TMNT (2007)
Teenage Mutant
DVDs
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From a visual standpoint, this CG feature starring the
venerable '80s and '90s superheroes the Teenage
Mutant Ninja Turtles is nothing short of slam-bang;
the computer animation has a scope and look that
transcends both the original comics and animated
series and the three live-action features that
preceded it. Writer/director Kevin Munroe creates a
striking animated world for the four heroes in a
half-shell to live, play, and fight in, and the
action sequences are occasionally breathtaking in
their speed and complexity. But where TMNT
stumbles is its bland plot, which picks up after the
last of the live-action features with all four teen
turtles in disarray, and abandons longtime villain
Shredder in favor of an industrialist (well voiced
by Patrick Stewart) who recruits the Foot Clan
(including Karai, played by Zhang Ziyi) to revive
thirteen ancient monsters to aid in his world
domination scheme. It's a simple and fun story for
kids, but longtime Turtles fans will miss the wry
humor and smart sense of irony of the original
comics (created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird,
who gets an executive producer credit here) in this
storyline. Still, for most adolescent audience
members, such concerns won't matter a whit in the
face of the abundant action. --Paul Gaita
