Casey Jones (2011) User Reviews

so the pizza guy...

[rawser · 7/10 · 24 December 2011]

if you'd like a review. i thought the movie was decent for a low budget short. however i think the violent portrayal of casey jones went a bit past comical into deranged. and i just watched hostel 3.

i know this meeting was already done in a turtles movie. but this shows just a little bit more of how crazy casey jones can be.

also.. the pizza delivery was from 'ninja pizza' i think a spoof on ninja burger. an online hamburger delivery service provided by ninja.

if that is the case, i think the director deserves some credit for tossing that in there.

"Guaranteed delivery in 30 minutes or less, or we commit Seppuku!"

classic.

Good...but Could've Been Great...

[Mara-Jade-Skywalker-23 · 6/10 · 9 August 2019]

I like Casey Jones, he's one of my favorite TMNT characters, and when I heard about this fan-film, I was excited to watch. But I am not gonna lie, I was a little disappointed. Now, the first two thirds of the film were great, but by the climax, the film completely falls apart.

Okay, first I will praise the film, and explain it's merrits. First thing, for a fan-film, it's looks quite nice. Using its low budget to create a dirty and grimmy ascetic, really pulling you into this world.

And the action, as well as stunt-work, is excellently put together (for a fan-film). Using all practical effects.

Along with that, Casey is a surprisingly well written character, someone who claims to fight for justice, but hurts criminals to please his rage. The performance is also great. Along with that, even though she's barely in the film, Casey's mother is also well written, clearly the logical side in Casey's life, a person he constantly ignores. The writing all around was stellar...until the end.

Speaking of that, (spoilers) but the movie ended with Casey running into Michaelangelo of the Turtles. He told Casey about how he shouldn't hurt criminals, in an alright fight. But then the footclan, and he told Casey to knock himself out. They fought them, ran into Krang (for some reason), Casey almost died. Mikey took to the sewers (which looked amazing by the way, great set), and it ended with some thieves taking a pizza, and Casey beating them up.

The Fiotclan came out of nowhere, and never came back into the film. Casey took a backseat, and the film forgot about Casey's arc, and he's exactly the same as he was before. Running into the Turtles changed nothing, and the film was just being too ambitious. Sometimes less is more. And creativity doesn't come with making things big, sometimes it can be small. And fan-films (I'm sorry to say), shouldn't be bombastic.

Either way, I still enjoyed this film. It was a unique little fan-film, with lots of passion put into it. The characters are still compelling, the writing mostly works, and the visuals are impressive. Overall, I recommend it, even with it's problems.

The new vigilante in town

[Horst_In_Translation · 6/10 · 18 February 2018]

"Casey Jones" is an American 35-minute live action short film from 2011, so this one is already over 5 years old and it is among the most known career efforts by writer and director Polaris Banks. His brother Hilarion plays the title character, a young man whose bloody encounter with a group of sprayer punks turns him (after recovery) into a vigilante fighting crimes on the streets at night. So there is almost a bit of a Batman reference here. But actually, the short plays in the universe of other really famous animal-related characters and it was a bit surprising to realize that way after halfway into the movie. But it was all done good. the visual side is convincing and all the characters, especially the non-humans ones look pretty good. And story-wise, it was also a fairly good watch. the film breathes new life into old successful formulas. I liked it and there is certainly some cult potential to this one. It's the level you want to achieve when you make a fan film really. And you don't even need famous big name actors if your creative approach is a success in most other fields like this one here. I thought it was an entertaining little film, even with over half a million clicks on Youtube still very much underseen and also underappreciated I guess. There were moments when i was actually close to giving this one a 4 out of 5 really. It is inspired, creative and fun to watch dellivering on both the comedic and dramatic front. Make this one a little more known and go see it. i give it a thumbs-up without hesitation. Very much worth watching. Shame they never followed up on it really with the ending looking in a way as if there was more to come. But who knows maybe there will be more. For a man in his mid-20s, this is certainly an achievement that even many film greats only could have dreamt of when they were that age. Makes me curious about what Banks (also a voice actor in here by the way) has in story for us the coming years. until then, watch this one here. You won't regret it unless you really dislike the genre.

Proving That Fans Can Put Hollywood to Shame

[aczilla-1 · 23 September 2011]

Criminals of the lower east side, your days are numbered. If fan films can provide an audience with this much quality, then Hollywood should consider its days equally numbered. Blending both the gritty traditional style of Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic book with the more playful 1980s animated series, this short fan film finds a fitting medium to tell Casey's origin. Not unlike The Punisher (or even the original comics versions of the Turtles themselves), Casey is a man without mercy in a place where the law has turned its back.

The 1980s animated series made him a farcical Clint Eastwood. The original live movies branded him a neutered Turtle sidekick. The 2003 animated series gave him more edge but still held back. Here, Casey is completely unbridled as the anti-hero he was meant to be. He will make you cheer, but he won't shy away from making you cringe as well.

This short film is loaded with action and pays perhaps the most honorable tribute to the Turtles. It isn't a Turtles story for your kids, but it is the perfect treat for any adult who grew up in the late 80s when the Turtles were at the height of popular culture. The return of Robbie Rist, the original live action voice of Michelangelo, is a rare treat for a fan film. The darker tone of the film makes Michelangelo a better fit than Raphael as Casey's first Turtle encounter, and their exchange reminds me of a classic Drunken Master teaching session.

Superbly edited, exceptionally performed, and visually realistic, this is by far one of the most well-made fan films I have seen, second only perhaps to Batman: Dead End. Casey Jones looks like a big-budget feature without being one, and it delivers more in 35 minutes than most feature films today can muster in 2 and 1/2 hours. If you are a fan of the Turtles... or even a non-fan looking for a little action... then by all means give this film a look if you have the chance.

Adds Nothing to the Story or Character of Casey Jones

[theargus45 · 2/10 · 2 November 2012]

This was lame. It was almost a shot for shot remake of the original TMNT.

It adds nothing to the story or character of Casey Jones. The only difference is that he is allowed to be more violent.

The scenes are all the same as seen in the movie, even most of the lines are repeated word for word.

It's a low-budget do over that's even cheesier than original film.

They tried to give a more realistic view of a violent vigilante, but all they did was add a bit more blood. They added nothing to the character and nothing to the story.

Must see for any fan of the turtles

[ibleedgreen1221 · 8/10 · 14 November 2012]

As a child of the late 80's/ early 90's I grew up watching the ninja turtles cartoon every week and became obsessed. As I'm sure with most people I couldn't get enough. Got the video game, action figures and of course the live action movies. If you really like the movies and like the darker take of the comics then this short is an amazing complement to it. It adds so much o the turtles mythos. Just a chance to see Casey jones get pushed over the edge and take back his neighborhood back by force is amazing! It really reminded me of an old school revenge movie, but in the turtles universe.

The other great thing is you also see a few people from the t.m.n.t. universe make cameos.Really wish this was the direction they were going instead of the Michael Bay crap that is coming out. Kudos to all involved. I saw this movie for free online on the official website and had to own it and proudly put it in my collection.

Amazing

[Occult_Detective · 10/10 · 12 March 2012]

The moment I heard there was a Casey Jones fan film, I rushed to find it. The website itself is an eye-catcher, designed to totally give a gritty feel. And the film, what can I say. I was in awe at every moment. I feel like the makers took the characters from the comics and movies I grew up loving and brought them to life in the best way possible! Once Jones is an established character, you almost feel bad for the villains he's going to run into. The actors brought such personality to the characters, and totally embody everything you know and love about them. I could spend hours filling this up with flattering comments. I'll just say that if you're a fan of the characters, and feel like you've been let down by some of the other adaptations, then this is the one for you. It makes a fanboy feel proud that work like this can exist. They got a fan out of me, and will out of you too when you watch it. I'll even say this is one of the best fan films I've ever seen. Simply incredible. And very kick ass! I very much hope to see more from these guys in the future!

Casey Jones: The Psycopath

[dragons2607 · 18 October 2011]

I typically stay away from shorts from unknown directors, but being a long time TMNT fan I decided to give this one a shot.

Let me first start off by saying that it's obviously low budget, but this doesn't mean it's low in quality. The acting (sans Michelangelo) is forced and bad, though the lead tends to do a much better job when he puts the mask on. The script was dry and didn't have much substance to it. However, the director was able to convey a bit of a darker side to Casey Jones.

The fight scenes weren't bad, though Casey is most certainly violent. There are a couple of scenes I found myself no longer rooting for him and instead seeing a vigilante that was really no better than the people he was protecting society from.

I'd check it out if you have 30 minutes, I think with a bigger budget and better actors, this director could go far with this idea.

casey jones uncensored

[rdroutlaw · 10/10 · 24 January 2012]

this is an epic short movie, hilarion banks has brought to the screen an edgy true to life brutal casey jones. I stumbled onto this movie by mistake but i tell you it was a happy accident because it blew me away!!!! Hollywood should be ashamed because they don't bring out movies this good any more but i do hear that saw 17 is coming out originality anyone??? if you haven't seen this movie see it and if you have watch it again thank you polaris and hilarion banks for capturing the essence of a great casey jones. and for turtles fans you might even see a turtle or two!!!!!

thank you for casey jones!!!!!

4 thumbs up what that movies dope wish it was longer

[iamcanaan · 10/10 · 27 January 2012]

this movie was good it reminds me of the black and white comics before the cartoon

dark gritty i think the actor playing casey jones capture who casey joens was perfectly i really hope the director and the cast get credit for doing a great job wow lol i though it was right on point i like the color the acting the fighting the cameos it looked like the director knew his tmnt good job!!!! make another one I don't want to spoil it but this is a great

fan made movie i wouldn't have called it that till i saw online fan made regardless its great