With Casey sent back to 2022, he has to make sure the Foot Clan can’t bring the Krang out of their prison and preserve the future. Unfortunately, Leonardo has already messed up in his arrogance, and the Foot Clan has the key to do so. Oops.
With the world in danger, Raphael captured by the Krang, the city of New York being slowly infected and destroyed by the most dangerous foe the world has ever seen, and the mystic powers of the Ninja Turtles sealed away, can the Turtles bring out a win?
I mean. The creators are hoping for a third season if this goes well. You tell me.
It needs to be said, this is Leonardo’s movie first and foremost. From what the creators have revealed on Twitter, Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie is made from the ideas they had for the third season. Much like the Futurama movies from a few years back, you can kind of see the seams where multiple episode threads have been welded together to make a larger story. While the characters still have their own stories and character beats, Leonardo’s growth from wacky jokester to actual leader who comprehends the consequences of his actions is the bulk of the story.
And again, it works wonderfully. Leonardo is forced to confront what few teenagers are made to face: his own mortality and that of his family. You can see it written across his face when Raphael is wounded and when Casey Jones finally admits that everyone in the future is dead. His devil-may-care actions as a leader have tangible consequences, and a family-dedicated ninja like Leonardo is finally made to click as a character.
When the show shifts into action, it is easily some of the best content in the franchise. The Krang are creepy, bestial creatures with some of the most messed-up creations the franchise has literally ever created. Like the Krang made out of an assault helicopter.
