Rise of The TMNT: The Movie Film Review

                                    Rise of the TMNT: The Movie

This Netflix original film is based on the Nickelodeon TV series of the same name that aired from 2018-2020. Picking up two years after the Season 2 finale, this animated film bring our four heroes back for another wild ride. This time, their home is under threat from an alien race called the Krang.

Positive Elements: The four brothers still love each other through difficult times. When the Krang arrive, their heroism kicks into gear big time. Each one sacrifices their lives for New York City. Even Splinter and April join the fight too. Each member cares for the others.

But it’s Leo who grows the most here. He starts off as brash, impulsive and arrogant, not listening to anyone but himself. As the film treads on, his self-centered attitude shifts into a sacrificial one. For instance, Raph explains the reason why he cares for Leo and his brothers: “The only reason I have a chasm is because I have to worry about you 24/7. …Because if I don’t, you could all end up dead.” Casey Jones challenges Leo too; “You’re impulsive, you’re arrogant, and you don’t see how every decision you make could cost someone their life.”

Casey proves to be great team player; he’s sent from the future by an aging Leo in the film’s opening. Though present Leo is frustrated, Casey sticks by his side. Raph saves Leo from getting impaled by a Krang. When everything seems lost, Leo declares “We still have hope!” He asks the team for ideas on how to stop the Krang. His heartfelt apology to Raph is sweet and sincere. “You didn’t yell because you were mad. You yelled because you were scared,” Leo tells Raph.

(Spoiler Warning): Leo sacrifices himself to save New York City and his family by drawing the Krang back into the prison dimension. After he’s saved from the prison dimension, his family hugs him. Raph congratulates Leo, who gives the team credit for saving New York City.

Spiritual Content: Unlike previous media versions of TMNT, the Turtle’s weapons are infused with mystic powers (which aren’t given a backstory). The Krang have the ability to transform people into creepy looking zombies. Several portals are opened during the action scenes. When the turtle’s mystic powers are stripped from them, they reside as colored flames in a red circle. (Spoiler Warning): A mystic power envelopes Mikey who uses it (with Raph and Donnie’s assistance) to rescue Leo from the prison dimension.

Sensual Content: None.

Violence: TMNT fans and parents, be warned: if you thought the battle with Shredder in the Rise of the TMNT Season 2 finale was intense, this (made for kids) film raises the fantasy violence up a notch or two. The action is almost non-stop throughout the whole 82 minute runtime. In the opening sequence, New York in year 2044 looks worse for wear. The buildings are ripped in half, skies casting an ominous pink glow. One character dies by diminishing into a mist orange glow. Future Leo is shown with blood on his shell and (it’s insinuated) dies after sending Casey back into the past.

Our four heroes (including April, Splinter and Casey) are repeatedly bashed, punched and thrown around like rag dolls. The turtles have their mystic powers drained from them for most of the film. Buildings crumble, helicopters crash and cars crumple like tin foil. Raph (using his mystic powers) punches Leo through a wall when the latter acts like a smart aleck.

When the Krang appear on Earth, the action somewhat doubles from there. As mentioned, they possess several characters (including humans) turning them into zombies. As characters transform, they scream/cry out in pain. The Krang’s goo ends up everywhere, spreading like sticky webs. One Krang alien possesses a character’s brain, which could be interpreted as slight torture. That same character’s shell cracks a bit when a tentacle slices through it, causing a splatter sound.

(Spoiler Warning): Much to his family’s dismay, Raph is eventually transformed into a Krang zombie himself, and his appearance could be frightening to young/sensitive viewers. He fights Leo in a battle scene that has multiple pummels in the mix. The Krang leader uses his tentacles to strangle Donnie, Mikey and Leo a few times.

The Krang take quite a few hard hits too. One chemical disfigures an alien’s face, making her lose one eye. The same chemical keeps the Krang at bay a couple times. A spaceship explodes into several pieces when the portal closes.

Language: One use each of “bada—,” “jerkface,” “jerk,” “bozos,” and “idiot,” along with one or two misuses of God’s name. The word “duty” is mistaken for “doodie.”

Drugs/Alcohol: None.

Other Negative Elements: Earlier in the film, April tricks a professor into interviewing him so she can steal toxic chemicals from his lab. As alluded to above, Leo is initially self-centered and doesn’t take his leadership role with serious intentions which angers both Raph and Casey.

Conclusion: Rise of the TMNT: The Movie has a lot going for it. Our turtle heroes risk life and limb to protect New York City plus the world. The film has a talented voice cast including Ben Schwartz (the live-action Sonic films) and Haley Joel Osment (The Sixth Sense). Even the animation is visually spectacular.

Despite the positive themes represented here, there is some problematic content. We hear a bit of salty language and name-calling. The violence feels a bit harsh for a kids film and many perilous moments might have kids crawling into their parent’s lap. As a TMNT fan myself, I was appalled by the constant peril present in this film. Even Leo’s negative behavior should be discussed afterwards.

That said, Rise of the TMNT: The Movie is sure to please longtime TMNT fans and new ones joining too. It has enough action to keep viewers on their toes and a few doses of comedy as well. There are positive lessons about courage, sacrifice, and family. Indeed, this is a great film for everyone alike: kids, teens, and adults.

What I enjoyed about this film was how emotional and heartfelt it was. I’ve seen many different media versions of TMNT, and this film is by far my favorite. It makes you connect with the characters on a deeper level.

When Leo first appears, he’s your typical teenager: self-centered and impulsive. He rather have fun and be a goofball than take anything seriously. We all can relate to this because we were once teens ourselves (or in the process of being/becoming one).

But Leo learns something several of us take years to realize: it’s not about him. Though Leo makes multiple mistakes, he recognizes his failings. He tells Casey “All this time I was sure my family needed me. But the truth is, I need them.”

Here’s the hard truth: we need community in order to thrive. When we are hurt by others, it’s easy to shut ourselves in isolation. However, God gives clear instructions in His Word that friendship/community are significant in our growing relationship with Him. One example is Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, 12; “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. …Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

As for Leo’s self-absorbed attitude in the film’s beginning, there is a lesson about how pride clouds our judgement. Proverbs 28:26 states: “Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.”

Rise of the TMNT: The Movie is not without problems as mentioned above. However, the film is enjoyable, and it reminds us all that in dark times we must hold onto hope. As stated in the film “We’ve still got a ninja’s greatest weapon: hope.” This Netflix original is sure to make you cheer, laugh and sometimes cry for the four heroes, and it does so without pushing the envelope. That’s not too bad indeed.