The
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were quite a phenomenon among adolescents in the
mid-to-late-1980s, starting off with humble beginnings back in comic book form
in 1984, expanding into a wildly popular line of action figures in 1987, which
coincided with the most watched television cartoon series of that same year. A
massive explosion of merchandise ensued, featuring cereal, clothing, video
games, and an endless array of novelty items. Of course, with anything
this hot among the kid demographic, a movie was sure to ensue. That movie
came in 1990, although oddly enough, despite the ravenous appetite the public
had for the Turtles, it took a small studio (New Line) to make the major push
for the adaptation to the big screen, with a very modest budget of $13 million.
It would gross ten times that amount once it hit the theaters in the US,
becoming, at that time, the highest grossing independent film ever.
Although not to be confused with a
genuinely good film, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the movie, is a
respectable (and respectful) effort to give the fans of the characters a
live-action movie to be entertained with. While there are a few notable
changes here and there, for the most part, the film adheres well to the universe
originally created by Eastman and Laird in their original comic book, and as
such, was readily accessible to almost anyone that had seen the television
cartoon series, despite a few minor differences.
The main concept involves some radioactive
material that finds its way into the sewer system underneath the metropolis of
New York. The substance leads to rapid mutations among a giant rat (dubbed
Splinter) and four turtles, whom Splinter names Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael,
and Michelangelo. Splinter teaches the young humanoid turtles the ways of
martial arts, and together, they protect the city from the dreaded band of
villainy known as The Foot. Allying herself with the Turtles is newswoman
April O'Neill (Hoag, Halloweentown), a babe with a heart of gold, and
another masked loose-screw vigilante known as Casey Jones (Koteas,
Crash).
The first thing that needs to be mentioned
is that, despite the wide popularity of the Turtles, they are, by their very
nature, supposed to be spoofs of b-grade entertainment. Influenced by
superhero comic books, bad kung fu cinema, and a dose of the cheesiest of 1980s
pop culture, they managed to be a spoof of junk food culture, all the while
becoming recognized as an entertaining entity unto itself. The Ninja
Turtles were popular because they were cute, hip, and had a knowingly irreverent
attitude that struck a chord with the juvenile audience of the time.
Knowing that it's supposed to be a spoof of schlock is very important if you're
going to enjoy the film, as it is a b-movie through and through, with no
intention of delivering greatness on any particular level.
That said, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
is enjoyable in a modest fashion. The Turtles costumes are
well-crafted, with a freedom of movement that makes them quite believable in the
ways they might kick some ninja ass. They proceed to be likeable and fun
to follow, even if it is sometimes hard to tell the four turtles apart at times,
despite the different weaponry and colored masks, but telling the difference has
never really been that important, and certainly not in this film.
It's harmless fun for young adults, and
definitely captures the kitsch factor of the comic and spirit and energy of the
television cartoon. Goofy humor, lots of action, and a colorful cast all
add up to making this about as reasonably fun a film as anyone had a right to
expect for this popular franchise.
-- Followed by Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The
Secret of the Ooze and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III,
Rebooted with TMNT (2007) and again with
2014's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
