rainwaterspark (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
rainwaterspark) wrote2013-05-11 03:09 pm
rainwaterspark) wrote2013-05-11 03:09 pm
TMNT 2012: The Pulverizer Returns
Wow, I really did not like this episode.
- The idea of the Turtles switching their weapons was an awesome one, especially in light of the time they did it in the 2003 series (2x12 "What a Croc"), which was majorly awesome. This time, though, seemed more like a Broken Aesop. The Turtles don't learn how to use different weapons, they only learn how to use environmental objects that are similar to their weapons (which also happened in the 2003 series, episode 2x03 "The big House," but was much funnier there). Sure, that's resourcefulness, but that's different from being forced to step outside of one's comfort zone by using a completely different weapon.
Also, I found it unrealistic in the sense that the Turtles showed a complete lack of common sense when using a different weapon. Generally you aren't going to pick up a weapon and try to use it the same way as another weapon you're more familiar with unless the weapons function similarly. It makes no sense that Leo would try to use the bo staff like a sword (or...baseball bat?), or that Donnie would try to use sais like a staff (I don't even...Donnie, you might not be able to master the subtleties of the sai, but THEY'RE NOT HARD TO USE IF YOU JUST TRY TO STAB PEOPLE WITH THEM). The only character who had a legitimate excuse was Raph, and that's because nunchucks are genuinely difficult to use, but then again Raph's fighting style seems to generally rely on hand-to-hand as much as weapon use, so there's not that much excuse for him there either.
Finally, for crying out loud, the Turtles have SEEN each other use their weapons; even if their execution isn't stellar, they should at least be able to try to imitate what they vaguely know.
- The Pulverizer, man.
Considering all the characters have been aged down in this series, it's more and more questionable that KIDS can walk around and get into trouble with the Foot/the Kraang without their parents becoming worried about them. I mean, sure, media aimed at teens tend to have problems with Disappearing Parents, but that still doesn't make it any excuse.
Also, why is it that people hate the superhero-wannabe character? Let's be honest, how many kids are watching this show and thinking that they want to be just like the Turtles? Poor Timothy's fate isn't going to convince people that trying to be a superhero is bad, it just gets across the message that superhero wannabes are bumbling and ineffectual and will get themselves hurt. Even though they have good intentions, and the tendency to idolize someone you think is cool is pretty much universal. Timothy might have been in over his head, but he's done nothing wrong in the show to merit such a karmically horrific fate. [Even if some people are suggesting that later on he turns into some sort of Teenage Mutant Ninja Frog.]
Plus, there's not much background given on Tim's character, but consider the fact that he's kinda geeky and chubby. In other words, the kind of kid who probably gets bullied at school. In fact, it's possible that his wanting to be like the Turtles might be the only bright spot in his life.
Given all this, the way the Turtles other than Donnie treat him is downright callous. If it's Timothy's fault for getting in over his head and thinking that mutation is a good thing, it's significantly also the Turtles' fault for encouraging him to be a spy for them. Even after seeing him turned into a blob with organs, something straight out of a nightmare, Splinter (SPLINTER) sarcastically asks if he's happier now, and Leo (LEO) says he should be, because he got what he wanted.
Way to encourage empathy, TMNT 2012.
- The idea of the Turtles switching their weapons was an awesome one, especially in light of the time they did it in the 2003 series (2x12 "What a Croc"), which was majorly awesome. This time, though, seemed more like a Broken Aesop. The Turtles don't learn how to use different weapons, they only learn how to use environmental objects that are similar to their weapons (which also happened in the 2003 series, episode 2x03 "The big House," but was much funnier there). Sure, that's resourcefulness, but that's different from being forced to step outside of one's comfort zone by using a completely different weapon.
Also, I found it unrealistic in the sense that the Turtles showed a complete lack of common sense when using a different weapon. Generally you aren't going to pick up a weapon and try to use it the same way as another weapon you're more familiar with unless the weapons function similarly. It makes no sense that Leo would try to use the bo staff like a sword (or...baseball bat?), or that Donnie would try to use sais like a staff (I don't even...Donnie, you might not be able to master the subtleties of the sai, but THEY'RE NOT HARD TO USE IF YOU JUST TRY TO STAB PEOPLE WITH THEM). The only character who had a legitimate excuse was Raph, and that's because nunchucks are genuinely difficult to use, but then again Raph's fighting style seems to generally rely on hand-to-hand as much as weapon use, so there's not that much excuse for him there either.
Finally, for crying out loud, the Turtles have SEEN each other use their weapons; even if their execution isn't stellar, they should at least be able to try to imitate what they vaguely know.
- The Pulverizer, man.
Considering all the characters have been aged down in this series, it's more and more questionable that KIDS can walk around and get into trouble with the Foot/the Kraang without their parents becoming worried about them. I mean, sure, media aimed at teens tend to have problems with Disappearing Parents, but that still doesn't make it any excuse.
Also, why is it that people hate the superhero-wannabe character? Let's be honest, how many kids are watching this show and thinking that they want to be just like the Turtles? Poor Timothy's fate isn't going to convince people that trying to be a superhero is bad, it just gets across the message that superhero wannabes are bumbling and ineffectual and will get themselves hurt. Even though they have good intentions, and the tendency to idolize someone you think is cool is pretty much universal. Timothy might have been in over his head, but he's done nothing wrong in the show to merit such a karmically horrific fate. [Even if some people are suggesting that later on he turns into some sort of Teenage Mutant Ninja Frog.]
Plus, there's not much background given on Tim's character, but consider the fact that he's kinda geeky and chubby. In other words, the kind of kid who probably gets bullied at school. In fact, it's possible that his wanting to be like the Turtles might be the only bright spot in his life.
Given all this, the way the Turtles other than Donnie treat him is downright callous. If it's Timothy's fault for getting in over his head and thinking that mutation is a good thing, it's significantly also the Turtles' fault for encouraging him to be a spy for them. Even after seeing him turned into a blob with organs, something straight out of a nightmare, Splinter (SPLINTER) sarcastically asks if he's happier now, and Leo (LEO) says he should be, because he got what he wanted.
Way to encourage empathy, TMNT 2012.