As a new generation turns 18-20 this movie was vital for many growing up. It WAS their Saturday morning routine. A necessary part of growing up, The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles instilled values for a generation. Both the movie and the TV show were key in this upcoming generation's development and coming of age. I recently watched this movie again for the first time in a decade, and yes it was cheesy and tacky. However, that doesn't make it bad in anyway. There are some complex issues going on beneath the surface here. First, this movie was released close to the peak of crime wave that occurred across the country in the early 1990's. A city lost in crime is saved by a few of the next generation's heroes, who are nothing more than teenagers on a quest for pizza. Second, there is a definite connection between Splinter and Jesus when he is nailed up to a wall and talking to his "sons". Many reading my comments may laugh because, lets face it, the idea of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is hilarious, but the movie spoke to a specific generation at a specific time and as a period piece it can still be appreciated. This was more than just a movie; it defined a generation. Even if the movie makes no sense go with it and watch it for the ridiculous 1990's dialogue...Its funny, enjoy!
312 Reviews
This movie rocks! One of my favorite childhood memories!
Smells_Like_Cheese12 December 2003
Warning: Spoilers
Ah good times good times, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, one of my favorite cartoons as a kid and I absolutely loved the comics as well. This was such a great concept, I mean look at the title, who knew, right? Turtles that fight crime, talk like surfers, and eat pizza, but we bought it and rooted them on! So obviously the creators wanted to cash in on this great story and we got the live action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Guess what? It was awesome! This is one of my favorite movies from the 90's, I'm in my 20's now for goodness' sake and I still watch this. I can't help it, it's just such a fun movie and the great thing about this movie that despite it was made more for kids, it had a dark edge to it that it was also made for the adults as well.
April O'Neil, an investigative reporter at Channel 3 Eyewitness News, is researching a story on a recent, immense crime wave in New York City. She is later rescued by the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles from a group of street thieves. As the Turtles are celebrating their victory, an ex-hockey player called Casey Jones, having become a vigilante to combat the crime wave, is shown beating two thieves with his sports equipment and arguing with Raphael over the proper way to punish criminals. The crime wave is traced by April to the Foot Clan; the Foot Ninjas attack her and knock her unconscious, Raphael rescues he. As the Turtles escort April back to her apartment, where they remain for some hours, the Foot raid the Turtles' lair and kidnap Splinter. They carry him back to their headquarters, where their master Shredder is forming an army of corrupted, ninja-trained teenagers to build himself an empire of crime. One of those teenagers is Danny, the son of April's boss; having seen the Turtles at her apartment, he tells Shredder where to find them. The Foot therefore launch a surprise attack on April's apartment. Outnumbered and surprised, the turtles are finally defeated, they may have lost the battle, but it's time for war to get their Splinter back.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is one of those movies that just rocks because it has awesome action sequences, fun actors, and just a great story. I miss writing like this because it seems like more movies that are made with superhero's for the kids now-a-days are more cheesy. This was not made to insult anyone's intelligence, I mean, like I said before these are pizza eating vigilante fighting talking turtles yet we believed it. Not to mention that there is a talking rat, I know it's kind of a weird little puppet they created, but still he's like the Chinese Yoda that always makes a classic "funny" at just the right time. His last scene with Splinter was short, sweet, and effective. This is a movie I will show to my kids when I have a family one day and will still watch with a smile on my face.
8/10
April O'Neil, an investigative reporter at Channel 3 Eyewitness News, is researching a story on a recent, immense crime wave in New York City. She is later rescued by the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles from a group of street thieves. As the Turtles are celebrating their victory, an ex-hockey player called Casey Jones, having become a vigilante to combat the crime wave, is shown beating two thieves with his sports equipment and arguing with Raphael over the proper way to punish criminals. The crime wave is traced by April to the Foot Clan; the Foot Ninjas attack her and knock her unconscious, Raphael rescues he. As the Turtles escort April back to her apartment, where they remain for some hours, the Foot raid the Turtles' lair and kidnap Splinter. They carry him back to their headquarters, where their master Shredder is forming an army of corrupted, ninja-trained teenagers to build himself an empire of crime. One of those teenagers is Danny, the son of April's boss; having seen the Turtles at her apartment, he tells Shredder where to find them. The Foot therefore launch a surprise attack on April's apartment. Outnumbered and surprised, the turtles are finally defeated, they may have lost the battle, but it's time for war to get their Splinter back.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is one of those movies that just rocks because it has awesome action sequences, fun actors, and just a great story. I miss writing like this because it seems like more movies that are made with superhero's for the kids now-a-days are more cheesy. This was not made to insult anyone's intelligence, I mean, like I said before these are pizza eating vigilante fighting talking turtles yet we believed it. Not to mention that there is a talking rat, I know it's kind of a weird little puppet they created, but still he's like the Chinese Yoda that always makes a classic "funny" at just the right time. His last scene with Splinter was short, sweet, and effective. This is a movie I will show to my kids when I have a family one day and will still watch with a smile on my face.
8/10
This makes it clear...darker is better
OptikMatrix15 June 2002
On your first read of the title, you may think "Ah...the Ninja Turtles...kid's stuff". That conclusion is partially understandable, considering the fact that most people's minds drift towards the Saturday morning cartoon show, which was made for little kids. But if you are one of the handful of people who remembers the original TMNT comic book and how dark it was, you will probably think more of the name. This live-action version of the Teenaged Turtles reaches back into its comic book origins and sacrifices the kiddie stuff in favor of a darker, more brooding film. This is the key to this movie's greatness. It shows the Turtles how they were meant to be shown. The movie is still fun, though, supplying the viewer with all the early 90's teenager slang and ass-kicking that you can squeeze onto celuloid. The only problem is that the whole Ninja Turtles franchise has come with a love it or hate it tag attached to it, often times giving it a bad rap that it really doesn't deserve. The film is no Blade Runner or Spiderman by any means, but it's still a great little piece of cinema that you can just sit down with a bowl of popcorn (or maybe a pizza) and enjoy without much thought. Sadly, this is as good as the series gets (not that this movie could get much better). The sequels (TMNT 2: Secret of the Ooze and TMNT 3) aren't really that great. TMNT 2 lacks the gritty edge that makes this movie good (having Vanilla Ice on the soundtrack doesn't help much either) and TMNT 3 is obviously aimed directly for the little ones. This is the great little movie. COWABUNGA!!!
There's no CGI here, just pure rubber, rubber, rubber; it's absolutely beautiful.
Pjtaylor-96-13804416 February 2018
There's no CGI in this bodacious, brazen, balls-to-the-wall blast of pure butt-kicking, nineties-slang spewing and turtle-y awesome fun, just pure rubber, rubber, rubber and it is absolutely beautiful. If you don't have a smile on your face from beginning to end, I can't help you my friend, because there's almost nothing more entertaining than these four teenage turtles just doing their thing, even if it is a bit camp and strangely slow on occasion. Mikey loves being a turtle and it's easy to see why; this is simply some of the most fun I've had in a long time (also one of the best comedies I've watched in a while) and it reminds me just how bad the joyless remake really is. It finds a perfect balance between levity and seriousness, meaning that you're constantly smiling and everything just adds to the absolute joy of it all. It's also surprisingly action-packed and well-versed in that area, too. A blast from beginning to end. 7/10
The Best Movie in the Series by Far
kingbk-23 May 2017
Forget the "kid friendly" sequels, forget the Michael Bay remakes, forget the CGI experiment. This, right here, is and still remains the definitive Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie. This got the vision laid out by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird most accurately: A dark, edgy, tongue-in- cheek parody to Frank Martin, Daredevil, Cerebus and New Mutants. Sure, you still had some of the cartoon elements thrown in for good measure (the colored masks, the surfer lingo), but compare this one to the other movies and this one followed the closest to the original comic book series, which was written for adults. The violence has been toned down significantly, as has the cursing, but it's there, on a lower level. As a kid, I was confused about why this was so dark and almost scary. Later, reading the underrated comic books, I learned this was what TMNT was originally envisioned as. Eventually, toy sales and Saturday morning TV won over the comic book, but here, for one brief movie, the turtles, as they were meant to be seen by their original creators, got their time in the sun. The writing isn't terrific and the acting not award winning, but still a fun movie to watch from time to time.
A cult classic.
mehpie30 January 2005
Whether film buffs would ever admit it or not, the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie is a classic film, arguably way before its time. Although for the die-hard fans of the comic book this movie did lack the apparent actual violence it did instead have great dramatic scenes blended in with witty comedic lines.
With a dark tone and gritty cinematography filmed with fantastic sets and locations around New York this 90s movie is far from something to be pigeonholed 'just for kids' or a 'family movie'.
The aforementioned 'surfer dialogue' criticised in other reviews can be put down to personal taste, as the majority of fans do find this lingo both entertaining and quote-worthy. Who could forget Splinter exclaiming "I... have always liked... COWABUNGA!!" Casey Jones is one of the greatest characters in film for a long time and the performances given throughout, even though can be labelled slightly b-grade, are lovable all the same from Chief Sterns to Charles and Master Tatsu. The angst of Raphael to the cheekiness of Michelangelo there is nothing not to like about the characters in this movie.
The musical score is great and ranges from intense to comical - very fitting for a movie that is exactly that in its mood, without becoming corny unlike its follow-up films. MC Hammer creates the best songs of his career. Shameless fun.
All of the scenes are special in different ways to different fans of this cult classic; from Casey Jones vs Raphael in the park to the Antique Store battle.
Extremely under-rated. One of the best comic-book adaptations ever made and one of the defining films in a LOT of people's childhoods. A fantastic film for anyone with direction and storyline that remains highly enjoyable through the test of time.
Brilliant.
With a dark tone and gritty cinematography filmed with fantastic sets and locations around New York this 90s movie is far from something to be pigeonholed 'just for kids' or a 'family movie'.
The aforementioned 'surfer dialogue' criticised in other reviews can be put down to personal taste, as the majority of fans do find this lingo both entertaining and quote-worthy. Who could forget Splinter exclaiming "I... have always liked... COWABUNGA!!" Casey Jones is one of the greatest characters in film for a long time and the performances given throughout, even though can be labelled slightly b-grade, are lovable all the same from Chief Sterns to Charles and Master Tatsu. The angst of Raphael to the cheekiness of Michelangelo there is nothing not to like about the characters in this movie.
The musical score is great and ranges from intense to comical - very fitting for a movie that is exactly that in its mood, without becoming corny unlike its follow-up films. MC Hammer creates the best songs of his career. Shameless fun.
All of the scenes are special in different ways to different fans of this cult classic; from Casey Jones vs Raphael in the park to the Antique Store battle.
Extremely under-rated. One of the best comic-book adaptations ever made and one of the defining films in a LOT of people's childhoods. A fantastic film for anyone with direction and storyline that remains highly enjoyable through the test of time.
Brilliant.
An Understated Masterpiece of Sorts
gavin694211 November 2013
A quartet of mutated humanoid turtles clash with an uprising criminal gang of ninjas.
First of all, it is worth noting that the late editor Sally Menke (1953-2010) worked on this film before going on to make some of Quentin Tarantino's best work. When watching Tarantino, it is hard to imagine that the same hand was responsible for the Turtles, and yet this is the case.
Growing up in the 1980s, the two big influences on my childhood were the Turtles and He-Man. Both received feature films. The Turtles received this -- a clever, dark and yet humorous story along with a worthy sequel. He-Man had some bizarre alternate dimension story. (Let us not even talk about Super Mario Brothers.) Not only is this film great, but it is even better when you realize how horribly wrong it could have gone.
Further, for me, this was a defining role for Elias Koteas. He has been in many big films, but this was his breakout role and still the role I picture him in despite the added decades and receding hairline...
First of all, it is worth noting that the late editor Sally Menke (1953-2010) worked on this film before going on to make some of Quentin Tarantino's best work. When watching Tarantino, it is hard to imagine that the same hand was responsible for the Turtles, and yet this is the case.
Growing up in the 1980s, the two big influences on my childhood were the Turtles and He-Man. Both received feature films. The Turtles received this -- a clever, dark and yet humorous story along with a worthy sequel. He-Man had some bizarre alternate dimension story. (Let us not even talk about Super Mario Brothers.) Not only is this film great, but it is even better when you realize how horribly wrong it could have gone.
Further, for me, this was a defining role for Elias Koteas. He has been in many big films, but this was his breakout role and still the role I picture him in despite the added decades and receding hairline...
The best Ninja Turtles Action movie of all time my number 1 personal favorite
ivo-cobra810 October 2015
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990) is actually a cult classic Epic Action film and one of the best movies. It is one of my personal favorite comic book films and it is also one of my childhood favorites. It is my number 1 personal favorite Ninja Turtles movie! I love this movie to death it defines my childhood I grew up watching this movie! You haven't already rated the movie well, please do so we can push the current 6.7 rating as high as it can go!! As a lifelong Turtles fan, I can honestly say that everything about this movie works. From the casting, to the fight scenes, to the music, there is nothing that I would have done any differently. There is just enough comedy, each turtle is given their own unique, identifiable, and believable personality, and the story is fast paced and gripping. Jim Henson's people did a stunning job on the Turtles themselves, and the Shredder looks even better than he did in the Cartoons. The film really pays homage to the original comics by introducing Casey Jones, dealing with Raphael's anger. Here they are Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, Michaelangelo are bad ass. Splinter, Tatso, Casey Jones they are all bad ass including Raphael. My favorite best movie.
There is everything I love in this film. The acting, Jim Henson's creature shop were awesome. Fighting scenes, the foot clan, children who steals for foot clan. All characters are awesome. The cast, the plot everything is Terrific in this film. Why rebooting this film? Why? The original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990) is the only film for me that I absolutely love to death! I grew up with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, I had an album of the animated series from 1987, I was collecting action figure from the third film that failed. I grew up watching this film and is always my favorite best action movie of the 90's I have ever seen. The fight stunts are awesome, the Acton sequences are amazing. Everything is just great in this film.
The film has some Drama in it, the character development between the Turtles and Splinter was really touching and amazing. Another character development in this film that touches me is between Danny and Charles a father and son. That scene is so touching.
Judith Hoag did an amazing awesome Terrific job as April O'Neil, a reporter for Channel 3 News she acted her character very serious and convincing. For me April O'Neal will always and only be Judith Hoag. I don't get it why was she replaced in the sequels which that didn't just work. Elias Koteas did an amazing performance as Casey Jones, a street wise vigilante who becomes an ally of the Turtles. He was the only Casey Jones for me he kicked ass! Seriously he did!!
The fight scene on the end of the film is the best I have ever saw. Here the foot clans and Ninja Turtles are using weapons. Like foot clans use Axes in April's apartment to kill the Turtles, but they failed. One of the foot clan Ninja's used a nunchaku weapons similar to Michelangelo weapons. The fight scene with Raphael on the roof was fantastic one of the best scenes in the film I love. This film is highly entertained, it is fast paced, not too over long or boring or lame it is a are real true Comic book Ninja Turtles film. It also has a heart bringing a family together like Danny and Charles father and son together when they were falling apart. The fight scene with Turtles and The Shredder was the best scene in the film, the combat was awesome. Tough the Turtles were no match for him, Leonardo was the only one that wounded him with his sword. The last fight scene when Splinter faces The Shredder is the best thing in a film that ever happened. Splinter come on the roof he confront Shredder and in final showdown he defeat Shredder. Shredder attacked him and Splinter throw's him with Michelangelo's nunchakus and says: "Death comes for us all Oroku Saki but when you Die it will be without.....honor." And Shredder try's to stab him and Splinter let's him fall in a dumpster! End and Death of Shredder in the original movie.
The film opened at the box office in North America on March 30, 1990, entering at #1 over the weekend and taking in more than $25 million.
I love this film is my childhood film and Judith Hoag is the only April O'Neil for me. Elias Koteas will always be Casey Jones for me. I love this film to death! I love it. I love it to death!!! The best movie in the whole world.
What else would you want in this film? There are a lot of martial arts in it. There were plenty used of weapons in the film: Leonardo used twin Ninja-Tou, steel swords of usually inferior make to samurai swords, roughly sharpened and straight bladed, Donatello wielded a bo, a staff made of tapered hard wood, Raphael wielded two sai (both singular and plural), dagger-shaped truncheons with two curved prongs and Michelangelo fought with twin nunchaku. Fight clan also used Axes. I love also the music score by John Du Prez and I love the song 9.95 Performed by Spunkadelic. 10/10
There is everything I love in this film. The acting, Jim Henson's creature shop were awesome. Fighting scenes, the foot clan, children who steals for foot clan. All characters are awesome. The cast, the plot everything is Terrific in this film. Why rebooting this film? Why? The original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990) is the only film for me that I absolutely love to death! I grew up with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, I had an album of the animated series from 1987, I was collecting action figure from the third film that failed. I grew up watching this film and is always my favorite best action movie of the 90's I have ever seen. The fight stunts are awesome, the Acton sequences are amazing. Everything is just great in this film.
The film has some Drama in it, the character development between the Turtles and Splinter was really touching and amazing. Another character development in this film that touches me is between Danny and Charles a father and son. That scene is so touching.
Judith Hoag did an amazing awesome Terrific job as April O'Neil, a reporter for Channel 3 News she acted her character very serious and convincing. For me April O'Neal will always and only be Judith Hoag. I don't get it why was she replaced in the sequels which that didn't just work. Elias Koteas did an amazing performance as Casey Jones, a street wise vigilante who becomes an ally of the Turtles. He was the only Casey Jones for me he kicked ass! Seriously he did!!
The fight scene on the end of the film is the best I have ever saw. Here the foot clans and Ninja Turtles are using weapons. Like foot clans use Axes in April's apartment to kill the Turtles, but they failed. One of the foot clan Ninja's used a nunchaku weapons similar to Michelangelo weapons. The fight scene with Raphael on the roof was fantastic one of the best scenes in the film I love. This film is highly entertained, it is fast paced, not too over long or boring or lame it is a are real true Comic book Ninja Turtles film. It also has a heart bringing a family together like Danny and Charles father and son together when they were falling apart. The fight scene with Turtles and The Shredder was the best scene in the film, the combat was awesome. Tough the Turtles were no match for him, Leonardo was the only one that wounded him with his sword. The last fight scene when Splinter faces The Shredder is the best thing in a film that ever happened. Splinter come on the roof he confront Shredder and in final showdown he defeat Shredder. Shredder attacked him and Splinter throw's him with Michelangelo's nunchakus and says: "Death comes for us all Oroku Saki but when you Die it will be without.....honor." And Shredder try's to stab him and Splinter let's him fall in a dumpster! End and Death of Shredder in the original movie.
The film opened at the box office in North America on March 30, 1990, entering at #1 over the weekend and taking in more than $25 million.
I love this film is my childhood film and Judith Hoag is the only April O'Neil for me. Elias Koteas will always be Casey Jones for me. I love this film to death! I love it. I love it to death!!! The best movie in the whole world.
What else would you want in this film? There are a lot of martial arts in it. There were plenty used of weapons in the film: Leonardo used twin Ninja-Tou, steel swords of usually inferior make to samurai swords, roughly sharpened and straight bladed, Donatello wielded a bo, a staff made of tapered hard wood, Raphael wielded two sai (both singular and plural), dagger-shaped truncheons with two curved prongs and Michelangelo fought with twin nunchaku. Fight clan also used Axes. I love also the music score by John Du Prez and I love the song 9.95 Performed by Spunkadelic. 10/10
Good
manitobaman8122 August 2014
It's meant to be goofy, but in TMNT, all the characters, from Raphael on down, struggle against a system that has perpetuated falsehoods. Then there are fisticuffs back and forth with those who claim to work for justice. All characters are surviving in a grim world. Fortunately the director lets the actors breathe and the music lets the atmosphere live. From an artistic standpoint, there were some plot elements and character developments I didn't think were totally needed. They do however drive the story, which seemed to be their purpose, so I can accept them. I don't want to be a "shredder" of this movie, so I give it 7/10.
Kids action movie
LW-0885426 December 2023
I actually enjoyed this movie quite a lot. Comparing it to the reboot, the April O'Neil character is better utilised I think, the film feels like it captures more of New York, the characters are not CGI which I prefer, the fight choreography was well done and there were one or two dark moments without it being excessive. Having said all that this is still very much a kids film, I enjoyed this movie a lot when I was young but I look back now and don't find so much to enjoy. The strange rat mentor though is also pretty bizarre. If you do have to watch one of these movies then pick this one, I think it's at least the best done.
This movie will always be a part of me...
sublimital_death16 May 2002
I was just a little kid when I first started collecting turtle stuff, Comics, figures, and trade cards, as well as many other things.. I remember one day I came home to find that my mother had thrown out every action figure and card I had, as well as most of my comics.. She replaced them with a phone and a fish tank.. She said I was getting too old for kid toys, and that I would grow out of them any way.. I was about 9... So when the movie was released I was the first one there on the first day it was released to theaters.. I collected some of the figures later on, but I never had a collection that was even close to my first.. I have almost every cartoon movie made on tape, several copies of all three live action movies, and this one on DVD... I never grew out of the turtles, and I know I never will.. I know all three movies word for word... When every one grows up, a part of them, a big part dies, and we forget what we loved so much as children.. Our Imagination dies, and an adult is born.. I simply refuse to let my heros go.. While the years pass and the turtles are forgotten, they will forever be a reminder to me of the times I could spend hours on end with nothing but myself and my action figures that came to life right in front of me with nothing more than my imagination....
fun kids movie
SnoopyStyle15 November 2017
A silent crime wave is hitting NYC perpetrated by teenagers led by Master Tatsu. Casey Jones (Elias Koteas) is a former hockey player vigilante. Intrepid reporter April O'Neil (Judith Hoag) is attacked by the Foot Clan led by Shredder for questioning corrupt police chief Sterns. She is saved by the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and brought down to their sewer hiding place. It's Raphael, Leonardo, Donatello, and Michaelangelo with their master Splinter. Fifteen years earlier, Splinter was Ninja Master Yoshi's pet rat who finds himself in the sewer with the four baby turtles. They got transformed by a spilled batch of radioactive ooze.
The turtles are fun but not individual enough. Part of that are the costumes which limit acting movements and keep them looking too similar. On the other hand, Splinter has more character work and his story is more compelling. There are limitations to the action but it's still plenty of fun. The human characters are functional and there are some surprise recognizable faces. This is a fun kids movie.
The turtles are fun but not individual enough. Part of that are the costumes which limit acting movements and keep them looking too similar. On the other hand, Splinter has more character work and his story is more compelling. There are limitations to the action but it's still plenty of fun. The human characters are functional and there are some surprise recognizable faces. This is a fun kids movie.
On the half shell they're the heroes four. In this day and age who could ask for more?
southdavid13 October 2023
Truth be told, I should actually have watched "The Secret of The Ooze" for the "How Did This Get Made" podcast but it has been years, decades probably, since I watched the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" film, so I decided to watch that one first. There's something to be said for its practical charm, but it's quite a dated film.
New York City is undergoing a crimewave, the thefts and intimidation being undertaken by young men, fallen under the spell of the Foot Clan, and their dangerous leader "The Shredder" (James Saito). With the police overwhelmed, increasingly the fightback is falling to Vigilantes, such as Casey Jones (Elias Koteas) but the best hope for the city lies with four turtles, mutated to stand on their hind legs, to grow to adult human height and to talk, and then taught the art of ninjitsu. Shredder learns of the existence of the turtles and kidnaps their sensei Splinter (Kevin Clash).
In these first three movies the Turtles are made as life size puppets, with an actor inside, puppeteers controlling the face and the voice sometimes provided by a third actor. There' something to be said for this method as the puppets to still look reasonably good by todays standards, whereas I'm not sure the animation from say "TMNT" will have done quite as well. It's definitely a family film though, not quite as colourful as the animated series, but nowhere near as dark as Eastman and Laird's original work. A lot of the humour of the film is more stilted that I remembered it being and naturally, given both the limitations of puppetry movement and the rating of the film, the fight scenes aren't particularly violent.
The Turtles truly are a sweet spot in my life, I was exactly the right age for them. I had the toys, I watched the cartoon, I think I even had the soundtrack for this film on tape, but having seen it again now, thirty years on I think I can leave this particular one back in the past.
New York City is undergoing a crimewave, the thefts and intimidation being undertaken by young men, fallen under the spell of the Foot Clan, and their dangerous leader "The Shredder" (James Saito). With the police overwhelmed, increasingly the fightback is falling to Vigilantes, such as Casey Jones (Elias Koteas) but the best hope for the city lies with four turtles, mutated to stand on their hind legs, to grow to adult human height and to talk, and then taught the art of ninjitsu. Shredder learns of the existence of the turtles and kidnaps their sensei Splinter (Kevin Clash).
In these first three movies the Turtles are made as life size puppets, with an actor inside, puppeteers controlling the face and the voice sometimes provided by a third actor. There' something to be said for this method as the puppets to still look reasonably good by todays standards, whereas I'm not sure the animation from say "TMNT" will have done quite as well. It's definitely a family film though, not quite as colourful as the animated series, but nowhere near as dark as Eastman and Laird's original work. A lot of the humour of the film is more stilted that I remembered it being and naturally, given both the limitations of puppetry movement and the rating of the film, the fight scenes aren't particularly violent.
The Turtles truly are a sweet spot in my life, I was exactly the right age for them. I had the toys, I watched the cartoon, I think I even had the soundtrack for this film on tape, but having seen it again now, thirty years on I think I can leave this particular one back in the past.
The best movie ever made on the subject of radio active turtles
doozer3334 May 2001
I dare anyone to hate this movie. Come on. I triple dog dare you. Sit in front of the TV with a bunch of your friends and just try not to like it. You can't. It's impossible. I was a full fledged turtle fan back in the day (I don't think the fad lasted long enough for us to earn Trekker-type names) and of course at that point, I thought it was the Gone With the Wind of our time. That, obviously, it's not. But there is something just incredibly charming about a bunch of giant turtles acting like typical sit-com kids. One even gets yelled out for sneaking out past curfew to see Critters 2. If it comes on TV, even my dad has to pause to watch at least one fight scene. If someone in a college dorm pops it in, legions of kids will exclaim "Holy sh*t! Is that Ninja Turtles?" and then plop right down in front of the TV to watch. You have to give a lot of credit to the guys who made this film. It was released in the height of the craze so they could have thrown anything on the screen and it would have been a hit. (See Ninja Turtles 2). But instead, they tried to make it the best film they could, despite the subject matter. They came up with an almost relevant, after school special type plot. The jokes and references range from Moonlighting to John Steinbeck, and the fight scenes are done in the spirit of a Jackie Chan flick. Add the fact that there are giant turtles doing the fighting, and you get a funny, imaginative, and just plain likeable movie no matter what your age. Sure, it's about pizza loving ninja turtles. But it is the best movie that could ever be made about pizza loving ninja turtles. That has to count for something.
Cowabunga.....
FlashCallahan28 February 2013
Warning: Spoilers
Through contact with a mysterious substance four turtles in the canalisation of New York mutate to giant turtles.
They can speak, walk upright and love pizza. Wise rat Splinter becomes their mentor and educates them to Ninja fighters.
Their arch-enemy is the Shredder, who struggles to gain power over the world. Of course the ninja turtles will do everything to stop him....
This was one of those films that when released, I was the right demographic and age to really appreciate the phenomenon, and wise enough about films to also appreciate the poor quality of the sequels.
The film isn't perfect, and really, the only other comic book movie around at the time was Batman, Dick Tracey has been released, but that was a vanity project, this had a whole network of kids baying for it, thanks to the advent of Mass marketing.
It's fun to watch, the cast other than Koteas are not very good, but the Henson workshop have done wonders with the titular characters. For the budget, it was everything a thirteen year old boy could have imagined what a real life Turle would look like.
And the other reason why it was so successful, it was violent and didn't sissy around with fights or near death experiences, it was dark and gritty, and any teenage boys would have lapped this up,because they were already on a diet of Schwarzeneggar and Van Damme, thanks to their dad.
Age hasn't been kind to the film, even though the turtles still look great, the rest of the film just looks dated and all frizzy hair and suits, like the nineties is trying to rid itself of the eighties.
For nostalgia purposes, it's fun to watch. Other than that, I'd rather remember it through rose tinted specs.
They can speak, walk upright and love pizza. Wise rat Splinter becomes their mentor and educates them to Ninja fighters.
Their arch-enemy is the Shredder, who struggles to gain power over the world. Of course the ninja turtles will do everything to stop him....
This was one of those films that when released, I was the right demographic and age to really appreciate the phenomenon, and wise enough about films to also appreciate the poor quality of the sequels.
The film isn't perfect, and really, the only other comic book movie around at the time was Batman, Dick Tracey has been released, but that was a vanity project, this had a whole network of kids baying for it, thanks to the advent of Mass marketing.
It's fun to watch, the cast other than Koteas are not very good, but the Henson workshop have done wonders with the titular characters. For the budget, it was everything a thirteen year old boy could have imagined what a real life Turle would look like.
And the other reason why it was so successful, it was violent and didn't sissy around with fights or near death experiences, it was dark and gritty, and any teenage boys would have lapped this up,because they were already on a diet of Schwarzeneggar and Van Damme, thanks to their dad.
Age hasn't been kind to the film, even though the turtles still look great, the rest of the film just looks dated and all frizzy hair and suits, like the nineties is trying to rid itself of the eighties.
For nostalgia purposes, it's fun to watch. Other than that, I'd rather remember it through rose tinted specs.
Darker and more serious than you remember
Fluke_Skywalker18 March 2014
If you haven't watched the original live-action 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' film in a while, get ready for a surprise. While tame by today's "dark, gritty" Hollywood standards, it's nevertheless a much more serious, thoughtful and straightforward movie than you remember.
The original 'TMNT' graphic novels were quite dark for their time, but the subsequent animated series and the multi-media phenomenon it launched was sanitized and re-packaged for mass consumption. And mass consumed it was. So it comes as a bit of a surprise that the first live-action 'TMNT' film dares to be as relatively dark as it is. Undoubtedly the influence here was Tim Burton's 'Batman', which had come out the year before and broke box-office records. Like the Turtles, Batman had been turned into a G-rated pitchman. Burton's film changed all that, and it appears that's what the makers were going for here. It's a gamble that pays off.
There's still a lot of fun to be had, and the pizza-loving, "Cowabunga!" shenanigans of the cartoon are still in tact. It simply takes a rather ridiculous premise seriously, and as a result, so does the audience.
The original 'TMNT' graphic novels were quite dark for their time, but the subsequent animated series and the multi-media phenomenon it launched was sanitized and re-packaged for mass consumption. And mass consumed it was. So it comes as a bit of a surprise that the first live-action 'TMNT' film dares to be as relatively dark as it is. Undoubtedly the influence here was Tim Burton's 'Batman', which had come out the year before and broke box-office records. Like the Turtles, Batman had been turned into a G-rated pitchman. Burton's film changed all that, and it appears that's what the makers were going for here. It's a gamble that pays off.
There's still a lot of fun to be had, and the pizza-loving, "Cowabunga!" shenanigans of the cartoon are still in tact. It simply takes a rather ridiculous premise seriously, and as a result, so does the audience.
I remember them! Long live the "TMNT"!
dee.reid6 June 2004
I recently bought an old VHS copy of "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie" and I must say that this movie is still great even after 14 years. Now first let me that this is the only faithful film in the "TMNT" trilogy of movies released during the early '90s.
This film, released at the height of "Turtlemania" in the summer of 1990, raked in $133 million at the box office, quickly making it the highest grossing independent film of all time. That's good considering it also faced heavy competition from another comic book adaptation that year, "Dick Tracy," which was directed by Warren Beatty and was quite groundbreaking, on its own terms of course.
Though the film is more in touch with the toned-down animated series of the same title, its roots are squarely in the original comics created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird. This film is violent (it DID push the limits of its "PG" rating in some spots, especially with some intense moments, many of which dealt with teenage crime and alienation, and some particularly brutal fight sequences) and is quite dark and actually kind of scary. This is by far the most mature, moving, and tense film in the series and we should thank director Steve Barron for making sure his vision of the Turtles did not stray off course (unlike the sequels).
I was a huge Turtle freak growing up, and I still have many of my original action figures and other memorabilia. I only recently purchased Eastman and Laird's line of graphic novels from First and I must say that they're quite excellent and they take me back to the Turtles' roots. It is quite obvious that this line of graphic novels served as the main source of inspiration for the film. One particularly big difference between the comics and the film is that the literary source material is quite violent (and not to mention very bloody in some spots).
Many people may look at this film today (in 2004) and they might say this film has not aged well. All I can say is that they did not have CGI taking control of every single action sequence to make up for lack of real stunt work. The performers inside the Turtle costumes acted quite excellently considering what they went through to become our four, high-kicking reptilian heroes.
I remember reading a little while back that Hong Kong director John Woo had expressed interest in remaking the Turtles movie. I hope not for two reasons: 1) If the Turtles were to be remade, it would most likely be based off of the current running "TMNT" cartoon series, which is crap and 2) The original 1990 film is fine the way it is and does not need to be touched by the greasy hands of today's Hollywood.
"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie" is the best adaptation of the comics so far, and I loved it. It is one of the best comic-to-film adaptations of all time and should be preserved. "TMNT" forever!
10/10
This film, released at the height of "Turtlemania" in the summer of 1990, raked in $133 million at the box office, quickly making it the highest grossing independent film of all time. That's good considering it also faced heavy competition from another comic book adaptation that year, "Dick Tracy," which was directed by Warren Beatty and was quite groundbreaking, on its own terms of course.
Though the film is more in touch with the toned-down animated series of the same title, its roots are squarely in the original comics created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird. This film is violent (it DID push the limits of its "PG" rating in some spots, especially with some intense moments, many of which dealt with teenage crime and alienation, and some particularly brutal fight sequences) and is quite dark and actually kind of scary. This is by far the most mature, moving, and tense film in the series and we should thank director Steve Barron for making sure his vision of the Turtles did not stray off course (unlike the sequels).
I was a huge Turtle freak growing up, and I still have many of my original action figures and other memorabilia. I only recently purchased Eastman and Laird's line of graphic novels from First and I must say that they're quite excellent and they take me back to the Turtles' roots. It is quite obvious that this line of graphic novels served as the main source of inspiration for the film. One particularly big difference between the comics and the film is that the literary source material is quite violent (and not to mention very bloody in some spots).
Many people may look at this film today (in 2004) and they might say this film has not aged well. All I can say is that they did not have CGI taking control of every single action sequence to make up for lack of real stunt work. The performers inside the Turtle costumes acted quite excellently considering what they went through to become our four, high-kicking reptilian heroes.
I remember reading a little while back that Hong Kong director John Woo had expressed interest in remaking the Turtles movie. I hope not for two reasons: 1) If the Turtles were to be remade, it would most likely be based off of the current running "TMNT" cartoon series, which is crap and 2) The original 1990 film is fine the way it is and does not need to be touched by the greasy hands of today's Hollywood.
"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie" is the best adaptation of the comics so far, and I loved it. It is one of the best comic-to-film adaptations of all time and should be preserved. "TMNT" forever!
10/10
Nicely Done
view_and_review20 March 2020
Turtles in a half shell were the coolest when they debuted back in '87 and I think the live action movie version wasn't bad at all. It was quirky, light, and fun. It never got too heavy even at the grimmest moments as it shouldn't have. TMNT 1990 was nicely done.
One of the most Underrated movies ever!
The Yeti30 June 2004
I speak out on behalf of all fans of the TMNT!
This is not a bad movie!
You might say it has no storyline but I say it's kept simplistic for all the comic book fans. You don't want to confuse people with a massive complex tale. No one argues with 'Enter the Dragon' having a bad storyline!
The characters in this movie are wonderfully set up. Right from the start we see that Raphael has issues. This anger forces him to distance himself and in the process we feel his fury. We immerse ourselves in the character and see how deep he can go. From woefully staring into New York from a rooftop or letting out a frenzy upon the gang that has literally knocked April to the ground we are getting to know the character inside and out. This is the hero of the movie. As for the comedic cheek of Casey Jones or the light-hearted double wisecracks of Michaelangelo and Donatello, I'd love to see the reason behind this movie having "no character study" as some people might say.
The action scenes are set up within the constraints of a normal fun movie with great camera angles just dying to be put on an advert or poster.
The turtle effects by the Jim Henson creature shop don't disappoint even though Splinter looks like he walked straight off the set of 'Labyrinth'. The turtles are so good you shouldn't care anyway. The animatronics are fab and the voice characterisation is well chosen.
As for the main blessing, Steve Barron has chosen a dark tone for his movie. The original comic book would have been made proud by this attempt at making the movie more adult than people could believe. The crime-filled backdrops of New York make a great battleground, and the whole mythological element that all crime is ruled by a master ninja adds to the drama. The soundtrack couldn't be better for the beginning.
This is a fantastic movie and horribly underrated. With so many great elements this goes down as one of the all time great fantasy adventures. 10 out of 10 and a cowabunga to boot!
This is not a bad movie!
You might say it has no storyline but I say it's kept simplistic for all the comic book fans. You don't want to confuse people with a massive complex tale. No one argues with 'Enter the Dragon' having a bad storyline!
The characters in this movie are wonderfully set up. Right from the start we see that Raphael has issues. This anger forces him to distance himself and in the process we feel his fury. We immerse ourselves in the character and see how deep he can go. From woefully staring into New York from a rooftop or letting out a frenzy upon the gang that has literally knocked April to the ground we are getting to know the character inside and out. This is the hero of the movie. As for the comedic cheek of Casey Jones or the light-hearted double wisecracks of Michaelangelo and Donatello, I'd love to see the reason behind this movie having "no character study" as some people might say.
The action scenes are set up within the constraints of a normal fun movie with great camera angles just dying to be put on an advert or poster.
The turtle effects by the Jim Henson creature shop don't disappoint even though Splinter looks like he walked straight off the set of 'Labyrinth'. The turtles are so good you shouldn't care anyway. The animatronics are fab and the voice characterisation is well chosen.
As for the main blessing, Steve Barron has chosen a dark tone for his movie. The original comic book would have been made proud by this attempt at making the movie more adult than people could believe. The crime-filled backdrops of New York make a great battleground, and the whole mythological element that all crime is ruled by a master ninja adds to the drama. The soundtrack couldn't be better for the beginning.
This is a fantastic movie and horribly underrated. With so many great elements this goes down as one of the all time great fantasy adventures. 10 out of 10 and a cowabunga to boot!
Unique martial arts family fun
breakdownthatfilm-blogspot-com28 March 2014
In the last half of the 1980s, comic book readers were introduced to the Ninja Turtles created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird. As over the top and ludicrous as it sounded, it captivated many people and soon the 1987 cartoon was produced thus spreading the enthusiasm all over the place - soon after making movies about the famous characters in the 1990s and late 2000s. In light of today being the day Mr. Michael Bay releases his reboot trailer of his TMNT franchise, I thought it was a good idea to view the first theatrically released film of the TMNT back in 1990. There's good reason to see it too before the reboot. It's not by any means a highly developed piece of cinema but it definitely has a lot going for it.
The story begins with reporter April O'Neil (Judith Hoag) who is covering an important story dealing with the city's crime rate sky rocketing and no one has any idea why. On her way home, some robbers almost mug her, if it weren't for a humanoid ninja turtle quartet. With them, O'Neil also meets Master Splinter, an old humanoid rat who is the trainer and caretaker of the TMNT group. Upon this journey they also make headway with self-proclaimed amateur vigilante named Casey Jones (Elias Koteas). Lastly, the leader behind the enormous crime spree is The Shredder, a mysterious villain who is proficient in martial arts as well.
For all of these characters, their development is even for the most part. The only thing that really had me thinking was how was The Shredder was able to persuade all of the youth in the city to rebel. How did he do this to begin with? Also, what exactly is his motive? What did he plan on doing once everything had been stolen? He obviously wanted to get rid of O'Neil for spreading the word about his operations, and he wanted to take out the ninja turtles but what was his overall intent? It never was expanded upon. Other than that though, the story has flow and doesn't bore.
The first time writers behind this movie created a decent script for the characters. All of the ninja turtles have their respective Italian Renaissance names and their own personality, which gives them a considerable amount of charm. Master Splinter is portrayed as a genuinely father like character with all the traits a good father should have. Casey Jones is probably one of the more underrated characters because of his spontaneity and improvising behavior. Even, O'Neil as a character develops in some ways. Maybe Hoag wasn't a perfect choice to play April, but she has her moments. Even The Shredder is cool to watch in some scenes.
Perhaps the most interesting element this film has to offer is the action material and practical effects. For 1990, the ninja turtle costumes are done extremely well. The facial expressions are accurate and are fairly consistent with voice and mouth coordination. Also, the use of costumes help make the film feel more realistic, instead of trying to make CGI look real altogether. The action scenes though are by far the most fun to watch. Martial arts are always entertaining, but how do you get the sequences done right with people in bulky costumes? Well I'm not sure, but it looks good. The actors seem to have no trouble moving, hopping, kicking or rolling around in the costumes. Jim Henson's production crew is something else.
Besides The Shredder being a slight bit under developed, there are a couple of other things that could've been tweaked. John Du Prez's music captured all the right emotions for each scene and overall tone, but didn't create a main theme which is kind of silly since it would help viewers identify with what theme it belonged to. Also, the idea of adding music that involves pop dates the movie severely. It does create a nostalgic feeling, but the film itself does that already - music doesn't need to added. Lastly, would be the settings. Much of the setting of the movie is in the city, which is fine, but it seems to be always at nighttime. I'm sure other people wouldn't mind a few day scenes or so. Eh...what can you do?
An old, yet still an enjoyable family action film that has charming characters and remarkable practical effects. Character development isn't too bad either, although some explanations are needed.
The story begins with reporter April O'Neil (Judith Hoag) who is covering an important story dealing with the city's crime rate sky rocketing and no one has any idea why. On her way home, some robbers almost mug her, if it weren't for a humanoid ninja turtle quartet. With them, O'Neil also meets Master Splinter, an old humanoid rat who is the trainer and caretaker of the TMNT group. Upon this journey they also make headway with self-proclaimed amateur vigilante named Casey Jones (Elias Koteas). Lastly, the leader behind the enormous crime spree is The Shredder, a mysterious villain who is proficient in martial arts as well.
For all of these characters, their development is even for the most part. The only thing that really had me thinking was how was The Shredder was able to persuade all of the youth in the city to rebel. How did he do this to begin with? Also, what exactly is his motive? What did he plan on doing once everything had been stolen? He obviously wanted to get rid of O'Neil for spreading the word about his operations, and he wanted to take out the ninja turtles but what was his overall intent? It never was expanded upon. Other than that though, the story has flow and doesn't bore.
The first time writers behind this movie created a decent script for the characters. All of the ninja turtles have their respective Italian Renaissance names and their own personality, which gives them a considerable amount of charm. Master Splinter is portrayed as a genuinely father like character with all the traits a good father should have. Casey Jones is probably one of the more underrated characters because of his spontaneity and improvising behavior. Even, O'Neil as a character develops in some ways. Maybe Hoag wasn't a perfect choice to play April, but she has her moments. Even The Shredder is cool to watch in some scenes.
Perhaps the most interesting element this film has to offer is the action material and practical effects. For 1990, the ninja turtle costumes are done extremely well. The facial expressions are accurate and are fairly consistent with voice and mouth coordination. Also, the use of costumes help make the film feel more realistic, instead of trying to make CGI look real altogether. The action scenes though are by far the most fun to watch. Martial arts are always entertaining, but how do you get the sequences done right with people in bulky costumes? Well I'm not sure, but it looks good. The actors seem to have no trouble moving, hopping, kicking or rolling around in the costumes. Jim Henson's production crew is something else.
Besides The Shredder being a slight bit under developed, there are a couple of other things that could've been tweaked. John Du Prez's music captured all the right emotions for each scene and overall tone, but didn't create a main theme which is kind of silly since it would help viewers identify with what theme it belonged to. Also, the idea of adding music that involves pop dates the movie severely. It does create a nostalgic feeling, but the film itself does that already - music doesn't need to added. Lastly, would be the settings. Much of the setting of the movie is in the city, which is fine, but it seems to be always at nighttime. I'm sure other people wouldn't mind a few day scenes or so. Eh...what can you do?
An old, yet still an enjoyable family action film that has charming characters and remarkable practical effects. Character development isn't too bad either, although some explanations are needed.
Buried deep amidst the senseless action lies a smoldering performance by Elias Koteas
b_buddy115 April 2010
It's trashy. It's farcical. It's downright silly. And yet I found myself enjoying this senseless Kung-Fu fest. The plot? The leader of an evil ninja gang, The Foot Clan, starts recruiting the aimless adolescents of New York City to do his bidding for him. This leader dresses in steel plated body armor and calls himself—rather comically, I thought—Shredder. As the police of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are—like those of most vigilante films—characteristically inept, only 4 anthropomorphic turtles and their mysterious rat sensei, Splinter, have any chance at all of defeating Shredder and his army of 12 year olds. Thankfully, Splinter has trained the turtles from birth in Ninjutsu, the ancient Japanese art of er..something or other. A good bit of punching and kicking is involved, and that is all that really matters for the intents and purposes of this film. If you can get past the contrivance of 4 extremely short physical actors in rubber turtle suits sparring with a walking can opener, you might just enjoy this film. For my part, I didn't much care for the endless fight scenes, the lame dialogue, or the dated special effects. Much more interesting was the performance by the unsung Elias Koteas as the boorish vigilante Casey Jones.
Casey, despite being human, is no less ridiculous a character than the turtles. He wears a hockey mask and carries a cache of sporting equipment he uses as weapons in a golf bag. He patrols the city alone at night, beating up muggers and purse snatchers with cricket paddles. In real life, Casey would last a full 5 minutes on the streets of New York before having his skull perforated a half dozen times by the magnum slugs of the first mugger he accosted. That I was able to take at least one character in this film seriously is a testament to the performance of Koteas. Here is an actor with brutish charm, good looks, and good if not excellent comedic timing. A quick look at his IMDb resume reveals he is still a working actor a full 20 years after the release of this film. It saddens me that this man never really "made it big." I suspect it has something to do with the fact that he started losing his hair in his late 20s and was no longer beautiful enough to audition for George Clooney's roles.
What else is there to be said for this film? The choreography is adequate; not stunning, but not too far below par. The story is somehow less silly than the black and white comic book it was based on; the smallest of triumphs. The turtles are named after renaissance artists; a nice touch, I thought. All in all I can't by any stretch of the imagination recommend this film to others, but there were things about it I found charming.
Casey, despite being human, is no less ridiculous a character than the turtles. He wears a hockey mask and carries a cache of sporting equipment he uses as weapons in a golf bag. He patrols the city alone at night, beating up muggers and purse snatchers with cricket paddles. In real life, Casey would last a full 5 minutes on the streets of New York before having his skull perforated a half dozen times by the magnum slugs of the first mugger he accosted. That I was able to take at least one character in this film seriously is a testament to the performance of Koteas. Here is an actor with brutish charm, good looks, and good if not excellent comedic timing. A quick look at his IMDb resume reveals he is still a working actor a full 20 years after the release of this film. It saddens me that this man never really "made it big." I suspect it has something to do with the fact that he started losing his hair in his late 20s and was no longer beautiful enough to audition for George Clooney's roles.
What else is there to be said for this film? The choreography is adequate; not stunning, but not too far below par. The story is somehow less silly than the black and white comic book it was based on; the smallest of triumphs. The turtles are named after renaissance artists; a nice touch, I thought. All in all I can't by any stretch of the imagination recommend this film to others, but there were things about it I found charming.
As a 90's person, this is one of the most underrated and overlooked films
gavin-thelordofthefu-48-46029730 March 2020
After the success of the 1987 cartoon series Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Golden Harvest and Steve Barron (who would later direct The Adventures of Pinocchio in 1996) team up to direct a live action adaptation in 1990. Four turtles and a rat are transformed into a humanized state by a mutagenetic gel in a sewer. The rat becomes their mentor, and teaches them all he knows regarding Jujitsu. The turtles use their newfound skills to combat the crime in New York City. But when their mentor is captured by an enemy from the past known as the Shredder, they have to learn to be true to what they've learned, and stay together as a brotherhood in order to defeat him. Despite it's mixed reception, it became one of the highest grossing movies of that year during the beginning of the decade.
I've heard about the whole of concept of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I've seen some of the episodes of the 80s cartoon along with some other interpretations including the 2003 version and the CGI animated feature film from 2007.
Back at the decade where I grew up, there have been underrated and overlooked films and other types of media, and this is one of them. Yes, Donatello may not sound like the intellectual who invents machines (although Corey Feldman does a great job with his voiceover), but everything else is done really well. The story does a fine job. Not only does it pay homage to the 1980s cartoon, but it handles the darker tone of the comics the franchise is based on perfectly while adding some hilarious comedy. The turtles themselves and Master Splinter are really likable and maintain the iconic personalities everyone knows and loves and the actors did a really good job. Also, the animatronics from the Jim Henson company (who brought us The Muppet Show, The Dark Crystal, and Labyrinth) are superb and unique. Not to mention the creators did a great job in making them exactly like the turtles and the rat thanks to some neat expressions.
The other actors did a good job too especially Judith Hoag who played April O'Neil. James Saito, who would later star in Life of Pi, does a great job as the villainous Shredder and Elias Koteas who played Casey Jones. Oh, and to those who don't know, Sam Rockwell, who played the Head Thug would later star in Iron Man 2 as Justin Hammer. Everything else, including the solid editing, the superb directing, and a really neat music score, is also great.
Overall, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is a perfect example of a live action adaptation done right. It respects the source material and doesn't pander to it's audience (*cough* Chipmunks and Smurfs *cough*). Now that it's been thirty years since it's release, I'm giving this a thumbs up. Do yourselves a favor and check this movie out.
I've heard about the whole of concept of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I've seen some of the episodes of the 80s cartoon along with some other interpretations including the 2003 version and the CGI animated feature film from 2007.
Back at the decade where I grew up, there have been underrated and overlooked films and other types of media, and this is one of them. Yes, Donatello may not sound like the intellectual who invents machines (although Corey Feldman does a great job with his voiceover), but everything else is done really well. The story does a fine job. Not only does it pay homage to the 1980s cartoon, but it handles the darker tone of the comics the franchise is based on perfectly while adding some hilarious comedy. The turtles themselves and Master Splinter are really likable and maintain the iconic personalities everyone knows and loves and the actors did a really good job. Also, the animatronics from the Jim Henson company (who brought us The Muppet Show, The Dark Crystal, and Labyrinth) are superb and unique. Not to mention the creators did a great job in making them exactly like the turtles and the rat thanks to some neat expressions.
The other actors did a good job too especially Judith Hoag who played April O'Neil. James Saito, who would later star in Life of Pi, does a great job as the villainous Shredder and Elias Koteas who played Casey Jones. Oh, and to those who don't know, Sam Rockwell, who played the Head Thug would later star in Iron Man 2 as Justin Hammer. Everything else, including the solid editing, the superb directing, and a really neat music score, is also great.
Overall, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is a perfect example of a live action adaptation done right. It respects the source material and doesn't pander to it's audience (*cough* Chipmunks and Smurfs *cough*). Now that it's been thirty years since it's release, I'm giving this a thumbs up. Do yourselves a favor and check this movie out.
The Definition of "cool"..
M_Salama11 July 2013
The Good-Old-Days of entertainment.. Movies were simple, with a moral message, and made to entertain the audience, not to depress them!! Some people say that the tone was too violent for children.. I completely disagree with that. The film was actually very loyal to the original black&white comics. If you only watched the TV series then you're missing a lot my friend!
----- Have you noticed the similarities between TMNT & Star Wars?!! 1-The relationship between Jones and April is very similar to the one between Solo and Leia. 2-The wise old creature: Splinter - Yoda 3-Shredder said: I'm Your Father!! 4-The turtles used something like "the force" to mentally communicate with their master! etc. -----
----- Have you noticed the similarities between TMNT & Star Wars?!! 1-The relationship between Jones and April is very similar to the one between Solo and Leia. 2-The wise old creature: Splinter - Yoda 3-Shredder said: I'm Your Father!! 4-The turtles used something like "the force" to mentally communicate with their master! etc. -----
better than claimed at the time, zero storyline
maxastree21 April 2016
This movie was a charming animatronics "masterpiece" done with the help of Jim Henson's puppet design magic in 1990. Unfortunately, Henson died from pneumonia-related organ failure around this time. Also critics made the film out to be 'utter, utter garbage' because the Turtles were climbing to the third most popular toy franchise on earth, so the idea of a movie would likely be received as more of the mindless cash-in that had followed the Turtles forgettable transition to Saturday morning cartoon, and the toy shops.
The movie does have its own aesthetic though. Sort of. It imitates Tim Burton's "Batman" grunge noir and has its own funky, retro style lifted from downtown second hand stores, chipped and crumbling apartment buildings and the original black and white comic book panels.
Several key scenes of comic action are well set up and the films impact and tone are excellent here. The MAIN PROBLEM with the TMNT film is that, essentially, it has no plot whatsoever.
Raphael (the "red mask" version) gets hit on the head during a battle sequence and literally spends the ENTIRE SECOND ACT asleep in a bathtub somewhere on a farm location (cheap and easy to shoot, but not really motivating in any way plotwise). The other turtles just sort of "do turtle stuff" and there's also two scenes dealing with April O'Neil's possible attraction to ruffian vigilante Casey Jones.
So . . .after nothing happens during 'act II' (you know, the bit where the plot's supposed to kick in), the Turtles basically head back to Noo Yoik City to have more zany action comedy scenes, followed by a generic action pic ending.
IF ONLY they'd thought of a cool plot device or some real character development to give this picture some plausible reason for existing, it'd be a semi-classic kids film.
For some reason, like Burton's Batman picture of 1989, key scenes of staging and cinematography are striking for what is essentially a genre picture, but the film sucks. Followed by a sequel where parents had protested against the action comedy sequences in the original, then toilet quality Michael Bay monster pics years later. There's an all-CGI version out there too, missed by most.
The movie does have its own aesthetic though. Sort of. It imitates Tim Burton's "Batman" grunge noir and has its own funky, retro style lifted from downtown second hand stores, chipped and crumbling apartment buildings and the original black and white comic book panels.
Several key scenes of comic action are well set up and the films impact and tone are excellent here. The MAIN PROBLEM with the TMNT film is that, essentially, it has no plot whatsoever.
Raphael (the "red mask" version) gets hit on the head during a battle sequence and literally spends the ENTIRE SECOND ACT asleep in a bathtub somewhere on a farm location (cheap and easy to shoot, but not really motivating in any way plotwise). The other turtles just sort of "do turtle stuff" and there's also two scenes dealing with April O'Neil's possible attraction to ruffian vigilante Casey Jones.
So . . .after nothing happens during 'act II' (you know, the bit where the plot's supposed to kick in), the Turtles basically head back to Noo Yoik City to have more zany action comedy scenes, followed by a generic action pic ending.
IF ONLY they'd thought of a cool plot device or some real character development to give this picture some plausible reason for existing, it'd be a semi-classic kids film.
For some reason, like Burton's Batman picture of 1989, key scenes of staging and cinematography are striking for what is essentially a genre picture, but the film sucks. Followed by a sequel where parents had protested against the action comedy sequences in the original, then toilet quality Michael Bay monster pics years later. There's an all-CGI version out there too, missed by most.
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