So I saw this a little earlier today and I will be the first to admit that it wasn't perfect. Far from it. It was not the deep, dark and gritty reboot I know a lot of you guys wanted. I hope that one day we get that version. I truly do. That said...
I sincerely had a blast. This was in the 'fun' category of movies. It moves quickly, the plot is very straight forward. No twists, no turns, very few questions are asked. Yes there are dumb moments. Yes there are plot holes (though only one bugged me). But it's nowhere
near the mess the critics are making it out to be.
FX were very solid with very few weak spots. I didn't really like Splinter...he was kind of a **** to be honest. LOVED his fight scene though. They brought something new that I wasn't expecting.
Shredder...was alright. I agree that it was wrong they cut the origin ties. That was missed for sure. His fight scenes were brutal, and the mech suit is glossed over. Not sure what he needed it for before the Turtles came along... Seems like it was just there already. Again...there are a few plot holes.
It wasn't the hack job I was expecting. I think there's definite room for expansion with Shredder in terms of WHO he is, as that's also glossed over. I'm hoping they find a way to retcon Splinters origins and tie them back to each other somehow.
The Turtles.... awesome.
I loved Mikey. I didn't find him creepy at all. He came off as the over-confident teenager type, which I think is what they were going for. Needed more 'chuck scenes though. Even just one bad-ass standout nunchuck moment would have been nice.
Raph was pretty much the Turtle Hulk you guys were anticipating. I don't recall him actually using his Sai's for anything purposeful. He has some cool moments, but he's no Ninja. His speech at the end does come up a little flat as it's a case of 'told not shown' (also one of my knocks on GoTG) but the performance won me over. After watching Alan Ritchson on BMS over the last few weeks on Netflix I gotta give him Props. He's more than just Angry Stifler in this.
Leo was handled pretty well. Knoxville did an alright job. After his first few lines I stopped picturing him and saw just Leo instead. He actually used his Katana's which is nice. He had his moments of trying to lead, be the man with the plan.
Donnie got the short end of the stick to be expected. He had his hero moment(s), actually more than any of the other turtles, but didn't get much screen time. And he looks SO much better without his glasses.
The family bond was strong though. They really focused on that. It was very much an ensemble when the four of them were on screen together.
Megan as April was better than I expected. Not much for her to do honestly, but she wasn't a weak point.
Overall though the sum is greater than it's parts. Again, I'm not one to pick things apart when it comes to my movies (not just TMNT). I was entertained. It moved fast and I was left wanting more. A little more time with JUST the Turtles would have been nice. Some of them just passing time playing video games in the lair or something. I'd love to have heard Mikey and Raph recording some of their hip-hop Christmas Album...
It is definitely
not better than the 90's flick. It is a different movie for a different time. This was not based on the Mirage Comics. This is not THAT movie that you guys (rightfully) want. Once you get passed that is was not the movie you are begging for, if you give it a shot and not LOOK for the flaws, I think some of you 'haters' will find at least something redeemable.
Not to mention the Bay Turtles had the same plot and ending from the Amazing Spiderman with the tower falling and the gas contaminating the city 
