So this week I managed to watch Mutant Mayhem and the two Bay Movies; so I've no offically seen ever major version of the Turtles.
Mutant Mayhem: There's stuff in this I like, and stuff that I don't.... and they balance out completely to leave me completely luke warm on this. This is for all intents and purposes, my least favorite turtle project; but since we're getting a tv series and a sequel, I'll see if this gets better. But for me, so much of this movie feels kinda forced. Also I can't get past Donnie's voice here. This is also offically my least favorite Splinter. Superfly however is one of the better parts of this movie and I kinda wish he'd be a reoccurring antagonist. He'd make an interesting 'Anti-Splinter'. Though I feel like they needed to tone down the mutants in this film, since they're almost just back ground characters. But hey, we got a new Wingnut and that's great; but then I am biased towards bat characters.
Bay Movies: The first one is probably second favorite turtles movie, if I'm being honest. I don't love the designs of the turtles; but the personalities are on spot. I mostly like this take on the origin story, where we get April having a deeper connection with them. I wouldn't want it being a permeant change; but it works well imo. I also enjoy how she's kinda the main character, which works well with her being the audience surrogate. Seeing Whoopi Goldberg in this feel weird, I don't know why. It's not a perfect movie, but I think overall it has the right feel and spirit for a Live Action movie. Also interesting to see how a lot of elements of these movies get recycled into other stuff. Like Rise Donnie is pretty much Bay Donnie in design; tech bo and backpack, being constantly connected to technology. Also this seems to be the start of Raph wearing a full bandana rather then just mask.
Out of the Shadows: Okay, this is easily my favorite incarnation of Baxter in the entire franchise; I love his whole 'evil Neil DeGrasse Tyson' vibe. It's the biggest part of my being disappointed there wasn't a 3rd movie. He's just a joy in every scene he's in. That said, I do feel this is the weaker movie of the two; and feels like it would have been better as a season of a TV show. There's so much going on, that nothing really has time to breath. Krang is basically a hi then bye character. Maybe that would have changed with a sequel, but eh... he's just not that interesting here. He kinda just exists to move the plot and give the movie a final fight. No character or anything really. Rocksteady and Bebop are done really well imo, they are the right blend of stupid and effective. It's kinda weird to see Stephen Amell as Casey Jones, and a bit disappointed he never uttered a 'Goongala'. But it works and its interesting seeing him as a Cop.
Mutant Mayhem: There's stuff in this I like, and stuff that I don't.... and they balance out completely to leave me completely luke warm on this. This is for all intents and purposes, my least favorite turtle project; but since we're getting a tv series and a sequel, I'll see if this gets better. But for me, so much of this movie feels kinda forced. Also I can't get past Donnie's voice here. This is also offically my least favorite Splinter. Superfly however is one of the better parts of this movie and I kinda wish he'd be a reoccurring antagonist. He'd make an interesting 'Anti-Splinter'. Though I feel like they needed to tone down the mutants in this film, since they're almost just back ground characters. But hey, we got a new Wingnut and that's great; but then I am biased towards bat characters.
Bay Movies: The first one is probably second favorite turtles movie, if I'm being honest. I don't love the designs of the turtles; but the personalities are on spot. I mostly like this take on the origin story, where we get April having a deeper connection with them. I wouldn't want it being a permeant change; but it works well imo. I also enjoy how she's kinda the main character, which works well with her being the audience surrogate. Seeing Whoopi Goldberg in this feel weird, I don't know why. It's not a perfect movie, but I think overall it has the right feel and spirit for a Live Action movie. Also interesting to see how a lot of elements of these movies get recycled into other stuff. Like Rise Donnie is pretty much Bay Donnie in design; tech bo and backpack, being constantly connected to technology. Also this seems to be the start of Raph wearing a full bandana rather then just mask.
Out of the Shadows: Okay, this is easily my favorite incarnation of Baxter in the entire franchise; I love his whole 'evil Neil DeGrasse Tyson' vibe. It's the biggest part of my being disappointed there wasn't a 3rd movie. He's just a joy in every scene he's in. That said, I do feel this is the weaker movie of the two; and feels like it would have been better as a season of a TV show. There's so much going on, that nothing really has time to breath. Krang is basically a hi then bye character. Maybe that would have changed with a sequel, but eh... he's just not that interesting here. He kinda just exists to move the plot and give the movie a final fight. No character or anything really. Rocksteady and Bebop are done really well imo, they are the right blend of stupid and effective. It's kinda weird to see Stephen Amell as Casey Jones, and a bit disappointed he never uttered a 'Goongala'. But it works and its interesting seeing him as a Cop.
