I have to preface my review of the first DVD release of the new “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” series with some background. I remember a time before the original cartoon series, when the comic series was in black and white. The comic, as originally created by Eastman and Laird, was a much more adult series. There was an outcry when the original cartoon series came out because it watered down the franchise and dumbed it down for a larger, younger audience.
Over the years the cartoon series became the dominant force, spawning a greater breadth of material including a redirection in the comics, movies, and further cartoon series along with other spinoff properties. A number of variations came and went, and all the while it was usually Peter Laird who served as a consultant to the franchise after Kevin Eastman left to pursue other projects.
Then Nickelodeon bought out Laird and Mirage (the original comic publisher) and now has the rights to the whole franchise. With this comes a new series and a complete reboot for the franchise. This is where the DVD comes in with the first 6 episodes (7 if you count the first double-length episode as two).
Rise Of The Turtles offers up a decent beginning to the series. As a complete “do over” there are things this series can do that wouldn’t have been easily possible before. Right off the bat I am struck with the changes to the property. Splinter is not the rat that belonged a martial arts master, but used to be human. April isn’t a reporter, but a teenager herself. There are other tweaks and alterations, but the essence of the franchise is intact, which is the most important thing.
Stylistically, the computer animation is good, and there are touches that flash back to the comic book origins. Accents to emphasize emotions or impact are usually used. we get some clear delineation to the four different titular characters (though at times the blue and purple masks are difficult to distinguish).
A number of cool guest stars show up, including Lewis Black, Phil LaMarr and Clancy Brown. These are nice, but the regular cast is a bit surprising. Mae Whitman (“Parenthood” and the current voice of Tinker Bell) voices April O’Neil with Sean Astin and Jason Biggs as Raphael and Leonardo, respectively. Then there’s Rob Paulsen (!) as Donatello. Anybody who has watched any number of cartoons over the last 30 knows the name, and some may even remember him as Raphael in the original cartoon series.
This new “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” series does a decent job of honoring the source material while forging its own path. I enjoyed refamiliarizing myself with the property. Is it appropriate for the whole family? No. I think 7 and up is a good age to watch “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” because not only the violence but also there are some sticky plot points, such as the love triangle between Shredder and Splinter.
If you’re a fan of the franchise, you’d be remiss to pass up checking this new series out.