X
- 1990
- PG
- New Line Cinema
- 1 h 33 m
- 1990
- PG
- New Line Cinema
- 1 h 33 m
Summary Four teenage mutant ninja turtles emerge from the shadows to protect New York City from a gang of criminal ninjas.
Directed By: Steve Barron
Written By: Kevin Eastman, Peter Laird, Bobby Herbeck, Todd W. Langen
- 1990
- PG
- New Line Cinema
- 1 h 33 m
- 1990
- PG
- New Line Cinema
- 1 h 33 m
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
51
8.2
Where to Watch
Summary Four teenage mutant ninja turtles emerge from the shadows to protect New York City from a gang of criminal ninjas.
Directed By: Steve Barron
Written By: Kevin Eastman, Peter Laird, Bobby Herbeck, Todd W. Langen
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Mixed or average
Based on 21 Critic Reviews
51
43% Positive
9 Reviews
9 Reviews
48% Mixed
10 Reviews
10 Reviews
10% Negative
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
Metascore
Mixed or average
Based on 21 Critic Reviews
51
43% Positive
9 Reviews
9 Reviews
48% Mixed
10 Reviews
10 Reviews
10% Negative
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
It’s not simply cashing in on the popularity of the TMNT cartoon, but is actually a thoughtful, emotional, and challenging movie about the loss and reconstruction of family. It’s got lots of hilarious one-liners and ninja action too, making it one of the most well-rounded comic book movies that’s not afraid to hold reverence to the source material while also having some fun with it.
Barron concentrates on keeping the action moving at a brisk clip, drawing on his music video experience to serve up an entertaining series of odd camera angles, gratuitous camera movements and complicated lighting schemes. The results are lively and funny enough to keep adults enthralled as well as kids.
User Score
Universal acclaim
Based on 60 User Ratings
8.2
85% Positive
51 Ratings
51 Ratings
15% Mixed
9 Ratings
9 Ratings
0% Negative
0 Ratings
0 Ratings
User Score
Universal acclaim
Based on 60 User Ratings
8.2
85% Positive
51 Ratings
51 Ratings
15% Mixed
9 Ratings
9 Ratings
0% Negative
0 Ratings
0 Ratings
They don't make them like this anymore Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles definitely one of the gr8est movies of all time, growing up in the early 90s this was probably the first film I watched, every other turtles movie wishes it could be this good I would rate it higher if it was possible.
Report
This movie was a really great blend of the cheesy humor of the cartoon and the gritty feel of the comics. It was one of my favorite movies as a kid and I still love it now.
Report
The script is peppered with clever lines even the transformation (and expansion) of cartoon violence into the live arena is achieved without resorting to realism. To balance the fighting, Splinter waxes philosophically on loyalty, perseverance and anger.
Jim Henson's Creature Shop has created splendid animatronic characters (including a four-foot talking rat), though extra distinguishing marks between the turtles would be appreciated. Between the dubbed dialogue and the dark visuals, the cumulative effect is curiously dislocating.
The mutations never stop. But that won't upset those 8-year-olds; changing so rapidly themselves, kids love tales of metamorphosis, the more the merrier. For them, caught in the commercial grip of the latest craze, it matters only that their cute little mutants have taken the giant step onto the big screen. That's probably all they need; that's definitely all they're given. [30 Mar 1990]
Kids will probably enjoy all the nonsense, and even attending adults have one consolation: There are worse things to sit through. Just rent Howard the Duck if you don't believe it. [31 Mar 1990, p.1D]
When a kids’ flick has nothing to offer but cute special effects, it’s easy to think the filmmakers are patting themselves on the backs for their technical ingenuity. That’s not comic fantasy — that’s marketing.
11/10 BEST MOVIE I'VE EVER SEEN 11/10 BEST MOVIE I'VE EVER SEEN 11/10 BEST MOVIE I'VE EVER SEEN
Report
Saw this in theaters in 1990 as a 9 year old, what a amazing experience! It managed to blend many elements of the tv and comic book series into its own unique recipe. Seeing it in a dark theater was a major factor, I wish they would replay older movies in theaters once in a while, I bet they would sell tickets.
Report
If you want to get into the TMNT, but you think it's too childish or whatever, I recommend you start here. This is the best Ninja Turtles movie outing, by far! Again, this is a great entry point, and negative critic reviews are angry Karens who think it's "two dark" to be a kid's movie.
Report
Still a good movie for fans but it has a lot of nostalgia added to us older fossils;-). Back then TNMT was really exciting and a good part of our childhoods. There were the comics, toys and the TV series. When we heard of the movie we were hyped even when we did not know that the word existed back then (if it were even used back then). The movie has everything we hoped like good fights, great humor and an entertaining story that does justice to the characters. It is a bit closer to the comics than the TV series. Some scenes where transferred nearly 1 on 1 or closely to it. For the story: Reporter April O’Neil investigates her theory that a rise in crime is connected to a gang named Foot Clan. Now the story begins as during her investigations she will meet our heroes. The Turtles them self look O.K. They did not perfect the suits yet but are good for its time and budget. Master Splinter however is a positive exception. For the human actors we got an excellent April O’Neil with Judith Hoag, an intimidating Shredder with James Saito who I will praise and also an excellent Casey Jones with Elias Koteas. The fight scenes are good and I think they deserve a lot of praise because of the costumes making it a lot harder. I like also the style and humor. They got the right mixture. It is a film for fans and there are no mistakes here. Like always the critics did not like it but that was expected. Overall a great movie you can rewatch ones in a while. Would be rated lower I it came out today but back then it was more than satisfying for us. Maybe influenced by nostalgia.
Report
Production Company
888 Productions,
Golden Harvest Company,
Image Comics,
Limelight Entertainment,
Mirage Productions,
Mirage Studios,
New Line Cinema,
Northshore Investments Ltd.
Release Date Mar 30, 1990
Duration 1 h 33 m
Rating PG
Tagline Heroes in a half shell!
Website
http://ninjaturtle.com/
Awards
Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA
• 2 Nominations
BMI Film & TV Awards
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
Kids' Choice Awards, USA
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
