Actually Took the Kids to the Theatre for a Change...

this weekend. We went to see TMNT at the twilight show, which thanks to Regal Cinemas restoration of the twilight pricing is again somewhat affordable at $4/person. What can I say about the Turtles? I ADORE the Turtles. A little piece of my childhood that even 2 hideous sequels to the live action film years ago couldn't diminish. This new film - back in animation, well CGI - held true to all the attributes about the Turtles that I hold dear. The underlying theme remained as always about the importance of family. The personalities of the Turtles remained intact, although there really was way too little seen of both Mikey and Donatello. The focus stayed on the relationship between Leonardo and Raphael - the reluctant leader and the cranky, critical "loner" who appears to want to neither follow nor lead. The only thing that bothered me was that April O'Neal is all of a sudden some sort of treasure-hunter specialist instead of a reporter. Huh? When did I miss that? But still, it didn't really diminish my enjoyment.

Now about the CGI. In a day and age where everyone is looking for something bigger, better and more spectacular around the corner, this was nothing to write home about. I, however, don't really care about bigger or better. i care about the overall essence of the movie. This was a movie about the much loved for generations Turtles. Not about cool and cutting-edge CGI. So IMO, it's wonderful that they didn't sidetrack from the storyline with over-the-top effects. The animation was clean, precise, and served to allow the focus to stay simply and easily on the story unfolding on the screen. A superb job in my book.

I think it maybe goes without saying that this movie is indeed family-friendly. But, each parent has to choose for themselves, so in that spirit I will render a few slight spoilers (I don't really they are spoilers but someone else might.) There is OF COURSE going to be fighting. No CGI blood splatters, though. There are monsters, and there is one short kiss at the end between April and Casey - who are still girlfriend/boyfriend. Oh, and they do appear to live together, although it doesn't really play that up.

Now, are there any lessons to be learned/discussed with your children afterward? I think that a very good illustration is made on the point of what makes a good leader? Is it a good fighter? Not always. A big part of the enmity between Leo and Raph is Raph's feeling that he must be somehow lacking since he isn't the leader. That if just given a chance maybe he could be a better leader than Leo. It could be a good lesson in how leaders are chosen/made, and why not being the leader doesn't always mean that we aren't "as good" as those who are chosen. Biblically, those chosen to lead were rarely those that the average person would have chosen, or thought could possibly be a good leader. Gideon comes to mind right off the bat. So, yeah, a leadership lesson. If, after watching, you think of any other good lessons PLEASE feel free to share them here!