Review of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014) by Brandon E — 20 Feb 2015

The day that this film came out, I was contemplating on whether I should see this or not. I finally mustered enough energy to check this film out. Walking from the parking lot into the movie theater, I kept thinking about those crazed Star Wars fans who blame George Lucas for raping their childhood. I then thought that TMNT would have that same effect on crazed fans of my generation. Those Star Wars fans grew up watching the films, reading the comic books/fan fiction. Star Wars was a part of their lifestyle with toys, clothes, etc. By the time the prequels came out they were around my age that I'm at now. TMNT had a huge impact on my childhood, with the movies (which I still have on VHS and bluray). The toys, videogames, cartoons, bed sheets, shirts and even underwear. However the popularity of TMNT died down, only to be revived with a failed Foxkids show and then revived again in the 2000s. During this period my interest moved to Star Wars. So I can be considered to be a passive fan. Sure I was a huge fan growing up but, I don't have the same passion as an adult like others. Adults still have the toys, art work and clothing. I still have a love for the franchise and was hoping this film didn't screw the franchise. Well I had an enlightening moment during the viewing.

To start this was a film that was bound to fail. From the beginning of Michael Bay assistance with this film and the direction of Jonathan liebesman. So a hack producer and a director with a filmography that ranks from bad to mediocre. Then the rumors of the turtles being alien. The designs for Shredder looks like a decepticon. The turtles were going to be CGI (I sure do miss the jim Henson costumes and puppetry). I even had a problem with Megan Fox (who's still fine) didn't have the signature red hair.

I spent the first 1/3 of the movie nitpicking. The cliche news reporter who is risking her life to get the big story. Why does the foot clan operate as if they were Navy seals. If they were that powerful they should focus on global domination, rather than terrorizing a city. I appreciate the foot clan in the earlier movies, they were basically street thugs that were taught karate and they terrorized NY. This film just turned a bunch of street punks into ex-military mercs. There is a subway sequence where the foot clan terrorizes the patrons. The sheer stupidity of April O'neil in that scene, will leave your eyes rolling. Then when April's connection to the turtles is revealed, I first had a wtf moment but then I enlightened myself with this realization.

I'm 27, this film is not for me. Sure this film is setup to appeal to its huge fanbase. The film does have some nostalgia moments but, it's still beloved by young kids. TMNT is still a huge franchise, they still have a cartoon, toys, etc.

When so many people were pissed at Episode 1, they claimed that Star Wars was headed in the wrong direction. I remember seeing it in 1999 and I enjoyed the film. I was 12 at that time, I only got to realize how bad it was when I got older. I enjoyed ep. 1 because of how the Star Wars franchise was going strong with special editions of the original films and the toy line. The adults who instantly hated phantom, were from the decade that the original films were released. The franchise was something that they hold near and dear to their hearts. Which is why they nitpick and can't understand why the younger generation didn't outright display any hatred toward the prequels. This is the same with TMNT, the film does feature some callbacks to the earlier films/cartoons however it is for a younger generation.

With that said I began to watch the film as if I was my 5 year old self, watching TMNT for the first time. Ignore the plot holes and cliche moments and enjoy the film for the spectacle that it has set itself up to be. I enjoyed the film a lot more. The turtles are bad ass and hilarious. I like the snow sequence, the new Shredder, and the new backstory. People actually applauded at the end of this movie. It was a fun movie and I'm pretty sure it was a great movie for the young ones.

My generation spent a great deal of time nitpicking this film for two years. I realized this is nothing new. With all beloved franchises, people nitpick and complain because it was something that was a huge part of our lives. However we fail to realize that these franchises have appealed to a younger generation who also have the same amount of appreciation as the older generation. I'm not saying that it's time to grow up and stop watching these films. But I'm saying we must understand that this franchise appeals to a new generation. This new generation who are watching the shows and still buying the toys. Not only do they dominate the market of TMNT and other franchises. They also play a huge influence in the production of these films, how the plot is setup, the backstory, etc. When you look at it who's more profitable to the franchise, the 8 yr old who is going to Toys R us buying TMNT swag and watching the show religiously on Nickelodeon or the 20 something year old fan boy who shops on EBay or any other auction/second hand store to get the gen1 swag they recalled from their childhood.

This franchise has the same effect on the new gen that it had on the older gen. Which explains why it's going strong after 30 years. For those around my age, you will enjoy this a lot more if you approach the film as if you were your younger self watching a TMNT feature for the first time.