Megan Fox, Will Arnett star in 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' – check out the latest trailer
It’s no secret just how fickle movie fans can be when it comes to their favorite characters being re-imagined, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles has proven that even the mutated and amphibious are expected to look a certain way to comic fans. Whether fans are ready or not, the latest Ninja Turtles trailer reveals not only a first look at Shredder’s new design, but a clear look at Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo and Donatello.
Fans got their first look at the rebooted take on the Turtles in a previous leaked poster, but much of the criticism among the most devoted followers kicked off once the teaser trailer was released. The main topic of discussion was the more humanized faces (of Michelangelo in particular), once again raising the question of just how much of a change audiences could get over if the surrounding film kept the spirit of the source material alive.
The Screen Rant team has already offered extensive analysis of the teaser trailer, and the latest trailer – released via the film’s official Facebook page – uses most of the same footage and narration. But with fans starving for a better look at every one of the half-shell heroes, the filmmakers have put those demands to rest. Donatello’s cyber-techno-equipment, Michelangelo’s nunchaku, the cool-but-rude Raphael, and even another peak at sensei Splinter.
What the trailer makes clear is that the more humanized faces of the Turtles is clearly going to be used for every member of the team. However, as outlandish and potentially problematic as some of the early design concepts may have sounded, they don’t look so bad in live-action. Donatello’s blend of cyber-gadgetry, for starters, actually seems to make sense in the finished design (if the team is going to coordinate in the shadows, then Donatello being equipped with a radio headset and surveillance cameras makes sense). In all honest, even Mikey’s puka shell necklace doesn’t look so bad on the finished model.
Fans are still likely to see as promising or worrying a design as they have already (and focus in on the teeth), but the subtle differences between each of the Turtles implies that it might not be wise to rush to judgement so soon. Unfortunately, the changing voice cast means a closer look at the heroes’ personalities will have to wait.
For now though, we’re willing to admit that we, too, laughed at many of the early details. But as history has shown that costume descriptions can be deceiving, the Michael Bay-produced film might stand a chance at bringing nostalgic fans around (especially once pizza takes center stage in a full trailer or TV spot).
Andrew Dyce blogs at Screen Rant.
