Nickelodeon 2012- TMNT CAST (Turtles' voices)

As we all know and are VERY excited about, there will be a "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" CG-series reboot of our favorite heroes in a half-shell. Earlier today, I stumbled upon this website---> www.nickandmore.com/2011/06/14… to find the celebrities who will be the voices of the Turtles! I said to myself, "Hey: I got nothing better to do", and decided to do a critique on each of the voice-over actors, and how their voices may either help (or hurt) the turtle's image; along with how well I think their voice relates to their turtle counterpart's character

First....

*Jason Biggs as Leonardo:
  
Now, seeing that I live in a hole and have never seen "American Pie", I immediatley researched (via Youtube) to find out what his voice sounded like. When I heard it, I closed my eyes and tried to imagine everything he was saying as if it were coming out of Leonardo, and I really liked it! He reminded me, actually, a little bit of Cam Clarke (who voiced the toonie-80's Leonardo). Though, I do believe his voice (and personality) is a trifle comedic for playing the "Fearless Leader".  But- he is a professional, and I trust that he knows what he's doing when playing Leonardo. I also tried to look through the perspective that he is playing a 15 year old ninja who is (both physically and spiritually) beyond his years; yet through his voice, it is clear that Leo simply cannot hide the fact that he is still just a kid. To me, Biggs has that voice that is enough to give Leonardo that subtle tone of impetious youth; while still maintaining a firm, and undeniably focused charm.
  
If you're not sure what Biggs sounds like, here's a video---> www.youtube.com/watch?v=JynvdL… (by the way...HE'S REALLY CUTE! )

Next...

*Rob Paulsen as Donatello:

Words cannot express how THRILLED I was to hear that Rob Paulsen: THE Rob Paulsen; the KING of voice-acting; was coming back to the TMNT family after a near 25-year break from being on the original 80's-toon series (voicing Raphael back then), and now voicing- this is personally speaking--my FAVORITE turtle!!!!! I LOVE IT! I can just HEAR his voice with Donatello's personality!! Mr. Paulsen is such a master of voice-over work, he can play ANY character! I think that he will use a much softer, subtle approach to fit Donnie's persona; like his work in "The Little Mermaid II-Return to the Sea" as Prince Eric. However, I feel Mr. Paulsen will still give him that sarcastic "kick" to Donnie's voice that Don secretly has in him
  
Though, I'm not sure if he'll choose to go with more of Barry Gordon (80's Donnie: more "New York-y" and nasally) or Sam Riegel (2k3 Donnie: more soft and shy), but I suppose that's up to the producers more than Mr. Paulsen, I guess. Still, I am extremely pleased with the decision of Brown Johnson's (President, Animation, Nickelodeon Kids and Family Group) casting crew, and am glad to see a returning veteran of the classic Ninja Turtles back home where he belongs

Then, of course, we have...

*Greg Cipes as Michelangelo:
  
Now THIS decision made me go, "OH MY GOD...YES." When I read 'Greg Cipes (Teen Titans) as Michelangelo', I immediatley thought "...TELL ME THAT GUY PLAYED 'BEAST-BOY'!!" And sure enough, he DID! I mean, it's just PERFECTION! Though Cipes' voice has gotten a little deeper since he played Beast Boy, I think it's the absolute PERFECT voice for Michelangelo. Cipes' tone is just so pure, so childlike! Even in his cameo in "Ben 10" as Kevin Levin you can hear the utter CUTENESS in his voice!! Cipes also has that subtle "surfer-drawl" in his voice that is just so MIKEY!
  
Along with his innocence and personal acting experience, I think he's more than capable of handling such a demanding role that is expected of playing 'Michelangelo'. To many children, Michelangelo symbolizes innocence and the pure-funness of being a kid, and I think that Cipes has the energy that will keep the "Mikey-spirit" alive in this series Also, the fact that he's a young spirit (being  only 21 years old) leads me to believe that he will really, truly have fun with this part and bring a new life and the expected reputation of Michelangelo that Mikey (and us TMNT fans) deserve.
  
This is a video of Cipes singing ---> www.fanpop.com/spots/ben-10-al… *siiiiiigh* I think he's my new celebrity crush... *clears throat* A-anyway, I think that the casting of Greg Cipes for Mikey was (as I've said) perfect with a capital 'P', and I can hardly WAIT to hear him in action this coming year *stares at picture of Greg Cipes* please marry me

And last, but not least...

*Sean Astin as Raphael:
  
I'm a bit partial to this decision... Though Astin has the experience (what with being in "The Goonies", "Rudy" and "LoTR", and he certainly has enough wit and "moxie" to handle the part;I don't feel that he has the right voice quality to play Raphael. I mean- I see "Raphael", and I immediatly think "big, tough, Italian, hot-head", and Astin's voice just doesn't really do it for me. I mean, the guy has a great voice; just...not great for Raphael. You might've heard his work in the Playhouse Disney tv series "Special Agent Oso" where Astin lends his voice as the title character, and I think it's nice! However, when I close my eyes and listen to it, I don't really hear Raphael. Though, in some of the action scenes where Oso is--oh, let's say-- doing an arial flip on his snowboard and goes "WOOHOO! ALRIGHT!!"--THAT'S when I hear Raphael!! It's SUBTLE... but it's there. Here is some voice work done by Astin---> www.reelzchannel.com/trailer-c…

**What I recommend is you close your eyes and imagine Raphael saying all the things that Astin is saying to see if the voice fits**

I feel that Astin's voice will lend Raphael a more sarcastic and comical air to him, which has been done (via the 80's series), and may be best so this way Mr. Paulsen (who voiced Raphael from 1987-1996 in the first series) could give him some pointers! Anyway, I don't feel that Astin voice will either help or hurt Raph's image just...change it. Which is not necessarilly a bad thing, but a ..."different" thing. In other words; if the 2k3 fans are expecting the old, bad-assey, hot-headed Raphael, I don't think they should bet on it. However, the series has yet to air, so I may very well turn out to be wrong (and won't THAT be embarrassing ) Not to say I don't like the sarcastic, witty 80s Raphael; he's HILARIOUS! And I think that Astin will hit that dead on the nail!

In an interview about the show, these were Astin's words:

~"I'm excited to be joining the ranks of the newest Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles team. This franchise and these characters are beloved around the world, and I'm proud to be the next Raphael. I plan to bring the kind of passion and dedication to the role that TMNT fans have the right to expect."~
  
I personally admire Astin's empathy towards us- the fans- and will give him the benefit of the doubt when it comes to playing Raphael Well, my last word to you, Astin, is good luck: you've got big shoes to fill as Raphael, and will do just fine; I'm sure of it Just...work on your Brooklyn accent-lol


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"We're thrilled to have such a talented group of actors to voice the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in this new series. "This cast will bring great humor and intensity to our new action comedy take on the band of turtle brothers." ~Brown Johnson

And I couldn't agree more: YAY, TMNT!! I gotta say, all of the actors chosen to play these clasic heroes are above and beyond the standard that I expected when I heard that there was gonna be a new tmnt series. A wise man once said, "You can't beat the classics," but something tells me that this show is gonna come awfully close   

Anyway, thanks for reading! Feel free to lend your voice and/or give your opinion on the cast if you'd like