Why was the 1st Movie different from the cartoon, what if the 2nd film was the first

[alliance]

totally hypothetically speaking, and im not even sure what im asking to be honest, but what wouldve happened if the first turtles movie was actually secret of the ooze or something, if the first film was anything like that there is probably zero percent chance we wouldve gotten what we ended up getting right? why did they decide to make the movie like that? if we got our expected cartoony movie as the original in hindsight most likely the second wouldve probably been the same.. and therefore it always wouldve had that 'silly' reputation.. i mean it always kinda had but i dont think we would have referred to it as much as we do with the 'dark' version we got, that film sort of gave the franchise some street cred ' so to speak and we always go back to it..

i just watched it yesterday after a very long time and i actually felt proud and lucky that we even have it.

http://static.comicvine.com/uploads/original/11111/111119363/3643393-6967304467-tumbl.gif

ah f*ck i guess im not asking anything..

[BODYCOUNT]

Brotha i would love to know why the creators of the movie went for a darker tone (thank Geezus they did!!!). The first movie is perfect to me. i was 5-6 when i was put up on the turtles in comics back in the mid 80s. then a year later cartoon. even though as young as i was i still liked the fact shredder was killed in issue #1 and these turtles were really badass dudes. so when the movie was more of the tone to the comics with the best elements of the cartoon i couldnt have been a happier lil turtle freak! jumped in the car today and the dvd that was on : TMNT part 1. my kids are cool as f&*!(.

No matter what kinda (ninja turtle) movies come out i will always have Part 1 as one of my all time favorite movies with God Father 2 , Great Gatsby and Goonies....

[Nameless]

i guess it is kinda surprising... as i kid i really didn't like the first movie because it wasn't as good as a little kid movie. now as an adult i love it and find it to be the best out of the movies.

[Pondslider]

The first movie was independently made, so it didn't have studio interference. They probably didn't realize how much money the franchise could make because production began towards the beginning of the craze, so even though it was an amalgamation of the comic and the cartoon they were able to get away with the darker tone. Coming off of Tim Burton's dark Batman breaking records the previous year probably contributed a lot too.

[vortex1310]

Cool question. I think most would agree that if SotO came first we would probably have gotten the same afterwards.

I'm incredibly grateful for the first movie. It felt so heavy and epic as a kid. Viewing as an adult I still think it stands up in terms of special effects and finding that balance between humor and serious drama. It was perfect for its time.

That's my last home for this new movie, that they can pull off carefully crafted character development and connection, although I don't expect it in the least bit.

That being said I thought SotO was hilarious as a kid!

"Aaand next time I'll use MUSTARD!" Goofiest movie opening ever!

[Casey]

The first movie was independently made, so it didn't have studio interference. They probably didn't realize how much money the franchise could make because production began towards the beginning of the craze, so even though it was an amalgamation of the comic and the cartoon they were able to get away with the darker tone. Coming off of Tim Burton's dark Batman breaking records the previous year probably contributed a lot too.

It did have studio interference. There were a lot of things that Barron wanted to do that he wasn't able to. He wanted it darker (literally darker) to keep the suits looking nice as well as keep it gritty. The soundtrack was never meant to be whatever the hell that soundtrack is, rather classical music compositions as performed by the manager of the Sex-Pistols. I still love the music though even though I wish it was different.

[d_osborn]

... rather classical music compositions as performed by the manager of the Sex-Pistols. I still love the music though even though I wish it was different.
Where did you get that McLaren was going to do classical for the soundtrack? I was under the impression that it was going to be very similar to the Waltz Darling album. The Blue Danube track opens with a little classical, but the album is pretty far away from anything resembling classical. It's an interesting sound, though. The TMNT soundtrack would have been... odd. I'm pretty sure Barron said that McLaren had the Sex Pistols lined up for a track.

[MastahShredder]

Most likely because they wanted a darker route and the cartoon did not supply that. Shredder was a complete goofball.

If you take out some of the one-liners..it's really not a children's film.

I love darker TMNT stories. Something about it makes you more emotionally invested. The talk between Splinter and Raphael. Splinter kidnapped and the Turtles are distraught. April being socked in the face and slapped. Splinter's last words around the campfire, his speech to Danny. Shredder ordering Tatsu to kill Splinter. Shredder trolling the Turtles by implying he killed Splinter. "He dies" to Leo. The Oops moment. A lot of this is some really heavy stuff for a kid that was only relieved by the goofy moments.

I like the most that you have to use your imagination a lot instead of just showing Splinter kidnapped or beaten and tortured.

My only complaints were the Foot were terrible fighters and I wish the second part of their fight was a little longer. If the second was the first, I'd be extremely disappointed. I like SOTO but, nothing will ever come close to 1990. Everything about it was great. And the soundtrack and score is amazing.

[massakre]

i guess it is kinda surprising... as i kid i really didn't like the first movie because it wasn't as good as a little kid movie. now as an adult i love it and find it to be the best out of the movies.

I agree. As a kid I thought TMNTII was the best out of the trilogy. Now its definitely part 1 by far that stands out as not only the best, one of the best hero flicks period. Same thing happened with the first Tim Burton Batman.

[sethmartin]

The first Turtles movie was actually in pre-production before the cartoon came out. The story is heavily inspired by the first few issues of the comic book but after the cartoon came out, they altered the script a bit to incorporate elements from the show so they could appeal to kids too. The movie became the highest grossing independent film of all time when it was released so they rushed out the sequel which they heavily toned down the violence because of parents complaining. Thats the reason why the Turtles use all sorts of silly objects as weapons instead of their actual weapons. Makes no sense to me because a kid probably can't get nunchucks and swords but they can certainly have access to yo-yos, neckties, and all the other stuff the turtles fight with lol.

[The Boston Ninja Turtle]

I feel the first movie needed to be the way it was other wise we would have gotten "Turtle Mania"

now yes the turtles were already popular but compare them to other popular cartoon movies at the time...(Transformers and GI joe) and turtles went in a completely new direction and blew everyone away

had the movie been just like the show or even animated i dont think turtle life would be as we know it

[TMNT is cooler than MOTU]

The first Turtles movie was actually in pre-production before the cartoon came out. The story is heavily inspired by the first few issues of the comic book but after the cartoon came out, they altered the script a bit to incorporate elements from the show so they could appeal to kids too. The movie became the highest grossing independent film of all time when it was released so they rushed out the sequel which they heavily toned down the violence because of parents complaining. Thats the reason why the Turtles use all sorts of silly objects as weapons instead of their actual weapons. Makes no sense to me because a kid probably can't get nunchucks and swords but they can certainly have access to yo-yos, neckties, and all the other stuff the turtles fight with lol.

Hmmm...didn't know it was being developed so early on. Do you know what changes they made specifically to cater to the cartoon fans?

[MastahShredder]

I wanna know..where the hell is this scene? It looks awesome.

http://i.imgur.com/XKTzoMS.jpg

In this gif I made from the trailer..he is sitting down then stands up. I wish they kept this scene in. He beats up all of them for getting arrested and having to pay for their bond.

http://i.imgur.com/tco70cU.gif

[sethmartin]

Hmmm...didn't know it was being developed so early on. Do you know what changes they made specifically to cater to the cartoon fans?

Different color bandanas, pizza, more wisecracks and jokes, April being a news reporter, skateboard. That's pretty much it as far as I know. The story of the film borrows heavily from issue #10 Silent Partner (Raph getting beat up by the foot, however it's Leonardo in the comic, the big fight in the antique store, fleeing to the farm house, Donatello and Casey insulting each other, etc.) The final battle with the turtles and Shredder on the rooftop is taken from issue #1. The Raph and Casey fight is taken straight from a Raphael comic micro series.

[thebrownranger]

Most likely because they wanted a darker route and the cartoon did not supply that. Shredder was a complete goofball.

If you take out some of the one-liners..it's really not a children's film.

I love darker TMNT stories. Something about it makes you more emotionally invested. The talk between Splinter and Raphael. Splinter kidnapped and the Turtles are distraught. April being socked in the face and slapped. Splinter's last words around the campfire, his speech to Danny. Shredder ordering Tatsu to kill Splinter. Shredder trolling the Turtles by implying he killed Splinter. "He dies" to Leo. The Oops moment. A lot of this is some really heavy stuff for a kid that was only relieved by the goofy moments.

I like the most that you have to use your imagination a lot instead of just showing Splinter kidnapped or beaten and tortured.

My only complaints were the Foot were terrible fighters and I wish the second part of their fight was a little longer. If the second was the first, I'd be extremely disappointed. I like SOTO but, nothing will ever come close to 1990. Everything about it was great. And the soundtrack and score is amazing.

Pretty much this. Man, that movie was seriously ahead of its time. Imo, I think it holds up to today's standards as far as comic book movies go. I can't seem to find the same heart in other comic book movies that the 1990 film had. I feel like the broader audience still won't be able to see why the first film holds so much value to those who love it. And it's quite obvious it's because of the original cartoon craze that swept the nation. Even people who watched the OT "here and there" as kids just have that "Oh how CUTE, I love the ninja turtles!" mentality whenever TMNT is brought up. I really wish people could see why the 1990 movie is truly a comic book masterpiece.

I honestly can't say what the 1990 movie would be like if it were put as the second installment of the 90's trilogy. There's so many factors at play that can change your perspective in the slightest, ya know?

[CowabungaMikey]

A-Alliance is banned? It's over. It's finally over.

[MastahShredder]

Pretty much this. Man, that movie was seriously ahead of its time. Imo, I think it holds up to today's standards as far as comic book movies go. I can't seem to find the same heart in other comic book movies that the 1990 film had. I feel like the broader audience still won't be able to see why the first film holds so much value to those who love it. And it's quite obvious it's because of the original cartoon craze that swept the nation. Even people who watched the OT "here and there" as kids just have that "Oh how CUTE, I love the ninja turtles!" mentality whenever TMNT is brought up. I really wish people could see why the 1990 movie is truly a comic book masterpiece.

I honestly can't say what the 1990 movie would be like if it were put as the second installment of the 90's trilogy. There's so many factors at play that can change your perspective in the slightest, ya know?

Death through implication occurred numerous times. If you think about it, 10-15 Foot could have died in the fire at April's.

http://i.imgur.com/3a3Xchg.gif



April asking if Raph is dead.

http://i.imgur.com/nbWQA3X.gif

http://i.imgur.com/heKp7z2.gif

http://i.imgur.com/lGlu9wB.gif

The beaten up Foot at the hands of Tatsu. They switched it up but you could still make a case he's dead.

Shredder smacking around Splinter who has obviously been tortured.

http://i.imgur.com/Tvyyhs3.gif

http://i.imgur.com/WdUnekX.gif

Plus, basically telling people to go beat the hell out of April.

http://i.imgur.com/bt2rgER.gif

http://i.imgur.com/q1gQD12.gif

Leo trying to take Shredder's head off. A subtle homage to the comics?

G5uepwDOEvw

I could go on and on with more examples. What a movie.

[slingtheory]

I'm just glad the first movie exists as its the first attempt to present the turtles and their world to mainstream audiences in a more serious light. I can't imagine what would've happened if it would of been done more in the tone of soto. It probably would be that much harder for anybody not in the know to see the turtles as anything other than light hearted catchphrase machines.

[Whatswiththeheadbands?]

I can't imagine what would've happened if it would of been done more in the tone of soto.

I know that I wouldn't have liked it any near as much

[Tora]

I always wondered this myself.