ironhorse_iv
Imagine, making a movie about four anthropomorphic mutant ninjas turtles fighting an army of foot soldiers leaded by an evil heavy armed samurai. It would, nearly impossible to film that, in the early 1990s, but somehow, director Steve Barron was able to. I'm shell-shocked, how well-made, this movie was. While, this movie isn't based off the popular late 1980s /early 1990s children cartoon TV series by Fred Wolf; it still has that T.U.R.T.L.E power! You really do see, some elements from the cartoon, being used here. I like how, all the turtles have different color scheme and personalities. I also love the turtle's sense of humor and their love of pizza. However, I like more, the fact, that this movie was mostly an adaptation of Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird's original comic. It gave, the movie, so much more mature complexity within its simple, child-like story-telling. I like the darker, gritty, and more violent tone. Don't get me wrong, the movie is still funny and lighthearted like the cartoon series, but there are some really strong themes, here, that far outlives its sequels. The movie feels like it's about fatherhood and family. You really get the sense of that, when the turtles: Leonardo (Voiced by Brian Tochi), Donatello (Voiced by Corey Feldman), Michelangelo (Voiced by Robbie Rist), & Raphael (Voiced by Josh Pais), must save their mutant rat, father figure Master Splinter (Voiced by Kevin Clash) from the evil Shredder (Voiced by David McCharen), because they truly do love each other. You really feel the heart-break, the turtles are feeling, in Master Splinter's absence. The movie get really emotional, toward the middle at the barn, and it's by far, the best tear-jerking moment in the film. You really do sense that they truly do love each other. You also get to see the abusive/dysfunctional side of fatherhood, in this movie, as well. Mostly in the scenes between Shredder and his foot-soldiers. While, it's clear to us, that Shredder use misguided teenagers, to commit crimes for his own personal gain. To those, who choose to follow him; they see him, as a father-figure, who gave a sense of self-worth, and personal freedom. This is why, Danny Pennington (Michael Turney) chose to follow him, over his real-life father, Charles (Jay Patterson). While, personally, I didn't like the Penningtons at all, because how annoying, they were. I understand, why both of them was needed for this story. After all, there has to be a connection, between the turtles and side-character, April O'Neal (Judith Hoag).For the most part, I like, how the story is told. However, not everything in the comics, made a good idea, toward the film. First off, I didn't like, that Master Splinter was a pet, rather than being Hamato Yoshi. Seeing Splinter do karate moves in a small cage in the flashbacks is hilarious, unrealistic and somewhat dated. Another problem in the film is how the film, lack's exposition for the toxic waste that mutated them. I was really, hoping for the ooze to play, more into the script. The last is the anti-climax showdown, between Master Splinter and Shredder. What a big let-down! I know, robotics was in its early stages, but couldn't they do, something to make it, seem like, they're fighting. However, the costumes provided for the eponymous heroes, as well as puppetry for Splinter and the turtles as young mutants, were provided by Jim Henson's Creature Shop was somewhat impressive. The advanced animatronics used here, were top-notch. Still, there were some creepy goofs. The most notorious one, is when Donnie laughs and you can see the actor's face in the turtle's mouth. I do like, that the actors in the turtles costumes: (David Forman - Leonardo/ Josh Pais – Raphael/ Leif Tilden-Donatello/ & Michelan Sisti-Michelangelo) also appear unmasked, as different characters, throughout the film. The film's worth checking out for that, alone. Another one, worth checking out is a young Sam Rockwell as a thug. Listen to what he says, it's a really cool, reference. So, look out for him! One actor, that I didn't like, in the film, was Judith Hoag. She was way, too whiny. I really didn't like, her version of April O'Neal. Glad, she got replace in the sequels. However, the actor that play former hockey player turn street vigilante Casey Jones, Elias Koteas, was well-fit for this role. I'm really happy, he return, for one of the sequels. One thing, that didn't return, much in the sequels, is the abundant martial arts weapons violence. In the sequels, the turtles used less and less, of their deadly weapons, and more kicks and punches. I guess, martial arts weapons caused so much controversy at the time that, in Britain this "family film" was actually censored from children. I'm glad, people, today, really saw, how silly, it was, to try to ban this movie, and allow it to play, within, much changes. After all, this kid-friendly martial arts flick is pretty tame, compare to today's ninja movies. Anyways, the movie pacing is pretty good, lots of action pack moments, mixed well with the dramatic side. Another thing, I love, about this film is the music. Composer John Du Prez did a great job for the theme. It was totally tubular! Partners in Kryme's song, 'T.U.R.T.LE Power' was also my jam! It was so radical! So, much better than the Ninja Rap from the second movie: 1991's Secret of the Ooze. This movie is a lot better, than 1993's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III, as well. In the 2000s, the series search new audiences with another animation film in 2007, however, it fail to gain, a new following. This attempt is then follow by two reboot animation TV shows in 2003 and 2012. In 2014, a live-action reboot was made. It also fell to meet, fans demands. Overall: This 1990 movie is one of the most successful independent film ever made. It's gnarly! Hellacious & most of all! Cowbunga! It's my favorite TMNT movie, so far.
