The Sewer-Dwelling Icons Who Took Over the 90s

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MOVIE REVIEW
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Trilogy | Limited Edition 4K UHD
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Year Released: 1990 / 1991 / 1993
Runtime: 1h 33m / 1h 28m / 1h 36m
Director(s): Steve Barron / Michael Pressman / Stuart Gillard
Writer(s): Todd W. Langen, Bobby Herbeck / Todd W. Langen, Michael Pressman / Stuart Gillard
Cast: Elias Koteas, Judith Hoag, Josh Pais, David Warner / Paige Turco, David Warner, Ernie Reyes Jr., Mark Caso / Elias Koteas, Stuart Wilson, Vivian Wu, Sab Shimono
Where to Watch: available December 16, 2025, pre-order your copy here: www.arrowvideo.com, www.mvdshop.com, or www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: The TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES TRILOGY represents a moment in film history when practical effects reigned, comic-book adaptations embraced the fun, and a group of unlikely heroes became household names. Revisiting all three films together, especially through the incredible restoration and the extras-filled 4K set, offers a clearer view of how these movies became a cultural milestone. They aren’t just childhood favorites; they’re artifacts of a filmmaking philosophy built on craftsmanship, storytelling, and a sense of personality that modern CG-heavy blockbusters rarely replicate.

The first film, TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES (1990), remains the anchor of the trilogy. Steve Barron’s direction leans heavily on the grittier tone of the original Mirage comics rather than the comedy-heavy cartoon that many mainstream viewers expected. That choice turned out to be a defining strength. The film is set in a New York that feels lived-in, where shadows and alleyways matter, and where the turtles are underdogs navigating danger with humor rather than lounging around in comfort. Jim Henson’s Creature Shop provided suits and animatronics that still hold up decades later, largely because the performances inside them were grounded in genuine physical presence. Although the series most definitely still had fun with itself!

The supporting cast helps keep the story anchored. Judith Hoag’s April O’Neil brings a sense of determination without ever leaning into a cliche, while Elias Koteas’s Casey Jones delivers charm and a more grounded humor. Watching these interactions today emphasizes how much of the film’s energy comes from its actors embracing the world as real rather than absurd. The Foot Clan storyline, centered around Shredder’s attempt to lure youth into criminal life, feels surprisingly modern even now. The film’s ability to blend darker themes with solid character work remains one of its greatest achievements.

The second film, TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES II: THE SECRET OF THE OOZE (1991), shifts direction, embracing a goofier, more lighthearted tone. This move reflected parental concerns at the time, which led filmmakers to pull back on realistic weapon use and lean further into zany comedy. For some fans, this shift creates whiplash, but the film makes up for it with sheer enthusiasm. The addition of Tokka and Rahzar brings a monster-movie flavor that fits the series’ chaos, while David Warner’s presence as Professor Perry adds a serious grounding force. Paige Turco takes over as April O’Neil, delivering a warmer, more family-friendly interpretation of the character.

THE SECRET OF THE OOZE becomes a celebration of comedy and creative effects work. Its fight scenes are exaggerated but still charming, performed by actors who throw themselves into the physicality with full commitment. The decision to expand the mythology by exploring the ooze's origins gives the trilogy a sense of continuity, even if the film prefers fun over introspection. While some moments feel overly tailored for children, the movie maintains momentum by focusing on camaraderie and adventure, creating a tone distinct from the first film but not disconnected from it. And ultimately, the finale, with the addition of Vanilla Ice’s iconic Ninja Rap, overtook the world.

The third installment, TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES III (1993), often has the reputation of being the trilogy’s weakest entry, but revisiting it—and in pristine 4K—reveals qualities that deserve more credit. Stuart Gillard’s story sends the turtles to feudal Japan through a time-travel device tied to an ancient legend. The change of scenery gives the film a fresh identity, moving away from New York's nightlife to landscapes, villages, and samurai confrontations. The suits were redesigned for greater flexibility, resulting in a different but more expressive look. The film introduces Vivian Wu as Mitsu, adding some gravity to a story centered on rebellion, loyalty, and identity.

As a trilogy, these films succeed because they approach their material with sincerity. Each entry brings a different tone—grit, goofiness, and adventure—but all three share an emotional consistency rooted in brotherhood, loyalty, and the desire to do the right thing, even when operating in the shadows. The turtles are heroes defined by collaboration rather than ego, and the films reflect that dynamic through stories focused on teamwork and found family.

The Arrow restoration elevates this trilogy beyond nostalgia. Seeing every detail of the suits, the texture of the sets, and the practical effects in this much clarity enhances appreciation for the craftsmanship behind them. The wealth of bonus materials provides added historical depth, giving fans insight into the production challenges, suit mechanics, casting choices, and on-set ingenuity that shaped each film. Interviews with actors, producers, Henson puppeteers, and technicians offer perspectives that enrich the viewing experience, not by embellishing the movie but by reinforcing the devotion required to bring them to life.

What stands out most when watching these films back-to-back-to-back is how unified they feel despite their shifts. The trilogy tells a story not only of crime-fighting and pizza jokes but of characters who grow across their adventures. They confront danger, discover truths about their origins, and ultimately learn what it means to define themselves in a world that rarely sees them with the same level of respect they deserve. That consistency gives the trilogy lasting power.

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES TRILOGY offers a must-own staple of physical media collections because it embodies the era that created it. It’s chaotic, heartfelt, ambitious in ways few expected, and driven by performances that treat rubber suits as serious acting. It’s a trilogy shaped by creativity, limitations, and passion—qualities that contribute to its enduring place in pop-culture history.

Bonus Materials:
3-DISC 4K ULTRA HD LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS
Brand new 4K restorations of all three films by Arrow Films
4K (2160p) Ultra HD Blu-ray presentations in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible) of all three films
Perfect bound collector’s booklet in the style of a Roy’s Pizza menu, featuring new writing on the films by Simon Ward, John Torrani, and John Walsh
Reversible sleeves featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Florey
Double-sided foldout poster featuring original artwork from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and the “Map of the Kappa Realm”, a stylised re-creation of the ancient scroll that appears in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III
Two additional double-sided foldout posters featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Florey
Eight-character trading cards
Roy’s Pizza loyalty card
Four character stickers

DISC 1 – TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES
4K restoration of the film from the original camera negative by Arrow Films, approved by director Steve Barron
Two lossless stereo mixes (original theatrical mix and alternate “warrior” mix) plus newly remixed Dolby Atmos audio
Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
Brand new commentary with director Steve Barron
Brand new commentary with comic book expert and podcast host Dave Baxter
Rising When We Fall, a newly filmed interview with director Steve Barron
Turtle Talk, a newly filmed interview with actors Robbie Rist, Brian Tochi, Ernie Reyes Jr, and Kenn Scott
O’Neil on the Beat, a newly filmed interview with actor Judith Hoag
Wet Behind the Shells, a newly filmed interview with producer Simon Fields
Beneath the Shell, a newly filmed interview with puppet coordinator and second unit director Brian Henson, and Rob Tygner, puppeteer for both Splinter and Leonardo
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turf, a newly filmed featurette exploring the film’s locations in New York City and North Carolina
Alternate UK version with unique footage prepared for censorship reasons, presented in 4K via seamless branching
Alternate ending from the VHS workprint
Alternate Korean footage
Theatrical trailers
Image gallery

DISC 2 – TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES II: THE SECRET OF THE OOZE
4K restoration of the film from the 35mm interpositive by Arrow Films
Original lossless stereo audio and optional DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround audio
Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
Brand new commentary with director Michael Pressman, moderated by filmmaker Gillian Wallace Horvat
John Du Prez to the Rescue, a newly filmed interview with composer of the trilogy, John Du Prez
Hard Cores, a newly filmed interview with Kenny Wilson, mould shop supervisor at Jim Henson’s Creature Shop
The Secret of the Edit, a newly filmed interview with editor Steve Mirkovich
Behind the Shells, an archive featurette from 1991
Theatrical trailer
Image gallery

DISC 3 – TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES III
4K restoration of the film from the 35mm interpositive by Arrow Films
Original lossless stereo audio and optional DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround audio
Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
Brand new commentary with director Stuart Gillard
Daimyos & Demons, a newly filmed interview with actor Sab Shimono
Rebel Rebel, a newly filmed interview with actor Vivian Wu
Alternate UK opening
Theatrical trailer
Image gallery

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[photo courtesy of ARROW VIDEO, MVD ENTERTAINMENT]

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