They're baaaaaaack...

This Saturday morning (2/08/03) premiered the first new form of the turtles: the all-new cartoon series on Fox Box. It's about time the gang made their return!

Many have worried if the "anime" style would be a factor in the turtles' trip back to TV screens nationwide. Anime has all but taken over modern cartoons including such hits as: Pokemon, Digimon, Yu Gi Oh. I was among the worried, crossing my fingers throughout the intro wishing for the best for my favorite cartoon of all-time. Super-high sprung, flashy jerks of "animation" have warped the current cartoon scene into mindless entertainment. TMNT's classic approach of humor and butt-kicking rather than animators "showing off" is a crucial must for this current, modernized interpretation.

Thank you God, my cries were heard.

Episode 1: "Things Change"

The episode began with Splinter and the gang training in their old sewer headquarters. Splinter issues a challenge for the turtles: extinguish the lit candle he is holding without "revealing themselves". He closes his eyes and Donatello attacks first, winding up on the ground. Michelangelo uses the same technique of speed attack and joins his brother. Raphael follows this pattern. Leonardo, however, stealthily drops from the ceiling, slashes the candle, and lands grabbing the cut wick.

Raphael: Teacher's pet.
Leonardo: Ninja drop-out.
Donatello and Michelangelo (together): Ohhhhhh.
Splinter: My sons!

Leonardo is once again the leader of the pack because of his skills, Raphael is the "trouble maker", Donatello the wiz at machinery, and Michelangelo the lovable dude.

Splinter calls the four together and preaches again on the evil of the world above them. "The outside world will never be your friend." As he is speaking, Michelangelo is more concerned on squashing a nearby buzzing fly.

Just then the walls begin to shake.. return of the Mousers! The turtles attack but the sewer's support is chewed away. Splinter is trapped on the other side.

Donatello calls Splinter on his turtlecom and a funny sight ensues when Splinter tries to get the contraption to work. They plan a meet up at the drainage junction.

The turtles find out that their way around is caved through too. Which means the only way through is up into the mean streets of New York City. Raphael gets out first and finds a nearby sewer hole. Unfortunately before he can get to it, a truck backs up over the entrance. The other turtles watch as Raphael then tries to move the car. The drivers, the Purple Dragon street gang, come out of the building which they just robbed and Raphael quickly jumps into the truck to hide. They lock him in unknowingly and the other turtles follow rooftop to rooftop until the moving truck stops again.

When the gang disappears, Michelangelo teases the trapped Raphael playing that he couldn't hear what he wanted -- TO GET OUT! Donatello pulls out another one of his devices and opens the truck. Raphael goes straight for Michelangelo's throat. Suddenly the street gang appear on scene and spot the turtles. One of them tells our guys to take of their costumes, it isn't Halloween. Needless to say, the turtles kick some shell and leave the bad guys on their butts!

Then out of the darkness, a group of mysterious ninjas come forth from the rooftops to surprise the celebrating turtles. New and improved Foot Soliders! (These ninjas appear much more advanced than the original dummies in the past series.) The guys barely make it out the jam.

Meanwhile Splinter has problems of his own. While waiting for his students in the drainage junction, another hoard of Mousers threaten the sensei. The turtles help demolish the robotic rodents and reunite with Splinter. Splinter announces it's time to go home. Time to go home? They lost their home thanks to the Mousers. No, time to go to their new home...

And speaking of new locales:

Oroku Saki (a.k.a. Shredder) is approached by the defeated leader of the Purple Dragon gang. He does not take failure lightly.

The episode ends with the screams of the fallen leader..

Thoughts

Okay, so, the new voice talents and look may get some use to, but I was fairly impressed. Everything seems in order and personalities just as matched. It sure can't compare to the olden days, however it's good that the legendary series won't be forgotten by newer generations.

If you're a fan of the original, it would be to your benefit to check out new episodes on Fox Box @ 10:30 a.m. est. Saturday mornings.