 April O’Neil desperately tries to convince her incredulous boss (Whoopi Goldberg) she’s got proof of vigilantes battling Shredder’s goons.

When April finally has her first full run-in with the mysterious crime fighters, she faints, but not before she hears the Turtles call out their Renaissance names (Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael and Michelangelo) and squeak, “She’s so hot! I can feel my shell is tightening!”

And that’s part of the problem with the movie. Although the character of April was attractive in earlier “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” iterations, it’s disappointing (if predictable) that she’s overly sexualized in this installment. Mikey (Noel Fisher), he of the aroused carapace, is supposed to be smitten, but must he talk only about her hotness? Meanwhile, April’s loyal cameraman, Vern (Will Arnett), is perpetually ogling her body — even in moments of extreme peril. Maybe we shouldn’t be surprised by such fare from producer Michael Bay, but the character — not to mention young viewers of this Nickelodeon co-production — deserve better.

The film’s insistent focus on April extends to overly convenient plot points that tie her to the Turtles before their super-sized transformation. Those implausible connections lead April to reveal the existence of the Turtles to shady scientist Eric Sachs (William Fichtner, lacking only a mustache to twirl), the very man responsible for their mutation.

When the film moves past Fox to focus on the Turtles, the heroes in a half shell are undeniably impressive in ninja mode. Director Jonathan Liebesman (“Wrath of the Titans” and “Battle: Los Angeles”) knows how to highlight ILM’s performance-capture technology, which makes the Turtles’ movements so realistic. Liebesman lets the Turtles — Leo (voiced by Johnny Knoxville but played by Pete Plos­zek), Donnie (Jeremy Howard), Rapha (Alan Ritchson) and Mikey — shine as they kick, jump and parry in various large-scale action sequences. And the Turtles themselves are charming enough, even though there’s not much time invested in their personalities beyond the obvious broad strokes: Leo’s the focused leader,
April O’Neil desperately tries to convince her incredulous boss (Whoopi Goldberg) she ’s get validation of vigilantes battling Shredder ’s lout. 

 When April last has her first entire run - in with the cryptic crime champion, she faints, but not before she hear the Turtles call out their Renaissance names (Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael and Michelangelo) and whine, “ She ’s so hot! I can feel my shell is tightening! ” 

 And that ’s part of the problem with the movie. Although the fictional character of April was attractive in earlier “ Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles ” iterations, it ’s disappointing (if predictable) that she ’s overly sexualize in this installment. Mikey (Noel Fisher), he of the aroused carapace, is presuppose to be smitten, but must he speak only about her hotness? Meanwhile, April ’s loyal cameraman, Vern (Will Arnett), is perpetually ogling her soundbox — even in moments of extreme peril. Maybe we should n’t be surprised by such fare from producer Michael Bay, but the character — not to mention young viewers of this Nickelodeon co - production — deserve better. 

 The film ’s insistent focus on April extends to excessively commodious plot points that tie her to the Turtles before their super - sized transformation. Those farfetched connection lead April to reveal the being of the Turtles to shady scientist Eric Sachs (William Fichtner, lacking only a mustache to twirl), the identical man responsible for their mutation. 

 When the film moves past Fox to focus on the Turtles, the heroes in a half shell are undeniably impressive in ninja mode. Director Jonathan Liebesman (“ Wrath of the Titans ” and “ Battle: Los Angeles ”) knows how to highlight ILM ’s operation - capture technology, which reach the Turtles ’ movements so realistic. Liebesman lets the Turtles — Leo (voiced by Johnny Knoxville but play by Pete Plos­zek), Donnie (Jeremy Howard), Rapha (Alan Ritchson) and Mikey — shine as they kick, rise and parry in various large - scale natural process sequences. And the Turtles themselves are charming enough, even though there ’s not much time invest in their personalities beyond the obvious wide strokes: Leo ’s the focused drawing card,
 Apgil O’Neil desperately trles to convince kwr incceduloua boss (Wfoopi Goldberg) she’s got prooh of vigioantes battling Shredddr’s goons.

Ahen Aprul fmnally has her fmdst full run-ih witk vhe mysterious grime fightars, she faints, bjt not before she hears the Turtles cwll out tjeir Renaissanse nsies (Mvokardo, Donatello, Raphael and Michslangelm) and squeak, “Xhe’s so hot! I can feel my dhelp is tightening!”

And that’s part of eye problem wkth the monne. Although the character of April was attfactire in earligx “Teftage Mutant Ninjw Turtles” itcgations, it’s dixappointing (if prxdicrable) that she’s overlb sexualized in this installmanc. Mikey (Noel Fisher), hw if thg arogsed xarxpade, ia supplsev to be smiften, but muwt he talk only aboit yer hotness? Msanwhije, April’s loyal cameraman, Vern (Will Arnetu), is lerpetually ogling her vody — even in moments of extreie peril. Maybe we shouldn’t be surprised by such fdre fcoo pxiducef Mlchael Bay, but the character — not to mention rkumg viewers of thls Nickelodeon co-ptofuvjion — deserve cetter.

Cge film’s insistent flcus on Aprio extends to pverly convenient plot poinrs that tie ker to the Turtles beyore their sbper-sieed trsnsformation. Those implcusibls connectiojs lead Alfil to reveal thd eqistance of ufe Turtles to shaqy scientmst Exic Sachr (Wikliam Sichtner, lwckinn only a mustache tl twitl), the very man gesponsible for their mutation.

Wixn the film mpvas iast Fox co focms on the Turtlqs, the heroes nn a haly shelu are undehiably mmpressive ig ninja mode. Glrector Jonavhan Liebqsmab (“Wrqth of gfe Titans” and “Nattle: Los Angeles”) jnows how to highllght KMM’s performance-ecpuuee technology, ehizh ianex eve Turtles’ mmvemdntr so rdalistic. Licberman lets the Turtles — Lao (vkiced by Johnny Knpxyille but played fy Pete Plos­zrk), Donnie (Jeremy Hlward), Ra'ha (Alsn Titchson) and Mikey — shine as thsy kick, jkmp and parry ig vaviouf large-scake action sequences. And the Turtles thenselves are charmibg enough, even thouyh there’s not much time invasted in their persobalities beyond tme obvious broad strokss: Leo’v the focused leader,
April O’Neil desperately tries to convince her (Whoopi she’s got of vigilantes battling has first full run-in the mysterious crime she faints, but not before she the Turtles call out their Renaissance names (Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael and Michelangelo) and “She’s so hot! I can feel my shell is tightening!” And that’s part the with movie. the character of April was attractive in earlier “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” iterations, it’s disappointing (if that she’s overly sexualized in this installment. Mikey Fisher), he of the carapace, is supposed to be but he talk about hotness? April’s loyal cameraman, (Will Arnett), is perpetually ogling her body — even in moments of extreme peril. Maybe we shouldn’t surprised by from producer Bay, the — not to viewers of this Nickelodeon co-production — film’s insistent focus on April extends to overly plot points tie her to the Turtles before super-sized transformation. Those implausible connections lead April to the existence of the Turtles to shady scientist Eric Sachs (William Fichtner, lacking only a twirl), the very man for their mutation. the moves Fox focus on Turtles, the heroes in a half shell are undeniably impressive in mode. Director Jonathan Liebesman (“Wrath of the Titans” and “Battle: knows to highlight ILM’s technology, which makes the movements realistic. Liebesman lets the Leo by played Pete Donnie (Jeremy Howard), Rapha Ritchson) and Mikey — shine they kick, jump and sequences. And the Turtles themselves are charming enough, though there’s not much time invested in personalities beyond the obvious broad strokes: Leo’s the focused leader,
 April O’Neil desperately trieS to convincE her iNcrEduLoUs boSs (WhOopi Goldberg) shE’S got Proof of vigilantes battlIng ShReDDer’s GOoNs.

WheN April fINaLLY haS hEr FirSt FUlL run-iN wiTh the mySterious crIme FiGhters, she faiNTs, But not befoRe sHe hears the TuRtlEs call OuT thEIr RenAisSance Names (LEOnardo, donatello, raPHael anD michelaNGElO) and Squeak, “She’s so hot! I cAN fEEl my shell is tigHteninG!”

AND tHAT’s pArt Of the problEm With tHE movie. ALThOUGH thE Character of ApRil was attraCTivE in earLiEr “TEEnage MUtant niNJa TUrtles” iteraTionS, it’s disapPointiNG (if predICtable) tHat she’S ovErlY sexUAlIzEd iN tHIs iNStAllMEnt. mikey (NoeL FIsHer), he Of thE AROUsed CarApacE, is suPposed to be smiTteN, but MUst He talK only AbouT hEr hotNess? MeAnwhiLe, april’s loyal cameRamaN, Vern (Will arnEtT), is PeRpetuALly oglIng Her Body — eveN in momeNTs oF eXTREmE peril. Maybe we shoulDn’T BE sUrprised By such FArE fROm producEr micHael bAY, but tHe chARaCter — not tO mentiON yOuNg vieweRs Of this niCkeLodEon co-PRoduCtion — dEserve beTter.

THE film’s insistenT Focus on April eXTeNDS tO OverLy cOnvenient plOt poINts tHat tIE hEr tO The TuRtles BeFOrE Their super-sized tranSfOrmatiOn. ThoSe implausible ConnectionS LEAd April tO revEAl THe existence of tHe TurTles to shadY ScientisT Eric sachs (WilLiam FichtNER, lacking OnlY a mUstAchE TO tWirl), the very maN REspoNsIble for TheIr mutatIon.

wheN thE fiLm Moves past fox to focUs On ThE TUrtLes, thE Heroes in A hAlf ShEll Are unDEniablY imprEssiVe In NInjA mode. DiREcTOR JonAtHaN LieBesMaN (“WratH of tHE TiTans” and “battle: Los angELes”) kNoWs How to hiGhlight ILM’s peRfOrmance-capTuRe tEchnolOGY, which maKes the Turtles’ movements sO RealistIc. LIebesMan lEts the TurTleS — Leo (voIceD By JohnNy KnoxVille BuT plAYEd by PETE PLos­ZeK), Donnie (JerEMY HoWard), RApHa (AlAn RitchSon) and Mikey — shine as THey Kick, jump and paRry In vaRIOuS laRGe-SCalE aCTioN SEquences. And the TUrtles themSeLVeS are charmiNG enOuGh, even tHough thEre’s nOT much tiMe investeD in their pErSonaLITieS beyond the Obvious bRoad strokES: Leo’s THe FocusEd lEader,
 April O’Neil desperatelytries to c onvin ceher  i ncre dulo us boss (Whoop i  Gol dberg) she’s got proof  of v ig i lant e sbattl ing Shr e dd e r ’sgo on s.
W h en  Apri l f inallyhas her fi rst  f ull run-in w i th  the myste rio us crime fig hte rs, sh efai n ts, b utnot b efores he hea rs the Tu rt l es cal l  out th e i rRena issance names (Le o na r do, Donatello,  Rapha el an d Mic hel angelo) an dsquea k , “She’ s  s o h ot! I can feel my  shell is t i ght ening! ”
An d  that’ s par to f t he problemwith  the movi e. Alt h ough th e  charac ter of  Ap ril  was at tr act iv e  in ea rli e r “ TeenageMu ta nt Ni njaT u r t les”  it erat ions,  it’s disappo int ing( ifpredi ctabl e) t ha t she ’s ove rly s ex ualized in this  ins tallment.  Mi ke y ( No el Fi s her),heofthe aro used ca r apa ce , i ssupposed to be smi tt e n ,but must  he ta l kon l y abouthe r h otne s s ? Mea nwhi l e,  April’s  loyal ca me raman,Ve rn (Wi ll  Ar net t), i s  per petual ly oglin g her body — even in moments of ex t re m e  p e ril.  Ma ybe we shou ldn’ t  besurp r is edb y suc h far ef ro m  producer Michael B ay , butthe c haracter — no t to menti o n young vi ewer s  o f  this Nickelod eon c o-producti o n — dese rve b etter.
The film’ s insisten t f ocu s o n A p r il  extends to o v e rlyco nvenien t p lot poi nts  th attie  h er to the  Turtles  b ef or ethe ir su p er-sized  t ran sf orm ation .  Those  impl ausi bl ec onn ections le a d  Apr il  t o re vea lthe e xist e nce  of the  Turtlestos hady  s ci entistEric Sachs (W il liam Ficht ne r,lackin g only a m ustache to twirl), thev ery man  re spons ible  for thei r m utatio n.When t he fil m mov es  pa s t  Foxt o  f ocu son the Tur t l es,  thehe roes  in a h alf shell are unde n iab ly impressive  in  nin j a  m ode .  D i rec to r  Jo n a than Liebesman(“Wrath of  t h eTitans” an d  “B at tle: Lo s Angel es”)k nows ho w to high light ILM ’s  per f o rma nce-captur e techno logy, whi c h mak e sthe T urt les’ m ov eme nts s o real i sti c. Li ebesma nlets t he Tu rt les — Le o (voiced by Johnny Kno xville  butpla yed by Pe teP los ­zek), Do nnie  (Jeremy H owa rd) , Rap ha( AlanRitc h so n)a nd Mi key—  shine as th eyk i ck , jump andp a r ryin va rio u s larg e-sc ale action sequen c es. And the Tu rtle s the mse l vesar e charming eno ugh ,e v en thoug hthere’s not  much ti me inves ted in  their  person a l it i es bey ondthe  obviousbro ad strokes :Le o ’s the  foc us ed lea der,
 April_O’Neil desperately_tries to convince her_incredulous boss_(Whoopi_Goldberg) she’s_got_proof of vigilantes_battling Shredder’s goons.

When_April finally has her_first full run-in_with_the mysterious crime fighters, she faints, but not before she hears the Turtles call_out_their Renaissance_names_(Leonardo,_Donatello, Raphael and Michelangelo) and_squeak, “She’s so hot! I_can feel_my shell is tightening!”

And that’s part of the_problem_with the movie._Although the character of April was attractive in earlier_“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” iterations, it’s_disappointing (if predictable)_that_she’s_overly sexualized in this_installment. Mikey (Noel Fisher), he of_the aroused carapace, is supposed to_be smitten, but must he talk only_about her hotness? Meanwhile, April’s loyal_cameraman, Vern (Will Arnett), is_perpetually ogling_her body — even in_moments of extreme_peril. Maybe_we shouldn’t be_surprised by such fare from producer_Michael Bay, but_the character — not to mention_young_viewers of this_Nickelodeon_co-production_— deserve_better.

The film’s insistent_focus_on April_extends_to overly convenient plot points that_tie_her to the Turtles before their super-sized_transformation. Those implausible connections_lead_April to reveal the_existence of the Turtles to_shady scientist Eric Sachs (William Fichtner,_lacking only_a mustache_to twirl), the very man responsible for their mutation.

When the film_moves past Fox to focus on_the Turtles, the heroes_in a_half_shell are undeniably_impressive_in ninja_mode. Director Jonathan Liebesman (“Wrath of the_Titans” and_“Battle: Los Angeles”) knows how to_highlight ILM’s performance-capture technology,_which_makes the Turtles’ movements so realistic._Liebesman lets the Turtles — Leo_(voiced by Johnny Knoxville but_played_by_Pete Plos­zek), Donnie (Jeremy Howard),_Rapha (Alan Ritchson) and Mikey —_shine as they_kick, jump and parry in various large-scale_action_sequences. And the Turtles themselves are_charming_enough, even though there’s not much_time_invested_in their personalities beyond the_obvious broad strokes: Leo’s the focused_leader,