Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

I remember in Grade 1 when this film came out. All my friends were talking about it but my parents didn't want me to see it, even as we walked past a theater that was showing it. Over 20 years later, the same theater showed the movie as part of a weekly Saturday family movie series and I made sure that I didn't miss it. I finally got to see "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" on the big screen and in the theater that I wanted to originally. It was very popular with kids back in 1990 and for me, it has stood the test of time. My parents did not agree with the level of violence that was displayed in this kids movie and that will be addressed later. Now that I am older, I see why this film works so well. It has camp, humor and fun but also serious story conflicts and relationships that are relatable for all audience, especially young veiwers. Another focus of the movie was the characters. Kids were very familiar with the Ninja Turtles thanks to the 1987 Saturday morning cartoon and so that had to be the intended audience. There is a sense of realism to this movie when you compare it to the cartoon, which reinvented the franchise for the second time in less than 10 years. To me, this film represents a bridge between the 1980’s and the 90’s.

Everytime I see the opening shot of the NYC skyline and hear that opening music, I am transported back to my childhood. The story is entertaining but also touching and contains a good theme. I like April’s narration both at the start and halfway point of the movie because it establishes things well or explains emotions for the audience. For those unfamiliar with the Ninja Turtles, their personalities are well established by half way through the film. Leonardo is the leader, Raphael has a temper problem, Donatello is smart and Michelangelo is immature. Each character is relatable and their individual personalities make the team work. Raphael for example keeps the team focused on their goal because of his impatience. Also, because he has the most flaws, he is popular to many "turtle fans" and provides the drama needed for a live action story. Raph’s scene alone with Splinter shows that his relationship with his father figure is strong despite his attitude. This is important emotionally later in the film. Splinter’s kidnapping is quite dramatic because of how it is portrayed when the Turtles arrive home. The Turtles have pondered about their lives without Splinter but it is then that they realize that they have taken Splinter for granted. The argument between Raph and Leo adds more drama to the story in that they don’t get a chance to resolve their differences for quite some time afterwards. It is another lesson in not taking things for granted. The showdown between Mike and the other “chucker” is a great campy way to start off the first major fight in the film. Danny's story is a great message to kids as well. After April’s place is destroyed and after the Tatsu’s temper tantrum, Danny begins to question and feel remorse for his choices. He first realizes that his choices may be wrong and that he is in the wrong place. Danny is always running from either his father, from the police, from the Turtles or even from the Foot. When he runs back to Splinter, he compromises the Turtles. This is a great message for kids in once again not taking things for granted. Danny takes his life for granted and at the end, he learns to forsake his “easy” life. Because of the realistic approach to this film, a new relationship between Shedder and Splinter had to be invented because in the cartoons and subsequent comics for example, the mutagen came from Dimension X into the hands of Shredder. This new history that Splinter and Shedder have in live action works well. The phrase “I love being a turtle!” becomes beloved as the series continues and it is first spoken well by Mikey in this movie. I also like Donny’s line, “Maybe somebody outta tell him that we’re the good guys.” It addresses a common story expectation that the good guys always win. This line is funny but it does create uncertainty. Maybe the Turtles won’t win or escape this time. Splinter’s funny at the end of the film is a great concluding moment. It shows that Splinter has lightened up after his ordeal. Maybe he has also learned not to take things for granted as in later movies, he has more humorous moments. The relationship between Casey and April is fun and so is the name calling game between Casey Jones and Donny as the try to get the truck working.

The style of this movie is well done and the realism that we experience was a fresh take on the franchise. Many might say that the film is not real at all but I would first point out that the film takes place in the very real city of New York as evidenced by the establishing shots. The film is still in the comic book genre but sense of realism used in "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" disguises the camp. This is evidence of how “Superman”, released in ’78, influenced all future comic book movies. This movie and "Batman", released the year before, have a sense of seriousness to their stories and environments. This movie feels more realistic because it is set in an actual city. This is such a contrast to the cartoons and comics that the kids are familiar with. Parents at the time were concerned with this realism because for the first time these characters actually fight and there is violence. I feel that the film establishes well the city and also the Foot in the first few minutes. April’s newscast is played over the montage of events that she is describing and the seriousness of the crime wave is understood. Raph’s eyes peaking out from under the manhole cover and also the lighting of that shot is quite artistic and mysterious. The opening credit sequence is great because of the music that accompanies it. For the first time, the audience feels a sense of fun. The use of music is amazing throughout the film. The “Tequila” moment for example further establishes the mood of the film as lots of fun. Splinter’s establishing shot is noteworthy and I find it funny as Splinter reacts to the disruption to his mediation that we don’t even see coming. That is a very teen-like thing to do. Other music cues create a campy mood and unique style as well. Shredder has the best entrance in the film. His introductory shot is great because for the first time, he is someone to be feared and not just an arch-foe. His costume helps with that persona a lot in that Shredder becomes a Darth Vader type villain more so than every before. His mask hides his scars and therefore his identity. He doesn’t wear the mask to be cool although he does look cool; he has to wear it to hide who he is. The rhythmical editing during Raph’s fight with the Foot is good work. The cutting back and forth between Raph and the rest of our characters has some rhythm to it as events in the antique story mirror those in the fight. There is also match cuts as the group is going up the stairs and in the next shot, Raph is being dragged down the stairs. The animatronics are not to be overlooked. You forget about the puppetry after a few moments, as there is seamless acting between the robotic heads and the actors in the suits. These characters become as real as Kermit or Miss Piggy. Jim Henson’s work on this film should be noted as one of the great things that he did in his final years. It is nice his son Brian Henson, who would take control of the Muppet franchise, is the 2nd unit director and chief puppeteer on this movie. It is also great to have Corey Feldman’s voice and Kevin Clash’s performance in this film as well. The best character in the whole movie though would have to be Casey Jones. Elias Koteas’ performance is so appealing in this movie. Casey’s entrance is cool just like that of other aforementioned characters and his relationship with Raph that begins in this film is continued in future stories. Casey coming to save the day in the antique shop is great in understanding his character. It shows that he has honor and is not a vigilante for selfish reasons. Casey is the vigilante that everyone would want to be and his sports angle is very pleasing. Casey cannot win a fight it seems without sports equipment to fight with and thus he wins against Tatsu once he acquires the golf club. To me, Casey has fully become the vigilante that we are familiar with now that he has hockey, baseball, cricket and golf equipment. My favorite line of his is “Oops”. That is exactly something Casey would say and do after Shredder falls in the garbage truck.

This "realistic" approach to “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” is similar to what Christopher Nolan would later do with the Batman franchise except that this movie is designed to be fun to watch with some camp included. It also has dramatic relationships & conflicts needed for a good story and themes that speak to young people. The franchise looses a lot of realism as the films go on but the second film is still fun and fits right along side the first film.

4.5 Stars