Watch Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles Forever

In 2009, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles received a once-in-a-lifetime adventure with their animated feature film, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles Forever. The film is directed by Roy Burdine and Lloyd Goldfine, and it explores the alternate universes of the TMNT franchise. Turtles Forever begins with the 2003 version of the turtles investigating the theft of their alien enemy, the Utrom Shredder's technology. The turtles soon stumble upon the 1980s version of themselves, who they believe to be the culprits. The altercation leads to the discovery of the existence of the 1980s world, and introduces the turtles to their counterparts from another universe.

Things take a darker turn as the turtles discover the existence of the original comic book versions of themselves, who are much grittier and more violent than their animated counterparts. As the turtles, from all three universes join forces, they encounter a villain named Ch'rell, who presents himself as the Utrom Shredder in all three dimensions. The turtles must join forces to stop him from destroying their universes and time as they know it.

Turtles Forever feels much like an homage to the show's history, as it includes nods to all three incarnations of the turtles, including their original black and white comic book debut. As the story unfolds, it showcases how each version of the turtles differs, and how each has its charm. Fans of the different versions can spot the unique elements of their favorite incarnation quickly.

The film feels like a character-driven story, being less about the action and more about the personalities of the Turtles. Several scenes in the movie revolve around the relationships between the turtles, like how Donatello from the 2003 world meets his 1980s counterpart and quickly bonds with him. Raphael's mistrust of everyone but his team members and Michelangelo's humor and love for pizza is also evident.

Most of the characters throughout the movie were voiced by veteran voice actors, who lent their voices to the original TMNT series. Michael Sinterniklaas played the role of the 2003 version of Leonardo. Sam Riegel played the 1980s version of Donatello. Wayne Grayson voiced Michelangelo throughout the series of shows.

Another notable aspect of Turtles Forever is the animation style. The film seamlessly blends the art styles of the different animated shows into one cohesive aesthetic. The 1980s turtles, for example, come off looking bright and cheerful, mostly aimed at a younger audience. The 2000s turtles, which had a more serious, darker tone, are illustrated in a more realistic design.

Turtles Forever is a movie that has something for every TMNT fan, catered to audiences that grew up watching the turtles in different eras. The film is full of humor, action, and nostalgia. It’s a great introduction to the world of the Ninja Turtles for newer fans who may not know the rich history behind the franchise.

Overall, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles Forever is an excellent film for turtle fans of all ages. The movie's story and animation style bring together three unique eras of the popular franchise, paying homage to its past while managing to stand as a viable story in its right. A well-crafted movie with great characters, Turtles Forever is a must-watch for any TMNT lover.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles Forever is a 2009 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 9 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6.