Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Year: 2007
Director: Kevin Munroe
Voice cast: Chris Evans, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Mako, Patrick Stewart, Zhang Ziyi and featuring the voices of Mitchell Whitfield (Donatello), James Arnold Taylor (Leonardo), Mikey Kelley (Michaelangelo) and Nolan North (Raphael)

Anyone who watched cartoons back in the late 80s or early 90s would have heard of these amphibian heroes. Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird created the four turtle heroes, as the defenders of New York City against their arch nemesis Shredder while saving their reporter friend April O'Neill and eating pizza by the dozens. Yeah, it was corny and juvenile, but it was so much fun. What I enjoyed most was the fact that it didn't take itself too seriously. It may be a classic tale of good versus evil, but the show is full of humour like this:

Donatello: If he's from ancient Japan, why is he speaking English?

Raphael: Because we can't afford subtitles.

Anyway, this movie, the fourth after 3 live films, is a 3D animated film that supposedly takes place after the first film ended. In this story, the turtles are not the team they used to be. Leonardo has left home, under orders from Master Splinter, to travel the world and learn on being a better leader. Michaelangelo becomes an entertainer at kids' parties. Donatello is now a tech support person for disgruntled PC users. Raphael on the other hand, is bitter over Leo leaving, and sleeps during the day and does vigilante work at night with the turtles' sidekick, Casey Jones.

A new evil threatens the city. A mysterious man named Max Winters has assembled a stone army and is using them to capture 13 monsters roaming the earth. Apparently, the monsters have come from another dimension, and Max needs them for a reason. His activities draw the turtles' attention, and so they have to return and save the day. But they don't come off to a good start, as the returning Leonardo causes Raphael to vent his frustration out on him, which puts the team's strength in jeopardy.

Basically this film is far removed from the cartoon. Casey Jones first of all, isn't the ultra serious insane character in the cartoon. In here he's a laidback character dating April on the side! Raphael is a serious, temperamental character, unlike the humorous, laugh a minute type in the cartoon. And it's just not the same without Shredder and his two goons. But the movie still works, thanks to the good script and animation. It's not perfect, but it manages to stand on its own.

The voice cast do well, especially the late Mako as Splinter. Zhang Ziyi however is disappointing as Foot leader Karai, her English is as phonetic as it was in Memoirs Of A Geisha. The four men who voice the four turtles give their respective characters the right emotions and life, fitting of an animated adventure. The animation may not be top notch, but it is quite impressive. Check out the scene where Leo & Raph fight each other in the rain.

But ultimately, TMNT will appeal more to people who haven't watched the cartoon series before. It's a nice try however in reviving the enthusiasm for the turtle heroes some of us grew up watching. (3.5/5)