Sparrow_in_flight

Don't get me wrong. I grew up on the old toons and loved 'em to death. Sad to say I never read the comics that started it all.

I went into the movie fully expecting to mock the entire thing. After all, I took a peek at the newer cartoons, and hated them. And I'd never, EVER enjoyed the old films (though now I'm planning to go back and re-watch 'em, see if things have changed).

Imagine my surprise when I actually enjoyed the film. Some elements are definitely meant more for big-screen viewing - the fight between Raph and Leo, for example. The plot definitely wasn't bad.

As I said, too, the turtles had to grow up, in a sense. If I'd gone in and heard multiple cries of "Cowabunga!" I would have enjoyed them...but at the same time, really felt out of my element in the theater - a 21-yr-old going a kiddie film, basically. It was far more fun to watch Mikey dress up with a Yoshi-like mask as a party mascot, Don struggling to do tech support for idiots, Raph being more reckless and vigilante-like than before, and Leo having wised up some.

I do have to say, though - the one thing that really bothered me? Splinter! He looked too funny to be taken very seriously, at least not without some effort.

Anyone remember The Secret Files of the SpyDogs? The 1998 Fox Cartoon that lasted one season, which featured dogs bent on protecting the world, and cats bent on conquering it? Sound familiar? Did I mention the high-tech gadgetry and inventive disguises featured in this cartoon? Again, sound familiar? The acting isn't horrible, the animation could be worse....but really, did they truly think they could make a successful film using a plot that couldn't even make a cartoon last long before the gags ran out? SpyDogs had charm going for it, at least. This...not so much. This may be a cute kids film, but for older audiences...well, I suppose if you're bored at 2 in the morning or need background noise, and there's nothing better on, you might enjoy it.