Made-over 'Turtles' not all that bad

Fri, Aug 15th 2014, 11:19 AM

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Rated B)

Cast: Megan Fox, Will Arnett, William Fitchner

Genre: Action Adventure

Dwight's Rating: 2.5 stars

Teenagers, mutants, ninjas and turtles; with the possible exception of turtles, one imagines that an assemblage of any of these individual groups could have the potential to get really annoying. So one would not be faulted for suspecting that if called upon to imagine a grouping of turtles that were not only teenagers but also mutant ninjas that it would end up being something in line with what the kids these days call "a hot mess". Add to that the fact that this bizarre premise is based on a comic book and popular TV cartoon series that peaked in popularity way back in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and you would be well within reason to question the sanity of the person who decided to bring this franchise back from turtle purgatory.Yet, here we are, in 2014, with a new version of "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT)". And bigger than the shock of its return to movie theaters, is that it's not all that bad. In this era of abundant comic book-based films mostly aimed at very adult audiences, and with astonishing levels of violence, "TMNT" takes a different track, aiming to create a new, much younger audience for the franchise.While the original comic book series and the original theatrical release in 1990 were much darker in tone, this new movie (a sequel is already in the works for summer 2016) more closely follows the lighter, more comedic fare we all remember from the TV series. New York City -- Hollywood's favorite punching bag, is overrun by criminal mastermind Shredder and his evil Foot Clan -- the only hope for the city and its citizens rests in the "hands?" of four turtles who happen to be human-like mutants with ninja skills.They acquired said skills from their fellow mutant trainer and master, a rat named Splinter. And as you may recall, the turtles are all named after Renaissance-era painters: Michelangelo, Raphael, Leonardo and Donatello. Very early on, you realize this is not going to be "The Dark Knight". The emphasis is on whimsy. In addition to acting lightweight Megan Fox as news reporter April O'Neil, we have comic actors in the other major parts, including Will Arnett, and Whoopi Goldberg in a cameo. However, most of the humor comes from the wisecracking turtle, Michelangelo, who is blessed with some of the better one-liners and asides.Unlike the last few times we were treated with a "TMNT" movie (the original spawned sequels in 1991 and 1993), when the actors wore turtle suits from muppet master Jim Henson's workshop, advances like motion-capture technology allow for the reptiles to have a slightly less goofy appearance (Just slightly!) As is typical these days, this is a special effects feast, particularly during action sequences. A few of those scenes seem to drag on a bit longer than necessary -- never dull, just overly lengthy. Otherwise, the pacing is spirited.

While there's lots of fighting, it feels nowhere near as violent as most recent comic-based movies, with none of the decapitations, blood squirts or spurts that have become de rigeur.So for those in their 20s, 30s and 40s, nostalgic for the days of their carefree youth, "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" may possibly rekindle a few memories. But it's clear this once omnipresent entity is less for this crowd, and more for their own preteens and teens -- a group likely to enjoy it immensely.

o Dwight Strachan is the host/producer of " Morning Blend" on Guardian Radio. He is a television producer and writer, and an avid TV history and film buff. Email dwight@nasguard.com and follow him on twitter @morningblend969.

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