Paramount Pictures and Michael Bay present this reboot of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise with Wrath of the Titans helmer Jonathan Liebesman directing. The sinister Shredder has seized control of New York City's police and politicians, leaving his ruthless Foot Clan to spread chaos in the streets. With no prospects for salvation in sight, mutant crime-fighters Raphael, Leonardo , Donatello, and Michaelangelo leap into action. They put up a fierce fight, too, though in order to truly defeat Shredder, the heroes in a half shell will need the help of courageous reporter April O'Neil Megan Fox and her quick witted cameraman Vern Fenwick (Will Arnett) as well. With their help, Shredder's plan will quickly unravel, and this once-great city will rise again. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, Rovi
Director: Jonathan Liebesman
Cast: Megan Fox, Alan Ritchson, Johnny Knoxville, Jeremy
Howard, Noel Fisher, Will Arnett
Release Date: Aug
08, 2014
Rated: PG-13 for sci-fi action violence
Runtime: 1 hr. 41 min.
Genres: Action/Adventure, Family, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Review:
Rebooting the Ninja Turtles and getting it back on the
big screen has been a bit of a trek. The
Batred (Michael Bay
produced) hit first by the rumors of them having their back story drastically
changed by making them aliens, etc… That Jonathan Liebesman’s film isn’t a
total train wreck is a small wonder in of itself. In fact, it actually captures plenty of the
original’s sense of fun along with each of the titular characters traits and
attitude. Liebesman does his best Michael
Bay impression by directing some
kinetic action sequences with the most impressive being a snow covered mountain
chase. He moves his film around rather
quickly avoiding as many lingering moments as possible. Unfortunately, the script is kind of clunky
when dealing with non-turtle characters.
Leading the charge is a mostly wooden, strangely pillowed lipped, Megan
Fox who delivers most of her lines with the conviction of a pizza box. She’s window dressing at best and a
distraction from the fun for the most part.
Will Arnett and William Fichtner are fairly underused unfortunately, leaving most of
the live action acting in Megan Fox’s lovely hands. Still, even if you looking for a bit of a throwback
or just some mindless fun, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles succeeds more than it
doesn’t simply doing something most of the Transformers films never did,
getting the primary characters right.
B-
