I’m starting to suppose possibly some individuals forgot how unhealthy the unique films actually bought. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III was when the cracks began to point out within the mighty kids’s franchise, indicators that inventive fatigue had set in, or that the onerous work put into the primary two movies weren’t carrying over. The film was unhealthy, a lot in order that it disenchanted kids in all places and even broke up completely happy houses. That’s why I’ve been speaking about it so negatively for all these years, making an attempt to verify individuals perceive how unhealthy the third film is, however with it celebrating thirty years of existence, I figured it is perhaps time to debate how I’d truly try to repair this travesty with out altering it fully.
The place do we start? Nicely, the script most likely looks like crucial factor, however even an exquisite story may be torn aside by these behind the digital camera. Every part has to work nicely collectively to some extent and that begins with the director and his crew. On this case, TMNT3 was helmed by Stuart Gilliard, a person largely recognized for his work on tv, and there’s a purpose for that. After this atrocity, his profession would go proper again to the small display, however his failure right here is probably going as a result of Gillard didn’t got down to make an superior Ninja Turtles film, no, he needed to make his thought of an epic Samurai movie. This didn’t work, and though a number of the technical facets had been fantastic, another person was wanted who had extra of an appreciation for the supply materials, or at the very least the style. For my decide, I’d both go seasoned with Matthew Vaughn (X-Males: First Class, Kick-Ass) or take an opportunity on somebody like Marc Webb (500 Days of Summer time, The Superb Spider-Man).
Whereas we’re at it, let’s go forward and change out the remainder of the crew aside from possibly the placement scout and cinematographer, as that is the lushest and most colourful TMNT movie out of the originals. I don’t wish to say nobody else cared concerning the mission, however they didn’t even spell Michelangelo’s title accurately on the finish. The advertising individuals won’t have been too unhealthy, as they did have a Burger King tie-in and it gave children and collectors alike some new motion figures, however the trailers weren’t doing this film any favors. The writing was on the wall, as TMNT III wasn’t even screened for critics and was brutalized upon launch.
On the audio facet, we have to try to get the voice actors for the Turtles a bit extra into it and nail these strains a bit of extra. It’s nice to have Corey Feldman again, however Splinter isn’t doing it for me. I do know there may be some controversy round Kevin Conflict, the unique performer, however we are able to discover somebody higher. Whereas we’re at it, let’s drop these whacky sound results, simply to assist the tone a bit extra, that doesn’t imply all of them must go, however most are out. Lastly, the soundtrack is okay. I nonetheless have a duplicate of the CD sitting on my shelf and folks love some “Tarzan Boy” by Baltimora.
Another factor concerning the presentation, the large turtle within the room because it had been, and that’s how the boys had been trying again then. These costumes want an improve. It’s unhappy that Jim Henson’s Creature Store didn’t return (rumored to be because of cash) and the finances most likely pressured them to decrease the bar extra, however in our reimagining right here, we don’t have issues like that. Because the years handed, the comparisons to the older fits turned extra evident, and the unhealthy lip actions stood out extra, making these more durable to view. These aren’t the worst-looking variations of the Turtles in live-action, however they’re nonetheless severely missing. If that wasn’t sufficient, take note of how we by no means actually see Splinter’s decrease physique, or after we do it’s hidden by material, as a result of they didn’t end it. Now that’s high quality.
So let’s speak concerning the story. Readers are almost definitely conversant in this plot, however for many who aren’t, the film entails April O’Neil (Paige Turco) selecting up an previous vintage Japanese egg timer as a present for Splinter (James Murray) that seems to be an historic scepter that sends her again by means of time to feudal Japan. When she leaves, Kenshin (Henry/Eidan Hanzei) arrives in her place, each shocked to be in 1603 and 1993 respectively. The Turtles should observe their greatest human buddy again in time, however doing this brings 4 different individuals, honor guards defending the time scepter ahead, so Casey Jones (Elias Koteas) is introduced in to assist Splinter babysit them. Up to now, the heroes try and rescue April after which assist the rebels defeat Lord Norinaga (Sab Shimono) and his overseas ally who has all of the weapons, Walker (Stuart Wilson). Couple this with a couple of small facet plots and the quartet shedding their solely method residence, and we’ve got a film, one which almost definitely appeared fantastic on paper.
This story was partially taken from the Mirage run of TMNT, points #46 and #47, however that and the episode of the cartoon the place the 4 brothers return in time are each completely different from the film, even when they had been going for a synergistic cross-media time journey type occasion. There was additionally the Turtles in Time arcade sport, launched in 1991, that will have made for a greater film, however I’d hate to see the finances on that.
As to not deviate from the unique thought of the film an excessive amount of, we depart the time scepter as the large McGuffin for the movie and ignore the comedian, the place it’s introduced into play by a busty ally named Renet, who’s a timestress. In actual fact, the opening of the movie works, beginning out in 1603 and establishing the battle with these characters, permitting Mitsu’s (Vivian Wu) rise up and her relationship with Kenshin to take middle stage for a bit. That is essential, seeing as the unique lower provides us only a few causes to care about what’s happening or to grasp why combating in opposition to the Daimyo issues a lot. Utilizing this strategy may also, hopefully, give Kenshin a greater introduction after his horse chase than having him angrily lower down torches.
My plan can be to have April provide her egg timer as a present just for her to nonetheless be despatched again in time, however we don’t change her with anybody. Let Splinter’s massive second be explaining what he is aware of of the scepter and hinting on the fantasy of the Turtles as Japanese legends, kappas. He’s smart, so he’ll have already discovered that the boys have to return in time, as a result of they’ve already performed so, and he doesn’t wish to mess with historical past. Donatello nonetheless will get to do his science stuff on the time scepter and within the meantime, Casey known as, he comes to assist discover April as nicely and possibly even stows away with the brothers in opposition to their needs, involved for his love. Sending Casey again in time makes the character of Whit extra essential and permits him to show his ancestor about being man and never a traitor, giving Koteas a extra essential function within the movie. This might even get into some Again to the Future-style shenanigans with Casey doubtlessly not being born if he doesn’t set his household line straight.
With the primary characters having extra purpose to remain prior to now and assist out, we don’t must have them lose the scepter and attempt to make one other one, since they’d understand they’ll’t make a copy have the identical magical properties (although Michelangelo ought to nonetheless try and prepare dinner pizza and discuss opening up a franchise), however relatively lose it when Whit kidnaps Mitsu. All of this collectively ought to assist construct funding within the rise up, the villagers, and in opposition to the unhealthy guys.
In between these beats, focus extra on the Romeo and Juliet scenario between Kenshin and Mitsu, how the latter is making an attempt to overthrow his father from the within and the previous isn’t simply combating for love, however for her nation. This leaves Kenshin to must develop up in some methods and understand why his beloved can’t simply run away with him however wants to remain and combat. We are able to additionally nonetheless have Raphael bond with Yoshi, the younger boy, so the 2 may also help one another with their anger points. Raph realizing how a lot he’s grown himself is likely one of the few good character moments within the movie.
The final key story aspect is to switch the villains. It’s a bit unhappy as a result of I recognize each of the actors who play Walker and Norinaga, however there isn’t a lot to them. The comics had a large mutant lizard samurai for his or her model of this plot and I can’t assist however really feel we bought the shaft. When Michelangelo tried to check Walker to Clint Eastwood in that one scene, I spotted this isn’t working as a result of we aren’t given any good causes to really hate or worry them, however making one in every of them a mutant or simply exhibiting them being extra inherently evil. This might additionally assist us keep away from the unhealthy results of Walker’s demise scene.
There’s one factor that we completely should steal from the comedian for our ending as an alternative of that pretend out with Mikey. What’ll assist this shaky script it doesn’t matter what is that the individuals the nice guys helped overthrow the ruthless Lord have now been skilled to defend themselves and can change for the higher for it, studying martial arts and agreeing to by no means let anybody else rule them once more. These individuals will kind a brand new group, a clan, The Foot Clan.
Roll these rattling credit!
Hold the film across the identical runtime, give the Turtles a greater intro and ending that doesn’t contain dancing, have Splinter inform a greater joke, and up the variety of combat scenes for the reason that Turtles can use their weapons once more on this film. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III has the fewest combat scenes of the complete unique trilogy and that must be fastened, we got here to see Ninja Turtles.
This concept isn’t good, however it’s a lot better than what we obtained and I’ve a sense it will be tickling nostalgia bones all these years later as an alternative of smelling of unhappiness and remorse.