Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)

Self-important, over-dramatic, uninspired.

Excellent, a Must See

It's a mild crowd pleaser for people who are exhausted by blockbusters.

One of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.

As someone who has not grown up with the Ninja Turtles and was only familiar with the videos playing with this franchise, I can not say much about it. As a comic fan who, after years of browsing, found the original Graphic Nobel and was surprised how different they are from the Nickelodeon TV series, I can not say much As someone who just loves to watch movies and is really too bad for any genre and always gets fascinated by old movies a lot more I have a lot to say.This movie is just unbelievable, I am amazed what people did at the time with little money do you remember the time when people used their hands for special effects and just practical stuff like dolls paint and objects? That was still time but how is the movie?Now the way the movie is pretty much empty at such a title I have a lot more fights much more teen talk or fun fooling around but no the movie looks pretty serious but also a good way, it has relatively few fights for a movie whose main characters are almost only training but also a good way, and seen much more how real kids and teens would behave if they were in this situation but in a good way.So for that, but not everything is right give me lots of things I do not understand maybe because I'm not such a big fan and not all out if I know or references TV series but fortunately all the things I do not understand are not really interested and not disturbed. Did I want more fights? Yes. After all, this is a feature film. But I think so as the film is put together in its entirety for a well-harmonizing recipe and should not be too much changed. the costumes as well as the animatronics are wonderful.The spot when April asked him "are you claustrophobic?" Was so funny that I had to interrupt the movie to make myself laugh, because honestly we would not make a joke these days.PS .: When comparing the German and the English soundtrack, it is noticeable that the German version plays cartoon-like noises such as bells or whistles in beats and kicks that are missing in the English version. Also on other occasions in the German version additional noises were recorded, for example a Kavalerietrompete, as Master Tatsu gives the Footclan Ninjas the order to attack. (Yes, I found the whole cartoon sound effects distracting and weird.)In the German version, two scenes have changed a lot: During the April raid, Michelangelo and a member of the Footclan compare their abilities with the nunchaku, which can not be seen in the German version. Furthermore, the scene in which the shredder falls from the roof is changing a lot. In the original version, Splinter first holds the shredder with his nunchuck, but drops it as he throws it at him with a dagger.

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 reminded me just how bad the joyless remake really was. 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

Imagine, making a movie about four anthropomorphic mutant ninjas turtles fighting an army of foot soldiers leaded by an evil heavy armed samurai. It would, nearly impossible to film that, in the early 1990s, but somehow, director Steve Barron was able to. I'm shell-shocked, how well-made, this movie was. While, this movie isn't based off the popular late 1980s /early 1990s children cartoon TV series by Fred Wolf; it still has that T.U.R.T.L.E power! You really do see, some elements from the cartoon, being used here. I like how, all the turtles have different color scheme and personalities. I also love the turtle's sense of humor and their love of pizza. However, I like more, the fact, that this movie was mostly an adaptation of Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird's original comic. It gave, the movie, so much more mature complexity within its simple, child-like story-telling. I like the darker, gritty, and more violent tone. Don't get me wrong, the movie is still funny and lighthearted like the cartoon series, but there are some really strong themes, here, that far outlives its sequels. The movie feels like it's about fatherhood and family. You really get the sense of that, when the turtles: Leonardo (Voiced by Brian Tochi), Donatello (Voiced by Corey Feldman), Michelangelo (Voiced by Robbie Rist), & Raphael (Voiced by Josh Pais), must save their mutant rat, father figure Master Splinter (Voiced by Kevin Clash) from the evil Shredder (Voiced by David McCharen), because they truly do love each other. You really feel the heart-break, the turtles are feeling, in Master Splinter's absence. The movie get really emotional, toward the middle at the barn, and it's by far, the best tear-jerking moment in the film. You really do sense that they truly do love each other. You also get to see the abusive/dysfunctional side of fatherhood, in this movie, as well. Mostly in the scenes between Shredder and his foot-soldiers. While, it's clear to us, that Shredder use misguided teenagers, to commit crimes for his own personal gain. To those, who choose to follow him; they see him, as a father-figure, who gave a sense of self-worth, and personal freedom. This is why, Danny Pennington (Michael Turney) chose to follow him, over his real-life father, Charles (Jay Patterson). While, personally, I didn't like the Penningtons at all, because how annoying, they were. I understand, why both of them was needed for this story. After all, there has to be a connection, between the turtles and side-character, April O'Neal (Judith Hoag).For the most part, I like, how the story is told. However, not everything in the comics, made a good idea, toward the film. First off, I didn't like, that Master Splinter was a pet, rather than being Hamato Yoshi. Seeing Splinter do karate moves in a small cage in the flashbacks is hilarious, unrealistic and somewhat dated. Another problem in the film is how the film, lack's exposition for the toxic waste that mutated them. I was really, hoping for the ooze to play, more into the script. The last is the anti-climax showdown, between Master Splinter and Shredder. What a big let-down! I know, robotics was in its early stages, but couldn't they do, something to make it, seem like, they're fighting. However, the costumes provided for the eponymous heroes, as well as puppetry for Splinter and the turtles as young mutants, were provided by Jim Henson's Creature Shop was somewhat impressive. The advanced animatronics used here, were top-notch. Still, there were some creepy goofs. The most notorious one, is when Donnie laughs and you can see the actor's face in the turtle's mouth. I do like, that the actors in the turtles costumes: (David Forman - Leonardo/ Josh Pais – Raphael/ Leif Tilden-Donatello/ & Michelan Sisti-Michelangelo) also appear unmasked, as different characters, throughout the film. The film's worth checking out for that, alone. Another one, worth checking out is a young Sam Rockwell as a thug. Listen to what he says, it's a really cool, reference. So, look out for him! One actor, that I didn't like, in the film, was Judith Hoag. She was way, too whiny. I really didn't like, her version of April O'Neal. Glad, she got replace in the sequels. However, the actor that play former hockey player turn street vigilante Casey Jones, Elias Koteas, was well-fit for this role. I'm really happy, he return, for one of the sequels. One thing, that didn't return, much in the sequels, is the abundant martial arts weapons violence. In the sequels, the turtles used less and less, of their deadly weapons, and more kicks and punches. I guess, martial arts weapons caused so much controversy at the time that, in Britain this "family film" was actually censored from children. I'm glad, people, today, really saw, how silly, it was, to try to ban this movie, and allow it to play, within, much changes. After all, this kid-friendly martial arts flick is pretty tame, compare to today's ninja movies. Anyways, the movie pacing is pretty good, lots of action pack moments, mixed well with the dramatic side. Another thing, I love, about this film is the music. Composer John Du Prez did a great job for the theme. It was totally tubular! Partners in Kryme's song, 'T.U.R.T.LE Power' was also my jam! It was so radical! So, much better than the Ninja Rap from the second movie: 1991's Secret of the Ooze. This movie is a lot better, than 1993's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III, as well. In the 2000s, the series search new audiences with another animation film in 2007, however, it fail to gain, a new following. This attempt is then follow by two reboot animation TV shows in 2003 and 2012. In 2014, a live-action reboot was made. It also fell to meet, fans demands. Overall: This 1990 movie is one of the most successful independent film ever made. It's gnarly! Hellacious & most of all! Cowbunga! It's my favorite TMNT movie, so far.

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