2. All fathers care for their sons - Family
Splinter and the Turtles. The Turtles and April. Danny and Charles. The Shredder and his minionsmainly Sam Rockwell, am I right? Family is a central theme to every iteration of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and the best versions keep it front and center. In the 1990 movie, Splinter is the only sense of security in the Turtles world, and when he isnt around, all the Turtles have to hold on to is each other. Splinter gives Leonardo direction, and when the venerable father figure is gone, Leo at first is able to push through his personal misgivings but sinks into overwhelming sadness and guilt when Raphael is near death. Donatello is concerned as to what might happen if Splinter were to no longer be around, and holds onto any relationship he can, whether through Michaelangelo, Casey Jones, or April. Raphael grapples with his own anger and tries to force himself to face it alone, because he is afraid of what might happen if he relies on anyone else, and when Splinter is gone, he unknowingly admits his anxiety in his every word and action. Michaelangelo hides his own fears through humor, and when Splinter returns in spirit to tell his sons how much he loves them, Mikeys true tears finally run down his face; not tears of sentimentality, but tears of real feelings coming out at a real moment. April felt the same about her father. She holds onto her familys Second Time Around antique store because of him. When she tries to seem normal and play it off by saying it sounds dumb, Donatello reassures her with the simple words, No it isnt. April has also made a career around trying to bring communities together as a true reporter. The Turtles recognize a new possible family unit in their mishmash reality through Casey Jones and April and the conventions of Moonlighting. The Shredder, differently than his comic book counterpart, is literally scarred by his attempts to force others into family, both in terms of his youth followers and Tang Shen, and the specter of Hamato Yoshi lingers over all the characters, a butterfly effect from an all but forgotten family that has caused everyone to be where they are. These moments ARE the story of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and what makes the business side of the franchise succeed. The Turtles theme of family drives the 1990 film and takes it where it needs to go, logically giving audiences everything else Turtles-related they could ever want along the way. Except possibly Utroms. Platinum Dunes is not known for giving relatable themes their due in its movies. It may take the time to include beats, but the idea is not to take the time. If its genuine, the beats will come naturally. However, in the upcoming Turtles film, Jonathan Liebesman has claimed that he wants to focus on the characters, and themes like brotherhood and responsibility. Hopefully Platinum Duness definition of family isnt having Splinter eat pot brownies. Splinters funnies should come from his own mind. Okay. So now that we can show heart through the visuals, cast, setting, and a central theme from the material were adapting, what ELSE can we draw from it in our creative process? This part is up to you, Platinum Dunes! But the 1990 film did a very cool thing that may give you some inspiration.