After watching the first three episodes of the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series, I can't help but feel disappointed, especially when comparing it to the beloved 1987 original. The new animation style feels like a complete miss, lacking the charm and distinctiveness that made the original show so iconic. The turtles in this series come across more as parodies of themselves, with an overemphasis on stereotypes that detracts from their original personalities.
One of the most glaring issues is the drastic change in the core characters. April O'Neil is now the complete opposite of her original portrayal, losing much of what made her an integral part of the team. Splinter, who used to be the wise mentor imparting life lessons and guiding the turtles through their challenges, has been reduced to focusing on his personal relationships, which dilutes his role as the turtles' teacher and protector.
Michelangelo and Donatello, in particular, have suffered from this reboot. Michelangelo, once the fun-loving but capable party dude, now looks downright goofy, losing much of his original charm. Donatello, who was once the cool, tech-savvy member of the team, is now portrayed as a weak nerd, complete with glasses-a tired stereotype that undermines his character. Just because he's knowledgeable about technology doesn't mean he should be reduced to this cliché. In the original, Donatello was a well-rounded character who was smart, resourceful, and still undeniably cool.
Moreover, the turtles in this new series are generally portrayed as scared all the time, which is a stark contrast to the original show where they were brave, fearless, and always ready to fight. It's strange to see a character like April having to teach them not to be scared-something that would have been unthinkable in the original series.
The original series had real missions with a serious focus, executed in a smart and engaging way. In contrast, this new iteration feels more like a parody, where the stakes seem lower, and the focus on meaningful storytelling is lost. Leonardo, once the confident and decisive leader, is now portrayed as fearful and lacking in self-assurance, which is a stark departure from his original character.
Even the theme song, which in the original was an iconic, catchy tune that perfectly captured the spirit of the show, is a complete miss in this new version. The new theme fails to evoke the same excitement and nostalgia, further distancing this series from what made the original so memorable.
And not to mention, the complete miss of the original classic villains is another major disappointment. The villains in the original series, like Shredder, Krang, Bebop, and Rocksteady, were not only menacing but also integral to the storyline. Their absence or drastic reimagining in the new series leaves a void that further weakens the connection to the original.
The only redeeming quality I've found so far is that they managed to capture the atmosphere of New York quite well. However, this alone isn't enough to save the show. Instead of reinventing the wheel and altering the essence of what made the original series great, why not create a new season with fresh ideas while staying true to the original characters? This approach would honor the legacy of the original show and provide something genuinely new for both old and new fans.
In its current form, it feels like the creators were more interested in quickly gaining attention rather than crafting a show with substance. The original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles had a balance of action, humor, and heart that resonated with viewers of all ages. Sadly, this new series falls short of those standards and ends up being a real miss.
