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Film review

Glogowski: It helps to be a longtime fan

The newest Turtle installation stays true to the characters you remember, so sit back and feel like a kid again.

By TAYLOR GLOGOWSKI
Published March 22, 2007

Since I was 2, I've been in love with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I used to walk up to my parents every day and beg to watch their movie screaming, "I want to watch turtles!"

Now, 13 years later, I was still excited to hear about the new movie, TMNT, but also a bit skeptical. Many movies that use characters from older cartoons turn out to be cheesy, and the personalities of the characters get lost in the plot line. But I can say that the writers for TMNT did a great job of keeping the characters the way that fans have come to know and love them.

There were times, though, when you saw a different side of Raphael, who was angry at Leonardo for leaving his family to train in Central America. This was a more personal side to the Ninja Turtles instead of the usual action-packed crime fighting and good laughs. In the end, I can say that the dispute between Raphael and Leonardo turns them into more dynamic characters.

My favorite character in the movie was Michelangelo; he is the turtle with all the brawn but a lack of brains. He adds a little much-needed comic relief to the movie. Donatello rounds out the Turtle team.

The best part of the movie was, of course, the final battle, in which the Turtles and some old friends break out their old ninja moves as well as some fresh fighting techniques in hopes of defeating Maximillian J. Winters' 3,000-year-old warriors.

This is a great movie and it really made me feel like I was 2 again. TMNT will probably be most enjoyed by the younger crowds in middle and elementary schools. On the other hand, the tweens and teens who were huge Turtle fans when they were younger will really enjoy the blast from the past.

Taylor Glogowski, 15, is in 10th grade at Land O'Lakes High School.

TMNT

Marty Clear's grade: D+

Taylor Glogowski's grade: A-

Director: Kevin Munroe.

Cast: Voices of Sarah Michelle Gellar, Mako, Kevin Smith, Patrick Stewart.

Screenplay: Kevin Eastman, Peter Laird and Kevin Munroe.

Rating: PG for animated action violence, some scary cartoon images and mild language.

Running time: 90 min.

[Last modified March 21, 2007, 11:28:20]