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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014)
Daniel's Review
A new reboot for a new generation to see, and this time happens to be the Turtles time to shine. This new imagined Turtles film is, if you can believe it, the first live-action film for the ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ for 21 years, and the first feature film since the CGI produced ‘TMNT’ that debuted in theatres back in 2007. With Michael Bay producing it, not directing it, could this reboot be great, just what the franchise needs?
Kind of?
It is not notoriously bad like ‘Transformers: Age of Extinction’. Nope, far from it as the film does have some really good and enjoyable moments.
First thing, the set-up of the turtles’ origins is really good, and I think one of the film’s shining achievements. From the writing, they do an amazing job setting this film up. So kudos to them.
After the set-up, the film, surprisingly is enjoyable and entertaining, as we find out that the Foot Clan is roaming the streets of New York, as the film’s protagonist April O’Neil (Megan Fox) wants to find the big news, and so happens to stumble across one of the Foot Clan’s plans, which makes her end up finding a mysterious vigilante in the process.
‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ is the film, in my opinion, a family fun type of movie. With fast-paced action, some very few laughs and a not too convoluted plot, the kids will like this.
The problems I find with this film is that most jokes a little flat for me, the dialogue comes across as cheesy sometimes and the direction of some of the action sequences are too shaky, which makes the audience a little confused on what’s happening on screen. I call this camera technique, the ‘Transformers’ direction.
Oh, and there is a nice little tribute to 'The Matrix' thrown into one of the action sequences, oddly enough.
Overall, ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ does have some shining moments of greatness, but sometimes ends up mixed with mediocrity writing and shaky camera work that ruins some of the fun, but it is still an enjoyable time at the cinema for anyone who are massive fans of these likeable Ninja Turtles.
Score: 5/10
Published: September 5th, 2014
Details
Review
Release Date: September 11th, 2014
Studio: Paramount, Nickelodeon Movies
Runtime: 101 mins
Rated: M
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Nic's Review
Okay, first things first, 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' is better than you think it will be. It's better than it deserves to be...but it still has many problems.
Having no previous knowledge of the 'Ninja Turtles' franchise, or any nostalgic regard for them, I found the film to serve as a great introduction to the characters, because really that is the one thing that stops this movie from falling to 'Transformers' sequel levels of quality: likeable characters.
The turtles are at the heart of the film, rather than the human characters, and are given enough development that it is hard not to care about them by the end of the film. It is easy to see why the quartet of crime-fighting reptiles is so well loved; they are quirky, fun and energetic. While the special effects are a little half-baked, their personalities outshine their appearances.
But there are two sides to the characterisation coin in 'Ninja Turtles' and the other is that of the human characters. Megan Fox is talentless as usual, though at least she has more to do than the eye candy she was in 'Transformers'. While there are still shades of sexism in 'Ninja Turtles' its negligible compared to every single female supporting character in a Michael Bay film ever.
As for the other humans...who are they again?
Not a single other human character comes off as more memorable than a cardboard biscuit, especially the stupid, unthreatening antagonists. It's difficult to even remember what the threat really was.
The overarching plot is so mind-numbingly stupid and usually just an excuse for the turtles to participate in outlandish action set pieces (though these are pretty good action set pieces).
And, unfortunately, the film overall just feels a bit too far on the silly side.
Trying to ground these turtles in the real world lets the writers get away with a few legitimately funny gags but at the same time discredits the film's believability. And you might say, 'But it's the Ninja Turtles, what do you expect?'
Well, I've seen many films with silly premises this year. I've seen apes riding horses, raccoons riding trees and dragons riding dragons but all these films and their characters believed in their own universes.
'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' does not.
Only one film springs to mind when comparing the quality of this film to another, the first 'Transformers', and while that may not seem unexpected, it is a far better level of quality than I expected after that other franchise's abysmal fourth instalment. But let's hope 'Ninja Turtle's sequels don't follow the same pattern.
For 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' is not what it could be but it is better than you think it will be, and exactly what it wants to be.
For achieving that much, I say Cowabunga!
Score: 6.1/10