Arrow Video's 4K Blu-ray Release of the TMNT Trilogy - Page 8

*CyberCubed* · 12-28-2025, 01:36 PM

I've finished watching the director commentaries on the first two films. They really didn't say much that us hardcore fans didn't already know (the cameos in the movies from the stunt actors, adapting the comics, how they had to limit the violence or Michelangelo's use of nunchucks, etc), but they were interesting to listen to. Most of the movies being shot in North Caroline and only a few scenes in New York.

The second movie director seemed very proud of Secret of the Ooze, even though he acknowledged they made it lighter than the first film. I didn't know he was the gray haired news manager who yells at April in that scene when Don was calling her from the lair, that was a fun cameo.

Sadly he didn't mention anything about why April was replaced in the second movie, he just said he liked working with Paige and she was fun. No mention of why Casey Jones didn't return either, but ah well. He mentioned how Ernie Reyes Jr. role was purposely written for him. They also talked about how much they loved using David Warner as the Professor and Don being upset about his origin not being special.

Overall the commentaries were fun to listen to. Steve Barron being a big fan of the comics in the first film helped. But again, a lot of the stuff they talked about us hardcore fans already knew for years, so there wasn't much new information for us but "normies" should be interested.

*CyberCubed* · 12-28-2025, 09:34 PM

So I now watched the TMNT III director commentary on the 4k set.

Man I love the fact that the director still loves this movie and was proud to make it. He talks about how much work the Japanese sets were and working with Walker's actor and how much a good time he had with it. As well as make it authentic to 1603 Japan with the outfits and wardrobes for all the villagers as well as Norinaga and the shogun.

I'm surprised he said the film was filmed in Oregon and not Japan, especially the outdoor sections in the woods or the villages. Really looks exactly like Japan. They also filmed high in the mountain area where he said it took them hours to drive all the actors and extras (the soldiers and villagers) up there. He also talked about how they only went with the time travel aspect because he pitched the idea to Eastman and Laird and they loved it so they went with it.

The rest of the stuff was him talking about how the stunt turtles or voice turtles did different roles, same as the other movies depending on who was in the costumes at the time. Vivian Wu who played Mitsu was considered very talented as she was only around 27 at the time. He also said Elias Koteas was great and couldn't imagine anyone else playing Casey.

Glad they managed to get the director to record this for the 4k set. Gives me even more appreciation for TMNT III.

**Jester** · 12-28-2025, 09:40 PM

I need to sit and watch all 3 with the commentaries. I also want to sit with both versions of TMNT I have with Barron's commentary to see how much they differ.

**Jester** · 12-29-2025, 07:02 PM

Listening to the German DVD's audio commentary and I forgot it plays over the German dialogue. I'll let you know if there are any major differences...as best as I can.

*ToTheNines* · 12-29-2025, 07:21 PM

Sprechen sie Deutsch?

**Jester** · 12-30-2025, 07:31 PM

None at all...a little Italian and Spanish though...

It's kind of interesting to hear what they didn't quite finish effects wise due to time and budget.

Its nice that these films finally get the release they deserve....but did we ever find out what the Warrior Audio track on theb1st movie actually is?

*IMJ* · 12-30-2025, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jester

None at all...a little Italian and Spanish though...

It's kind of interesting to hear what they didn't quite finish effects wise due to time and budget.

Its nice that these films finally get the release they deserve....but did we ever find out what the Warrior Audio track on theb1st movie actually is?

It's where all instances of the word "ninja" was replaced with "warrior" in order to appease weirdos with strange sensibility.

**Jester** · 12-30-2025, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ToTheNines

Sprechen sie Deutsch?

Really? LAME! Much like the secondary commentary track on the original film. They could have gotten any one on this forum to have done better.

*ToTheNines* · 12-31-2025, 02:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IMJ

It's where all instances of the word "ninja" was replaced with "warrior" in order to appease weirdos with strange sensibility.

It was for the South Korean release. They also removed any references to Japan and there’s a different flashback sequence.

*CyberCubed* · 12-31-2025, 05:22 AM

It's weird they replaced the Tang Shen actress in the South Korean version when she's only in like 2 scenes, 1 scene hugging Yoshi and the other falling to the floor. What the hell is up with Asians that they all hate each others countries?

I didn't watch the UK version the disc, did they really cut every single scene Mikey swung his chucks? So that whole scene between Mike and the Foot Soldier, "Another chucker. eh?" was completely cut? I can't remember how many more scenes used the chucks.

*ToTheNines* · 12-31-2025, 05:35 AM

The whole world has been pretty awful to each other since the dawn of time, but Japan, Korea and China have a LONG and bitter history of brutally killing, raping, pillaging, whatevering each other.

d_osborn · 12-31-2025, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

I didn't watch the UK version the disc, did they really cut every single scene Mikey swung his chucks? So that whole scene between Mike and the Foot Soldier, "Another chucker. eh?" was completely cut? I can't remember how many more scenes used the chucks.

Splinter flipping Shredder with the chucks at the end.

I think there are a few slightly different shots here and there during the fight in April's apartment. There's a new Foot Soldier shot inside the apartment on the 4K promo video. I guess to cover up shots showing the chucks? Famously bad new sound FX, as well.

*CyberCubed* · 12-31-2025, 04:53 PM

Goddamn the hated British for making the original cartoon drop Michelangelo's nunchucks too. I don't know how the UK had the power to influence an American cartoon. Thank god we declared our independence from them in 1776 or I would be drinking tea with biscuits right about now.

d_osborn · 12-31-2025, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

Goddamn the hated British for making the original cartoon drop Michelangelo's nunchucks too. I don't know how the UK had the power to influence an American cartoon. Thank god we declared our independence from them in 1776 or I would be drinking tea with biscuits right about now.

A real fan would've said crumpets.

*ToTheNines* · 12-31-2025, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d_osborn

A real fan would've said crumpets.

I’ll teach you!

tmntpower1988 · 12-31-2025, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

Goddamn the hated British for making the original cartoon drop Michelangelo's nunchucks too. I don't know how the UK had the power to influence an American cartoon. Thank god we declared our independence from them in 1776 or I would be drinking tea with biscuits right about now.

I'll probably order that 4K box set this week.

*RaphaelinSTL* · 01-15-2026, 10:14 PM

Finally got a chance to watch 1990 today, and it's still a classic from top to bottom. My wife watched it with me, and it was the first time she had seen it all the way through in years. It was fun to hear her reactions to certain scenes.

Even she was like "Hey! April completely skipped Michelangelo during the barn sketch scene!", and I got to explain the backstory on why that was cut and where to look for those scenes that got put back in.

Watched a lot of the special features too, and that was a treat. Gonna have to make time for TMNT II soon, even if it's just a solo watch.

*Autbot_Benz* · 03-28-2026, 03:00 PM

Arrow is doing a standard release of the first movie due out in May. Also a 3 movie collection in june too

Not sure about the sequels but probably

Daytona · 06-28-2026, 02:28 PM

What did you guys think of the 4K transfer - big improvement over the Blu ray?

*IMJ* · 06-29-2026, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daytona

What did you guys think of the 4K transfer - big improvement over the Blu ray?

No. To be honest, no.
Not saying that it's a 'bad transfer' by any means, but honestly I can barely tell I was watching it in 4k over a 1080p transfer. And I have a badass setup and nerd out for true-hd experiences.

12-28-2025, 09:40 PM	#143
Jester Rat-faced Dude-guy Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Arkansas Posts: 26,293	I need to sit and watch all 3 with the commentaries. I also want to sit with both versions of TMNT I have with Barron's commentary to see how much they differ. __________________ "Clearly, you're Ninja Turtling incorrectly." - Leo656

12-29-2025, 07:02 PM	#144
Jester Rat-faced Dude-guy Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Arkansas Posts: 26,293	Listening to the German DVD's audio commentary and I forgot it plays over the German dialogue. I'll let you know if there are any major differences...as best as I can. __________________ "Clearly, you're Ninja Turtling incorrectly." - Leo656

12-30-2025, 07:31 PM	#146
Jester Rat-faced Dude-guy Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Arkansas Posts: 26,293	None at all...a little Italian and Spanish though... It's kind of interesting to hear what they didn't quite finish effects wise due to time and budget. Its nice that these films finally get the release they deserve....but did we ever find out what the Warrior Audio track on theb1st movie actually is? __________________ "Clearly, you're Ninja Turtling incorrectly." - Leo656

01-15-2026, 10:14 PM	#157
RaphaelinSTL Mad Scientist Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: St. Louis Posts: 1,948	Finally got a chance to watch 1990 today, and it's still a classic from top to bottom. My wife watched it with me, and it was the first time she had seen it all the way through in years. It was fun to hear her reactions to certain scenes. Even she was like "Hey! April completely skipped Michelangelo during the barn sketch scene!", and I got to explain the backstory on why that was cut and where to look for those scenes that got put back in. Watched a lot of the special features too, and that was a treat. Gonna have to make time for TMNT II soon, even if it's just a solo watch. __________________

03-28-2026, 03:00 PM	#158
Autbot_Benz Hellblazer Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Ventura California Posts: 9,143	Arrow is doing a standard release of the first movie due out in May. Also a 3 movie collection in june too Not sure about the sequels but probably __________________ I respect what FW cartoon did for the turtles franchise but it is the most overrated and hard to watch of the 3 turtles cartoons. Last edited by Autbot_Benz; 03-29-2026 at 02:58 PM.

12-28-2025, 01:36 PM	#141
CyberCubed Overlord Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 43,713	I've finished watching the director commentaries on the first two films. They really didn't say much that us hardcore fans didn't already know (the cameos in the movies from the stunt actors, adapting the comics, how they had to limit the violence or Michelangelo's use of nunchucks, etc), but they were interesting to listen to. Most of the movies being shot in North Caroline and only a few scenes in New York. The second movie director seemed very proud of Secret of the Ooze, even though he acknowledged they made it lighter than the first film. I didn't know he was the gray haired news manager who yells at April in that scene when Don was calling her from the lair, that was a fun cameo. Sadly he didn't mention anything about why April was replaced in the second movie, he just said he liked working with Paige and she was fun. No mention of why Casey Jones didn't return either, but ah well. He mentioned how Ernie Reyes Jr. role was purposely written for him. They also talked about how much they loved using David Warner as the Professor and Don being upset about his origin not being special. Overall the commentaries were fun to listen to. Steve Barron being a big fan of the comics in the first film helped. But again, a lot of the stuff they talked about us hardcore fans already knew for years, so there wasn't much new information for us but "normies" should be interested.

12-28-2025, 09:34 PM	#142
CyberCubed Overlord Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 43,713	So I now watched the TMNT III director commentary on the 4k set. Man I love the fact that the director still loves this movie and was proud to make it. He talks about how much work the Japanese sets were and working with Walker's actor and how much a good time he had with it. As well as make it authentic to 1603 Japan with the outfits and wardrobes for all the villagers as well as Norinaga and the shogun. I'm surprised he said the film was filmed in Oregon and not Japan, especially the outdoor sections in the woods or the villages. Really looks exactly like Japan. They also filmed high in the mountain area where he said it took them hours to drive all the actors and extras (the soldiers and villagers) up there. He also talked about how they only went with the time travel aspect because he pitched the idea to Eastman and Laird and they loved it so they went with it. The rest of the stuff was him talking about how the stunt turtles or voice turtles did different roles, same as the other movies depending on who was in the costumes at the time. Vivian Wu who played Mitsu was considered very talented as she was only around 27 at the time. He also said Elias Koteas was great and couldn't imagine anyone else playing Casey. Glad they managed to get the director to record this for the 4k set. Gives me even more appreciation for TMNT III.

12-29-2025, 07:21 PM	#145
ToTheNines Col. Stinkmeaner Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 19,072	Sprechen sie Deutsch?

12-31-2025, 05:22 AM	#150
CyberCubed Overlord Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 43,713	It's weird they replaced the Tang Shen actress in the South Korean version when she's only in like 2 scenes, 1 scene hugging Yoshi and the other falling to the floor. What the hell is up with Asians that they all hate each others countries? I didn't watch the UK version the disc, did they really cut every single scene Mikey swung his chucks? So that whole scene between Mike and the Foot Soldier, "Another chucker. eh?" was completely cut? I can't remember how many more scenes used the chucks.

12-31-2025, 05:35 AM	#151
ToTheNines Col. Stinkmeaner Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 19,072	The whole world has been pretty awful to each other since the dawn of time, but Japan, Korea and China have a LONG and bitter history of brutally killing, raping, pillaging, whatevering each other.

12-31-2025, 04:53 PM	#153
CyberCubed Overlord Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 43,713	Goddamn the hated British for making the original cartoon drop Michelangelo's nunchucks too. I don't know how the UK had the power to influence an American cartoon. Thank god we declared our independence from them in 1776 or I would be drinking tea with biscuits right about now.

06-28-2026, 02:28 PM	#159
Daytona Foot Soldier Join Date: Feb 2025 Posts: 249	What did you guys think of the 4K transfer - big improvement over the Blu ray? __________________ https://x.com/JohnnyDi17 lmk if you’re from the drome if u follow me.