Extras:
Theatrical Trailer and Pick That Flick game
Director:
Stuart Gillard
Screenplay:
Stuart Gillard
Creature Animatronics:
Jim Henson Studios
Cast:
April O'Neil: Paige Turco
Casey Jones/Whit Whitley: Elias Koteas
Walker: Stuart Wilson
Lord Norinaga: Sab Shimono
Mitsu: Vivian Wu
Voices for Animatronics:
Leonardo: Brian Tochi
Raphael: Tim Kelleher
Michaelangelo: Robbie Rist
Donatello: Corey Feldman
Splniter: James Murray
The dreaded second sequel.
Beverly Hill Cop 3, Alien 3, and Exorcist 3
come to mind when bad third films are brought up. In fact, the only
third film in a successful series that actually lived up to it's
predecessors I've seen was Die Hard 3. Not to say that Ninja Turtles 3
is terrible or anything, it just doesn't live up to it's predecessors
and many fans agree.
Taking a vacation from the big city plots, it's time to go back to
feudal Japan! A logical destination for four mutant turtles. April
O'Neil finds an ancient Japanese sceptre and is transported back in
time. A prince takes her place and the Turtles must go back to rescue
her.
Back in fuedal Japan, April is greeted as a witch by Lord Norinaga. His
son was switched with April. A man named Walker, who resembles a cliche
80s hair band rocker for some reason, is trying to get Norinaga to buy
guns. A tactical weapon that has to be used when the Turtles hurtle
through time.
In New York, four honor guards have replaced the Turtles and comic
mishap ensues when Casey Jones returns. Suprise, we've got a fish out of
wate subplot. Actually, these scenes are highlights. Casey tries to get
them to play hockey and such.
After they rescue April, the people of Japan believe the Turtles to be
demons. But all they want to do is to find the scepter and get home
before the time gate closes in 60 hours.
You can really tell the steam was subsiding. Turtle mania was slowly
dying down when this premiered (Mighty Morph'n Power Rangers were set to
grab the crown) and it shows. The fights are cool but the plot just
seems wierd for the Turtles. Paige Turco is great as April again, Casey
Jones finally returns, and Corey Feldman lends his voice to Donatello
again. But one voice is done terribly wrong, Kevin Clash no longer
voices Splinter and instead we get a terrible voice over that sounds
like it eminated from the 80s and not 1992. One last complaint, but this
is the major one. Noriaga and Walker are defintely no Shredder and
Tatsu. These villians were clearly cut and paste. But the trademark
Turtle charm is still here and that's enough to save it from sequel Hell.
This transfer definitely improves upon the first and second disc.
Presented in anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen, gone are the dark overtones
and replaced by sharp and clear visuals. This is is easily the best
looking of the three and looks as if it came out a year ago, not 10. The
only thing that keeps this from perfection is a problem with the print.
I noticed some dirt on it in some scenes but nothing too bothersome.
This is still a surpisingly gorgeous transfer. New Line has included a
4:3 full frame transfer on the same side as well.
The sound is presented in the same options as the second disc. The
track's just as good but not much action is heard. Most of the heavy
action scenes are at the end of the film and the track really picks up
there. Dialogue is still clear but not as good as the first two discs.
Just a little less dynamic in the long run.
The extras include only the theatrical trailer shown in anamorphic
widescreen and mono. The Pick That Flick game has returned but offers a
few more stills than the second disc.
Some advice before you put this is. Turn your system down a few notches.
When the menu pops up we are shown a clip and a loud high riff is heard.
This thing almost made me jump because it just starts. The menus are
alright but cheap techno music plays while clouds move. Then there's
music that plays in the scene selection that sets up the movie up to be
a drama or something.
Overall, this is for fans only. For only $14.98 you might be able to
find some fun here but this was destined to be just for the fans.
As of April 2009, Blu-rays and DVDs reviewed by the editor are watched on a Panasonic TH-37PX80B
37" Plasma TV with a Sony BDP-1500 Blu-ray player and played through a Yamaha DSP-AX820 amplifier.
PC games reviewed by the editor are on:
Since Jan 2011: Intel Quad Core Dell XPS 8100, i7 CPU 860 @ 2.80Ghz, 8Gb RAM, nVidia GeForce GTS 240, Windows 7
Since Nov 2005: Intel Pentium D 830 3.0Ghz, 1Gb RAM, 128Mb nVidia GeForce 6700XL, Windows XP
Since Aug 2003: Intel Pentium 4 2.66Ghz, 512Mb RAM, 128Mb GeForce4 MX440 graphics, Windows XP
Since May 2003: Intel Pentium 4 2.6Ghz, 512Mb RAM, 128Mb ATI Radeon 9600TX graphics, Windows XP
Since Jun 2002: Intel Pentium III 600Mhz, 384Mb RAM, Windows 98 SE, 64Mb ATI Radeon 8500LE
Since May 2000: Intel Pentium III 600Mhz, 384Mb RAM, Windows 98 SE, Voodoo 3 3000 AGP
