Okay, by a show of hands, who here loved the Turtles when they were a kid? Exactly. All of you. Wait... you there. In the back. Why isn't your hand up? WHAT? What do you mean you had your focus on other things? Do you want me to slap you in the face!? Take that back. Go home and watch all of the episodes of the original cartoon AND the new version. We'll wait. You back? How was it? Thank you.
Ever since I was a wee little child, I've loved Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I bought millions of action figures and played around with them all day. Whenever the cartoon came on, I would gobble it up. It was just the best thing. That was my thing growing up. Okay, one of my things. These were "my thing" growing up:
- TMNT
- Batman: The Animated Series
- Nintendo (anything related to the brand)
- Garfield
- Jim Carrey
They're in no particular order, by the way. I love them all the same. But, in this instance I'm talking about the Turtles. So, if you don't like it, you can stuff your sorries in a sack! My favorite one as a kid was Leo. I love the color blue, I love swords, that was it. He was my guy. Now, I kinda love Raph a little more, because he's just cooler than Leo. But, I love all of them very much.
When the first live-action movie came out in 1990, I was floored --I was also four, so it didn't take much to be honest... It's one of the best movies ever made! What do you mean you disagree? No. Your opinion is irrelevant! I said good day. But really, I think that movie is amazing. I revisited it about a year and half ago, it still holds up so well. It represents the cartoon and comic so well --I have to be honest, never read the comic, so I don't really know if it represented it well... Why are you lying to these good people? Why? WHY? Anyway, the actual costumes look so real and perfect. It's action, it's comedy, and splinter makes funnies!
Now before I move on, I have to mention the fact that I haven't seen the reboot from last year. I don't want to judge a book by it's cover, but I just can't take it seriously. Who said turtles had noses? Why are they so ugly? I think they kept that "alien" theme going even though they said it was scrapped... I can't bring myself to watch that movie because of that. I've heard a mixed bag of opinions about the movie, but I just can't seem to do it. It obviously did well enough to warrant a sequel. I want to watch it, because I want to be able to say that I don't like it from first-hand experience. I almost cried when I saw the first trailer. How could they? I'll get around to doing it some day, but for now... It's just... When I'm going around the toy isle wherever I'm at and I happen to see the Turtles section, I'm always happy, until I see some action figure from that movie... Why?
Now, that's that. I mentioned it. I can talk about all the other things I love. How about that second movie? Huh? Amirite!? Oh YES. It wasn't better than the first one, but it was more turtles in an awesome package once more! They recast April, but I could live with that. I can't believe the level of fanboy I'm showing --hey, everybody's got to geek out about something, right? Okay, I geek out about everything... But that's not the point. The point is that the second one was still great! The third one? It was... It was something, all right. I liked it as a kid --but I was a kid, I didn't know better. Now? It's okay? Look, if I've got nothing else to do, I'll watch it. But, it DEFINITELY was not up to par with the other two movies.
Now for the grand finale: the new animated series on Nickelodeon? MY GOD. That is one fantastic piece of TV right there. Sometimes I debate whether or not it's better than the original cartoon. It pays homage to the original so well, but it also brings it's own personality to the table. You can tell that it's made by people who really grew up watching and adored the original series. The voice acting is phenomenal, including the original turtles alumni Mr. Rob Paulsen.
Now, I do have to say there was one thing I didn't like at first. I came to terms with it, but I didn't like it when I first saw it. It's Donnie's gap in his teeth. He's all dorky, and on top of that you give him that gap?
Hey there, toothless. I guess it gives you some character?
It's kind of funny, I guess. I do have to say I love the dynamic between him and April. In the friend-zone like no other. It's funny. I really do think this is up to par or maybe even better than the original. I don't dare say it's better yet, but it's up there I can tell you that. What about you? Do you love the turtles as much as I do? Do you have anything else that you like as much? What is it? Sound off in the comments!