Written by Logan J. Fowler and Justin Matchick
Release Date: June 3rd, 2016
Starring: Megan Fox, Stephen Amwell, Will Arnett, Tyler Perry, Laura Linney, Gary Anthony Williams, Stephen Farrelly/WWE’S Sheamus
Voice Actors: Fred Armisen, Tony Shalhoub
Director: Dave Green (Earth to Echo)
Pre-Trailer Thoughts: I’ve been a fan of the Ninja Turtles since I was a kid. I have watched every incarnation of them, I’ve dabbled with the comics, and I’ve met the creators of the franchise. I always continue to support the Turtles in one way or another, even if it mean watching the 2014 live action film via an “online source,” and refusing to pay money to watch it in theaters. Quite frankly, I hated that movie, although I will say that there were some moments that worked. Despite my complete refusal to give the sequel a chance, they decide to throw Bebop (Gary Anthony Williams), Rocksteady (Stephen Farrelly/WWE’s Sheamus), Baxter Stockman (Tyler Perry), and Krang (voiced by Fred Armisen) into it. Ok, well, you have my attention now, movie. -LJF
Pre-Trailer Thoughts: The first TMNT film was not the huge disaster I was expecting it to be, but that certainly doesn’t mean it was a good movie. A sequel was all but inevitable, and I was impressed with some of the early casting decisions like Stephen Amell as Casey Jones plus Gary Anthony Williams and Sheamus as Bebop and Rocksteady. I don’t know if I’m full ready to embrace the sequel, but the new cast members are enough to make me not completely dread the idea of it. – JTM
Rate the Trailer: 3 out of 5. You back up any trailer with Run DMC’s “Tricky” and I’m instantly game. The turtles look better from a visual standpoint, the trailer is ripe with jokes, and Bebop and Rocksteady look fantastic. It’s still CGI heavy, but I don’t mind, as I’ve been waiting for the characters to hit the big screen since I was in 1st grade. Megan Fox, however, still has to be “sex-i-fied” because she’s Megan Fox. Then again, she’s also cracking wise and seems like she’s having a good time. Tyler Perry looks like he’s going to run wild with mad scientist Baxter Stockman, and I’m down for that. Also Amwell is suiting up as Casey Jones, so this looks like a cartoon come to life. Ugh, will I be let down again? -LJF
Rate the Trailer: 2 out of 5. This trailer seemed to alternate between really cool moments and some of the most disorienting action I’ve seen in a long time. Constant use of nauseating Dutch angles and an overabundance of CGI made it physically difficult to look at sometimes.The character design for the turtles themselves is still oddly off putting to me, at times descending fully into the uncanny valley. That being said I do like the look of Amell’s take on Casey Jones and the appearance of the Turtle Van, complete with manhole cover launcher, was pretty cool to see. – JTM
Theater, Rent, No Thanks, Undecided? Rent (but possibly theater). With all the effort to push this movie into severe nostalgic territory, I am the fish willing to chomp on the bait being tossed my way. I am wary about a theater viewing, but won’t turn it down if the right opportunity comes. Otherwise, it’s a Redbox for sure upon home video release. I will try to ignore the fact that Michael Bay is once again producing. –LJF
Theater, Rent, Undecided, No Thanks? Rent. I still really cannot get fully on board with this Michael Bay produced take on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, so I have no interest in seeing the overly chaotic action presented here on the big screen. The appearance of Casey Jones as well as Bebop and Rocksteady is enough to get me to at least give this one a shot somewhere down the line. – JTM
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Come out of the shadows June 3rd, 2016
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