Four mutated turtles, trained as ninja by their rat father who named them after renaissance artists, protect NYC from a variety of threats, including an evil ninja clan and other mutants.
When you leave it at that, TMNT sounds weird. Many didn’t get it, but now generations of kids, many of whom are now grown up with their own kids (like me!), have found plenty to love about it. With a reboot every decade or so, it’s a franchise that isn’t going anywhere.
The first live action TMNT film, released in 1990, is an early and near perfect representation of the heroes in a half shell. It’s one of my absolute favourite films, and one of the very best comic book films.
SERIOUSLY. This film is horrendously underrated. If you’re sitting there thinking that comic book films started with Iron Man, GET YOUR HEAD OUT OF YOUR ASS. Give it a chance. If you can’t see past the turtles themselves you’re just missing out on a film that balances goofiness and action with a strong moral and emotional core extremely well.
It’s success is based on a host of technical and emotional points. Jim and Brian Henson created amazing suits. Producers Golden Harvest filled those suits with the best martial artists and stuntmen. The script mixed the coloured bandannas of the cartoon with heartfelt and serious scenes from the original comics. And Director Steve Barron knew exactly how to make it look as good as possible. Not forgetting Judith Hoag and Elias Koteas bringing the human aspect to it all with their love/hate relationship. Oh, and an amazing soundtrack.
There’s humour and light, but it feels natural to the characters. Then there’s The Shredder, who cuts a swathe of seriousness right through the film. Portrayed as a mysterious Fagin-esque character, his intensity is a stark contrast to the witty heroes. From one of the top villain entrances in any film, through how he beats Splinter, to then dismantling the turtles in combat, he’s a serious threat.
Side note – Making $202 million against a $13.5 million budget, TMNT was the highest-grossing independent film of all time through the nineties, until The Blair Witch Project.
From the sewers of NYC to the fields and farmhouse of Northampton, there’s a lived in and realistic feel to everything which grounds the fantastical creatures just enough. A slow, circling shot makes a deep conversation between Splinter and Raphael feel even more intimate, whilst a distant shot of Donatello humming to himself at the farm sets the scene nicely. Barron wasn’t taking an easy cheque and really made the efforts of the production team shine. They understood that TMNT is about family, and how everyone can relate to parents and teenagers. Change, growth, challenge, love and loss; we’ve all felt it.
I do have gripes. Editing is the biggest issue, with both Michelangelo and Shredder losing out. An early scene depicting Shredder’s physical prowess does nothing to undermine what we see later. But it’s a thread of Mikey being the most hurt over Splinter and nearly losing himself in rage and grief that is the most egregious error of the editing process.
Also, the main song references Raphael as the leader. This is bad.
I do get frustrated at what could have been, but the sheer quality of TMNT snaps me out of it. With a series of mid and wide shots the action is celebrated and shown off, with no cutting around or hiding things. From Raph kicking three Foot Soldiers in the face, to the flips and the weapon usage. It’s incredible.
I can’t do this film justice with my words. I just want to shake my hands at you all and shout “it’s awesome!!!”. Please try it with an open mind. Yeah, turtles and ninjas is silly. But heart and skill and love makes Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles special.
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