hey, I suppose considering their target audience... actually, I'm not sure what their target audience is since I'm sure they're trying to get the nostalgia audience along with the kids... Oh, well, for a movie more geared toward kids, I'm sure the plot is fine. Mostly, what the movie needs is good, snappy dialogue, and it has that. My daughter loved Michelangelo because he was so funny. Honestly, there were a lot of laughs in the movie, which ought to be the case for a Turtle picture.
And, as in any Bay movie, the action was spectacular.
There's nothing to complain about with the acting, either. Megan Fox was good as April O'Neil, maybe better than good. She really was the part. Will Arnett was great but, then, it's hard not to enjoy Arnett. The voice actors did a great job, especially Tony Shalhoub whom I didn't even recognize during the movie. Possibly the only issue with the acting wasn't actually an acting issue but a casting one: As soon as I saw William Fichtner, I knew he was the bad guy because, well, that's kind of what he does. It's not fun to know who the villain is because of typecasting.
Speaking of the villain, the other villain, Shredder, although he does have the huge rooftop battle with the Turtles, is hardly the bad guy in the movie. He's just this sort of background character who seems to be controlling things, but, other than the fight, he's not really there. That was disappointing. He, as a character, was hardly menacing because of that. The only thing that made him scary was the huge cybernetic armor suit that he had. I mean, really, anyone can have a suit.
The other main issue goes back to the story, and that's having the Turtles start out as April's childhood pets. It's like ever since Tim Burton did that whole "I made you" thing in Batman, everyone has to have everything circle back around and be all connected and stuff. I suppose it's supposed to make it cooler but, really, it doesn't do anything for me other than cause my eyes to roll. Seriously, it's not even voluntary.
Still, as long as you buy into the plausibility of the Turtles, there's nothing really to break the suspension of disbelief. It never goes to "Seriously!? You expect me to buy that?!" Even the big rig scene stayed within the bounds of Ninja Turtles.
Basically, it's a fun movie... if you like the Turtles. Or if you're a kid who is going to end up liking the Turtles after seeing the movie. If you're not a Turtle fan, this one's probably not for you.
They're giant, mutant turtles - toss reality out the window, folks.
ReplyDeleteTurtles were many years past my youthful interest, although I did take my young nephew to see the first one. I think the one thing that struck me as odd with this film was how big the Turtles were. I know in the comics they are able to don coats and hats and blend. These guys are massive - no way they could do that.
Will check out on NetFlix. Won't expect a story. Didn't really anyway.
This is one movie I'm hoping my hubby doesn't run out and buy. When we miss stuff in the theatre, he will buy it if it's something that piques his interest. I haven't heard him talk about so fingers crossed I've been spared. But, hey, you made your daughter a happy gal and that's always worth it.
ReplyDeleteI got burned by Transformers 4, so I'm skipping this one. I am a huge turtles fan, so maybe on video.
ReplyDeleteNot my scene I don't think.
ReplyDeleteAlex: The Turtles could wear coats and stuff in the original movie because those were people in suits. The size of the Turtles, in the comics, has varied greatly through the years.
ReplyDeleteElsie: There is one thing to say about buying DVDs: it's usually cheaper than a trip to the movies, at least if more than one person is going.
Maurice: Transformers 4 burned hard.
Jo: I didn't think it would be.
You are the only person I've seen who liked the movie, but also the only person I've seen who judged it on its own merits, by saying it's a Michael Bay movie. I'm surprised by all the people who complain that Michael Bay movies are just explosions and action sequences and no plot. What do they expect? Does ever filmmaker have to be Steven Spielberg?
ReplyDeleteYou never hear people say "You know what? All those John Grisham books are just courtroom scenes and thrilling suspenseful sequences! When will he write a historical romance?"
Michael Bay makes Michael Bay movies; go see 'em if you like explosions and action and not a lot of thought. But don't complain if you DON'T like that and went to see it anyway.
I'm sure the movie is what you say: a competently-made rather generic action movie with some high points.
By the way, wasn't the plot of Batman Returns "guy poisons the entire city?"
I was still little when the animated series came out, so I was a huge fan. I think it holds up pretty well. And I'm really not fond of anything by Michael Bay.
ReplyDeleteBriane: Hmm... Batman Returns... You know I don't remember. I know the Penguin is in that one, but poisoning the city isn't usually his thing. That's normally the Joker.
ReplyDeleteI think Michael Bay gets a bad rap. He makes a particular kind of movie, a kind that tends to be very popular with the public (and TMNT by far exceeded expectations opening weekend); there's nothing wrong with that. Just know what you're going in for.
Jeanne: It was certainly better than the sequels to the original film.
The Turtles have never done much for me so I doubt I'll see it. On the other hand, any movie with both Will Arnett AND Tony Shalhoub...
ReplyDeleteTAS: It's hard not to like Arnett. Unfortunately, Splinter's not in the movie enough to really give Shalhoub time to stand out.
ReplyDeleteI guess i'll go see it then.... I was hesitant because the designs looked really odd, somehow. Maybe they'll look better in motion.
ReplyDeleteAlex H: They are quite reminiscent of the mid-90s Turtles comics.
ReplyDelete