TMNT II: The Secret of the Ooze (1991)
(dir. Michael Pressman)
By: Tarek Fayoumi
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze is action and laughter combined:
It has been thirty-five years since the Turtles have roamed the streets of New York with action, laughs, and pizza. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze returns to cinemas with Fathom Entertainment. Revisiting this gem brought back memories for me. That is because I watched it on VHS a couple of times in my younger days. The adventures of Michelangelo, Donatello, Leonardo, Raphael, and Master Splinter are just the glory of turtle action. The journalist and close friend of the turtles is April O’Neil, played by Paige Turco (Guiding Light, All My Children). She is the one that can tolerate the presence of her turtle friends. The chemistry is all dazzling. What makes the event more cinematic is the array of features available before the film rolls its opening credits.
A Closer Look at Creating the Turtles and their Enemies:
Before the start of the film, there is a talk with the co-creator Kevin Eastman. He discusses the art and artists behind the creation of the turtles and their enemies. Eastman also shares the film’s comic book inspiration including Spiderman and other heroes. There are glimpses of sketches and conversation about how martial arts were infused into the picture. Eastman goes into detail on how Bruce Lee is the idea that led to the martial arts factor with the turtles. There are creative angles of dynamics that audiences do not think about. I had no idea that the martial arts had inspiration from Bruce Lee. That is a golden aspect to the choreography. That is what makes this sequel unforgettable with Fathom Entertainment.
Worth the Time?
This is certainly worth the time and money. The laughter and city adventures only feel more special on the big screen. Especially with the 90s nostalgia surrounding the turtle dynamic, there is so much to revisit, especially when it comes to the turtles favorite food, pizza. There is something especially enticing about the way Michael Pressman’s film captures pizza that makes it resonate to this day. Fathom Entertainment creates Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze to be a total COWABUNGA grandeur. Showings run through March 26th with Fathom Entertainment. Visit the link below for showtimes and listings.