Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990) Review

 

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)

Set in New York at the turn of the 90s, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles follows four genetically enhanced turtles Raphael, Donatello, Leonardo, and Michelangelo as they fight the foot clan and the evil Shredder, who has kidnapped their master Splinter.

The 90s were such an interesting time for movies, especially in New York. The dirt, grime, and grunge of the city has such a certain look, it’s hard to overlook it. But somehow, it’s a spectacular backdrop for the sewer dwelling ninja turtles. Based off the comic book and TV show characters, this live action adaptation is still probably the best that’s been put out, period. It’s hilarious, action packed, and has a ton of heart to it, something you wouldn’t expect given that it’s such a campy and ridiculous movie about mutant turtles than know ninjitsu, with an old, wise rat for a master. But they use the campiness in their favor, combining real world elements and strong characters, to make such a compelling and fun story. Including the themes of the forgotten and dissociated youth of the 80s and 90s as center points, it creates foils for our pizza-loving, goofball protagonists.

All before CGI too, the turtle’s practical costumes, made by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, look great and provide the definitive look for the TMNT for years to come. A look that ironically looks better than anything that has come since, even with the invent of computer generated characters.

And speaking of characters, we also get a perfect cast in the transition from comic to the big screen, featuring Judith Hoag, Elias Koteas, Corey Feldman, Josh Pais, and Robbie Rist, with the voice actors particularly for the turtles just being amazing, fitting each personality so well (especially Mikey).

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, a whole 30 years later, while it’s super corny, holds up and is still as fun, goofy, and heartfelt as I remember it being, with the final battle with Shredder still being so, so cool, as the turtles finally come together as one to bring him and the foot clan down. A true classic, being endlessly quotable and never missing a beat in its hilarity. Kowubunga Dudes!

7.1/10