4K UHD Review: Arrow Films’ Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Trilogy (Limited Edition) 

Turtle Power!!!  The original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles trilogy comes to 4K UHD in a beautiful new box set from Arrow Video. 

The Film 

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Is it sacrilege to say that Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is quite possibly one of the best comic book adaptations of all time?  The Steve Barron-directed action-adventure is as smart an adaptation of a comic book because it both respects the multiple source materials (the blockbuster indie comic created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird and the very different animated series) while carving out its own original story.  By keeping the respect that Eastman and Laird had for the martial arts origins (though the duo started the comic as a satire of Frank Miller’s Daredevil run) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles elevates itself into the hallowed grounds of English Language made Martial Arts films that rival Asian Language/made Martial Arts films from the likes of Jackie Chan, Jet Li, and Sammo Hung. 

This is still a “family” film, but not a kids’ film.  There’s a sense of respect throughout the entire film for the audience.  It understands that just because of its comic book origins doesn’t mean that it has condescend to its audience.  In fact, it paints a fairly complex portrait of family dynamics and growing up as a “teenager” with all of the confusion and rage that comes with it.  Mikey, Donnie, Leo, and Raf are all archetypes of both the warrior and teenager.  The film pleasantly makes light of these and creates just as much comedy as it does true drama from the brothers’ infighting.  

The story of the rise of the Foot Clan and Shredder is all there, along with April O’Neil’s (Judith Hoag) intrepid investigation into the Clan that drives the film.  Though that is almost secondary to the brothers’ growth as a team and unifying the family.  The Foot Clan, Shredder, April, Casey Jones, and Danny are all a part of a cohesive narrative pastiche that works in service to the Turtles and their story. 

The same can be said about the action, which, like any good martial arts film, is an extension of the storytelling and emotions.  The action choreography by Pat Johnson (Karate Kid) does an amazing job of making the Turtles seem like dynamic, real-world, imposing figures of action.  One cannot stress enough how much of a magic trick this film is, even now thirty-five years later.  The collaboration between Johnson’s choreography, Barron’s direction, John Fenner’s photography, and the puppet work by the Henson Company was never a better display of what practical puppetry could do.  

Even beyond the action, it’s the moments of emotion that elevate Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to something special. When a film can trick anyone into the emotional plight of giant Turtle brothers caring for their wounded brother or a giant rat being tortured by humans… that’s pure cinema.  That’s the greatness of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.  

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: Secret of the Ooze

Everything that made Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles so cool and such a mega success in 1990 has evaporated in 1991 with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: Secret of the Ooze.  A year earlier, kids who went into the Steve Barron-directed film were surprised by what they got something that respected them.  A visually stunning action film that felt edgy, dark, just violent enough to push on the border of PG to PG-13, but it had a core and substance to it; like many martial arts films, it respected kids and took itself seriously.  

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: Secret of the Ooze is none of those things.  Directed like a TV Movie of the Week is a course correction that no one wanted.  NO ONE.  It feels like the studio and producers learned nothing from the first film’s unexpected success.  Starting with firing Steve Barron and replacing him with Michael Pressman.  From the get-go, it feels like a silly piece of nonsense that Pressman has no understanding of.  

Rather than continuing the shooting style Barron and cinematographer John Fenner used in the original, Pressman and cinematographer Shelly Johnson film it like a Mentos commercial.  There isn’t a shadow or lurking corner to be found.  As a result, every makeup effect that was so beautiful and stylish now comes off fake, phony, and worst of all, silly.  Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles was silly, but not because the effects looked it, it’s because Donnie, Mikey, Raf, and Leo were being silly or funny.  

To make matters worse.  Secret of the Ooze manages to get rid of the original April, did not bring Corey Feldman back as Donnie or Elias Koteas as Casey Jones.  These could have been forgiven if they had fan favorites Bebop and Rocksteady or Krang.  Characters/Villains familiar to those who loved the cartoons and Comic books.  Instead, Secret of the Ooze gives the audience Tokar and Razor and a cameo by Vanilla Ice. 

In Secret of the Ooze’s defense, it manages to have some inspired kaiju-esque fight scenes between the Turtles, Tokar, Razor, and the Super Shredder.  Though when one notices that the Turtles aren’t using their weapons, you can’t unsee it, and see this being a huge issue.  This is ultimately the biggest problem with Secret of the Ooze.  No one asked them to change the formula from the original.  At least fans of the original didn’t.  In changing so much of the secret sauce of what made the original magic, they literally created ooze.  But you know… Go Ninja, Go Ninja, Go!!!! 

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III: Turtles in Time 

When no one was looking, and the Turtles appeared to be on the waning side of pop culture (for that moment), they happened to make a truly inspired Turtles Adventure.  Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III: Turtles in Time corrects a lot of the ills of Secret of the Ooze, bringing back Corey Feldman and Elias Koteas, pushing a story that’s a bit more serious, and taking inspiration from Kurosawa.  The result is a great time-traveling adventure that feels more akin to the original. 

That isn’t to say the film isn’t without issues.  Why they recast Raf’s voice is a mystery, and some of the VFX work (especially the demise of a certain villain) is pretty suspect.  If those can be looked over, the action is as good as the series has had; the story of the Turtles swapping spots with a group of Samurai makes for a solid adventure film.  

The alternating between timelines is a smart decision by writer/director Stuart Gillard.  April and the Turtles are attempting to help a small village, itches the more serious martial arts side of the Turtles’ stories. While Casey and Splinter trying to ensure the Samurai don’t get into too much trouble is the right mixture of goofy comedy one expects from the Turtles.  Even smarter is giving Koteas dual roles in both the past and present.  The secret weapon of the film is Stuart Wilson as the main villain, Walker.  Wilson, as with all of the actor’s work, approaches it with a sly wink and nod. 

Yes, it all ends the way you think it will, but that isn’t the point.  It’s executed with a respect for the Turtles and the fandom that loves these characters.  Something that Secret of the Ooze had no bother or care for.  

The Transfers 

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

The all-new 4K restoration of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles from the original camera negative by Arrow Films, approved by director Steve Barron, presented in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible) is a stunner.  The work done by Arrow Video is stunning.  The film literally looks like it was filmed yesterday.  The transfer is sharp, clean, without any hints of scratches or blemishes on the negative.  The color reproduction and contrast levels, because of the Dolby Vision encoding, are both deeper in their details, giving us a darker luminous, and far more textured and beautiful image.  There isn’t a scratch, blemish, or issue with the picture.  It is free of any sort of digital artifacting or DNR to remove grain.  Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, in its 4K UHD iteration, is the best version ever produced for the film, even the 35mm release prints.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: Secret of the Ooze

The all-new 4K restoration of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: Secret of the Ooze from the 35mm interpositive by Arrow Films presented in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible) is an excellent sourced image. The transfer is sharp, clean, without any hints of scratches or blemishes on the interpositive.  It is free of any sort of digital artifacting or DNR to remove grain.  In fact, the transfer is so good that it shows how flatly lit the entire film is as compared to the first film.  That aside, it’s a wonderful transfer, and anyone who loves the film will be impressed with the time and care spent on this restoration.  

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III: Turtles in Time 

The all-new 4K restoration of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III: Turtles in Time from the 35mm interpositive by Arrow Films, presented in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible), is another excellent restoration.  The third film has always looked the worst on home video, so it is nice that Arrow Video has given the same time and care in its restoration.  The transfer again is sharp, clean, without any hints of scratches or blemishes on the interpositive.  It is free of any sort of digital artifacting or DNR to remove grain.  The care and time taken in this restoration has given new life to the most underrated film of the series.  

The Extras

They include the following;

DISC 1 – TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES

• Two lossless stereo mixes (original theatrical mix and alternate “warrior” mix) plus newly remixed Dolby Atmos audio
• 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 VHS workprint
• Alternate Korean footage
• Theatrical trailers
• Image gallery

DISC 2 – TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES II: THE SECRET OF THE OOZE 

• 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

• 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

DISC 1 – TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES

The first of two all-new commentary tracks is with director Steve Barron.  Barron opens the track with how he and screenwriter Todd W. Langen developed the story for the film.  Some of the other details include how his work with Henson Workshop on Storyteller helped him secure Jim Henson’s collaboration – and how they went about it; how their tie-in with Domino’s pizza helped their budget issues; the casting of Elias Kotais as Casey Jones; how they accomplished the closeups in the film with a unique trick; the reason why Wilmington, North Carolina was chosen to shoot the film; how they shot the Turtles at a slow frame rate and why; the work of editor Sally Manke and later anecdote about meeting Tarantino; the stunt work done by a HK Stunt team that were suggested by Co-Producers Golden Harvest; a discussion of the iconic meme from the film where one can see the eyes of the performer in the Turtle head; a larger discussion of the various locations in and around North Carolina, and also the small location shoot in NYC; a larger discussion of how they accomplished the stunt work and action throughout; and much more.  

The second of two all-new commentary tracks is with comic book expert and podcast host Dave Baxter.  Baxter opens with his credentials before diving into a plethora of topics.  Some of the details include a history of the comic book series; a discussion of the history, stars, filmmakers, and films of Gold Harvest; a discussion of artists and creators of TMNT Eastman and Laird; the homages and ties to other comic books of the original TMNT; a discussion of the production and success of the animated TV series; the hugely popular Toy line; a larger discussion throughout of the various characters that appear and do not appear in the original comic book; the various plot points that come from the comic book series and what doesn’t; and much more.  

Rising When We Fall: Directing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (14:44) – is an all-new interview with director Steve Barron that begins with Barron discussing how he got his start, based in part because of his mother, who was a Script Supervisor turned Director.  Barron goes on to discuss his directing career in music videos; how he heard from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles from director and friend Anthony Minghella; the development and casting process; the involvement of Jim Henson; the budgetary issues and how New Line came in; the production itself; and much more. 

Turtle Talk: The cast Who Brought the Turtles to Life (18:50) – is an all-new interview with actors Robbie Rist, Brian Tochi, Ernie Reyes Jr, and Kenn Scott.  The four actors recorded separately discuss with great humor and enthusiasm how they were all cast in the film.  The actors each go on to discuss various anecdotes from the production, working with fight choreographer Pat Johnson, their thoughts on the film series, and what makes each unique, and much more.  

O’Neil on the Beat Judith Hoag reporting on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (19:54) – an all-new interview with actor Judith Hoag begins with how she got the role as April O’Neil.  Hoag goes on to discuss the role itself, what she loved about the script, a great story about Robin Williams at the time, anecdotes from the production, working with director Steve Barron, the challenges working with puppets and puppeteers, working with Elias Koteas, the alternate Steve Barron cut of the film, and much more.  

Wet Behind the Shells: Producer Simon Fields Looks Back (11:01) – is an all-new interview with producer Simon Fields opens with a great story during the production with director Ridley Scott. Fields goes on to discuss how he began working at Shepperton Studios at an early age, that eventually turned into steady work after school, how he and Steve Barron became attached to the film through Golden Harvest’s deal with Anthony Minghella, working with New Line, and just how close they were to claiming Bankruptcy, the three pizza companies that helped the production, and much more.  

Beneath the Shell: The Puppetry of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (16:07) – an all-new interview with puppet coordinator and second unit director Brian Henson, and Rob Tygner, puppeteer for both Splinter and Leonardo begins with Henson’s involvement with his father’s work because Jim Henson was a workaholic and Tygner’s fascination with masks and puppeteering at an early age eventually getting a job for Labyrinth.  The duo, who were recorded separately, go on to discuss how Barron hired Henson early on and the tests that were done as proof of concept, the complexity of the Splinter puppet, a great discussion of the flashback footage and how it was accomplished, Henson’s discussion of his responsibilities as Second Unit Director, and much more. 

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turf: A Location Tour (12:58) – is an all-new featurette hosted by Michael Gringol exploring the film’s locations in New York City and North Carolina.  Using the footage from the film and footage Gringol shot specifically for this featurette in and around both NYC and Wilmington.   

Alternate UK version (91:15) – this alternate version takes out Michaelangelo’s nunchucks and any use of them, replacing them with alternate footage.  At the time, nunchucks were banned in the UK so the footage was censored.  One will note that the Michaelangelo duel is cut out entirely.  This version is still in 4K but with inserts from a theatrical print.  

Alternate ending from VHS workprint (2:10) – the ending features a very meta ending rather than the traditional superhero ending the film has.  Also worth noting is that the footage contains the original cast voice actors before being changed. 

Alternate Korean footage (1:01) – a compilation of all of the alternate dialogue that was removed that referenced Japan (at the time, South Korean Law forbade discussions of Japan) and a single shot during the Splinter flashback.

Theatrical trailers

• US Theatrical Trailer (1:28) 
• UK Teaser Trailer (1:05)
• UK Theatrical Trailer (1:33) 
• UK Re-release Trailer (2:06)

Image gallery – the gallery consists of 27 various behind-the-scenes stills, production stills, and poster art. 

DISC 2 – TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES II: THE SECRET OF THE OOZE

The all-new commentary with director Michael Pressman, moderated by filmmaker Gillian Wallace Horvat, opens with introductions and credentials before diving into the sequel.  Some of the details include his idea to open with everyone eating pizza that leads to the introduction to their new character Keno; a discussion of Ernie Reyes Jr. and his promotion from Donatello’s stunt double to a full on role; the practical reasons why the built most of the sets and decided to not shoot on location; the entire sausage nunchuck ordeal because of censorship in the UK; the change in tone and style of the second film from the first film; the casting and work of David Warner; the development of the script with screenwriter Todd Langren; a discussion of how Pressman came on as director of the sequel; a larger discussion of the action scenes and choreography and what was required to accomplish it; shooting again in Wilmington, North Carolina; Pressman’s cameo in the film; the small NYC location shot they did; a larger discussion about working with fight choreographer Pat Johnson; the production schedule and larger discussion of what the second unit and main unit shot; and much more.  

John Du Prez to the Rescue (13:40) – is an all-new interview with the composer of the trilogy, John Du Prez, that opens with how he got his start in music at an early age.  Du Prez goes on to discuss how he met Monty Python which lead to him composing the title theme for Life of Brian, how his work on UHF lead to composing the first Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, a discussion of the various session players and challenges they faced in creating the sound of the original score, a discussion of the various sequels, how Vanilla Ice got involved with the sequel, the different work in the third film, and much more.  

Hard Cores: An Interview with Kenny Wilson (8:17) – is an all-new interview with Kenny Wilson, mould shop supervisor at Jim Henson’s Creature Shop.  Wilson opens with a discussion of how they built the turtle suit for the specific performer.  He goes on to discuss a great anecdote about life casting a snapping turtle for the film, the famous wrestler that played the Super Shredder, a discussion of the work done to create the Super Shredder, Togar, and Razor, and much more.  

Steve Mirkovich: The Secret of the Edit (15:00) – is an all-new interview with editor Steve Mirkovich, beginning with his theories on editing.  Mirkovich goes on to discuss the beginning of his career editing for John Carpenter on Big Trouble in Little China, The Prince of Darkness, and They Live, how John Wright brought him on TMNT II, the work on TMNT II led to his collaboration with Wright, how the work was divided, working with Pressman, and much more.  

Behind the Shells (28:36) – is an archive EPK/Promotional style making-of featurette from 1991, looking at not just the making of the sequel, but the phenomenon and history behind the film.  The tone may be cheesy and very early ‘90s, but the content is definitely worth your time.  Shot on film, it’s a TV special that we just don’t see anymore.  

Theatrical trailer (2:17)

Image gallery – the gallery consists of 21 various behind-the-scenes stills, production stills, and poster art.  

DISC 3 – TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES III

The all-new commentary track with director Stuart Gillard opens with a discussion on how the opening image was something he knew from the moment he began writing, was how he wanted to start the film.  Some of the other details include having to pitch ideas to Eastman and Laird, and the last idea he had was the only one they liked, which turned out to be the film; how he was hired on to make the film from Golden Harvest; how the performers in the suits couldn’t see anything, making the stunts even harder; the casting and working with Stuart Wilson; the inspirations and liberties the film took from Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai; the success and perceived lack of success; an advanced screening where John Woo was in attendance; filming the various action scenes and how difficult they were by adding in the suits and puppeting components; a larger discussion throughout on how difficult the shoot was; the filming locations they used in Oregon to double for Japan; a larger discussion of the various actors that appear in the film; and much more.  

Rebel Rebel: Vivian Wu Finds her Inner Warrior (14:17) – an all-new interview with actor Vivian Wu discusses how she was hired by Bernardo Bertolucci for The Last Emperor, which eventually led to going to Los Angeles and eventually was cast in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III.  Wu goes on to discuss how she was cast in the film, her research into Japanese films for the role, horseback riding, martial arts, and sword training, working with the Turtles and the difficulty for the performers, working with the various actors on the production, and more. 

Daimyos & Demons: Looking Back at Lord Norinaga (10:14) – an all-new interview with actor Sab Shimono opens with the fact he considers this his Toshiro Mifune.  Shimono goes on to discuss why he eventually agreed to do the film after coming off a major and “serious” role, the effects of being in an entry in the Ninja Turtles films, his history as a Japanese American, including being intermed during WW2, anecdotes from the production, the issues he had acting against the turtles, and much more.

Alternate UK Opening (2:03) – like in the original film, this is an alternate version removing all use of nunchucks from the film, specifically with the opening.  

Theatrical trailer (2:03)

Image gallery – the gallery consists of 24 various behind-the-scenes stills, production stills, and poster art.  

The Final Thought 

One of the highlights of 2025. Any film collector owes it to themselves to have this in their collection. Highest Possible Recommendations!! 

Arrow Films’ 4K UHD Edition of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Trilogy is out December 16^th.