When my oldest nephew was little, he was enamored (OK, obsessed) with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I can’t even tell you how many times I heard “Cowabunga” and “Pizza time!” from him, and I’m pretty sure that his four favorite turtles started his love of skateboarding. I remember playing with the toys with him (and still today wishing someone in the family still had those toys for my own son to enjoy) and having so much fun. Now we’re 25+ years later and my own son has fallen in love with the four loveable and quirky turtles, bonded together as a family headed by a mutant rat named Splinter. The Ninja Turtles, along with Splinter, are coming to the big screen in TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: August 8, in theaters and RealD 3D!
If you haven’t met the marvelously mutant family, allow me to introduce you. Please note, these descriptions of who each character is- each is based on what I know from all of the TMNT stories, and the movie may well depict them differently. The personality and character traits seem to be fairly consistent through all of the shows and movies since the TMNT first appeared so I feel pretty confident that I’m representing them (fairly) well.
Michelangelo (my favorite) wears an orange bandana, is usually the funniest of the bunch, and is often viewed as the youngest of the four brothers.
Raphael (my son’s favorite) is the emotional guy in the group. He’s fiercely protective of his brothers, especially Mikey. He’s the turtle with the biggest temper and that seems to get him into hot water a lot.
Leonardo seems to be the leader of the brothers. He’s fairly level headed (except when he and Raph get into disagreements) and steps up when Splinter isn’t around.
Donatello sports the purple bandana and is known for his brains and intelligence .
Splinter is the patriarch of the family. He’s a mutant rat himself, although there are a few versions of just exactly *who* Splinter is- and where he comes from- there is no doubt that he’s the father of the 4 turtles, babies in the sewer when exposed to radioactive ooze (with Splinter), these turtles he raised as his own sons and taught each of them all of the ninja skills and traits he knew himself.
(I can’t find an image of Splinter from this movie (yet) so my apologies).
About the movie:
I’ve heard some parents in my social circles commenting that they aren’t a fan of the TMNT because they use weapons. This confuses me a bit, because the turtles don’t use their weapons unless they are fighting for the greater good. They use their weapons only for good and never just for violence. The Turtles have been taught for their whole lives to live by the laws of the martial arts. The Turtles are fighting Shredder and his Foot Clan who have taken over NYC in this film, and it promises a lot of action, plenty of pizza and a lot of wisecracks, I’m sure!
My son can’t WAIT to see this movie. I can’t wait to see it. We are hoping to go see it with his godfather (my before-mentioned nephew)!
Who’s your favorite Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle?
“This blog post is part of a paid SocialMoms and Paramount Pictures blogging program. The opinions and ideas expressed here are my own.”
Alex Clark says
I love all the turtles but I like Michelangelo because he’s a funniest!
Angela S says
My 27 year old son grew up with the turtles. We are very excited about this movie.
Jessica says
My little man is going to absolutely love this movie. He has a TMNT pillow!
Brett says
have you seen the little ‘husband’ pillows and cube ottomans at Target of the TMNT? they were marked way down when i was there last… so cute and so fun!
Mellisa says
I seriously can’t wait to see this movie. Especially after seeing the trailer.
Jeanine @ sixtimemommy.com says
This looks like it will be so good! My boys and I cannot wait for this one! I loved TMNT as a kid, had all the movies
Beth@FrugalFroggie says
I bet my boys will love to see the movie. We will have to wait for it on DVD.
nicole dz says
I grew up watching the teenage mutant ninja turtles and love there original look better then this whole new look they have but, funny thing is when me and my sister use to play with our barbie’s my brother would come along and mess up our dream house with his turtle pizza thrower, and Barbie would be forced to date a turtle. Oh the memories.
Brett says
that’s how things roll in our house daily!
Jenny says
this looks great and all but honestly i have SOOOOO many issues with this movie. i grew up in the 90’s. i saw the original turtles movie and they were great. even today, seeing how bad they actually were, i love them xD THIS movie though… i guess its the geek in me… i think my son would really like it. and other kids as well. i know they’re introducing something old the new generation. but ALIENS?! aliens… >.> don’t get me started on shredder… i’ll be honest though, i will end up watching it once it hits netflix but i wont be happy about it LOL
Brett says
i don’t think you are alone in feeling that way, jenny. we’re planning to watch the older ones on netflix before the new one comes out with my son 🙂
Amanda Love - Growing Up Madison says
Hubby and I are planning to go see this along with our boys. We’ve been really anticipating this and can’t wait for its release.
Mommy2Jam says
MY son can not wait to see this movie. I can’t wait for it to be released.
mary says
sorry if this is a double comment 🙂
We love all Turtles, but my kids all agree that Mikey is the best. They think he is SO funny. We can’t wait to see the movie
valmg @ Mom Knows It All says
I remember when they first came out! I was never into them so your primer will be useful if I see the movie.
Danielle @ We Have It All says
WOW! Your pictures are awesome, they look so big and so real! We’re all dying to see this movie.
Christie says
Donatello was always my fave. I’m so excited to share my TMNT love with my son!
Debbie Denny says
Oh I heard Cowabunga so much when son was young. lol. This will be a fun movie.
Tami says
I was a huge fan of the ninja turtles growing up. I used to wake up early on Saturday mornings to watch the cartoon. I also saw all of the movies. I cannot wait for this one to come to Trinidad. My favourite is Michealangelo.