Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - The Movie!, September 8, 2002
I have always been a fan of the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" cartoons at a very young age. I have a lot of the episodes on tape and love to still watch them. I had heard that there were three non-animation movies out on the series but was never really compelled to see them. But the other day while at the video rental store, I decided to rent all three out. And what a surprise I got when I saw the first film for I actually enjoyed and loved watching it!15 years have passed since a rat named Splinter (Kevin Clash) found four baby turtles in a puddle of ooze in the sewers. Because of the contact with the ooze, Splinter and the four turtles became mutants. Naming them after Renaissance artists, Leonardo (David Forman), Raphael (Josh Pais), Michaelangelo (Michelan Sisti), and Donatello (Leif Tilden), Splinter teaches them the ancient secret art of fighting. When the mysterious evil Shredder James Saito organizes the Foot Clan formed of young teenagers, causing the city to be in uproar because of vandalism. With the help of reporter April O'Neil (Judith Hoag) and former athlete Casey Jones (Elias Koteas), it's up to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to save the day! The movie has an interesting story-line if not extremely cheesy and corny but hey, that's how the original cartoons were! In fact, I would have found the movie unlikable if it hadn't contained some of the cartoon aspects of the original series. Also a lot of interesting facts are revealed like how Splinter's past is related to Shredder and the beginnings of the turtles. Comparing the movie to the series, I was a bit surprised to find that movie usually centers on the character of Raphael. His character is a bit different from the series, a bit more hot-tempered, impatient, and more of a loner. Leonardo is still the leader, Donatello doesn't get much chance to work with gadgets and computers, and Michaelangelo... well... he's still his usual likable self! April O'Neal is also working for Channel 3 news instead of Channel 6 News. The adding of Elias Koteas as Casey Jones was an interesting thread to insert for he was a fun and likable guy. The martial arts and fighting were well choreographed and was enjoyable to watch. I especially liked the fight at April's place, the end fight with the Foot, and the last fight with Shredder. The movie is also sprinkled from beginning to end with funny parts, quotable lines, and humor. Jim Henson should also get credit for doing an incredible job with the turtles and Splinter. To sum of the movie, whether you are or aren't a turtles fan, I highly recommend this movie! Lots of fun and great entertainment, it's terrific for the family. The movie is rated PG because of some language, the fighting, and since it has some dark moments. I also recommend the next two "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" movies. The second one, "The Secret of the Ooze" is my personal favorite of the three.
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
STILL a great movie..., July 13, 2001
Back in about 1988, a phenomenon erupted. Nobody knew exactly what was so cool about this phenomenon, but every kid in the country had to have the figures, video games, board games, Halloween costumes, etc. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have unfortunately grown old, briefly resurrected by an unwelcome live-action Fox Kids television program a few years ago. But, oh, during the turtle hype... what a glorious time for kids it was. And when their first feature length film came out, kids dragged their parents to go see it. The kids (myself included) naturally loved the film. It was the hot topic during lunchtime in the school cafeteria. The Turtles were dominating EVERYTHING...Ten years later, for me at least, the film is still as entertaining as ever. When I first saw it, I couldn't have cared any less about the script or plot. I just wanted to see the four boys in action. Yet watching it now, I'm impressed at how well-made it actually is (the lighting, in particular). Is it technically five-star material? I think so. Some would disagree, but you simply can't down a franchise that you grew up with. And you can't expect a 40 year old movie critic to rave about the movie when he has no idea where it's derived from. What shocks me the most is how people talk about how bad the script is. I'm now 19 years old, and some parts of this movie had me cracking up. ("The only thing safe in the woods... would be the trees!") And it's not just the humor, either. The dramatic elements in the movie are much more tense and involving than they have any right to be. The bottom line is that this film is VASTLY underrated. And people shouldn't down it just because it was loved by millions of kids across the globe. If you ask me, children have the upper hand when it comes to watching a movie. They want nothing more than to be entertained, and are less demanding than adults are. Give the movie a shot and don't be such a prude. If you're expecting a "kiddie" movie sprinkled in abundance with watered-down action and stupid dialogue, then you're in for a big suprise. This is one of the moodiest PG movies I've ever seen. "I have always liked... 'Cowabunga.'"
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Better than it is given credit for being, October 24, 2001
Ahh, the memories, The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles hitting the big screen back in 1990. I was so excited to go see it. I thought it was a great movie at the time, and still enjoy watching from time to time. TMNT stars Judith Hoag as April O'Neal, Elias Koteas as Casey Jones, and Corey Feldmen as the voice of Donatello.
The story takes place in New York, where a popular television reporter, April O'Neal, reports of recent rise in crime which she believes there is more to it then what the police department is saying. Of course, the people doing the crime want her to shut up. They are The Shredder and his group of ninjas called The Foot. During an attack by The Foot, April O'Neal is rescued by one of the turtles and taken to the turtles home. Soon Splinter, the turtles master, is kidnapped and they meet another ally, Casey Jones, who helps to rescue Splinter.
Most critics will write Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles off as a terrible movie. They always do when it's a movie directed towards the young (with Disney Animated features being the exception). It may be no Citzen Cane, then again, it isn't trying to be. More people like it then is willing to admit it, I guarantee that. GRADE: B+
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