First, let me say that this is an article about the Turtles not the newest movie. I did enjoy the movie and it was good to see them back on the big screen but this article is more about the Turtles as characters not any specific movie, book, or show. I will probably even do more than one TMNT based article going forward. I have loved the turtles since...forever I think. Their adventures and battles against Shredder were always great to watch. Two things always stood out to me; how the brothers needed each other, whether they admitted it or not and their incredible confidence in who they were as individuals in a team. They had their fights, like all siblings, but in the end they came together to save the day. There was one thing that held them together, their father Splinter. I always loved Splinter, not just because he was wise or he could kick butt, but because his faith in his children never wavered. Splinter raised Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, and Michelangelo to believe in themselves and each other. He helped them find their identity and how they each fit into the group. Leonardo was a natural leader, Raphael was bold and strong, Donatello was incredibly intelligent, and Mikey loved life and was the one who kept everybody loose. Imagine what this team would look like if Splinter was not around. There would be no team or maybe there would be but it would not be the "save the day" team we know. They would be a mess.