It’s a good week for shelled reptiles as HBO Video today releases the new original movie Franklin and the Turtle Lake Treasure and FUNimation debuts the first volume of episodes from season one of the 2003 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles animated series.
Based on the popular Scholastic children’s books by author Paulette Bourgeois and illustrator Brenda Clark, the Franklin television series is seen daily on Noggin in the U.S. However, Franklin and the Turtle Lake Treasure isn’t just a compilation of previously aired episodes directed by Dominique Monfery, the all-new, feature-length adventure has Franklin receive a surprise visit from his Aunt Lucy, an explorer who loves to find archaeological treasures. The family reunion stirs up memories in Franklin’s Granny, who recants on the sad day her parents died in a forest fire and recalls burying a box filled with treasures long ago. Intrigued by the notion of hidden treasure, Franklin leads Aunt Lucy, her headstrong goddaughter, Samantha and all his pals on a mission to find it.
The previous feature, Franklin and the Green Knight, was released in 2000 and sold more than 200,000 copies. Producer Nelvana International plans to keep the DVD movie series going and recently inked a deal with Singapore Technologies Ltd. (ST Electronics) to co-produce the next installment. Franklin and the Turtle Lake Treasure carries a suggested retail price of $14.98.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Season 1, Vol. 1 is a two-disc set offering 12 episodes of the series from 4Kids and Mirage Studios. With input from property co-creator Peter Laird, the show adheres more closely to the original comics than the ’80s cartoon did. In this series, Leonardo, Raphael, Michaelangelo and Raphael fight Foot Soldiers, Mousers and gangs in order to save New York City from the evil crimelord Shredder and his assistant, Baxter Stockman. Lending a helping hand are rat sensai Splinter and human friends April O’Neil and Casey Jones. Released in time to ride the new wave of popularity spawned by the successful CG animated feature from Imagi and The Weinstein Co., the DVD set lists for 16.98.
