The movie is directed by Jonathan Liebesman and produced by Michael Bay. It is a live-action film with computer-generated imagery (CGI) used to bring the turtles to life. The story follows April O’Neil, a reporter who discovers a group of mutated turtles living in the sewers of New York City.
She learns that they are the same turtles she had rescued as a child and that they were experimented on by her father’s scientific partner, Eric Sacks. The turtles are now trained in the art of ninjutsu by their sensei, Splinter, and must stop Sacks and his army of mercenaries from releasing a deadly virus on the city.
Movie summary and plot
The movie starts with a narration by Splinter, who tells the story of how he and the turtles were mutated. April O’Neil, played by Megan Fox, is a reporter for Channel 6 News who is trying to get her big break. She stumbles upon a group of vigilantes, who she later discovers are the turtles. She begins to investigate their origin and uncovers the plot by Eric Sacks, played by William Fichtner, to release the virus on the city.
The turtles, Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Raphael, must stop Sacks and his army of mercenaries, the Foot Clan. Along the way, they team up with April and her cameraman, Vern Fenwick, played by Will Arnett. Together, they infiltrate Sacks’ headquarters and stop the release of the virus.
Setting: When and where the movie takes place
The movie takes place in New York City, present-day. The turtles live in the sewers beneath the city and use the city as their playground. The movie features many iconic New York City locations, such as Times Square and the Statue of Liberty.
Meet the characters: Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Raphael
Leonardo is the leader of the turtles and is the most disciplined. He wields two katanas and wears a blue bandana.
Donatello is the brains of the group and is responsible for creating their weapons and gadgets. He wields a bo staff and wears a purple bandana.
Michelangelo is the party animal of the group and is the most carefree. He wields nunchucks and wears an orange bandana.
Raphael is the hothead of the group and is quick to anger. He wields two sai and wears a red bandana.
Memorable quotes from the movie
- “We’re turtles, whether you like it or not.” – Raphael
- “I have a message for your master. Leave this city alone.” – Leonardo
- “I made a mask, and then I kicked some butt.” – Michelangelo
- “Crime, violence, and fear have run rampant. Our great city is being destroyed. People want justice restored to this world, and they want it now.” – April O’Neil
- “We are brothers, we stick together no matter what.” – Splinter
Soundtrack by Brian Tyler
The movie’s soundtrack is composed by Brian Tyler, who has also composed music for other action movies such as Iron Man 3 and Avengers: Age of Ultron. The soundtrack features a mix of orchestral and electronic music and helps to set the tone for the action-packed scenes.
Curiosities about the film
- The movie was filmed in multiple locations, including New York City, Los Angeles, and Louisiana.
- The turtles’ motion capture was done by actors who wore motion capture suits and had facial markers applied to their faces.
- The movie was released on August 8, 2014, and grossed over $493 million worldwide.
- The movie’s cast includes several well-known actors, such as William Fichtner, Whoopi Goldberg, and Tony Shalhoub.
Cosplay and dress like April O’Neil and Vern Fenwick
If you’re a fan of April O’Neil or Vern Fenwick, you can dress up like them for your next cosplay event or Halloween party. For April, you’ll need a yellow jacket, blue jeans, and brown boots.
You can also carry a microphone or a camera to complete the look. For Vern, you’ll need a black suit, white shirt, and black tie. You can also wear a pair of black sunglasses and carry a camera.
Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman: The creators of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles was created by Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman in 1984. The comic book series follows the adventures of four turtles who are turned into humanoid creatures by a mutagenic substance.
The turtles are trained in the art of ninjutsu by their sensei, Splinter, and fight against various villains in New York City.
5 best works by Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1984-2009) – the original comic book series that started it all.
- Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987-2010) – a spin-off series that focuses on individual stories of the turtles.
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures (1988-1995) – a kid-friendly comic book series that was based on the animated series.
- Bodycount (1996) – a graphic novel that features the turtles fighting against a group of mercenaries.
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Ultimate Collection (2011-2014) – a series of hardcover collections that features the original comic book series in its entirety.
Other media by Jonathan Liebesman related to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Jonathan Liebesman, the director of the 2014 movie, has also directed other movies related to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise. These include:
- Wrath of the Titans (2012) – a sequel to the 2010 movie, Clash of the Titans.
- Darkness Falls (2003) – a horror movie about a vengeful spirit who haunts a small town.
- Battle Los Angeles (2011) – a science fiction movie about a group of Marines who must defend Los Angeles from an alien invasion.
10 similar movies to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
If you enjoyed the 2014 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie, here are 10 similar movies that you might also enjoy:
- Transformers (2007)
- The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)
- Godzilla (2014)
- Pacific Rim (2013)
- The Avengers (2012)
- Men in Black (1997)
- Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
- Iron Man (2008)
- Thor (2011)
- Ant-Man (2015)
Book club questions for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fans
If you’re a fan of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise, here are some book club questions that you can use to start a discussion:
- Who is your favorite turtle and why?
- What do you think of the relationship between the turtles and April O’Neil?
- What themes do you think are present in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise?
- How does the 2014 movie compare to the original comic book series?
- What do you think of the characters in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise?
10 similar novels to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
If you’re a fan of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise and enjoy reading, here are 10 similar novels that you might enjoy:
- The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
- Divergent by Veronica Roth
- Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan
- The Maze Runner by James Dashner
- Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
- The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare
- The Giver by Lois Lowry
- Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
- The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey
- The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Buying guide and gift ideas for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fans
If you’re looking for the perfect gift for a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fan, here are some ideas:
- Action figures – there are many different action figures available, including ones based on the 2014 movie.
- Clothing – you can find t-shirts, hoodies, and other clothing items featuring the turtles and other characters.
- Comic books – there are many different comic book series available, including the original series and spin-offs.
- DVDs and Blu-rays – you can buy the 2014 movie and other movies and TV shows related to the franchise.
- Video games – there are many different video games available, including ones for consoles and mobile devices.
Conclusion
The 2014 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie is a fun and action-packed adventure that introduces the turtle heroes to a new generation. The movie features a great cast, memorable quotes, and a fantastic soundtrack.
If you’re a fan of the franchise, there are many different books, movies, and other media that you can enjoy. And if you’re looking for the perfect gift for a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fan, there are many different options available.
