Rating: ***
Cast: Judith Hoag, Elias Koteas
The teenage mutant ninja turtles hit the big screen in this live action film that curiously combines elements from both the original comics and the cartoon series, creating yet another alternate history for the turtle warriors. Theme-wise, it's a bit juvenile and too much emphasis is put on the kids in the movie, but the makeup, effects, and fighting are superb. It's no wonder since Jim Henson was responsible for the effects and Hong Kong's Yuen Clan choreographed the martial arts sequences. It's thoroughly entertaining and kids loved it, while parents thought it was too violent, and big kids like myself thought it should have been darker and nastier. It may be silly and stupid, but it's definitely worth checking out.