HEROES IN HALF SHELL!
After being attacked by a gang of ninjas that are plaguing New York City, reporter April O’Neil (Judith Hoag) is rescued by four mutant ninja turtles intent on destroying the gang and its mysterious leader. A popular adaptation of the 1980s comic book that also borrows ingredients from the 1987-1996 animated TV series. Jim Henson’s Creature Shop took the challenge of creating the Turtles and their rat tutor Shredder for live action and it’s some of their most advanced work. Still, the movie is strictly kids stuff with very limited appeal to anyone else.
1990-U.S. 93 min. Color. Directed by Steve Barron. Comic Book: Peter Laird, Kevin Eastman. Cast: Judith Hoag (April O’Neil), Elias Koteas (Casey Jones), Sam Rockwell (Head Thug). Voices of Robbie Rist, Kevin Clash, Brian Tochi, David McCharen, Corey Feldman.
Trivia: Followed by two sequels, starting with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze (1991), an animated reboot in 2007 (TMNT), and a remake of sorts in 2014, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.