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Almost
a decade after the 'Secret of the Ooze' was revealed the Teenage
/Mutant Ninja Turtles are back - in CGI form. The new film (the first
since 1993) sees the Turtles growing apart from each other, after their
defeat of The Shredder. However, it isn't long before strange things
start happening in New York City (an army of ancient creatures
threatens to take over the world - you know, that old chestnut!) and
the Turtles must unite again to save it.
It's quite an
interesting tact to take - on many levels. For mine, as soon as I heard
about the film being CGI, I just had this niggling feeling that it was
a step backwards for the franchise. Let's face it, when one of your
favourite cartoons gets a re jig for the silver screen - you want the
characters to come to life (something which had amazingly done in the
early 90's films). So going back to another form of animation just
seemed like a bit of a cheat, almost as if in my brain I was thinking
"Well, if they're not going to make the effort - just make it a new CGI
TV series".
Now, don't get me wrong - TMNT looks just superb. The detail, the Batman-esque tone - the IMAGI folk (who, interestingly enough, are also working on the CGI Feature of Astro Boy)
have done a top notch job here. The fight scenes are fantastic, while
the rain sequence is a true testament to the realism that can be
achieved using computer technology.
The story, too, is as good
as you could expect it to be (bar the absence of Shredder and the -
I'll say it - TV episodic nature of the "Monsters on the Loose" plot
line). The tempered relationship between Raphael and Leonardo (which is
hinted to in both the old films and cartoon) is examined in depth - and
resolved with great sincerity.
The voice cast is somewhat of a
let down though, because you get the sense the film makers weren't
exactly sure what avenue to go - with a voice cast of no name/
'names-but-not-names'. Honestly, if you're going to fork out the bucks
for someone with a bit of weight behind it "The Flame Guy from Fantastic Four"
may not be a worthwhile investment. Even the choice of Sarah Michelle
Gellar (April O'Neil) seems somewhat of a misstep considering she is
barely a supporting player here. If you're going to go to the effort to
get name brand actors - get more than one. As for the "cameo" of Kevin
Smith - bizzare (again, getting an unrecognisable voice to cameo would
be lost on most of the kiddies in the cinema).
Bitching and moaning aside, TMNT
does deliver when it counts. There is a lot to like about it (there is
a lot to not really care about as well) and one can only hope that
Shredder returns in the inevitable sequel to give the on screen plot a
bit more weight and impact.
Let's just hope that Astro Boy doesn't end up looking like an expensive new TV show as well...
EXTRAS
While
the flick didn't exactly set the Box Office on fire (it pulled in just
over $50 million in the US, and $90 Million odd worldwide) TMNT
was by no means a failure. Which makes it somewhat confusing when the
only extra on offer is a monotonal feature commentary by the director.
It's like even he wants to be in bed.
Perhaps
there is a "2-Disc Edition" on the way at Christmas time, but for now,
this is a bit of let down in the Extras department (especially
considering all the behind the scenes stuff that must have gone on with
the CGI).
Radical Dude (not!).
Conclusion:
Movie 65% Extras: 20%
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