Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles return to big screen

It has been a long time since we've seen our favorite half-shelled heroes. After failed attempts to bring the Turtles to a newer generation with a live action show and a cartoon series, Warner Brothers decided to display them on a medium that brought about their original success: the silver screen.

TMNT, directed by Kevin Munroe, brings about the next installment of a generation classic in CGI form. Stylistically drawing from the dark nature of the original comics, Imagi Animation Studios really captured the essence of the Turtles while giving it a great, fresh spin.

It wouldn't be much of a stretch to say that the level of detail and look of this movie rivals the work done by Square Enix on their Final Fantasy CGI films.

The movie begins with a narration explaining the myth of a King cursed with immortality while sacrificing the family that he loved so dearly and turning them to stone, which plays a huge role in the plot of the movie.

After, the film exhibits what has become of the Turtles since the end of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III: Splinter sends Leonardo away on sabbatical to learn how to become a better leader; Michelangelo works children's parties; Donatello works as an IT support guru; and Raphael spends his nights as a vigilante protecting the streets of New York. We also see appearances of April O'Neil and Casey Jones, who have taken up the treasure hunting business together.

The rest of the movie is spent developing two main plotlines: the immortal King hiring the Foot to help return balance to his cursed family while the Turtles try to reunite after the return of Leonardo.

While the plot becomes cheesier as the movie progresses, both plotlines remind the audience of an important theme to the TMNT franchise: strong bonds of respect, love, and trust are essential to the unity of a family.

Throughout most of the film all of the Turtles play their part, but the movie focuses on the conflict between Leonardo and Raphael. The highlight of the movie does not come at the end, but at the fight scene before the final showdown that breaks out between these two brothers.

If you've been a huge fan of the Turtles, you would agree that this showdown has been in the works for quite a long time and the wizards at Imagi Animation Studios paid special attention to this scene.

Although Leonardo and Raphael were very well-developed, the rest of the characters were flat in comparison. With the absence of screen time of Donatello and Michelangelo, the movie did not have the same comedic relief that we came to expect from the original series.

Also, April O'Neil mastering martial arts and Casey Jones losing some of his edginess leave huge holes that are in desperate need of attention.

When going to see this film, I suggest that you try to find your inner 10-year-old and relive your youthful days when you used to watch the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

The film aims towards bridging the nostalgia of our generation with our favorite sewer-dwelling superheroes and the introduction of a mythos to a much younger generation.

If you go in expecting to see a more grown-up version of the Turtles, this movie is sure to disappoint you. The best thing you can do is keep an open mind and immerse yourself into the heyday of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Besides, I can't wait until the hinted next installment of the saga, which foreshadowed the return of some of the older foes. Cowabunga!