Michael Bays continuing desecration of multiple generations childhoods continues with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles reboot he produced this year. When the film was released, die-hard fans of the original franchise quickly learned that this was not the beloved story with which they were familiar. Instead of focusing on the adventures of Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo and Raphael, the movie is completely centered around Megan Fox as April ONeil, the turtles sidekick. Plot changes are to be expected in any movie adaptation. In fact, the launch of April from sidekick to main attraction has been lauded as a win for women, who hardly ever play lead characters in these types of films. But that win is undercut by the fact that Bays reboot showcases ONeil as an inept reporter whose main purpose is to be leered at. In the film, ONeil is dismissed as young and naive by nearly every other character. She is seen as a wide-eyed, pretty face a girl who couldnt possibly have more to offer the world of broadcast journalism. Michelangelo has a crush on her (shes so hot I can feel my shell tightening). Will Arnett, her cameraman, wants to date her and at one point only helps O'Neil with a story because he thinks its a ruse for them to spend more time together. If she proved everyone wrong by doing outstanding, smart reporting, that could all be fine. The problem is, ONeil is terrible at her job!
Jesse Gumbarge is editor and chief blogger at JarvisCity.com - He loves old-school horror films and starting pointless debates. You can reach out at: JesseGumbarge@JarvisCity.com
