Film Review | Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
The Ninja Turtles are CGI-fuelled, but not any more exciting
The “heroes in a half shell" are back, except this time producer Michael Bay slaps on his style of action and over-dependence on CGI, or computer-generated imagery.
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT), with their penchant for pizza and skill with nunchucks and Ninja moves, were created as a comic in 1984. Named after Renaissance artists, Donatello (Jeremy Howard), Michelangelo (Noel Fisher), Raphael (Alan Ritchson) and Leonardo (Pete Ploszek, voice of Johnny Knoxville), the turtles, mutated during a lab experiment, have been training under a master sensei Splinter, the mutated mouse (Danny Woodburn, voice of Tony Shalhoub), in the sewers under New York City. But they are prematurely forced to the surface to save the city from the Foot Clan, a violent group that’s terrorizing the city. It seems only the TMNT can do the job.
Hot on the trail of the turtles and the Foot Clan, spearheaded by the evil Shredder (Tohoru Masamune), is a TV reporter seeking her big breaking news story. Megan Fox plays April O’Neil, who finds herself embroiled with the TMNT in ways she had not imagined.
TMNT is clearly meant only for those under 12 years of age. The humour is sparse and largely physical—based on the appearance and antics of the four giant green ninja fighters. The only scenes of note are when the turtles start rapping during an elevator ride before the big fight with Shredder, and the climax itself. This is when the turtles finally utter their catchphrase, “Cowabunga", for the first time.
Although directed by Jonathan Liebesman (Wrath Of The Titans), the movie has Bay’s signature of explosive action written all over it. Even Fox is unable to alleviate our tedium as she pouts and pants as a journalist with highly questionable competence.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles released in theatres on Friday.
Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!