This movie holds up. The Jim Henson turtle outfits look great, the humor is mostly still spot on, and Elias Koteas has always been an underrated performer.
His parents lived next to my grandparents place, super nice guy I used to see him all the time. His parents passed away and the house eventually got sold.
And the atmosphere was dark and almost gothic. The attack on Raph was brutal! I'm not ashamed to admit that as a lad of about ten when I saw it in the theater (several times, lol) I was traumatized! I thought those cowardly Foot Ninja had killed my favorite Turtle!
Look great is a bit of a stretch.....They look good for 1990. There are ALOT of moments where them absolutely being made out of foam really stands out.. Their shells especially the front bend when they bend, there is some shell shaking and shifting when they move too much... You can notice alot of little things when your not 10 or watching it with nostalgia glasses swearing it was the most amazing thing because you saw it when you were 10....I think it also started that god awful trend where everything Turtles had to have atleast 1 moment where one of them ducks their head into their shell which needs to die in a fire and be buried deep under concrete.
The plot of this film is so tight. The way it's just barely implied that Chief Sterns uses April's boss to shut April up and eventually get her fired in order to clear the charges on Danny, the way Danny sells out April and causes all the chaos, and the way it trusts the audience to make those connections without showing us any of it is really well done.
It's a very smart film. There is a good bit of emotion and I am honored to have been able to see this in theaters opening night when my loving mom took me and my sister. I was in 2nd grade.
The "consensus review" on Rotten Tomatoes doesn't seem to have any idea what was actually in the movie, more like it was assuming that it was no different than the worst episode of the cartoon. And the parental guide on Xfinity claims that the Foot Clan "glamourizes" youth gang life. Again, written by a person who invested no time in actually watching the movie. The Foot lair -- with the arcade games, skate ramps, booze, cigarettes, music, junk food -- those were just part of the illusion Shredder was peddling to lure them in.
@@Viking_Luchador Anyone who bothered watching the movie would see how, while the kids had fun when they got to play, they were visibly filled with a ton of dread when that gong sounded, and you could tell they were scared. It wasn't glamorous.
I only knew of the Turtles because of the cartoon and I was obsessed with the show even though any merchandising including toys was nowhere to be found in my country. One day my uncle calls our home and asks to speak to me to tell me he has a movie of those “Ninja Frogs” that I love so much. I was so confused but after I visited his home a few days after I saw that it was a movie about the TMNT. It was given out with a special meal offer from a local Pizza chain. I watched the movie and I was completely captivated by everything I saw. The TMNT will also forever be connected to a childhood trauma that I had when my country was invaded by Iraq in august 1990 and when we escaped to Saudi Arabia it was safe for us but my grandmother was staying in southern England at the time as she had left there for vacation in July. That’s where we ended up going later in October and discovering everything TMNT related you could possibly think of. My mom bought me the toys, candy, clothing, backpack..and I played the 1989 arcade game and even got a couple of VHS tapes. I also learned how to draw them when I was there. Something that I still know how to do. Believe it or not I’m giving you guys the short version. TMNT was the only thing that made that whole situation bearable for me. I was only 10 years old.
@@tyronleung5276 yeah i feel like there can be another all time great movie but whoever’s in charge of writing the script and directing should have the same enthusiasm that the writer for this movie had. A movie with today’s technology and that old love would be fantastic.
1) Michael Bay didn't direct either movie, so stop blaming him. Its just lazy. 2) Out of the Shadows was fun fan service, A massive improvement over its predecessor
As a kid it’s amazing to see the Ninja Turtles. As an adult it’s amazing to see actual humans doing backflips and fight scenes in full body suits with remotely controlled animatronic faces.
I have a lot of respect for the people that did the bodysuit stuff. As Larson said it just sounded like an absolutely miserable experience but the fact they did it, I really deeply have to respect that.
"Now i will finish what i began with your ear". Notice, Saki has "no ears" to hear what Splinter is saying about death and honor...No, unstead he is consumed with hatred and vengeance all he can do is prove Splinter's point before he even finished his sentence. This movie was so expertly written. Its a shame that wasn't the end if The Shredder. TMNT II would have been better served if Saki's brother took up the identity of Shredder to continue the theme of family, honor and vengence of the first film.
@Shawn They probably had Saki survive once they realized that if they didn’t, Casey Jones would have committed stone cold murder by garbage truck in what was supposed to be a kids movie. “Whoops” indeed.
@@charlieogre4537 i guess its a matter of perspective. From my perspective i see it as such; We only ever saw Shredder's helmet get smashed...Also, lets be real Saki died in that fall...Witnessed by everybody, at least 30 people... So my client Mr. Jones, athletic champion and local HERO cannot be convicted of murder...Plus, THERE IS NO BODY! How can we convict a man murder if no murdered body can be found. In summery, ladies and gentlemen of the jury...If the Hocky Glove does not fit...you must equit. 😁
I almost died seeing this movie. I was 4 years old, I was so excited i ran out of my room slipped and fell down a flight of stairs. It did not stop me and it was totally worth it.
I firmly believe that TMNT is one of the best movies ever made. shredders plan? One of the best villian plans of all time. “First we steal stuff. Then we sell it.” No lights in the sky. No killing everyone on the planet. Just plain human greed. The scene where Raphael is angry about losing a sai, Leonard gingerly puts his hand on Raphaels shoulder, Raphael swats it away, and then Leonardo punches him, is some of the best non verbal scriptwriting in any film ever. It tells you volumes about two characters, their personalities and their complicated relationship in literally two seconds.
I always figured his plan was basically to become a crime boss, corrupt the youth of NYC, and rebuild the Foot Clan. Also it was Donatello that did that, sorry to correct you lol, the Leonardo and Raphael conflict and resolution is later on in the film
You’re both right. Shredder was following the basic criminal leader funding plan with the likely ultimate goal of rebuilding the Foot Clan to seize much more power, either overtly or behind the scenes.
On the screenwriting points: when Donny says 'Bosa Nova!' after they're first battle and the others nerd shame him, that instantly establishes the Turtles as brothers. And when Splinter first speaks and the Turtles immediately drop and bow, it let's the audience know the father/sons dynamic efficiently without wasted dialogue
@JazGalaxy he was creating a juvenile mob, or Yakuza, in New York. Even though him asking to go was all just a front so he could stalk and kill Tang Shen and Hamato Yoshi. This fucker was that pissed off that he couldnt have what he deemed "His" , he made sure no one else could have her either.
This movie aged like fine wine, i would consider it one of the best comic book adaptations of all time. Loved it as a kid, still love it as an adult. Thank you so much for this episode Dan, you guys rock ❤❤❤ NOW PLZ PLZ PLZ DO AN EPISODE ON WINSPECTOR ALREADY
I mean the first of the three live action movies was the best not just objectively but factually. Unfortunately it was all downhill from there. The second one was meh, the third one was terrible and next mutation was an absolute radioactive trainwreck that tainted the series so bad it took 5 years off to get the stink of it off the franchise. But the first one's still a winner.
God bless the director and sticking to his guns and making the movie how he saw fit. Definitely one of the best comic to live action movies of all time. And of course big thanks to Jim Henson and his amazing puppet talent.
I agree, he made it so much better without toning down the violence and making it cute and colorful. Disney would have destroyed his film. You see how both sequels took out of the violence and seriousness and didn't do as well at the box office small wonder. There is the "G' rated crowd who only want slapstick 1960's Batman campy superhero films and the "R" rated crowd who want full on Conan the Barbarian heads rolling. A film like TMNT should be played in a serious tone with light humor and I think they got the 1st film right. Like the author said with the 4 Superman movies each one the sequel films got more cheesy with less action equaling fewer returns. Although I still think Superman 2 was awesome. On the other end I do like the motivation of greed without murder. I think shows like Gotham cheapen death by every villain being a murderer instead of just being a thief or regular criminal. You don't need a massive body count to make a great villain. Shredder was well played here.
I remember seeing it in the theater opening night and all the kids (myself included) squealed and lost their minds when Leonardo jumped out from the shadows as the title appeared. The build up to the reveal was so well done. The filmmakers knew what they were doing.
The fight on the Rooftop with Shredder was, and still is, one of the best fights in Turtles period. What they did at the time was amazing and has yet to be outdone.
This movie came out just a few days before my 8th birthday. It was everything 8 year old me could have ever wanted to see on screen. I didn’t care that it was missing bebop, rocksteady, and Krang. I didn’t care that it didn’t have the blimp or turtle communicators. I didn’t even care that the origin was different from what I knew. The turtles just looked that good. And they still do.
Rewatching this as an adult, I think the reason this movie holds up so well is the character drama, and just how SOLID and grounded the story is. It's a story about family, and what being a family means. When folks tell me it was just a silly kid movie, I always say something along the lines of, "If you simply replaced the turtles and Splinter with normal humans, just orphaned teenagers growing up in a dojo, you wouldn't be saying that. " It would feel like the exact same film, with the same drama, action, and comedy. But, I bet they wouldn't think of it the same manner they did before. I'd almost guarantee they would see it as it really is: A terrific story about what it means to be part of a family. That's how good the story beats and plot are.
I've noticed people who saw it once as a kid often remember the first and second one interchangeably. Its a shame, because its the best written family movie of the decade imo. The 2nd one was reduced to the saturday morning cartoon level. Though i still enjoy it, thier is no thematic plot. There is a hint of one fate vs chaos regarding the "secret of the ooze", but then it all just gets thrown away for a ninja rap and Super Shredder. Except for the overly goofy dialogue, the 3rd movie, structurally is a decent film as it is about honor and family once again. Its a shame they didn't make them the ancestors of Oruko Saku and Hamato Yoshi as I think that would bring it all full circle.
The story and performances are great but the special FX literally made every kid think the turtles were real and I remember that magic and how great it was when I saw this in theaters as a boy then got the VHS for Christmas a year later.
It's great. The story actually makes sense and there is a good but of emotion. Great fight scenes and a really cool astetic that made it really look and feel like NYC.
This film introduced me to the world of pirate movies. It took nearly a year for it to be shown in British cinemas, and by that time everyone has seen it through a bootleg VHS their mates dad had got from some nefarious person.
This is sooo accurate. My uncle managed to buy a copy at a flea Markey in Benidorm and brought it back with him the summer of 1990. I watched it around 30 times over the summer holidays that year. Radical, man.
Worldwide that movie must have been bootlegged like crazy. We only ever remember things from our own perspective but looking at things globally it really changes things.
Ironically, the bootleg versions were the only way we could watch the film uncensored in the UK at the time. I had watched the bootleg version in the summer of 1990 and then saw it at the cinema the following year and the amount of edits made was ridiculous, with some scenes darkened so you could not see Mikey's nunchukas (or much else as a consequence!). In fact the only thing that seemed to remain intact was the film's title which retained the word "Ninja" instead of "Hero" that the cartoon was saddled with at the time.
@@uknortherner2000 The whole hero turtles thing is truly fascinating to me as I had no clue here in the US until very recently about any of it. It's like the whole Contra series until recently being called probotector. (I think I spelled that right)
Wow, until you mentioned it, I didn't think I had any significant memories of this film. However...I saw this movie with my friend Sean whim I had known since Kindergarten. We were both finishing 8th grade in 1990 when this came out. Although we had been in different schools since 3rd grade because my family moved to the next city over, we still found time to hang out once in a while. 3 months later however I would move 100 miles away, and never see him again. Hard to believe this is coming up on 32 years ago. If you are out there Sean I hope you are well Bro.
Saw this movie when I was 5 years old with my mom. I distinctly recall T-U-R-T-L-E Power being etched in my brain at that point when the credits rolled and it stayed there for years to come. To say the movie holds a high rank in my childhood memories is an absolute understatement
Saw this when I was 7 in theaters and when the turtles yelled, “cowabunga” as Partners in Kryme started rapping that iconic song, I was so pumped to ninja kick some foot soldiers right when I stepped out of the theater!
I'll never forget how much I freaked out when the first words out of Raphael were, "Aw man... Damn." Being a youngster, I wasn't familiar with the comics, and the darker tone of the movie genuinely baffled me... But I still loved every moment of it. Now, as an adult I really love the balance it achieved between the comics and the cartoon.
After watching this with my kids, I had a greater appreciation for how sincerely touching this story is in and of itself is as an examination of love and family. Yes, I watched it as a kid for Ninja Turtle action. As an adult, it's like enjoying a well-crafted drama for its nuances and effective delivery of its thematic action. Also, I'm going to point to an elephant in the room I discovered as I got older: April and Casey were a mess of sexual frustration that finally got some release when the Turtles went out to meditate at the campfire. You just didn't get to see the culmination of it like that unnecessary beginning to "The Killing Joke", but the aftermath was absolutely there. They acted completely different with each other. See how he acts macho about not sleeping in the sewer and she doesn't flare up at him like before. Him expecting her to judge him after Tatsu beats him up is his way of easing into possible rejection from her because he isn't as tough as he projects, and she dismisses it like she accepts him anyway. Her shut-up-and-kiss-me line reads that wasn't their first time to do more than smooching, unlike other action movies where the hero and leading lady might have had tension build up to a kiss at the end during a climactic battle. April and Casey's morning after on the porch swing totally went over my head as a kid.
One of the greatest films ever made. I've watched this film a zillion times over the decades. I grew up in Brooklyn NY, and my mother took me and my cousins to a movie theater in during Brooklyn to see TMNT, back in 1990 (I was 11 yesrs old). We watched the movie twice that night, and the theater for both showings were packed to the brim with excited families. This film blew our fucking minds. EVERYONE (parents included) was cheering, laughing, and clapping after the films end credits started to roll. This film got a literal standing ovation after both showings. It was unprecedented for what it achieved at the time. This movie singlehandedly elevated the TMNT in pop culture. After it's success, the cartoon, and the merchandise were more popular than they previous were by an exponential degree. It's the main reason why the TMNT have endured for so many decades. I love this film. I also love you too, Dan😅
One of my favorite things about this movie was how much of a threat Shredder actually was. Since he was a ninja master (Higher level than the Turtles, and possibly Splinter cause Splinter wasnt Hamato Yoshi) he was able to show his true skill, Splinter just used his anger against him.
Which, of course, was a recurring thematic element especially with Raphael throughout the entire series actually. This movie was so well written and layered with so many dramatic beats it's hard not to be in awe of its effectiveness and subtlety in telling a solid, great story when viewing it as an adult.
@@wallbiewtf9422 The Turtles ganging up on him would have beaten him after a while. Leo landed a hit, and Shredder said b4 trying to kill him, that 3 of them could possibly win with the loss of one. So he was very smart too.
@@shawdawg3675 Absolutely. Look at the army of kids he manipulated. Even in the second movie, Shredder's anger was the reason for his demise. Like Splinter said, "turned inward, it is an unconquerable enemy." Shredder was so consumed by his thirst for revenge he was ready to sacrifice himself to kill the turtles. All three movies, regardless of the quality, still carry a message of how being angry will consume you if it goes out of control. One redeeming point in the third I appreciated was Raphael mentoring a kid he saw who was angry like he is.
I watched this again recently and this movie absolutely holds up. And it’s not just the costumes, which are fantastic. It’s the theme of family and being a father that makes it work so well.
Well, damn. I've seen this movie do many time I wore through a few tapes (it's still not properly started without the old Pizza Hut ad, which I STILL play on UA-cam before starting the movie every month when I still watch it), and the fatherhood theme slipped by me. Biological, adopted, and abusive. All of it.
The first 2 were both done by the Henson company.....It was only the third movie that used a different studio to make the suits and, from what I remember reading they weren't completely ready when they had to start filming.
That intro was spot on! I was 6/7 years old when I saw this in theatres and it was epic to me. I remember being so hyped up throughout the whole movie and even getting out into the aisle after it ended and attempting my best turtle shell spin on my back. Man, I loved being a turtle!
I re-watched this not too long ago and found myself enjoying it quite a bit. I think I like it more now than I did as a kid because I have a greater understanding of how hard it was to pull off, given the suits and animatronic faces. I really felt for the characters, especially during the farmhouse part, which I always found boring as a kid, but now feel adds a lot of emotional content to the characters. The concept of the Foot Clan corrupting the youth of the streets is also pretty dark; an aspect I never though too much of as a child, but now realize how it mirrors reality with children being drafted into street gangs or even open warfare in places like Africa. It's a great movie with a lot of heart.
1990 TMNT was on Netflix last month and now this. Fond memories of a great movie that still holds up. I couldn't watch the reboots and tv series; There is something special here with keeping it grim with humor. Jim Henson's creativity in making things come to life also helps elevate this movie above a lot of comic book movies.
I was still a toddler when this movie came out in theatres, but BOY OH BOY did I wear out my VHS copy due to how many times I watched that thing a few years later.
This was the movie that taught me movie seats can sell out. Mind you I was like 6. I remember standing in line hearing "sold out" and people leaving. My brother and I walked up and just bought tickets for the next showing 🤣 (his idea) and came back later
Same here. Had never even heard of a movie selling out until that point. Went with my buddies no way were we leaving. Lol. Just waited for another showing
As I was between 5 and 6 years old when the 89' Batman and 90' Turtles movies came out, those two franchises alongside GI-Joe were basically my entire childhood. He-Man was a brief entry vaguely remembered as being there before the other three, but it was mostly Batman, Turtles and Joes for me.
I remember watching this in the theatre and joyfully renting this on laserdisc sometime before it came out on VHS. Then bragging to my classmates that I have it on home video.
I just rewatched this a few weeks ago. It has held up surprisingly well. I recall first learning about the movie via a still of the Leonardo suit. My jaw hit the floor because I thought for a few minutes that the Ninja Turtles were actually REAL
YESSSSS!!!!! I stopped counting how many times i watched this. The music by john du prez, the effects by hanson, the fights, the Bad guy, the everything... this Comic book Adaptation is as good as they come. 🥇🥂🎉
The thing I love most about this movie is how it pulled no punches with its realistic depiction of late 80s /early 90s NYC and the real life "crime wave" that was ripped straight from the headlines at the time. My first ever trip to NYC was in '89 when I was 5, the family went to see the live action Wizard of Oz tour at the MSG Theater, and the first thing I remember was coming out of the Lincoln Tunnel and being greeted by a "squeegee man" coming right up to the windows and harassing us for money. I was not prepared for that lol.
Golden Harvest.... Raymond Chow. The Studio that brought me SO many of my favorite Kung fu action stars and made Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, and a bunch of other guys household names. OMG the STORYTELLER!!!!! That series buried itself in my brain like wood tick. Waited decades to finally get it released on DVD to see it again. Had no idea the same guy worked on the turtles.
This probably wasn't the first movie I had ever seen on a big screen, but it's at least the first I have a distinct memory of. It was the greatest thing ever at the time, and watching it now today as a grown-ass man, I have to say, it's shocking how good it is.
My first time watching this was with my dad in one of the last grind house theaters in Times Square before it became Disney-fied. It was THE MOVIE to watch when it released and one of those few moments where the grown-ups in the theater authentically enjoyed a movie whose demographic, thanks to the cartoon, was predominantly kids.
I saw this movie with my family when it came out. We got the last 4 seats, front row "break-neck" area. and it remains the one of the most memorable films I have seen in theatres. As far as my 9 year old self was concerned, these were 100% real ninja turtles.
8.5 years old when my pops and I went to see this at a midnight screening for this. I collected the playmates movie toys & reenacted the rooftop fight on a homemade diorama. God, I love being a turtle fan. ❤
I remember my dad taking me to see this at the HANES MALL CINEMA. I love the Turtles animatronic suits, Splinter, and Shredder. I always thought Casey Jones was played by the guy from Law & Order: SVU.
I remember seeing this one opening weekend and when we got their, there was a line going around the building! I was in awe before the movie even started, and that never let up! It also blew my seven year old minds that Raph said damn three times! I still love the movie and watch it a couple times a year. 🙂
We need a directors cut of this movie, I wanna see the edit done by the actual filmmakers. I love the Movie Star Turtles, best Playmate TMNT figures IMO.
I saw Turtles ‘90 in theater, loved it then, and still love it! My 11yo and 5yo daughters still enjoy the movie! We also watch the TMNT animated movie which is pretty good, and we have enjoyed some of the Nickelodeon seasons. God I love being a turtle!
I remember when I was a kid in kindergarten, seeing this movie for the first time in theaters, I REALLY thought they were real, and remember every time I went anywhere, I always yelled down the sewers thinking the turtles would respond to me LOL. My mom had to tell me that they were not living in our state, they lived in New York LOL. That following year, my mom sat me down and had me watch this special on TV that was promoting Secret of the Ooze and it was a behind-the-scenes thing I think it was called "Under the Shell or Behind the Shell which had me learned that they were actors in suits (which I didn't care, it was ALL ABOUT THE TURTLES and their NEW MOVIE lol). All I know is that I loved the original three movies. While the first movie is all-time the greatest. The secret of the Ooze will ALWAYS be my favorite TMNT film.
Just watched it again yesterday, so good. Amazing how much better it still is than any of the newer turtle movies. Also TMNT vs Batman animated is my next fave. ✌🏾🍕
TMNT/Batman was WAAAAAAY better then i anticipated. That is my favorite animated Shredder! That fight with Batman was great. I just wish it had Dick Grayson as i am not a fan of Damien. Plus TMNT/Teen Titans seams like a logical next step if they where closer to Grayson's age.
TMNT 1990 was one of the best live action takes ever made, as it took what was popular as a Cartoon and translated it into something that even non-Cartoon watchers could get into.
Love this and secret of the ooze. Jim Henson is a legend for helping make this come to life and this is why he and his stories he helped comes to life, will carry his own life and story on forever..
I was 4 years old my sister was a week maybe days old when we went to see it. I just remember coming out of the theater yelling “God, I love being a turtle” I still believe that this is the best Turtle movie of all time and it’s the best way to do live-action Turtles
The arcade reference was spot on. The big kids always blocked me from getting a chance to play Ninja Turtles. When Street Fighter II came out, I finally had that worn out TMNT cabinet all to myself.
Hey Dan! Haven't even watched the episode yet, but I already know I love it. TMNT the Movie, is my top favourite film of all time, I was chuckled at in Film school for stating as much and yet I still stand behind it. Seriously can't wait to watch this one. 😍
As a 7 year old when this movie came out, the hype was unreal. My mom and I waited in line for 3 hours at the movie theatre inside our local mall. Being the first in line that night made me feel so special, and enjoying the movie was a packed theatre made the experience so much better. Haven't watched the movie in a bit, but it has held up remarkably well.
15:55. Can we just pause and appreciate that box office lineup. There are at least four bona-fide classics in the top 10. Yes, I’m talking about you Nuns on the Run
I loved the turtles! I loved this movie as a kid and upon recently rewatching I feel like it definitely still holds up really well, all things considered. I think that shows how much the original director cared about getting the heart of it right, despite getting fought over it. My memory sucks, but I'm pretty sure I have my ticket stub...SOMEWHERE. I also had one of the original movie-based toys and I loved how weird and rubbery they were and how easy it was to pop off their arms and legs and re-attach them, LOL. it's one of my favourite toys in my collection for that reason.
I have nothing but love for this movie. I was 9 and this was the first movie my late father brought me to watch in the theater. One of the most magical and awesome experience I've ever had. Rest in peace, dad 😌
I had just moved from a small town in Arizona to Tucson, and to celebrate my uncle to me and my cousin to the theater. We were early and the show had just ended. The attendants said we could go in because they just cleaned it. So we sat in the end credits listening to the music and my cousin and I looked at each other like, “This is gonna be awesome I can already tell.” Thank you for saying we all remember where we were when it came out. Because it is forever engrained in my mind. One of the happiest moments of my childhood.
I still enjoy the film till this day, and I'm glad that those involved in the making of the film decided not to change the tone of the film despite the studio, it's lead actress and angry parents. And I think the film fared better for it.(Soto didn't stand a chance), and for this, I've always wanted to say.. Cowabunga!! I've made a funny
That movie was a real classic, I saw it the other day and it has aged well. I think the plot the theme was really well done even the incredible customs.
It's a bona fide classic with a real mean streak. I loved it, Batman '89 was clearly an influence. Btw that white mask over your right shoulder...he he that's from a VERY disturbing "kids" film from '85.
Awesome episode, this is one of my childhood favorites so thanks for posting it. I noticed that you missed one important aspect of this though, the music. The vocal soundtrack was a mix of rap, hip-hop, new jack swing and at least one soft contemporary song, "Every Heart Needs A Home" by Saint Paul which was also the longest track at almost five minutes. Interesting fact: the vocal mix was originally planned to be punk rock in order to match the movie's tone (hence Danny's tee shirt in the movie with Sid Vicious on it) but it was later decided to make it rap and hip-hop because they were popular with junior high and high school kids at the time, which ultimately rendered Danny's shirt completely pointless. Fortunately, the punk rock aesthetic did make it into the awesome, ground breaking and, thankfully, tone matching score by John Du Prez which was finally released on it's own official album by Waxwork Records in 2018 (and I could kiss them all for it).
For real though, I grew up with these movies and without the social media that they have today you never knew about behind the scenes stuff and I like hearing about that. So double thanks from me
The comic adaptations of ‘89 to ‘92 are my favorites. Batman and Batman Returns, Dick Tracy, and TMNT. They still hold up well today, especially Batman ‘89 and TMNT. Are they of the time? Yes., but that’s not a bad thing. I’m not even looking through the nostalgia goggles as I wasn’t born for another 12 years after Batman Returns.
It depends on which version you talk about imo . The theatrical version is ok but due to the troubled production there’s a slightly jarring mix of tones and it’s a bit confused. The Richard donner cut has all of the best parts of the theatrical version but is a more constantly good movie overall. The theatrical version is still good but It was a lot more slapstick and that problem continued into 3 and 4 until it was just ridiculous and weird
It was strange to know that you had Leo voiced by Takashi from Revenge of the Nerds, Mikey voiced by Cousin Oliver from the Brady Bunch and Don voiced by Tommy Jarvis
I was in my early 20’s when this film came out and was the only person standing line without kids. This was in fact the singular moment when I realized I wanted to be a dad one day, in part so I could take my children to see films like this. That all came full circle in 2007 when I finally got to take the kids I wound up having to see the TMNT film.
Still one of my favourite movies ever. The soundtrack is so underrated and awesome, the suits still hold up to this day (so glad there are NO awful 80s/90s special fx to be seen), there's this absolutely perfect mixture of a dark, evil tone and the goofy, kid-friendly humour. This movie is perfectly executed in my eyes. I get overwhelmed with nostalgia with each re-watch.
This movie is an classic. Especially the "Turtle Power" theme song at the end of the movie, and the "Go Ninja" theme song in the second movie. I would re-watch this over Michael Bay's Ninja Turtle any day.
I was in 6th grade when I saw this in theater. Still my favorite comic book movie of all time and the closest we're gonna get to a Mirage movie. And the Soundtrack was FANTASTIC !
The original TMNT is still the best live-action adaptation of the whole franchise and one of the best adaptations of the original comic book storyline that it was based on.
As a ninja turtle fan It was pretty amazing experience this film for the first time, as I wasn’t really aware of the film existence for the longest time .
The original movie was a masterpiece. What I want to know is why the follow-up movies were so bad. Even as a kid I knew that the quality diminished quite a bit compared to the first.
Angry parents wanted it censored and alot less violent. Eastman & Laird didnt wanted it to have anything to do with the cartoon, so no Bebop, Rocksteady or Krang and no Uutroms, as it was considered to weird. If you watch all the extra material on Turtles 2, youll find that the ooze was originally supposed to be from the aliens, but script changes and technical limitations prevented that from happening
Saw this a few months before I turned 8 when it was released in theaters and this was my Star Wars movie for me. I was so blown away by how grounded the turtles were. They not only looked lifelike, but the struggles they went through in the film and how they overcame them while growing as a family, all the while being really funny, struck a real chord in me that I’ll never forget. The best TMNT movie to date- it’ll never be topped.
19:47 THANK YOU for saying "CG" and not "CGI". Let this be a reminder to everyone that in the actual movie business, the correct terminology is "CG", as "CGI" (common gateway interface) has to do with software that runs on a server. "computer-generated imagery" was made up by people who were confused with the advent of CG and the CGI acronym that started popping up all over the internet at the time and still persists to this day.
It’s one of my first memories. I was four and my dad took us. I ran to tell my mom all about it and she asked if Krang was in the movie because she’s awesome.
As a kid I would rewind and re-watch the wide shot of New York while Raph yelled "Damn!". I was of the belief that it was the actual funniest thing ever.
I can't imagine this movie at all were it not for Jim Henson's groundbreaking turtle design. And even today the design hold up for the most part which says a lot considering how far movie effects have come since 1990.
This thing was an event when I was in Jr. High. I got sick and couldn't go with classmates and that hurt bad enough at the time that I still remember it clearly. My parents took me a few days later and it really lived up to the hype. They brought a cartoon to life and gave it just enough edge to make it different. I think it holds up as a movie outside of nostalgia too. Like all things with Henson involved, it has a lot of heart
Still own it on DVD and watch it maybe 3-4 times a year. Still quote it probably weekly. Also have movie Casey Jones and Raph in disguise - from probably my favorite scene in the movie. "You gotta know what a crumpet is...to understand Cricket."
Cool video. Love the photo you used for Robbie Rist, that was taken in Chicago 2009 during a Hollywood Stars Convention. I skipped school the morning TMNT came out, with my mom’s permission to go see the first showing at our theater. I ended up seeing it over 30 times in the theater and it remains my favorite movie ever released. :)
Yes to everything y'all have been saying about why this movie is still so solid, but on top of that: The music!!! And not just the pitch-perfect-for-the-era songs. I don't think there's another instrumental movie score that does so much effective heavy lifting in terms of making the emotional core of each scene ring true. This movie would be a whiplash of disjointed tone without the music easing us from mood to mood and weaving it all into one whole. This movie's got a huge heart and the music does serious work to connect us to those strong themes. Thanks for the great video! Learned a lot. Also very cool to read about other's love of this film. Good stuff!
This movie holds up. The Jim Henson turtle outfits look great, the humor is mostly still spot on, and Elias Koteas has always been an underrated performer.
That guy is amazing. So underrated
His parents lived next to my grandparents place, super nice guy I used to see him all the time. His parents passed away and the house eventually got sold.
And Judith Hoag...in the day!!👌 Magic.
And the atmosphere was dark and almost gothic.
The attack on Raph was brutal! I'm not ashamed to admit that as a lad of about ten when I saw it in the theater (several times, lol) I was traumatized! I thought those cowardly Foot Ninja had killed my favorite Turtle!
Look great is a bit of a stretch.....They look good for 1990. There are ALOT of moments where them absolutely being made out of foam really stands out.. Their shells especially the front bend when they bend, there is some shell shaking and shifting when they move too much...
You can notice alot of little things when your not 10 or watching it with nostalgia glasses swearing it was the most amazing thing because you saw it when you were 10....I think it also started that god awful trend where everything Turtles had to have atleast 1 moment where one of them ducks their head into their shell which needs to die in a fire and be buried deep under concrete.
The plot of this film is so tight. The way it's just barely implied that Chief Sterns uses April's boss to shut April up and eventually get her fired in order to clear the charges on Danny, the way Danny sells out April and causes all the chaos, and the way it trusts the audience to make those connections without showing us any of it is really well done.
It's a very smart film. There is a good bit of emotion and I am honored to have been able to see this in theaters opening night when my loving mom took me and my sister. I was in 2nd grade.
... talking turtles
Hehheh 🤪
I finally figured this out as an adult.
The "consensus review" on Rotten Tomatoes doesn't seem to have any idea what was actually in the movie, more like it was assuming that it was no different than the worst episode of the cartoon.
And the parental guide on Xfinity claims that the Foot Clan "glamourizes" youth gang life. Again, written by a person who invested no time in actually watching the movie. The Foot lair -- with the arcade games, skate ramps, booze, cigarettes, music, junk food -- those were just part of the illusion Shredder was peddling to lure them in.
@@Viking_Luchador Anyone who bothered watching the movie would see how, while the kids had fun when they got to play, they were visibly filled with a ton of dread when that gong sounded, and you could tell they were scared. It wasn't glamorous.
I only knew of the Turtles because of the cartoon and I was obsessed with the show even though any merchandising including toys was nowhere to be found in my country. One day my uncle calls our home and asks to speak to me to tell me he has a movie of those “Ninja Frogs” that I love so much. I was so confused but after I visited his home a few days after I saw that it was a movie about the TMNT. It was given out with a special meal offer from a local Pizza chain. I watched the movie and I was completely captivated by everything I saw. The TMNT will also forever be connected to a childhood trauma that I had when my country was invaded by Iraq in august 1990 and when we escaped to Saudi Arabia it was safe for us but my grandmother was staying in southern England at the time as she had left there for vacation in July. That’s where we ended up going later in October and discovering everything TMNT related you could possibly think of. My mom bought me the toys, candy, clothing, backpack..and I played the 1989 arcade game and even got a couple of VHS tapes. I also learned how to draw them when I was there. Something that I still know how to do. Believe it or not I’m giving you guys the short version.
TMNT was the only thing that made that whole situation bearable for me. I was only 10 years old.
Wow, that was so sad and amazing at the same time...!
Thank you for sharing!
We need the long version!
@@julioagua it feels this way every time I remember that period of my life.
@@Christophthegeek you’re welcome Chris.
This movie is timeless for me. They will never make a better TMNT movie ever IMO.
Thats only if they go full blown mirage comics done in pratical suits
Only the first 2 count. 3 blew and the Michael Bay abominations just pissed me off
@@tyronleung5276 yeah i feel like there can be another all time great movie but whoever’s in charge of writing the script and directing should have the same enthusiasm that the writer for this movie had. A movie with today’s technology and that old love would be fantastic.
@@arios1977 i'm a turtle and i can't get up
1) Michael Bay didn't direct either movie, so stop blaming him. Its just lazy.
2) Out of the Shadows was fun fan service, A massive improvement over its predecessor
As a kid it’s amazing to see the Ninja Turtles. As an adult it’s amazing to see actual humans doing backflips and fight scenes in full body suits with remotely controlled animatronic faces.
I have a lot of respect for the people that did the bodysuit stuff. As Larson said it just sounded like an absolutely miserable experience but the fact they did it, I really deeply have to respect that.
turtles. you must mean ninja turtles doing flips.
@@teamhammerbros8466, that's the only answer that makes sense. ;)
Nailed it. CGI needs to learn a thing or two from movies like this.
Not so amazing seeing CGI hulking monsters whizzing around weightlessly.
“Ah, the rat. So it has a name…. It had a name.”
Dayumn, that line is still chilling, even 30+ years later. That movie was, and still is, incredible!
I'm 38 and I still tear up at the campfire scene. This movie is all time.
"Now i will finish what i began with your ear".
Notice, Saki has "no ears" to hear what Splinter is saying about death and honor...No, unstead he is consumed with hatred and vengeance all he can do is prove Splinter's point before he even finished his sentence.
This movie was so expertly written.
Its a shame that wasn't the end if The Shredder. TMNT II would have been better served if Saki's brother took up the identity of Shredder to continue the theme of family, honor and vengence of the first film.
@@pittfan0707 same with me. It always gets me.
@Shawn They probably had Saki survive once they realized that if they didn’t, Casey Jones would have committed stone cold murder by garbage truck in what was supposed to be a kids movie. “Whoops” indeed.
@@charlieogre4537 i guess its a matter of perspective. From my perspective i see it as such; We only ever saw Shredder's helmet get smashed...Also, lets be real Saki died in that fall...Witnessed by everybody, at least 30 people... So my client Mr. Jones, athletic champion and local HERO cannot be convicted of murder...Plus, THERE IS NO BODY! How can we convict a man murder if no murdered body can be found. In summery, ladies and gentlemen of the jury...If the Hocky Glove does not fit...you must equit. 😁
I almost died seeing this movie. I was 4 years old, I was so excited i ran out of my room slipped and fell down a flight of stairs. It did not stop me and it was totally worth it.
Glad that story had a happy end!
@@powpuckmobile1000 (OP vanishes...)
Slip? Don't you mean ninja slide 😁
I firmly believe that TMNT is one of the best movies ever made. shredders plan? One of the best villian plans of all time.
“First we steal stuff. Then we sell it.”
No lights in the sky. No killing everyone on the planet. Just plain human greed.
The scene where Raphael is angry about losing a sai, Leonard gingerly puts his hand on Raphaels shoulder, Raphael swats it away, and then Leonardo punches him, is some of the best non verbal scriptwriting in any film ever. It tells you volumes about two characters, their personalities and their complicated relationship in literally two seconds.
I always figured his plan was basically to become a crime boss, corrupt the youth of NYC, and rebuild the Foot Clan.
Also it was Donatello that did that, sorry to correct you lol, the Leonardo and Raphael conflict and resolution is later on in the film
You’re both right. Shredder was following the basic criminal leader funding plan with the likely ultimate goal of rebuilding the Foot Clan to seize much more power, either overtly or behind the scenes.
@@ab5olut3zero95 Like Ra's al Ghul's 'League of Shadows' plan. No doubt that's how Eastman and Laird modeled Shredder and the Foot Clan
On the screenwriting points: when Donny says 'Bosa Nova!' after they're first battle and the others nerd shame him, that instantly establishes the Turtles as brothers. And when Splinter first speaks and the Turtles immediately drop and bow, it let's the audience know the father/sons dynamic efficiently without wasted dialogue
@JazGalaxy he was creating a juvenile mob, or Yakuza, in New York. Even though him asking to go was all just a front so he could stalk and kill Tang Shen and Hamato Yoshi. This fucker was that pissed off that he couldnt have what he deemed "His" , he made sure no one else could have her either.
This movie aged like fine wine, i would consider it one of the best comic book adaptations of all time. Loved it as a kid, still love it as an adult. Thank you so much for this episode Dan, you guys rock ❤❤❤
NOW PLZ PLZ PLZ DO AN EPISODE ON WINSPECTOR ALREADY
I agree with you Kim,it is the best comicbook adaptations of all time.It made 300 million dollars at the box office.That's a lot of cheddar!!! LOL.
Even better than the Michael Bay-produced Turtles?
Nah, it's garbage. Take your goggles off.
@@gaylordfocker7990 boi you named yourself after a Ben Stiller comedy, pretty sure your opinions on movies are just fucked
I mean the first of the three live action movies was the best not just objectively but factually. Unfortunately it was all downhill from there. The second one was meh, the third one was terrible and next mutation was an absolute radioactive trainwreck that tainted the series so bad it took 5 years off to get the stink of it off the franchise. But the first one's still a winner.
God bless the director and sticking to his guns and making the movie how he saw fit. Definitely one of the best comic to live action movies of all time. And of course big thanks to Jim Henson and his amazing puppet talent.
I agree, he made it so much better without toning down the violence and making it cute and colorful. Disney would have destroyed his film. You see how both sequels took out of the violence and seriousness and didn't do as well at the box office small wonder. There is the "G' rated crowd who only want slapstick 1960's Batman campy superhero films and the "R" rated crowd who want full on Conan the Barbarian heads rolling. A film like TMNT should be played in a serious tone with light humor and I think they got the 1st film right. Like the author said with the 4 Superman movies each one the sequel films got more cheesy with less action equaling fewer returns. Although I still think Superman 2 was awesome.
On the other end I do like the motivation of greed without murder. I think shows like Gotham cheapen death by every villain being a murderer instead of just being a thief or regular criminal. You don't need a massive body count to make a great villain. Shredder was well played here.
Shredder had two on screen kills. And its safe to assume he killed a lot more on his way to taking control of the Foot
I remember seeing it in the theater opening night and all the kids (myself included) squealed and lost their minds when Leonardo jumped out from the shadows as the title appeared. The build up to the reveal was so well done. The filmmakers knew what they were doing.
The fight on the Rooftop with Shredder was, and still is, one of the best fights in Turtles period. What they did at the time was amazing and has yet to be outdone.
"Maybe someone ought to tell him that... WE'RE the good guys!"
"Who or what is that?" "I don't know but I bet he never has to look for a can opener."
The three of you may have overpowered me with the loss of but one! Now your fate... will be HIS!
I still get goosebumps when Leo lands that one hit on Shredder's arm.
The music during that fight also set the mood. It was funny and child-oriented action until Shredder showed up. Then it became a fight to the death.
This movie came out just a few days before my 8th birthday. It was everything 8 year old me could have ever wanted to see on screen. I didn’t care that it was missing bebop, rocksteady, and Krang. I didn’t care that it didn’t have the blimp or turtle communicators. I didn’t even care that the origin was different from what I knew.
The turtles just looked that good. And they still do.
Rewatching this as an adult, I think the reason this movie holds up so well is the character drama, and just how SOLID and grounded the story is. It's a story about family, and what being a family means.
When folks tell me it was just a silly kid movie, I always say something along the lines of, "If you simply replaced the turtles and Splinter with normal humans, just orphaned teenagers growing up in a dojo, you wouldn't be saying that. "
It would feel like the exact same film, with the same drama, action, and comedy. But, I bet they wouldn't think of it the same manner they did before. I'd almost guarantee they would see it as it really is: A terrific story about what it means to be part of a family. That's how good the story beats and plot are.
I've noticed people who saw it once as a kid often remember the first and second one interchangeably.
Its a shame, because its the best written family movie of the decade imo. The 2nd one was reduced to the saturday morning cartoon level. Though i still enjoy it, thier is no thematic plot. There is a hint of one fate vs chaos regarding the "secret of the ooze", but then it all just gets thrown away for a ninja rap and Super Shredder.
Except for the overly goofy dialogue, the 3rd movie, structurally is a decent film as it is about honor and family once again. Its a shame they didn't make them the ancestors of Oruko Saku and Hamato Yoshi as I think that would bring it all full circle.
I mean except Mikey woulda gotten decapitated without a shell to duck into.
J/k I know what you meant =P
The story and performances are great but the special FX literally made every kid think the turtles were real and I remember that magic and how great it was when I saw this in theaters as a boy then got the VHS for Christmas a year later.
Sounds like Vin Diesel
Legit insight - good call.
The soundtrack to this movie was insanely good
_"T-U-R-T-L-E... _*_Turtle Power!_*_ "_
And was the one thing preventing Milli Vanilli's career from being a complete joke.
Nine point nine fiyiiiive
The score is also insanely good..
Oh yes! I still listen to that album even now.
Watched it again on HBO Max expecting to just enjoy the nostalgia but was re-entertained. It's actually a pretty decent film!
It's great. The story actually makes sense and there is a good but of emotion.
Great fight scenes and a really cool astetic that made it really look and feel like NYC.
My late uncle brought home a movie and didn't tell us what it was. All of us kids figured it out and were like YES!
This film introduced me to the world of pirate movies. It took nearly a year for it to be shown in British cinemas, and by that time everyone has seen it through a bootleg VHS their mates dad had got from some nefarious person.
Hello you!
This is sooo accurate. My uncle managed to buy a copy at a flea Markey in Benidorm and brought it back with him the summer of 1990. I watched it around 30 times over the summer holidays that year. Radical, man.
Worldwide that movie must have been bootlegged like crazy.
We only ever remember things from our own perspective but looking at things globally it really changes things.
Ironically, the bootleg versions were the only way we could watch the film uncensored in the UK at the time. I had watched the bootleg version in the summer of 1990 and then saw it at the cinema the following year and the amount of edits made was ridiculous, with some scenes darkened so you could not see Mikey's nunchukas (or much else as a consequence!). In fact the only thing that seemed to remain intact was the film's title which retained the word "Ninja" instead of "Hero" that the cartoon was saddled with at the time.
@@uknortherner2000
The whole hero turtles thing is truly fascinating to me as I had no clue here in the US until very recently about any of it.
It's like the whole Contra series until recently being called probotector. (I think I spelled that right)
Wow, until you mentioned it, I didn't think I had any significant memories of this film. However...I saw this movie with my friend Sean whim I had known since Kindergarten. We were both finishing 8th grade in 1990 when this came out. Although we had been in different schools since 3rd grade because my family moved to the next city over, we still found time to hang out once in a while. 3 months later however I would move 100 miles away, and never see him again. Hard to believe this is coming up on 32 years ago. If you are out there Sean I hope you are well Bro.
@Sonic Hedgehog Me and my best friend from kindergarten still keep in touch. Never forget your bros
There's a thing called facebook, it's there for a reason. Reconnect.
@@nicktubara Believe it or not, not everyone is there.
@@Author.Noelle.Alexandria Yup. I've never had one and never will.
Saw this movie when I was 5 years old with my mom. I distinctly recall T-U-R-T-L-E Power being etched in my brain at that point when the credits rolled and it stayed there for years to come. To say the movie holds a high rank in my childhood memories is an absolute understatement
Step on the Foot, now they're gonna lose traction
Still is etched in my brain. I still sing it at times.
Saw this when I was 7 in theaters and when the turtles yelled, “cowabunga” as Partners in Kryme started rapping that iconic song, I was so pumped to ninja kick some foot soldiers right when I stepped out of the theater!
I'll never forget how much I freaked out when the first words out of Raphael were, "Aw man... Damn." Being a youngster, I wasn't familiar with the comics, and the darker tone of the movie genuinely baffled me... But I still loved every moment of it. Now, as an adult I really love the balance it achieved between the comics and the cartoon.
After watching this with my kids, I had a greater appreciation for how sincerely touching this story is in and of itself is as an examination of love and family. Yes, I watched it as a kid for Ninja Turtle action. As an adult, it's like enjoying a well-crafted drama for its nuances and effective delivery of its thematic action. Also, I'm going to point to an elephant in the room I discovered as I got older: April and Casey were a mess of sexual frustration that finally got some release when the Turtles went out to meditate at the campfire. You just didn't get to see the culmination of it like that unnecessary beginning to "The Killing Joke", but the aftermath was absolutely there. They acted completely different with each other. See how he acts macho about not sleeping in the sewer and she doesn't flare up at him like before. Him expecting her to judge him after Tatsu beats him up is his way of easing into possible rejection from her because he isn't as tough as he projects, and she dismisses it like she accepts him anyway. Her shut-up-and-kiss-me line reads that wasn't their first time to do more than smooching, unlike other action movies where the hero and leading lady might have had tension build up to a kiss at the end during a climactic battle. April and Casey's morning after on the porch swing totally went over my head as a kid.
Ditto, I thought the exact same thing when I saw it again years later
I picked up on that at the time, and oh by it gave young-me THOUGHTS. They did such a damned good job with all the relationships.
Duuuuuuuuude…I never made that connection but now that you’re pointing it out…it all clicks.
One of the greatest films ever made. I've watched this film a zillion times over the decades. I grew up in Brooklyn NY, and my mother took me and my cousins to a movie theater in during Brooklyn to see TMNT, back in 1990 (I was 11 yesrs old). We watched the movie twice that night, and the theater for both showings were packed to the brim with excited families. This film blew our fucking minds. EVERYONE (parents included) was cheering, laughing, and clapping after the films end credits started to roll. This film got a literal standing ovation after both showings. It was unprecedented for what it achieved at the time. This movie singlehandedly elevated the TMNT in pop culture. After it's success, the cartoon, and the merchandise were more popular than they previous were by an exponential degree. It's the main reason why the TMNT have endured for so many decades. I love this film. I also love you too, Dan😅
One of my favorite things about this movie was how much of a threat Shredder actually was. Since he was a ninja master (Higher level than the Turtles, and possibly Splinter cause Splinter wasnt Hamato Yoshi) he was able to show his true skill, Splinter just used his anger against him.
Which, of course, was a recurring thematic element especially with Raphael throughout the entire series actually. This movie was so well written and layered with so many dramatic beats it's hard not to be in awe of its effectiveness and subtlety in telling a solid, great story when viewing it as an adult.
@@wallbiewtf9422 The Turtles ganging up on him would have beaten him after a while. Leo landed a hit, and Shredder said b4 trying to kill him, that 3 of them could possibly win with the loss of one. So he was very smart too.
@@shawdawg3675 Absolutely. Look at the army of kids he manipulated. Even in the second movie, Shredder's anger was the reason for his demise. Like Splinter said, "turned inward, it is an unconquerable enemy." Shredder was so consumed by his thirst for revenge he was ready to sacrifice himself to kill the turtles. All three movies, regardless of the quality, still carry a message of how being angry will consume you if it goes out of control. One redeeming point in the third I appreciated was Raphael mentoring a kid he saw who was angry like he is.
Still the best tmnt film, and it simply isn't close. Great mix of the grit of the comics and silliness of the cartoon.
"DAAAAAAMN!!"
I watched this again recently and this movie absolutely holds up. And it’s not just the costumes, which are fantastic. It’s the theme of family and being a father that makes it work so well.
Same, just a couple weeks ago. Really hits different as an adult, adoptive father, adopted sons. It was very wholesome. And the costumes ofc
Well, damn. I've seen this movie do many time I wore through a few tapes (it's still not properly started without the old Pizza Hut ad, which I STILL play on UA-cam before starting the movie every month when I still watch it), and the fatherhood theme slipped by me. Biological, adopted, and abusive. All of it.
This movie still looks great 30+ years later. The quality got worse as the movies went on.
The 2nd movie is my guilty pleasure movie. Lol
I have all three on VHS.
The live action TV show is upsetting to even look at.
The first 2 were both done by the Henson company.....It was only the third movie that used a different studio to make the suits and, from what I remember reading they weren't completely ready when they had to start filming.
I remember seeing this gem at the theater and we all laughed at how many times Raphael kept on saying dam.
That intro was spot on! I was 6/7 years old when I saw this in theatres and it was epic to me. I remember being so hyped up throughout the whole movie and even getting out into the aisle after it ended and attempting my best turtle shell spin on my back. Man, I loved being a turtle!
Oh yeah. My favorite TMNT movie. Decades later and still one of the best comic book movies ever.
I re-watched this not too long ago and found myself enjoying it quite a bit. I think I like it more now than I did as a kid because I have a greater understanding of how hard it was to pull off, given the suits and animatronic faces. I really felt for the characters, especially during the farmhouse part, which I always found boring as a kid, but now feel adds a lot of emotional content to the characters. The concept of the Foot Clan corrupting the youth of the streets is also pretty dark; an aspect I never though too much of as a child, but now realize how it mirrors reality with children being drafted into street gangs or even open warfare in places like Africa. It's a great movie with a lot of heart.
As an adult, the farmhouse section is my favourite part of the movie. I get emotional every time.
1990 TMNT was on Netflix last month and now this. Fond memories of a great movie that still holds up. I couldn't watch the reboots and tv series; There is something special here with keeping it grim with humor. Jim Henson's creativity in making things come to life also helps elevate this movie above a lot of comic book movies.
I was still a toddler when this movie came out in theatres, but BOY OH BOY did I wear out my VHS copy due to how many times I watched that thing a few years later.
This was the movie that taught me movie seats can sell out. Mind you I was like 6. I remember standing in line hearing "sold out" and people leaving.
My brother and I walked up and just bought tickets for the next showing 🤣 (his idea) and came back later
Same here. Had never even heard of a movie selling out until that point. Went with my buddies no way were we leaving. Lol. Just waited for another showing
As I was between 5 and 6 years old when the 89' Batman and 90' Turtles movies came out, those two franchises alongside GI-Joe were basically my entire childhood. He-Man was a brief entry vaguely remembered as being there before the other three, but it was mostly Batman, Turtles and Joes for me.
Mine was Batman Spider-Man and the Turtles being number one
@@sendmail7426Batman and Spider-Man are the best superheroes ever I will not be convinced otherwise
I remember watching this in the theatre and joyfully renting this on laserdisc sometime before it came out on VHS. Then bragging to my classmates that I have it on home video.
I just rewatched this a few weeks ago. It has held up surprisingly well. I recall first learning about the movie via a still of the Leonardo suit. My jaw hit the floor because I thought for a few minutes that the Ninja Turtles were actually REAL
YESSSSS!!!!! I stopped counting how many times i watched this. The music by john du prez, the effects by hanson, the fights, the Bad guy, the everything... this Comic book Adaptation is as good as they come. 🥇🥂🎉
The thing I love most about this movie is how it pulled no punches with its realistic depiction of late 80s /early 90s NYC and the real life "crime wave" that was ripped straight from the headlines at the time. My first ever trip to NYC was in '89 when I was 5, the family went to see the live action Wizard of Oz tour at the MSG Theater, and the first thing I remember was coming out of the Lincoln Tunnel and being greeted by a "squeegee man" coming right up to the windows and harassing us for money. I was not prepared for that lol.
Golden Harvest.... Raymond Chow. The Studio that brought me SO many of my favorite Kung fu action stars and made Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, and a bunch of other guys household names. OMG the STORYTELLER!!!!! That series buried itself in my brain like wood tick. Waited decades to finally get it released on DVD to see it again. Had no idea the same guy worked on the turtles.
This probably wasn't the first movie I had ever seen on a big screen, but it's at least the first I have a distinct memory of. It was the greatest thing ever at the time, and watching it now today as a grown-ass man, I have to say, it's shocking how good it is.
My first time watching this was with my dad in one of the last grind house theaters in Times Square before it became Disney-fied. It was THE MOVIE to watch when it released and one of those few moments where the grown-ups in the theater authentically enjoyed a movie whose demographic, thanks to the cartoon, was predominantly kids.
I saw this movie with my family when it came out. We got the last 4 seats, front row "break-neck" area. and it remains the one of the most memorable films I have seen in theatres. As far as my 9 year old self was concerned, these were 100% real ninja turtles.
TMNT: The Movie was insane madness to me at the time and still is 😜
8.5 years old when my pops and I went to see this at a midnight screening for this. I collected the playmates movie toys & reenacted the rooftop fight on a homemade diorama. God, I love being a turtle fan. ❤
Such an underrated movie.
And it indeed still holds up surprisingly well now.
It’s nothing short of a miracle that this film even got made. You gotta give a lot of credit to all those involved
I remember my dad taking me to see this at the HANES MALL CINEMA. I love the Turtles animatronic suits, Splinter, and Shredder. I always thought Casey Jones was played by the guy from Law & Order: SVU.
Yeah look alikes
Winston-Salem Hanes Mall?
@@MattBSmith yes
I remember seeing this one opening weekend and when we got their, there was a line going around the building! I was in awe before the movie even started, and that never let up! It also blew my seven year old minds that Raph said damn three times!
I still love the movie and watch it a couple times a year. 🙂
If there's one childhood craze that has tuck with me all my life, it's my love for the Ninja Turtles. I still buy the figures and collect the comics.
We need a directors cut of this movie, I wanna see the edit done by the actual filmmakers. I love the Movie Star Turtles, best Playmate TMNT figures IMO.
I don't know how you would dig it up, but the novelization follows that version of the script.
I saw Turtles ‘90 in theater, loved it then, and still love it! My 11yo and 5yo daughters still enjoy the movie! We also watch the TMNT animated movie which is pretty good, and we have enjoyed some of the Nickelodeon seasons. God I love being a turtle!
I remember when I was a kid in kindergarten, seeing this movie for the first time in theaters, I REALLY thought they were real, and remember every time I went anywhere, I always yelled down the sewers thinking the turtles would respond to me LOL. My mom had to tell me that they were not living in our state, they lived in New York LOL. That following year, my mom sat me down and had me watch this special on TV that was promoting Secret of the Ooze and it was a behind-the-scenes thing I think it was called "Under the Shell or Behind the Shell which had me learned that they were actors in suits (which I didn't care, it was ALL ABOUT THE TURTLES and their NEW MOVIE lol). All I know is that I loved the original three movies. While the first movie is all-time the greatest. The secret of the Ooze will ALWAYS be my favorite TMNT film.
Just watched it again yesterday, so good. Amazing how much better it still is than any of the newer turtle movies. Also TMNT vs Batman animated is my next fave. ✌🏾🍕
The 4th CGI animated film simply titled "TMNT" was decent. I liked seeing them older and going thier own ways.
TMNT/Batman was WAAAAAAY better then i anticipated. That is my favorite animated Shredder! That fight with Batman was great. I just wish it had Dick Grayson as i am not a fan of Damien.
Plus TMNT/Teen Titans seams like a logical next step if they where closer to Grayson's age.
TMNT vs. Batman is really good , a movie with the 90's characters would be awesome too.
This movie is perfection, and to this day, it still holds up. The excitement I had as a kid when this came out was through the roof.
TMNT 1990 was one of the best live action takes ever made, as it took what was popular as a Cartoon and translated it into something that even non-Cartoon watchers could get into.
Great video as always. Crunchabunga is now going to be a daily part of my vocabulary.
Love this and secret of the ooze. Jim Henson is a legend for helping make this come to life and this is why he and his stories he helped comes to life, will carry his own life and story on forever..
I was 4 years old my sister was a week maybe days old when we went to see it. I just remember coming out of the theater yelling “God, I love being a turtle”
I still believe that this is the best Turtle movie of all time and it’s the best way to do live-action Turtles
"Who's that?"
"Wayne Gretzky...on steroids?!"
The arcade reference was spot on. The big kids always blocked me from getting a chance to play Ninja Turtles. When Street Fighter II came out, I finally had that worn out TMNT cabinet all to myself.
Hey Dan! Haven't even watched the episode yet, but I already know I love it. TMNT the Movie, is my top favourite film of all time, I was chuckled at in Film school for stating as much and yet I still stand behind it. Seriously can't wait to watch this one. 😍
Yup.! Brilliant stuff as always guys. Thanks for all the hard work. 👏
As a 7 year old when this movie came out, the hype was unreal. My mom and I waited in line for 3 hours at the movie theatre inside our local mall. Being the first in line that night made me feel so special, and enjoying the movie was a packed theatre made the experience so much better. Haven't watched the movie in a bit, but it has held up remarkably well.
Thank you for this!! This movie is still one of my favorites of all time.
15:55. Can we just pause and appreciate that box office lineup. There are at least four bona-fide classics in the top 10. Yes, I’m talking about you Nuns on the Run
I loved the turtles! I loved this movie as a kid and upon recently rewatching I feel like it definitely still holds up really well, all things considered. I think that shows how much the original director cared about getting the heart of it right, despite getting fought over it. My memory sucks, but I'm pretty sure I have my ticket stub...SOMEWHERE.
I also had one of the original movie-based toys and I loved how weird and rubbery they were and how easy it was to pop off their arms and legs and re-attach them, LOL. it's one of my favourite toys in my collection for that reason.
I have nothing but love for this movie. I was 9 and this was the first movie my late father brought me to watch in the theater. One of the most magical and awesome experience I've ever had. Rest in peace, dad 😌
You guys kill this with every episode. Thank you for continuing to be "tubular."
I had just moved from a small town in Arizona to Tucson, and to celebrate my uncle to me and my cousin to the theater. We were early and the show had just ended. The attendants said we could go in because they just cleaned it. So we sat in the end credits listening to the music and my cousin and I looked at each other like, “This is gonna be awesome I can already tell.” Thank you for saying we all remember where we were when it came out. Because it is forever engrained in my mind. One of the happiest moments of my childhood.
I still enjoy the film till this day, and I'm glad that those involved in the making of the film decided not to change the tone of the film despite the studio, it's lead actress and angry parents. And I think the film fared better for it.(Soto didn't stand a chance), and for this, I've always wanted to say.. Cowabunga!! I've made a funny
sadly though, they caved from that point onward and we never got another psuedo dark turtles movie.
That movie was a real classic, I saw it the other day and it has aged well. I think the plot the theme was really well done even the incredible customs.
You have done me and my fellow Turtle Heads proud Dan. Thank you for such an awesome and informative review and "history of"!
It's a bona fide classic with a real mean streak. I loved it, Batman '89 was clearly an influence. Btw that white mask over your right shoulder...he he that's from a VERY disturbing "kids" film from '85.
I like tmnt 1990 movie it's still kick ass 200%.😀👍🐢
Awesome episode, this is one of my childhood favorites so thanks for posting it. I noticed that you missed one important aspect of this though, the music. The vocal soundtrack was a mix of rap, hip-hop, new jack swing and at least one soft contemporary song, "Every Heart Needs A Home" by Saint Paul which was also the longest track at almost five minutes. Interesting fact: the vocal mix was originally planned to be punk rock in order to match the movie's tone (hence Danny's tee shirt in the movie with Sid Vicious on it) but it was later decided to make it rap and hip-hop because they were popular with junior high and high school kids at the time, which ultimately rendered Danny's shirt completely pointless. Fortunately, the punk rock aesthetic did make it into the awesome, ground breaking and, thankfully, tone matching score by John Du Prez which was finally released on it's own official album by Waxwork Records in 2018 (and I could kiss them all for it).
My favorite person on the internet, thank you for doing this!
For real though, I grew up with these movies and without the social media that they have today you never knew about behind the scenes stuff and I like hearing about that. So double thanks from me
The comic adaptations of ‘89 to ‘92 are my favorites. Batman and Batman Returns, Dick Tracy, and TMNT. They still hold up well today, especially Batman ‘89 and TMNT. Are they of the time? Yes., but that’s not a bad thing. I’m not even looking through the nostalgia goggles as I wasn’t born for another 12 years after Batman Returns.
I don't think Superman 2 lowered the bar at all.
Yeah, I've read plenty of professional reviews that said it improved upon the original.
It depends on which version you talk about imo . The theatrical version is ok but due to the troubled production there’s a slightly jarring mix of tones and it’s a bit confused. The Richard donner cut has all of the best parts of the theatrical version but is a more constantly good movie overall. The theatrical version is still good but It was a lot more slapstick and that problem continued into 3 and 4 until it was just ridiculous and weird
It was strange to know that you had Leo voiced by Takashi from Revenge of the Nerds, Mikey voiced by Cousin Oliver from the Brady Bunch and Don voiced by Tommy Jarvis
I was in my early 20’s when this film came out and was the only person standing line without kids. This was in fact the singular moment when I realized I wanted to be a dad one day, in part so I could take my children to see films like this. That all came full circle in 2007 when I finally got to take the kids I wound up having to see the TMNT film.
Still one of my favourite movies ever. The soundtrack is so underrated and awesome, the suits still hold up to this day (so glad there are NO awful 80s/90s special fx to be seen), there's this absolutely perfect mixture of a dark, evil tone and the goofy, kid-friendly humour. This movie is perfectly executed in my eyes. I get overwhelmed with nostalgia with each re-watch.
"Ninja kick the damn rabbit!!"
This movie is still one of my favorite movies, which leads me to wonder what the director's cut would look like.
this movie is still damn good, and the soundtrack slaps
This movie is an classic. Especially the "Turtle Power" theme song at the end of the movie,
and the "Go Ninja" theme song in the second movie.
I would re-watch this over Michael Bay's Ninja Turtle any day.
Still kicks ass. Can you imagine if John Woo and Jackie Chan handled the fight or action scenes? Damn, they would have taken it up to 11.
I was in 6th grade when I saw this in theater. Still my favorite comic book movie of all time and the closest we're gonna get to a Mirage movie. And the Soundtrack was FANTASTIC !
The original TMNT is still the best live-action adaptation of the whole franchise and one of the best adaptations of the original comic book storyline that it was based on.
As a ninja turtle fan It was pretty amazing experience this film for the first time, as I wasn’t really aware of the film existence for the longest time .
The original movie was a masterpiece. What I want to know is why the follow-up movies were so bad. Even as a kid I knew that the quality diminished quite a bit compared to the first.
Angry parents wanted it censored and alot less violent. Eastman & Laird didnt wanted it to have anything to do with the cartoon, so no Bebop, Rocksteady or Krang and no Uutroms, as it was considered to weird. If you watch all the extra material on Turtles 2, youll find that the ooze was originally supposed to be from the aliens, but script changes and technical limitations prevented that from happening
I'll never forget seeing this movie in the theater when I was six. It was incredible.
Saw this a few months before I turned 8 when it was released in theaters and this was my Star Wars movie for me. I was so blown away by how grounded the turtles were. They not only looked lifelike, but the struggles they went through in the film and how they overcame them while growing as a family, all the while being really funny, struck a real chord in me that I’ll never forget. The best TMNT movie to date- it’ll never be topped.
19:47 THANK YOU for saying "CG" and not "CGI". Let this be a reminder to everyone that in the actual movie business, the correct terminology is "CG", as "CGI" (common gateway interface) has to do with software that runs on a server. "computer-generated imagery" was made up by people who were confused with the advent of CG and the CGI acronym that started popping up all over the internet at the time and still persists to this day.
It’s one of my first memories. I was four and my dad took us. I ran to tell my mom all about it and she asked if Krang was in the movie because she’s awesome.
As a kid I would rewind and re-watch the wide shot of New York while Raph yelled "Damn!". I was of the belief that it was the actual funniest thing ever.
I can't imagine this movie at all were it not for Jim Henson's groundbreaking turtle design. And even today the design hold up for the most part which says a lot considering how far movie effects have come since 1990.
I remember seeing this in my small hometown. It's the only time I can recall waiting in a line that was outside of the theater.
This thing was an event when I was in Jr. High. I got sick and couldn't go with classmates and that hurt bad enough at the time that I still remember it clearly. My parents took me a few days later and it really lived up to the hype. They brought a cartoon to life and gave it just enough edge to make it different. I think it holds up as a movie outside of nostalgia too. Like all things with Henson involved, it has a lot of heart
Still own it on DVD and watch it maybe 3-4 times a year. Still quote it probably weekly. Also have movie Casey Jones and Raph in disguise - from probably my favorite scene in the movie. "You gotta know what a crumpet is...to understand Cricket."
Oh, and I have the Danny action figure, because why not?
Cool video. Love the photo you used for Robbie Rist, that was taken in Chicago 2009 during a Hollywood Stars Convention. I skipped school the morning TMNT came out, with my mom’s permission to go see the first showing at our theater. I ended up seeing it over 30 times in the theater and it remains my favorite movie ever released. :)
Yes to everything y'all have been saying about why this movie is still so solid, but on top of that: The music!!! And not just the pitch-perfect-for-the-era songs. I don't think there's another instrumental movie score that does so much effective heavy lifting in terms of making the emotional core of each scene ring true. This movie would be a whiplash of disjointed tone without the music easing us from mood to mood and weaving it all into one whole. This movie's got a huge heart and the music does serious work to connect us to those strong themes.
Thanks for the great video! Learned a lot. Also very cool to read about other's love of this film. Good stuff!