MovieChat Forums > Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987) Discussion > How can anyone prefer the new 2012 show ...

How can anyone prefer the new 2012 show to this?

posted 10 years ago by Horror_Metal
11 replies | jump to latest

I grew up with this show and have been a huge Turtles fan all my life. I watched the cartoon and the movies, played the video games, collected the action figures, and even almost dressed as Raphael for Halloween one year. I realize this cartoon isn't as dark and gritty as the comics but is that really such a bad thing? The only thing about this show I don't particularly care for is that the character of Raphael has been changed from an angry and rebellious hothead to merely a somewhat rude and sarcastic Michaelangelo clone. He's my favorite character and I hate that his rivalry with Leonardo, which I present in most incarnations, has been left out here. That said, I still love this show and watch it constantly. I also love the first two live action movies, the 2003 series (which was arguably the closest to the comics) the 2007 CGI film, and even thought the new 2014 film was pretty good despite its many flaws.

But I just cannot get into the 2012 Nickelodeon CGI series, like at all. I figured other hardcore Turtles fans would share my viewpoint that in this new show the animation sucks, it's way too kid friendly and aimed towards children (and yes, far sillier than the original cartoon, admit it!), April and Casey being made into teens was a horrible idea, and Splinter is totally wrong in several ways. But I've been hearing from fellow fans things like "This is the best adaption of the Turtles by far!" and "I love everything about this show! It's perfect!" WHAT?!!!!! Better than the extremely fun and entertaining 80's/90's series? Better than the dark and serious 2003 series? Better than the first two live action movies? No way! It may be better than the third live action film and The Next Mutation but that's about it. I can't believe all the praise this new abomination is getting! I know it's a matter of opinion but seriously? I've tried sooo hard to get into this show because of all the good things I've been constantly hearing about it but I cannot get past the animation style or the horridly silly tone of the cartoon. I know the original series was silly but nostalgia factor aside, I still find it enjoyable as an adult! I absolutely HATE that they've made Casey Jones into an irritating little kid that looks like an emo trick-or-treater. The Caseys from the original and 2003 cartoon would kick this little punk's ass!

Anyway, can someone please enlighten me as to why this awful new incarnation of the Turtles is being regarded so highly?

Horror_Metal

[–] bartallenii 10 years ago

I can't get into the new show, either. Partly because of the CGI, and partly because the new show has an over reliance on mutating EVERY SINGLE CHARACTER. I think only April, Casey, and Shredder have escaped that overused plot device so far.

I've been marathoning the original show (I start season 9 tomorrow) and it's still as much fun as it was back in the day.

"What kind of scary ass clowns came to your birthday party?"

[–] Horror_Metal 10 years ago

Awesome. It's great to find someone who agrees me. And you're right about the original show, I could never get tired of it.

Horror_Metal

[–] Misspixieknight 10 years ago

I'm with both of you! I love everything turtles,and have since I was a kid,but can't get into the newer show,mostly for the same reasons that have already been mentioned. As for the 87 series,I too never get tired of it.

[–] Pyrochles 8 years ago

I can't get into the new show, either. Partly because of the CGI, and partly because the new show has an over reliance on mutating EVERY SINGLE CHARACTER. I think only April, Casey, and Shredder have escaped that overused plot device so far.

Not only that, but most of the mutant designs just look horrible. They're all either too bulky, too thin, or just plain deformed.

[–] Sarion24 9 years ago

I like both:) mainly because the new one has so much respect for all the adaptations and a great storyline. Plus, Rob Paulsen:)

[–] tylerism1 9 years ago

Eh, beats me. I've seen it and it doesn't appeal to me. But then again I have two things going against me.
The first is that I burned out on the Turtles after watching the original airing of the first eight seasons back in the 80's and 90's. (I don't remember making it into the ninth.) The second is that I grew out of my youthful perceptions of kids programing in the 90's. Back when the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers first debuted here in America I thought I still knew what kids found fun and entertaining. I watched the first episode and said to myself. "What the hell is this crap? This is stupid. It won't last very long." Fastforward four weeks and to my complete shock it was the biggest ***damn thing in the history of childrens' programming. I eventually had to accept that I wasn't a kid anymore and that I'd lost touch with the changing times.
That anyone would even consider rebooting the franshise (the 2003 series I believe it was) so soon after the original series ended is mind boggling, and even moreso that it gained a significant following and lasted as long as it did. I'm just out of touch it seems and I'm also picky as I've never really cared for the first three live-action Turtles movies.
...The 2014 movie on the other hand, I thought was quite entertaining. Although the script itself (the final script that we see on-screen) is rather poor in many respects I believe that the movie has a lot of the spirit that I've always loved from the original cartoon mixed in with the "cool but rude" attitude of the first live-action movie. Opinions will differ on its likability, but I like it.
As for the 2012 Nickelodeon series . . . it seems like they're merging 1990's writing with blocky 2000's CGI and it just feels and sounds wrong. I also think Rob Paulson should have refrained from voicing any of the four Turtles. Sure, he's a great voice actor but Donatello just feels wrong when his voice sounds so much like the Raphael I know so well.
That's my opinion anyway. Sorry if I offended anyone.

R.I.P. - Saturday Morning Cartoons. You will be forever in our hearts.

[–] Horror_Metal 9 years ago

So I tried to give the new show another chance, knowing there was no possible way I could get past the overly cute and blocky CGI chibi Turtles that look like cardboard, and couldn't get make it through five minutes of it. Casey Jones being a whiney angst ridden teenage punk and Michaelangelo burping then having a look on his face like a Powerpuff Girl were just too much for me. I guess everyone else likes it though so whatever. To each their own but I personally think this is one of the worst adaptions of the Turtles ever.

Horror_Metal

[–] Horror_Metal 9 years ago

I changed my mind. I love this new show now, I bought the first season on DVD and have been watching all the episodes in order. I still don't care for this interpretation of Casey though, and it's probably my least favorite incarnation of the character. But this series is awesome. I still prefer the '87 and '03 cartoons, however,

Horror_Metal

[–] HellboundHero 8 years ago

In general, I hate that TV seems to be abandoning traditional/2D animation for cheap CGI animation that makes all the characters look like toys for toddlers.

[–] ResidentEvil1 8 years ago

When the Nickelodeon TV series started airing, I tried to give it an 8 episode chance to win me over. Not even on purpose, I drifted away. The CGI didn't seem right, and the Turtles' designs were too incorrect. I didn't like that April and Casey are high schoolers, Donatello is in love with April, the Turtles' feet looks like blocks. So I gave it 8 chances, and I just couldn't go any further. Any episode I've seen since giving those 8 chances are me just tuning it while I cooked my dinner while there was nothing better to watch (not like there's anything good on TV anymore).

I can't get enough of the '87 series (I'm watching season 6 as I type this; the Sword Of Yurikawa). I just don't like what Nickelodeon is doing with it. I think it took a great classic and is ruining it.

I think the Ninja Turtles falls in the same category as The NeverEnding Story. The first movie/show was always the best, but everything proceeding it just got worse and worse and worse. The '87 series was best, the live-action movies were not bad, the Next Mutation sucked big time, the 2003 series was good but not as good as the '87 series, the 2007 movie was a disappointment and the Nickelodeon series shouldn't of been made at all. Just like the NeverEnding Story, the '84 original was the best, then the second was just acceptable, the third was very horrible, the animated TV series was just OK and the Tales From The NeverEnding Story was OK to me but I can see why others would find it horrible.

[–] MikeHunt1075 7 years ago

1. It's what they grew up watching. Which is why I refuse to show it to my 1 year old and he is living the 87 series!
2. They saw Turtles Forever and got the impression they where lame and stupid.
3. Not enough syndication of the 87 turtles to show them. Here in Australia they showed the 87 series on at around 2 to 4am. Unfair air time if you ask me.
4. Peter Lair and what's his name hated this series, and have probably meddled with it being seen fairly and doing what they can to not let kids these days see it just incase they prefer it.