There is nothing more articulate quite like a comic book movie. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) is an excellent example of blending culture with the abnormal with the mundane life of humanity. The comics, created by Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman in 1983, tell the story of four mutant turtles and their mutant rat sensei/adoptive father who practice ninjutsu in the sewers of New York City. Over the last forty years, the characters have evolved into fan favourites while spawning multiple media projects in the form of television shows and films.
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One such film is TMNT, released in 2007 as a standalone sequel to the live-action films from the early 1990s. The movie, which was meant to be the first in a new franchise, which was later cancelled, shows the underlying effects of jealousy and envy when they’re not addressed. Despite being animated and family-friendly, the feature is darker than its live-action predecessors.
TMNT focuses on the moral dilemmas and turmoil drifting between the eldest two turtles; Leonardo and Raphael. Neither brother quite see eye-to-eye on anything. It is suggested at the film’s beginning that Raph might’ve played a part in Leo’s departure. Moreover, it spews over into Leo’s mission from Splinter to become a better leader and his unwillingness to return to New York.
Raph’s Animosity Towards Leo Explodes
Raph implies to Casey early in the film that he considers Leo somewhat selfish for getting up and leaving the family, despite it being on Splinter’s orders. However, Leo rants to April and Donatello later in the movie that Raphael’s temper is why their missions fall apart because of his inability to listen.
The whole situation boils over when Leo discovers during a fight with ‘The Nightwatcher’ that the vigilante is Raph. It results in an explosive argument that sees the brothers fight. The fury results in the breaking of Leo’s twin katanas, a sign of rage, bitterness and envy. Raphael had been holding it in for so long that it overtook him.
Only when Raph overpowers Leo and leaves him does his mistake. He goes rushing back to get him, only for Yokal’s statues to turtle-nap Leo. This leaves the hot-headed turtle in a panic. He realises that his brother’s life is now on the line and goes straight to Splinter for help. He explains the situation, blaming himself for Leonardo’s disappearance. Placing the broken katanas in front of his father, the rat master instantly jumps into dad mode.
Resentment
The situation makes Raph realise that his bitterness towards his brother has gone too far and needs to be reeled in.
Gathering Donnie, Mikey, and their friends April and Casey, Raph and Splinter say that they need to get Leo back. This shows that Raphael cares about Leonardo. He sees that it is he, not his brother, that messed up as he held onto his pettiness. After all, if it weren’t for him, the kidnapping would not have happened.
When Leo is found and rescued, he doesn’t hold it above Raph’s head. Moreover, it shows that he knows he is just as much to blame for the situation. If anything, his need to be perfect is what pushed his brother over the edge, to begin with.
Leo’s fear of being a good leader who doesn’t make mistakes is a flaw. Yet, he doesn’t realise this. As for Raph, he knows that Leonardo is the only leader of their team. Splinter’s speech to him resonated as a solution. Raph needed to let go of his animosity towards his older brother.
Splinter explains to Raph that while he is strong, passionate, and loyal, they are vital to being a leader, but only when humility is implicated. At the same time, Leo, upon his imprisonment, realises that he needs to stop showing off and pushing his brothers to be like him. They are unique in their ways, and that is what makes them stand out. Donatello and Michelangelo love their brothers but don’t need them fighting. They want guidance in the same way Splinter has done for years. In conclusion, this is what makes 2007’s TMNT unique.
