The story begins in the past with a warrior named Max Winters. He and his four generals have just opened a portal that granted them immortality. In the process his generals were turned to stone and the portal released 13 monsters. Now, 3000 years later in present day, Max can reopen the portal again to change his mistake so that he and his generals can become mortal beings again. The problem is that the plan has serious consequences that could threaten the whole world.

Cut to the Turtles: As Leonardo embarks on a training mission overseas, we find that Raphael, Donatello and Michelangelo are going through a rough time. Donatello and Michelangelo are working crummy jobs, while Raphael masquerades as a vigilante called the Nightwatcher. When Leonardo returns, the team has trouble functioning. They have to put their differences aside, however, in order to defeat Max Winters, his 4 generals, and several monsters to boot.

After 14 years since "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III," it is great to see the heroes in a half shell back in action. Although it would have been nice to see villains from the classic animated series or the comics, the story still manages to work. We get monsters, a full on fight between Raphael and Leonardo, Casey Jones, geektastic references to previous films, and Splinter kicking some butt-what's not to like?

Another impressive aspect is the continuity with the previous three films. April O'Neil and Casey Jones relationship is further explored and Raphael's independence becomes increasingly problematic. Director/writer Kevin Munroe clearly knows and loves the Turtles and it really shows here. Instead of trying to reboot the franchise or doing a story that has no relation to the previous films, he continues the ongoing series. Speaking of Munroe, his direction is some of the best I have ever seen in an animated film. I enjoyed the fact that the camera angles swoop through the city and sewers to give the audience the sensation of being a turtle themselves. An effective technique to be sure.

The DVD

Video:
The picture quality of TMNT has never looked better. There's a few sections of slight fuzziness, but overall a gorgeous transfer.

Sound: The Dolby AC-3 sound is (to quote Michelangelo) "awesome!" Nuff' said.

Extras: A fair amount of extras are included here, but sadly nothing remotely special. Here's a list of the special features:

* A dull commentary track by writer/director Kevin Munroe. He mostly just drones on about why he cut certain scenes. Don't bother listening.

* Deleted scenes: An alternate opening and ending, Splinter gets cake, Roof top workout, Still wanna fight?, Raphael's rough house fight- I was certainly excited to watch the deleted scenes, but we don't get to hear them because Kevin Munroe talks over every scene and there is no option of watching them without commentary. That's just plain cruel.

* Monsters Come Alive- A storyboard/completed footage comparison. Yawn.

* Donny's Digital Data Files- A short feature about CGI and character models.

* TMNT Internet Reel- A long trailer.

* TMNT: Voice Talent- Another brief feature that includes interviews with the director and voice talents such as Sarah Michelle Gellar, Patrick Stewart and Laurence Fishburne.

Final Thoughts:
Despite a lackluster disk, "TMNT" is well worth buying. It is the best animated/comic book film of 2007 thus far and a great treat for turtle fans.

Film and television enthusiast Nick Lyons recently had his first book published titled "Attack of the Sci-Fi Trivia." It is available on Amazon.com.