During the late 1980s and early 1990s, independent films were often disregarded by moviegoers, but with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, that sure wasn't the case. Many fans did not realize that the first live action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle movie was actually an independent film. That may come as a shock to some, but in reality what major film studio would want to distribute an unusual movie about four mutant turtles? The film's overall budget was 13 and a half million dollars and its worldwide gross was a whopping 200 million dollars. This was a very high grossing film for its time considering the absence of CGI films (which tend to gross over 200 million domestically). What was even more bizarre about this film was that it was highest grossing independent film of all time in 1990. The Ninja Turtles generated positive reviews, but prominent critics such as Siskel and Ebert downright bashed the Turtles despite of its monstrous success calling it "marketing to the ultimate degree" and "depressing". Even though they did make some good points, it was clear that both of them have never heard of the comics because the film was closely based on it.
[...] Not knowing they are being watched, we quickly get a glimpse of a ninja weapon being thrown at a street light. The Ninja Turtles finally make their live action debut by pulverizing April's attackers in pure darkness. This form of rescue really pulls the audience in because of the turtle's faces are not revealed until a minute and half later so we are left only to see the cops come seconds later to find the thugs all tied up leaving April a bit disoriented. [...]
[...] Final Battle The final battle proves to be the climax and nostalgic moment for all young fans that grew up watching the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in both in cartoon and live action form. It takes place on a rooftop of a high-rise building where the Ninja Turtles finish off the remaining members of the Foot Clan. In an unexpected turn, the Shredder drops from the sky to face the turtles for the first time ever. The turtles had not heard of the Shredder up to this point during the film so they basically had no idea he was the man responsible for the kidnapping of their sensei. [...]
[...] Casey is basically the human counterpart of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles who hates criminals with a fiery passion. His personality is very similar to that of Raphael's, but Raphael has composure during an altercation with a criminal since he's basically a ninja who has to follow orders from his sensei. With Casey about to put a beating on the thugs, Raphael barges in to stop him. Casey warns Raphael to stay out of it, but Raphael responds by saying like that, they don't”. [...]
[...] Splinter taught the turtles the art of ninjutsu throughout their lives and turned them into the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Unlike, the animated series, Splinter is actually a rat that turned into a humanoid rat from the infamous mutagen. He learned ninjutsu from his human master Hamato Yoshi. Splinter's story does indeed become a deep story in the film and answers the mysteries of Shredder's origin. April O'Neil: As a Manhattan news reporter from channel April would go to great lengths to get the story of the century. [...]
[...] TMNT 2011 This year marks the 25th Anniversary of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and what better way to celebrate it than by announcing their long awaited fifth film at the 40th annual Comic Convention (Comic-Con) in San Diego. According to Kevin Eastman, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles will appear in their long awaited fifth movie in the spring of 2011. Eastman wants this film to be much darker and possibly more violent than the original from 1990. Producing and directing a film darker than the original might actually receive a PG-13 rating, which coincidentally is what the fans have been hoping for after 19 years. [...]
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