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TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES (1990) IS SO DANG GOOD!! MOVIE REACTION!! TMNT 1990

2025-08-01 Entertainment
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Reel Rejects
Reel Rejects
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Deep Dive Reaction: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990) Film Analysis

Revisit the gritty, groundbreaking 1990 live-action classic to see how Jim Henson's creature effects hold up and recapture the heart of 90s cinema.

Short Summary

  • The film's practical creature effects from Jim Henson's Creature Shop still deliver impressive, tangible magic decades later.
  • The core emotional dynamic between the four brothers and Master Splinter remains powerfully effective, grounding the action.
  • The 1990 movie was the highest-grossing independent film until The Blair Witch Project in 1999.
  • Reviewers universally agree that anchovies are an unacceptable pizza topping.

Aaron and Johnald dive back into the live-action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990) to review the origin story, character dynamics, and groundbreaking physical effects. This episode contrasts the practical approach with modern CGI and celebrates the film’s unique blend of martial arts action, humor, and genuine heart.

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Description

COWABUNGA!! Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Full Movie Reaction Watch Along: https://www.patreon.com/thereelrejects - Support The Channel By Getting Some REEL REJECTS Aparrel! https://www.rejectnationshop.com/ -Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze (1991) Reaction: https://youtu.be/Iz3-LOJxHrQ -Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Mutant Mayhem (2023) Reaction: https://youtu.be/t6UYtMQOKJk -Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014) Reaction: https://youtu.be/fdUGSK0g08Q -Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows (2016) Reaction: https://youtu.be/quQ2eO7xD8E -TMNT (2007) Movie Reaction: https://youtu.be/XGsK1J2cpgw -Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2019) Reaction: https://youtu.be/wih8A2zJqvM Just in time for the Theatrical Re-Release, Aaron & Johnald take a deep dive into the sewers of NYC to give their Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 1990 Reaction, Recap, Commentary, Analysis & Full Movie Spoiler Review!! Aaron Alexander & John Humphrey dive into the sewer-soaked streets of New York for their Reaction & Review of the 1990 live-action classic Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, directed by Steve Barron. Based on the beloved comic and animated series, this fan-favorite film brings Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael to life using groundbreaking Jim Henson creature effects. Voiced by Brian Tochi (Revenge of the Nerds) as Leonardo, Robbie Rist (Full House) as Michelangelo, Corey Feldman (The Goonies, Stand by Me) as Donatello, and Josh Pais (A Beautiful Mind) as Raphael (who also physically portrayed the character), the film captures the turtles’ distinct personalities as they battle crime and search for their kidnapped master, Splinter (voiced by Kevin Clash of Sesame Street fame). The movie also stars Judith Hoag (Halloweentown, Armageddon) as fearless reporter April O’Neil and Elias Koteas (The Thin Red Line, Crash) as vigilante Casey Jones, both of whom become unlikely allies in the fight against the villainous Foot Clan and their menacing leader, The Shredder (James Saito – Eli Stone, Always Be My Maybe). From rooftop ninja battles and pizza-fueled bonding to the emotionally charged rescue of Splinter and the final showdown with Shredder, this film blends martial arts action, humor, and heart in a way that defined '90s kids’ cinema. Packed with memorable one-liners, gritty cityscapes, and a killer soundtrack, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is a shell-shocking adventure for fans old and new. #TMNT1990 #TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles #Cowabunga #CoreyFeldman #CaseyJones #AprilONeil #NinjaTurtlesMovie #TMNTReaction #TMNTReview #Shredder #Splinter #JudithHoag #EliasKoteas #JohnHumphrey #AaronAlexander #TMNT90s #JimHenson #TurtlePower #PizzaTime Follow Aaron Alexander On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealaaronalexander/ 0:00 Checking In! 2:00 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Reaction 51:55 Patron Q&A + Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Review 1:36:21 Patron of the Day SHOUT OUT! Intense Suspense by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ RR Clips & Shorts Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ReelRejectsClips Follow TheReelRejects On The Socials: IG: https://www.instagram.com/reelrejects/ TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@thereelrejects?lang=en TWITTER: https://twitter.com/thereelrejects FB: https://www.facebook.com/TheReelRejects/ Music Used In Ad: Hat the Jazz by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Happy Alley by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Head Editor: https://www.instagram.com/praperhq/?hl=en Supervising Producer: https://twitter.com/nerdchronic?lang=en Co-Editor: Greg Alba Co-Editor: John Humphrey Music In Video: Airport Lounge - Disco Ultralounge by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Follow & Listen to Us Wherever You Get Your Podcasts!! - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3XHMwbveiznxSOGxN9XT0M - Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vc3Rhci13YXJzLXRhbGs - Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-reel-rejects-tv-movie-recaps/id1616339990 - Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Apocalypse-Podcast/B08JJP58FG Ask Us A QUESTION On CAMEO: https://www.cameo.com/thereelrejects Follow GREG On INSTAGRAM & TWITTER: INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/thegregalba/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/thegregalba PLAYLISTS: Movie Reviews: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-bIhJVeYWw-comtadVs8b9JsZEWHUyr8 Movie Talk (News, Spoiler Reviews, & Film Rumors!!!): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-bIhJVeYWw8fPQ-21NVSb2IOwIiHbVt8 Sketches & Short Films: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-bIhJVeYWw_zWuTRfBOUP3aYyIYRzc2y

Top Comments (10)

@PlanetMobius87 2025-08-01

I’m gonna say it. This is one of the best comic book movies ever made.

598 39 replies
@Elder_Emo1990 2025-08-01

Forgiveness is divine, but never pay full price for late pizza.

487 11 replies
@sidtheviciouscritic7292 2025-08-01

This is THE comic book movie. It is the perfect amalgamation between the comic and show

254 6 replies
@MrBoyYankee 2025-08-01

When TMNT came to theaters my dad pulled me out of school. Just to see this, because I pulled off a perfect straight A report card. That is one of the perfect days I have always remembered from my youth.

192 10 replies
@YoYofightthe 2025-08-01

I love how grounded this movie is despite being about Ninja Turtles. That entire segment on the farm is honestly brilliant. Always great when a 90s kid action movie can take a step back and focus on the characters.

123 3 replies
@jrogers05 2025-08-01

35 years later and this movie is still the best live action adaptation of TMNT

56 2 replies
@jacobwaters1147 2025-08-01

Originally instead of Critters, Raphael was gonna see Batman 1989 with Raphael saying “cool car”

48
@ReelRejects 2025-08-01

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze (1991) Reaction: https://youtu.be/Iz3-LOJxHrQ - Defeat the Foot when you Ninja That *LIKE* & *SUBSCRIBE* Button 👉 https://www.youtube.com/user/TheReelRejects?sub_confirmation=1 - *Full Reaction* Watch Along & MORE For *Royal Rejects* : https://www.patreon.com/thereelrejects - Become A Righteous Reject By Grabbing One Of Our *RR* Tees : https://www.rejectnationshop.com/

36 7 replies
@slowpoke6743 2025-08-02

My mom invited my entire 5th grade class to see TMNT for my birthday on opening day in March 1990. The line circled the whole theater twice. We went in as kids and left as Ninjas🥷

36 2 replies
@matthewphoenix6372 2025-08-06

Fun fact: No major studio was willing to front the money for this film. It is, by definition, an indie film.

29

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