The prospect of making a grounded "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" film sounds decidedly counterintuitive to the very concept of the franchise. Yet, that's exactly what director Steve Barron did with the Turtles' first-ever live-action film, and with flying colors no less. It's honestly kind of a miracle how real so much of Barron's 1990 "Tmnt" movie feels. Yes, there are human-sized anthropomorphic turtles skateboarding and snacking on pizza in its sewers, yet the film's depiction of New York City is believably scuzzy and lived-in.
Then there are the four heroes in a half-shell themselves, who are brought to life by incredibly textured and emotive animatronic suits designed by the magicians at Jim Henson's Creature Shop. Most importantly for a film with the word "Ninja" in the title, they're able to convincingly perform martial arts in action scenes that are far more exhilarating and visceral than the relatively weightless tussles...
Then there are the four heroes in a half-shell themselves, who are brought to life by incredibly textured and emotive animatronic suits designed by the magicians at Jim Henson's Creature Shop. Most importantly for a film with the word "Ninja" in the title, they're able to convincingly perform martial arts in action scenes that are far more exhilarating and visceral than the relatively weightless tussles...
- 8/13/2023
- by Sandy Schaefer
- Slash Film
If you're a fan of the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles," then you are familiar with The Suits. You know the ones. They made their first appearance in the 1990 film directed by Steve Barron. Created by Jim Henson and his Creature Shop, these giant anthropomorphic turtle costumes have become synonymous with the Tmnt brand. They are uniquely bulky and completely cover the actor's body, including their head. On screen, they appear as if they would be rubbery to the touch, and if you think about what it must be like to actually wear one of the costumes yourself, you might start to get claustrophobic, sweaty, or both. They are the thing that makes the '90s film trilogy so memorable because they predate CGI and are all about good old fashioned costuming and puppeteering. Depending on who you ask, people either love or hate their unique look.
But no one has...
But no one has...
- 11/24/2022
- by Miyako Pleines
- Slash Film
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles may have been nicknamed "Heroes in a Half Shell," but the actors who played them in their first live-action movie in 1990 certainly weren't half-committed. Each Turtle, based on the sewer-dwelling comic book characters by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, was brought to life via puppetry and costumes from Jim Henson's Creature Shop. Making them come to life for a generation of kids weaned on their animated series and Playmates toys required the combined efforts of in-suit performers, facial assistants, voice actors, stunt doubles, and even a skateboarding double for Donatello, voiced by Corey Feldman.
In a 25th-anniversary retrospective via The Hollywood Reporter in 2015, the in-suit performers — who spent the most time embodying each character — looked back on the demanding experience they faced while becoming Ninja Turtles. Michelan Sisti, the actor who played Michelangelo and cameoed as his human pizza delivery driver, recalled going in...
In a 25th-anniversary retrospective via The Hollywood Reporter in 2015, the in-suit performers — who spent the most time embodying each character — looked back on the demanding experience they faced while becoming Ninja Turtles. Michelan Sisti, the actor who played Michelangelo and cameoed as his human pizza delivery driver, recalled going in...
- 10/16/2022
- by Joshua Meyer
- Slash Film
While I don't hate any of the "Tmnt" movies (not even the confused patchwork that is the Michael Bay-produced 2014 big screen reboot), director Steve Barron's "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" is the only one I would venture so far as to call a genuinely good film. Unlike the other "Tmnt" movies to date, Barron's 1990 flick serves up plenty of silly Turtle-related hijinks while also being serious and even moving when it needs to be, creating a vision of New York City that feels lived-in and real. That's no minor achievement, either, given this version of NYC is swarming with masked ninjas, mutated reptiles, and a giant talking rat voiced by original Elmo puppeteer Kevin Clash.
Equally good is the voice work for the Turtles themselves in the film. Brian Tochi, who evolved into a prolific voice actor starting in the '90s, lends his vocals to Leonardo, the...
Equally good is the voice work for the Turtles themselves in the film. Brian Tochi, who evolved into a prolific voice actor starting in the '90s, lends his vocals to Leonardo, the...
- 10/11/2022
- by Sandy Schaefer
- Slash Film
The turtles are back again. The Mirage Group will bring the pizza loving group of "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" to the big screen again in a live-action film which goes back to the origins of the crime fighters. Apparently, the film has been targeted for a release some time in 2011, marking the fifth bigscreen trial for the sewer-dwelling warriors. Legendary Pictures former chief marketing officer Scott Mednick will produce with Galen Walker, the producer of the 2007 cgi pic "Tmnt." Another live-action film was back in 1990 which Steve Barron helmed. Judith Hoag, Elias Koteas, Josh Pais, Michelan Sisti, Leif Tilden and David Forman lead the cast. The characters were first seen in the 1984 comicbook prior to the massively successful toy line in the 90s. ...
- 4/23/2009
- Upcoming-Movies.com
The turtles are back again. The Mirage Group will bring the pizza loving group of "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" to the big screen again in a live-action film which goes back to the origins of the crime fighters. Apparently, the film has been targeted for a release some time in 2011, marking the fifth bigscreen trial for the sewer-dwelling warriors. Legendary Pictures former chief marketing officer Scott Mednick will produce with Galen Walker, the producer of the 2007 cgi pic "Tmnt." Another live-action film was back in 1990 which Steve Barron helmed. Judith Hoag, Elias Koteas, Josh Pais, Michelan Sisti, Leif Tilden and David Forman lead the cast...
- 4/23/2009
- Upcoming-Movies.com
The turtles are back again. The Mirage Group will bring the pizza loving group of "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" to the big screen again in a live-action film which goes back to the origins of the crime fighters. Apparently, the film has been targeted for a release some time in 2011, marking the fifth bigscreen trial for the sewer-dwelling warriors. Legendary Pictures former chief marketing officer Scott Mednick will produce with Galen Walker, the producer of the 2007 cgi pic "Tmnt." Another live-action film was back in 1990 which Steve Barron helmed. Judith Hoag, Elias Koteas, Josh Pais, Michelan Sisti, Leif Tilden and David Forman lead the cast...
- 4/23/2009
- Upcoming-Movies.com
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