7 Things That Still Don’t Make Sense About the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Movies

by

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) franchise has been a fan favorite since its inception, with generations captivated by their tales. The franchise, spanning comics, animated TV shows, and live-action films, has had an enduring impact. However, opinions about the movies vary, with some receiving positive reviews while others have been met with criticism. Even after all these years, certain aspects of the TMNT films remain puzzling to fans.

In 1990, the initial live-action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie hit theaters, marking the debut of these famous characters on the big screen. This imaginative tale captivated new audiences, and it’s fair to say that ever since, there’s been no looking back. While the critics weren’t overly fond of the film, fans have shown great affection for it. On Rotten Tomatoes, fans have given it a rating of 81%, whereas critics rated it at 43%.

In 1991, the sequel to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, titled “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze,” received less favorable reviews from critics (36%) and audiences (67%). Fast forward to 1993 with the release of “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III” or “Turtles in Time.” This film was the least appreciated of the original live-action trilogy, earning a dismal 19% from critics and 33% from audiences. Since then, there have been numerous films, including an animated Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) movie in 2007, a recent reboot that hit screens in 2023, and more are planned for the future.

Still, all these years later, some parts of these movies have left us scratching our heads.

1) “Masters of Stealth”

Film: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)

Initially, it’s implied that both the Ninja Turtles and their main adversaries, the Foot, are adept at stealth, skulking in the shadows to gather intelligence and achieve their objectives. However, there are instances where they perform actions that seem quite conspicuous amidst the bustling streets of New York City, which can appear contradictory or disconnected. Here are some examples of these less discreet moments:

(This paraphrase maintains the original meaning while using simpler language and a more conversational tone to make it easier for readers to understand.)

Initially, it’s worth noting that the Foot doesn’t hesitate to confront April at a busy subway station. Although they may have checked for safety first, their actions appear quite risky. This incident leads us to another bold move where several Foot soldiers storm into April’s apartment and antique shop. What stands out is their dramatic entrance through windows, including second-story ones, during daylight hours. To put it mildly, such an approach lacks discretion.

Ultimately, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles aren’t exactly subtle, with their pizza deliveries through sewer grates serving as a humorous touch we can overlook. However, they do tend to make quite a racket, especially in public places where they draw attention. Moreover, due to their interactions with the teens they aid, there were numerous witnesses around them. Lastly, it’s worth noting that the four turtles have a habit of making crude comments towards April and Casey Jones, behavior that is hardly discreet given the many onlookers present.

As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but share an interesting tidbit from my favorite movie, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II. In one scene, Master Splinter, our wise sensei, encouraged the boys to hone their skills in a unique way – he urged them to master the art of becoming invisible!

2) How Did the Foot Keep So Many Teenagers From Blabbing?

Film: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)

In simpler terms, the movie suggests that the Foot organization effectively silenced many teenagers by offering them jobs, despite their financial struggles or lack of family support. Interestingly, it appears that the Foot doesn’t discriminate, as even teens with families are targeted if they’re troubled. Danny serves as an example of this.

Here’s one way to rephrase the question: Given the large number of children present at the hangout, it seems reasonable to ask: How did they manage to keep all those kids quiet? At some point, didn’t someone have doubts about this task? Remember, we’re not just discussing a handful of teens here; there were clearly more than a dozen kids. This makes it challenging to monitor them effectively, as Danny’s prolonged absence suggests.

3) Shredder’s Final Gambit: What Was the End Goal?

Film: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)

As a die-hard movie buff, I’ve got to say that the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film stands out for numerous reasons, one of which is its swift resolution. This flick clocks in at just 93 minutes, quite brief when you think about it. The climactic showdown with Shredder happens rather quickly, leaving us with a heartwarming reunion between the turtle brothers and their sensei, Splinter, right smack dab in the heat of battle. It’s a thrilling and daring ending that ties up loose ends, doesn’t it? Naturally, Shredder and Splinter take center stage for an epic showdown, as their storied past ensures the narrative reaches its full circle.

The battle comes to an abrupt end primarily due to Shredder’s rather peculiar choices. To begin with, instead of maintaining a safe distance, he rushes towards Splinter, who was near the edge of the roof. Secondly, his ultimate strategy against Splinter involved attempting to strike the rat…with what result? If his blow had connected, it would have ended poorly for Shredder too, as he would’ve fallen. While we acknowledge that logic may not always factor in during moments of revenge, this move was still rather unexpected for a character who seemed smart enough to play a long game.

4) The Foot’s Backup Base Is at the Dump — Which Just so Happens to Be Where Shredder Ends Up After His Fall

Film: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze

In the finale of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, fans were left wondering how Shredder survived his fall from a rooftop onto a dump truck. Though Casey Jones apparently activated the vehicle, it didn’t prove fatal for Shredder, leaving room for a sequel. In the opening scene of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze, an unexpected resurrection took place when Shredder emerged from a mound of trash, much like a daisy blooming, and set off on a slow journey to continue his battles.

The character’s backup hideout happened to be right inside the garbage pile. At least he didn’t have to travel too far, you might say. Some may contend it was for plot convenience, but truthfully, this is just cinematic trickery; skipping a scene would have addressed most complaints.

Side note: Casey’s absence is jarring, given the films are meant to be more or less back-to-back.

5) Tokka and Rahzar’s Origins

Film: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze

In the movie “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze,” the mysterious ooze clearly holds significant importance. Initially, the teenage turtle heroes aim to obtain it before the Foot Clan catches wind of it. Regrettably, they arrive too late, leading to a race-against-time scenario as they strive to save the day. Shredder’s strategy involves breeding monsters with monsters, resulting in the creation of Tokka and Rahzar.

How did the Foot come across a snapping turtle and a wolf in the bustling heart of New York City? Although these animals are native to the state, encountering them in such an urban environment seems unlikely. One might wonder if the Foot had somehow obtained these creatures from a zoo or similar enclosure.

6) Unexplained Time-Traveling Scepter (The Sacred Sands of Time)

Film: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III

Isn’t it generally accepted among fans that “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III” wasn’t the highest caliber of cinematic experience? After all, its low rating can be attributed to several factors: a lackluster storyline, unimpressive costumes (the Jim Henson Company didn’t produce the turtle suits for this movie), and some puzzling character plot developments. To many fans, it seems more like a rushed cash-grab.

Despite having low expectations, finding the enchanted Time Scepter mysteriously in April’s possession and causing such turmoil feels overly straightforward. It seems more like a plot device (MacGuffin), but unlike the TMNT lore, it fails to connect with the storyline as the Ooze attempted to do.

For those who might need a reminder (and it’s perfectly fine if you don’t feel like revisiting this “masterpiece”): In April’s preparations for her trip, she purchases various gizmos and toys to keep the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles entertained. Among her purchases is an unusual-looking scepter that she plans to gift to Splinter. Unfortunately, the scepter malfunctions, causing April and the four turtles to be transported back to feudal Japan in 1603. There, they take the places of five warriors from that era.

It’s evident that no genuine effort was put into providing an explanation for the reasons and methods behind their time-travel adventure, suggesting this may have been a flimsy pretext for sending the Ninja Turtles on a new kind of journey.

7) Elias Koteas’s Two Roles?

Film: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III

In the movie “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III,” Casey Jones, portrayed by Elias Koteas, returned to the scene after his absence in the second film. This was likely one of the few positive aspects of the movie, although it did take some convoluted turns in its plot. This is due to the fact that Koteas took on two roles in this film.

As a movie critic, I’d rephrase it like this:

In one role, we see the familiar figure of Casey Jones, once a hockey player and now a vigilante hero that audiences have grown fond of. However, in another intriguing twist, he portrays a mercenary named Whit, serving under Lord Norinaga in a feudal era setting. It’s perplexing because April seems to recognize Casey’s face in this context, but their shared past doesn’t seem to factor into the plot. Was this dual role intended to delve into Casey’s ancestry as a secondary narrative thread? Or was it merely an opportunity to expand the actor’s screen time?

https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/new-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-video-game-empire-city-vr/embed/#

Read More

2025-08-08 23:19