The Incredibles and TMNT

Superhero & universe: Mr. Incredible and family, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Is it based on a comic? Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles was first published by Mirage Studios in 1984 and has been published on and off by different publishers through the years, most recently by IDW. The Incredibles first appeared in the Pixar film and later moved into comics.

Haven't they already made that? The Turtles have appeared in three (not counting revamps) separate animated series, each popular in a different decade (late 80’s/early 90’s, early 2000’s, and now the 2010’s). They have also been featured in four theatrical movies, a live action television series, and a TV movie. They will star in the hotly debated upcoming live action movie Ninja Turtles, produced by Michael Bay, which will reinvent the Turtles as members of an alien species.

A sequel to The Incredibles has been talked about for some time, but there is currently nothing in production.

What the heck does this have to do with Avengers? Both films feature a group of heroes working together for the greater good. Both of these films received wide publicity, and will likely have been seen by the potential audience of Avengers. The one major difference, however, is that these two movies introduced the team together, whereas Avengers will intertwine characters that have been established by individual films.

Mike says the funny thing about these two movies is that the better of the two, in fact one of the best superhero films ever made, was never actually based on a comic. When I first saw The Incredibles, it was a revelation. Here in one film, you had everything a comic fan could ask for: Mythology, different ages of heroism, in-jokes and genre references, and a team of likable and easily understood heroes.

While it seems to draw on the history of comics, the film is fairly original, and is well-constructed in plot and pacing. The human elements of the film are believable and engaging, and put to rest any concerns I had about Pixar finally doing a human-based film.

The Incredibles is exciting, touching, imaginative and a loving homage all wrapped into a package that many different age groups can watch and enjoy.

TMNT was an attempt to revamp a franchise into something very similar to The Incredibles... and it doesn't fall very short of that goal. TMNT manages to create a world for the turtles that is loyal to almost every version of the franchise that came before, while lightly tweaking the concept in a way that allows for new viewers. Despite this, I think the film largely remains interesting to the fan of the Turtles, and didn't really succeed in restarting the series.

The two films together work well as a statement about team and family, and how working together towards a common goal is not always as easy as it seems. The Incredibles especially concentrates on how each member of the team must reconcile his/her individual issues in order to work together, while TMNT examines the need to overcome group issues.

Of the two movies, The Incredibles has the far simpler plot and story, and works so much better because of this. TMNT spends so much time explaining the complicated mythology of the villains, that the viewer finally has to just roll with it, enjoying the humor and action.

I think both films can also show us a bit of what to expect from Avengers. TMNT shows how a movie can be a sequel to multiple films, tie them together, and still be its own entity. TMNT could easily be a sequel to any of the TV series or movies, and manages this by keeping a very vague and flexible connection to it.

The Incredibles shows us how a film can successfully introduce the mythology of a world and still tell a successful story, which Avengers may try for new audience members.

Overall, these are two great films that are not only a blast to watch, and a boon to any superhero movie collection, but they give my subconscious probably the best material to work with while I dream about seeing Avengers in the four weeks to May 4.

Kate says my reaction to TMNT was the same reaction I always have to the Teenage Mutant Ninjas Turtles. Really?! What?! Who came up with this idea?

Ninja turtles is a way more baffling concept than talking cars.

And yet, like always, I got invested in the story. Despite the rather confusing Lord-of-the-Rings beginning, TMNT is a smooth ride with interesting problems accompanied by that oh so familiar wisecracking.

And, like always, I was impressed by the turtles' distinct personalities. Sure they are types--responsible Leonardo, genius Donatello, clown Michelangelo, rogue Raphael--but they are types that remain consistent and instantly recognizable which, considering that even real turtles look much the same to me (however politically incorrect such a statement might be), is rather remarkable.

In fact, back during the cartoon and first movie, I distinctly remember having a favorite turtle (after I got over thinking, "Really?! What?!"). I don't remember now who that was. Based on my age (late teens) I would guess the angsty Raphael but I've always had a penchant for dryness, so maybe it was Leonardo.

I must mention the tribute-to-Buffy/Sarah-Michelle-Geller-voiced April. Now, there's perfect casting!

Regarding the link between The Incredibles and TMNT, I must say these movies totally go together! Yes, yes, I know Mike and I are the ones that put them together; all I can say is, boy, we are smart!!

Not only do both movies have a similar look/style, both deal with fundamental life events: a mid-life crisis, sibling estrangement. And both--though action oriented--make the life event intrinsic to the pay-off. I recently watched part of the first Toy Story and thought, again, what a difference it makes for any movie to tackle basic human feelings. I feel the same way about The Incredibles and TMNT. Jealousy, fear of abandonment, fear of failure, uncertainty about one's place: these emotions speak to kids, adults, and movie critics. Movies like The Incredibles and TMNT end up making larger points about the human condition than a million artsy films will ever make about the so-called profundity of life.