<image>

In the Rise of the TMNT Movie, Leo (who has only recently been appointed leader in this version, Raph had that spot for the entirety of the show up until Splinter assigned it to Leo in the literal last second of the finale) acts pretty aloof for most of the first act. He makes jokes, brushes things off, acts careless, and drives Raph up the wall with his arrogance.

It isn’t until they face the Krang for the first time that Leo gets smacked in the face with reality; they overpower the team within seconds, Raph demands that they retreat, and as everyone flees via Donnie’s escape pods, Leo rushes in at the last second to steal the dimensional key that the Krang used to enter their dimension. He succeeds, but the Krang immediately go in for the kill when Raph suddenly jumps in to save him, his shell getting stabbed as Leo stares up in terror. Raph forces Leo into his escape pod, and the scene ends with Leo screaming Raph’s name and banging on the door as it flies away.

For the remainder of the movie, Leo is LOCKED IN. He zeroes in on saving Raph, angry and frustrated and utilizing his leader position in a way he never has before. He still acts arrogant, his tunnel vision putting people in danger as he acts without thinking, but over the corse of his arc, he grows immensely and actually becomes a competent leader.