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Parents' Guide to

TMNT

By Sandie Angulo Chen, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 7+

Turtle power returns in routine kiddie adventure.

Movie PG 2007 88 minutes
TMNT Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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age 7+

Based on 5 parent reviews

Crimefighterpunch49
Crimefighterpunch49 Adult
April 8, 2016
age 8+

An older turtles movie with a surprisingly strong story.

I disagree with the headline "Kiddie adventure," since this was a really good film with a very different story than other turtles shows or movies. The turtles have grown apart as a family, Leo's been gone for about two years training to be a better leader in Central America, and the others are living their own lives, since they've already defeated Shredder. But when Leo returns, the tension between him and Raph starts, and a new threat arises. It was a very interesting new way to watch the turtles, and I highly reccomend it if you're a turtles fan, or just someone who likes fun, heartwarming, action movies. The stone villains are a bit scary for young children though.
jnelson138
jnelson138 Parent of 3 and 7-year-old
July 13, 2013
age 9+

too serious, not fun enough

Very dark movie, way too serious, way too realistic in my opinion for a kids cartoon movie. This is CGI and it looks real and the story is just not fun enough, which makes it too old for my 6 year old. The bad guys are pretty dark and intense, they should have gone for more "cowabunga" and less "lord of the rings."
See all 5 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Turtle brothers Leonardo (voiced by James Arnold Taylor), Michelangelo (Mikey Kelley), Donatello (Mitchell Whitfield), and Raphael (Nolan North) regroup after a prolonged absence from fighting to keep four ancient warriors from world domination. But before the fraternal reptiles can get their swords a-swinging, they have to deal with their own brotherly problems. Upon returning from a mission in South America, eldest sibling Leonardo discovers that Michelangelo is now a computer technician, Donatello is a children's party entertainer (Donatello), and Raphael is a masked vigilante. Tensions mount between Leonardo and Raphael until they face off on a Manhattan rooftop, leading to Leo's capture by the evil generals. The mercenary Foot Clan, led by Karai (Ziyi Zhang), joins forces with the turtles, as do trusted pal April (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and her boyfriend Casey (Chris Evans).

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (5 ):
Kids say (18 ):

Thirtysomething parents who remember the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles craze of the late '80s and early '90s won't be blown away by this completely computer-animated franchise reboot. But kids who aren't familiar with the original campy-cool, pizza-loving, sewer-dwelling, crime-fighting heroes will be hooked by these sword-wielding reptilian brothers, even though they're duller than the original foursome. Assuming they can deal with TMNT's clunky plot, throwback language, and moody setting -- which looks more like Gotham City than New York -- kids will dig the action sequences.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the longevity of the Ninja Turtles franchise. What makes these four sword-wielding brothers so popular? Do kids genuinely love them, or is it just good marketing?

  • If kids watch the animated TV show or have seen the original 1990 movie, which version do they like best? Why?

  • Families can also discuss sibling relationships and cooperation. Master Splinter forbids the turtles from fighting until they can fight as "one." What does he mean? Oh, and most kids will need an explanation of the brothers' Renaissance names, not to mention '80s slang like "cowabunga."

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