Video Game Intros Too Cool To Skip: Shredder's Revenge

I grew up watching the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon and playing with the coolest action figures of the crime-fighting heroes in a half shell. I recently got the Shredder’s Revenge video game and was excited to see the cinematic intro. It pays homage to the intro from the cartoon of my childhood, and it features a lovely sequence of really awesome and energetic hand-drawn animations.

Camera on the Move

The camera is constantly moving, zooming, and whip panning throughout the entire sequence. It energizes everything as it seamlessly brings the viewer through to each scene. One of the first scenes is a long tracking shot across a rooftop at night. The composition of the frame is wonderful as all four ninja turtles are visibly featured as they run and jump across the rooftops. The sense of speed and action is immediately captured, setting the entire animation's tone. 

Editing and Transitions

One of my favorite sequences flows together with so many cool transitions. Rafael dives from the top of a bridge and lands on a truck, destroying it with a fiery explosion. Just then, Michaelangelo emerges from the smoke, shredding down the road on a skateboard with a pizza slice in hand and a baddie running after them. They escape as the bridge scene transitions into the barrel of a wave in a bright blue ocean, surfing with all the ninja turtles. Donatello quickly jumps into the water as the splash transitions to an entirely new scene again. It’s so good! 

Impact Frames

There are several moments where the animators use anime-inspired impact frames to reinforce a big moment. When Leonardo and Shredder face off in combat, two rapid flashes happen so fast that they almost go unnoticed. When viewed frame by frame, these flashes are simple black and white, sketchy drawings that help enhance the scene's energy in a significant way. It’s a cool use of a still frame as a simple solution to making a shot feel more complex and powerful. 

This sequence's design, energy, and attitude are a visual treat. I feel the design and animation teams successfully brought an old-school feeling to a newly released game. As a fan of the turtles and their pals, I absolutely enjoy it. Hats off to you all! Also, the game itself is awesome. I’ve been playing through it, and it’s truly a blast. Turtle Power!