In the late 80’s to early 90’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles was a powerhouse franchise you could not ignore. Cartoons, toys, cereal, video games, concerts Ninja Turtles were everywhere and consumed by nearly every child on the planet. March 30, 1990 the first film starring the turtles, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles hit the big screen worldwide. I was 4 years old when the film released and still remember going to Reisterstown Road Plaza Movie Theater to see the film. I also vividly remember the excitement I couldn’t contain looking on a big screen watching four turtles, that I had all the toys of walking, talking, fighting, and dropping a curse word here and there and having fun doing it. At that age all I wanted to be was a ninja turtle mainly Mickey, eat some pizza and at times some greens so I could turn green, and kick some foot clan butt just like they did.
Once the films box office run ended, it grossed over $135 million stateside and $201 million worldwide, making it the most successful independent film at that time which shows how popular the turtles were. Through the years I've watched the movie faithfully on cable, VHS, DVD, and later Netflix still quoting the movie and reliving the memories of wanting to be a ninja. As an adult every chance I get I watch the movie, and watching it now I know exactly why I enjoy it so much.
The ninja turtles’ franchise has produced 6 films, the original trilogy in the 90’s, an animated film in 2007, and two films in the mid-2010s. Out of the original trilogy during the time when the turtles were at the height of their popularity, the first film still reigns as king. The second film (which I love just as much) is much more juvenile and light hearted, borrowing its tone from the popular cartoon. The third movie went even further into light hearted territory with its plot and even more juvenile jokes. It has its flaws but its also not a horrible film, but that’s another story for another day.
The first film borrows most of its tone from the original comic book with its dark and grim atmosphere. The lighting, the set pieces, everything that surrounds the film is dark. Not sure if that was to be intune with the turtles operating from the shadows or not. Even the trailer for the film has a dark vibe to it, which years later all comic book films wanted to use in its tone. That’s why I think the first film is still the best turtles film ever because it appeals to many different audiences. Kids love the turtles with their color coded headbands and wisecracking jokes, but the dark brooding vibe and sense of real danger and consequences appeals to older teenagers and adults as well.
Some of the redeeming qualities and positive aspects of the film include. The fight scenes are hard-hitting, realistic, and has ramifications . Villian Shredder is portrayed as a real intimidating badass who is a serious threat, he displays his martial arts prowess at the end of the film manhandling the turtles by himself despite being outnumbered. The technology of the Turtles suits with their intricate designs and similiar yet distinct features (which to this day is still a marvel). Despite all that the most important aspect of the movie, is that it is about family. When the turtles father sewer rat Master Splinter is abducted, they have to look amongst each other and realize they are all they have. The Foot Clan criminal organization led by Shredder recruits young teenagers and young adults looking for a place to belong. The Shredder proclaims the organization as “family”, with the Shredder being they’re “father”. Manipulating and molding the young minds into being what he wants them to be while feeding their desire to be accepted.
A young teenager in the film and friend of April O’Neil Danny is a part of the organization, and joins them looking for a family as he doesn’t feel close with his father. I wish that could have been explored a little bit more in the film, but it wasn’t super essential to the film so I get it. At the end of the film, some members of the gang learn what you consider “family” may not always be best for you, and the turtles reunite with Master Splinter they also gain new family members in April and vigilante Casey Jones. In the process they learn family is not always blood related.
Maybe as an adult I’ve read too much into the film and the themes of the story. I truly believe the theme of family is what makes me continue to love the film so much. Even if you just love watching the movie and don’t care for the themes, on the 30th anniversary pop in the DVD, pull up Netflix and sit back and enjoy a film that is a bonafide classic Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
