"TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: SEASON 7"
DVD Review
by Kevin Carr
| MOVIE: *** (out of 5 stars)
DVD EXPERIENCE: *** (out of 5 stars) Not Rated Studio: Lionsgate Back to DVD Review Home |  |
WHAT IT’S ABOUT
With 2009 being the 25th anniversary of the first appearance of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in Mirage Comics, Lionsgate is releasing Season 7 of the original animated television series in four collectible products. Originally airing in the early 1990s, “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Season 7” comes in four parts, sold separately, with collectible boxes associated with the four different turtle characters.
Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello and Raphael are mutated turtles living in the sewers of Manhattan. Having been trained by the sensei Splinter, each turtle is an expert at a distinct ninja weapon. The four use their powers and skills to fight against the evil Shredder and various other threats to the city and the planet.
WHAT I LIKED
Deep at the heart of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is a healthy respect for multimedia and merchandising. While those who never followed the Turtles may think these characters emerged from the television show, their roots are in comic books, and the characters were deftly marketed to a “Star Wars” level of popularity with its audience.
Lionsgate’s release of Season 7 of the original classic television series shows that the studio understands and respects this franchise’s history. Instead of just slamming four DVDs in a tight, shrink-wrapped package, Lionsgate has released this season in a way that will make collectors and fans giggle with glee.
Each of the four parts of Season 7 is getting its own box, and each one is linked to one of the four Ninja Turtles, like pieces of a pizza pie. Part 1 is the Leonardo “slice,” Part 2 belongs to Michelangelo, Part 3 is for Donatello and Part 4 finishes the pie with Raphael.
Because this marks the 25th anniversary of the launching of the franchise in 1984, each DVD also comes with a small collectible action figure of its respective Turtle. The figures stand only a couple inches tall, and come with removable weapons and articulated arms and legs. The only drawback is that you have to open the package to actually watch the DVD (which does tend to depreciate the value of a collectible toy).
In addition to the collectible toys and packaging for the DVDs, these releases contain all 27 episodes of the groundbreaking and whimsical series. With the characters firmly established, and the human counterparts given equal roles in the show, the series has some relatively high concept storylines. Some of the adventures see the Turtles help out Sherlock Holmes, battle a ghost from Atlantis, and travel through both time and space.
The Ninja Turtles were in a stride in Season 7, which aired after the bulk of the live-action movies made it to the big screen. Fortunately, there’s no Vanilla Ice to mess them up in the animation studio.
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
I was just a few years too old to really get into “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” as a child. Because I was thirteen when the comic debuted and sixteen when the animated started, I was just out of their target market. By this time, I had gone after the traditional superheroes in comic book form while I was more interested in sleeping in on Saturday mornings after spending Friday night with my friends.
So, I don’t have the nostalgia connection to this franchise that many in a generation younger than I have. However, I respect the franchise and understand its fan base, which makes me pretty jazzed about this DVD/action figure collectible set.
DVD FEATURES
Each DVD includes a ten minute “Shellabration” featurette with new interviews with the creators of the series. Part 1 focuses on the merchandising. Part 2 focuses on the creation of the characters. Part 3 deals with the TV sensation. Part 4 focuses on the fans.
WHO’S GOING TO LIKE THIS MOVIE
Turtle fans and anyone who routinely uses words like “Cowabunga!”
