I remember as a young boy having almost the entire collection of turtles action figures, as well as having the sewer their lair. I also remember waking up early every morning early to catch each episode of the cartoon and I must say this interpretation is the closest they have come to replicating the morning cartoon show from 1987. Whether that is the true cannon of teenage mutant ninja turtles is well and truly open for debate. It was originally created in 1983 as a comic book by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird and much of the violence would've been toned down in the cartoon show for kids. The turtles were the postmodern heroes of the late eighties and early nineties taking on aspects of daredevil and Xmen as influences. Disappointingly the turtles seemed way less relevant around the dawn of millennium, although there had been a few failed attempts to bring them back and gain more exposure of what once was. Fast forward and delve further into the 2000s and Michael Bay was willing to give them another shot producing the first live action attempt since they went back in time. The forth turtles film well and truly buried due to terrible reviews to the 1993 Ninja Turtles three movie, it would need a refreshers course to investigate anything worthy of a watch.
Now that the trilogy is a distant memory, we had a reboot that pretty much brought nothing new to the table, even the story felt no different from 1990. In comparison it's sequel Out of The Shadows is a breath of fresh air. Finally we get to see some of the characters I remembered in the cartoon I once watched as a boy. Admittedly this is a more lighthearted version than the original 1990 version Jim Hensons costumes instilled. The humour is evident early on and it leave very little room for the serious viewer. (Megan Fox) feels more at home the second time round playing April O'Neil and is joined once again by (Will Arnett) as Vernon Fenwick. The effects of this movie are sensational and the characters are far more interesting than the first one. From the first time we get introduced to Bebop (Gary Anthony Williams) and Rocksteady (Stephen Farrelly) who many will recognise from the WWE. Accompanied by the main antagonist from another dimension Krang (Brad Garrett).
The story has some nice integrated details between the brothers, the Turtles which felt missing in Jonathan Liebesman's first attempt. Also visually Dave Green sequel is stunning stepping it up a notch or two. The relationship between Leonard and Raph is more sophisticated as they go on different courses but figure out a way to work as a team. What this movies emphasises is how the Turtle are all so unique in they own way with their own skills and personalities. The differentiation adds layers to the movie and although a little corny towards the end still manages to say more than the first outing. The anticipation of finally seeing characters like Rocksteady, Bebop and Krang on the big screen is revitalising. Also I'd managed to get used to the score more carried over from the first movie and the theme feels more catchy now, although it is difficult to beat the score and soundtrack from the 1990s version. I also noticed when Casey Jones smashes up the dukebox in the bar it's actually playing Vanilla Ice who appears in the secrets of the ooze sequel, I'd say that's a little Easter egg there or homage. On the subject of Casey Jones, is wasn't so into the idea of him being a police officer and (Stephen Amell) didn't have the same effect on me as (Elias Koteas) portrayal. I felt like they sold this Casey way short considering what an interesting character he can be around the turtles and often a love interest of April O' Neil.
As a film this is on par with the 1990s versions is my opinion but for completely different reasons, it's much lighter in tone and far more comedic. The character are ridiculously stupid and how they come about however this feels most like the Turtles I grew up watching every morning before school. It's never gonna win big awards, still that clearly isn't the intentions. This is a feel good, chill out and relax dude don't have to think too much kind of film and that's all it needs to be.
Now that the trilogy is a distant memory, we had a reboot that pretty much brought nothing new to the table, even the story felt no different from 1990. In comparison it's sequel Out of The Shadows is a breath of fresh air. Finally we get to see some of the characters I remembered in the cartoon I once watched as a boy. Admittedly this is a more lighthearted version than the original 1990 version Jim Hensons costumes instilled. The humour is evident early on and it leave very little room for the serious viewer. (Megan Fox) feels more at home the second time round playing April O'Neil and is joined once again by (Will Arnett) as Vernon Fenwick. The effects of this movie are sensational and the characters are far more interesting than the first one. From the first time we get introduced to Bebop (Gary Anthony Williams) and Rocksteady (Stephen Farrelly) who many will recognise from the WWE. Accompanied by the main antagonist from another dimension Krang (Brad Garrett).
The story has some nice integrated details between the brothers, the Turtles which felt missing in Jonathan Liebesman's first attempt. Also visually Dave Green sequel is stunning stepping it up a notch or two. The relationship between Leonard and Raph is more sophisticated as they go on different courses but figure out a way to work as a team. What this movies emphasises is how the Turtle are all so unique in they own way with their own skills and personalities. The differentiation adds layers to the movie and although a little corny towards the end still manages to say more than the first outing. The anticipation of finally seeing characters like Rocksteady, Bebop and Krang on the big screen is revitalising. Also I'd managed to get used to the score more carried over from the first movie and the theme feels more catchy now, although it is difficult to beat the score and soundtrack from the 1990s version. I also noticed when Casey Jones smashes up the dukebox in the bar it's actually playing Vanilla Ice who appears in the secrets of the ooze sequel, I'd say that's a little Easter egg there or homage. On the subject of Casey Jones, is wasn't so into the idea of him being a police officer and (Stephen Amell) didn't have the same effect on me as (Elias Koteas) portrayal. I felt like they sold this Casey way short considering what an interesting character he can be around the turtles and often a love interest of April O' Neil.
As a film this is on par with the 1990s versions is my opinion but for completely different reasons, it's much lighter in tone and far more comedic. The character are ridiculously stupid and how they come about however this feels most like the Turtles I grew up watching every morning before school. It's never gonna win big awards, still that clearly isn't the intentions. This is a feel good, chill out and relax dude don't have to think too much kind of film and that's all it needs to be.