Your honest opinion of the 1987 cartoon - Then and Now - Page 2

*Spike Spiegel* · 08-09-2014, 11:32 AM

Those first five episodes have nostalgic value for me as they are what I remember renting from the library on VHS as a young child. They were my first exposure to the characters, even though I was in also in the prime age group for 2k3 when it was released.

When I tried watching the rest of the series recently, I could only get to the end of season 2 before realizing how convoluted and downright silly the plots were. I think "Turtles Forever" may have been more interesting if the OT characterizations were more like the ones in the first season. The parody of the OT in that movie only seemed to express how much that series ultimately declined in such a short time.

As for the Red Sky seasons, I suppose they are interesting, but, having grown up on 2k3 and getting into the comics shortly after that series ended, I felt I had already seen "darker, grittier" TMNT done much better. In a way, those seasons seem like a cop-out of sorts, caving into the influence of shows like Batman TAS instead of embracing what had made the franchise popular in the first place. Maybe this series should have gone gently into that good night after season six ended.

*IndigoErth* · 08-09-2014, 12:12 PM

In the process or rewatching it, just got to the first few episodes of season 6 last night. I realize now how their personalities are only mildly distinct between them and, watching more than one episode in a sitting vs maybe one a day years ago, some of the themes are obviously a bit repetitive, but its still a cute show.

While Nick's series may be more creative and is able to have the luxury of 21st century writing, effort, animation technology, etc, I'll refrain from judging the old one against Nick's as it should prob just be left to stand on it's own for what it is, and visa versa. At the very least the old one is still certainly better than a lot of the cartoon nonsense on tv these days and contributed it's own aspects to the Turtles that helped craft them into who they are today and most would not want missing from them.

Mewzard · 08-09-2014, 12:29 PM

My sister (who is around six or so years older than me) grew up on the cartoon, so I know I must have seen some of it. But I was born in 1988, so by the time she stopped watching it, my memories of things are still in a fuzzy period.

My first real good memory of the TMNT (and what defined how they should be to me) was the first movie, which I wore the VHS into ruin with rewatches. So, I probably ended up thinking they were not quite as serious/cool as I would like.

Now? Well, I've experienced many a series now (I do wish the 2003 series would get a proper full release, as I've been meaning to watch more of it/rewatch what I have) both in comic and animated form, but I've never seen a lot of the old Cartoon, so probably about the same.

My preferred TMNT actually became something I only discovered in the last few years, the Mirage Comic run. I really gotta thank Turtles Forever for getting me curious about the series around the time IDW was just starting to reprint the old stuff (it also eventually lead me to want to do a Podcast about the series, and I knew Andrew was the biggest turtles guy in my group of friends, and that eventually lead to Shellshocked).

I do want to eventually check out more (probably get some of the DVD sets if I can ever get the spare cash, it's costing a fortune as is trying to catch up on a year's worth of TMNT trades from the Mirage, Archie, and IDW series). But, as it is now, I can only speak on limited terms.

I'd probably like the series for a while if I gave it a shot. I just prefer my turtles a bit darker (but I haven't watched a lot of turtles material that I hated, so I'm not too concerned).

*CyberCubed* · 08-09-2014, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mutagen

Well, as I said in a different thread,
I love the animation style, with painted backgrounds, love the designs and the quirkiness of it. The show realy shows everything that was cool about the 80s, it has originality, uniqueness and its just whacky and bizarre. Its like Bizzarro's World, thats what I love about it. Like in Turtles Forever cartoon, the 03 turtles said this 80s world is weird and odd, and thats precisely why i love it. its designs, feel, everything is so crazy and downright surreal. The technodrome - Death Star with a big eye, krang - a brain in a stomach of a fat guy looking like the mutated guy from Goonies with 80s techno sunglasses, its all great, its all bizarre, I enjoy the insane surrealism of it all. And Shredder is the cream of the crop, i love his visual design and i love the fact that (intentionally) he does resemble Darth Vader and they also voiced him with a black actor.

its simply a lot of fun, even for an adult, and especially for art fans, such as myself, i love the art of older cartoons, especially the good old max fleisher cartoons, and tmnt resemble that a bit with the background work. Im a big fan of that animation style

its a lot of fun still, the whacky, surreal 80s, its the same fun in the vein of killer klowns from outer space or House (movie)

Agreed. The OT came at a time where shows weren't expected to have continuing plotlines and story arcs. It's just a fun cartoon to watch 22 minutes of adventure and turn your brain off.

I think the strength of the main cast and the wacky plots is exactly why it's held up. If it tried to be a serious cartoon it would have aged much worse.

*Original TMNT Cartoon Fan* · 08-09-2014, 01:29 PM

As a kid, I mostly cared for Krang and Shredder episodes. Then I rediscovered TMNT, I became more fascinated with those season 4-5 solo adventures, often set at the countryside.

One of the strength with this show is how most characters actually are ordinary humans, coming from planet Earth!

*snake* · 08-09-2014, 01:39 PM

To be completly honest, most of it is pretty bad. I don't hate it, but it's not exactly the best thing ever. It is fun to watch if you look past all the animation errors and such.

FoxBoxKid · 08-09-2014, 02:15 PM

I grew up on the 4Kids show as you might have gleaned from my username. I've seen season 1 of the original show and that was decent enough, but I hate that the worst Ninja Turtles cartoon is the most popular. Not only is it not my kind of show, but it seems like a "who cares, it's for kids" sort of show. I resent that it's the most popular and well-known version of TMNT, and one my biggest peeves is seeing people online say, "teh new ninja turtles suks, bring bak teh orginal." I respect it for it's importance to the franchise, but I hate it's nostalgia-blinded fandom. I belive that because of this show, Ninja Turtles might never realize it's full potential, but IDW comic is pretty darn close.

Mutagen · 08-09-2014, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FoxBoxKid

I grew up on the 4Kids show as you might have gleaned from my username. I've seen season 1 of the original show and that was decent enough, but I hate that the worst Ninja Turtles cartoon is the most popular. Not only is it not my kind of show, but it seems like a "who cares, it's for kids" sort of show. I resent that it's the most popular and well-known version of TMNT, and one my biggest peeves is seeing people online say, "teh new ninja turtles suks, bring bak teh orginal." I respect it for it's importance to the franchise, but I hate it's nostalgia-blinded fandom. I belive that because of this show, Ninja Turtles might never realize it's full potential, but IDW comic is pretty darn close.

I dont think its fair to say that people liking it most, like it because theyre blinded by nostalgia, Im pretty sure a lot of people who have passion for something have good reasons and actual reasons for why they love it. Its as if saying that nobody can like Burtons Batman anymore or the 60 tv show because Nolans Batman is here. Perhaps I cant speak for everybody and I can only speak for myself, but I myself gave my own reasons why i enjoy the show so much on the first p[age. I think the fact Im a graphic designer may have an influence on that, but overall my love for surrealism definitely pinpoints the 80s tmnt as the thing for me

*IndigoErth* · 08-09-2014, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FoxBoxKid

I grew up on the 4Kids show as you might have gleaned from my username. I've seen season 1 of the original show and that was decent enough, but I hate that the worst Ninja Turtles cartoon is the most popular. Not only is it not my kind of show, but it seems like a "who cares, it's for kids" sort of show. I resent that it's the most popular and well-known version of TMNT, and one my biggest peeves is seeing people online say, "teh new ninja turtles suks, bring bak teh orginal." I respect it for it's importance to the franchise, but I hate it's nostalgia-blinded fandom. I belive that because of this show, Ninja Turtles might never realize it's full potential, but IDW comic is pretty darn close.

Well, to be fair it was also the times, I don't think most cartoons were all that deep or perfect back then, not like they are today. The irony being that many who work on the cartoons of today were prob adults who used to watch the old ones and have helped bring cartoons to what the are now... so who we calling blind. lol

Only thing stopping it from reaching any kind of potentials of some kind or another is the need and/or wait for the right people to come along and have the ability to do it.

The-Shredder · 08-09-2014, 03:20 PM

Back when I first watched it in the early 2000s on a foreign T.V. channel, I was instantly hooked. It was only when I saw the toys in stores back in 2003 that I discovered there was a new show on the FoxBox. Eventually, the 2003 series became my favorite version. I still watched both shows at the time and enjoyed them both, but I liked the 2003 series a lot more due to it's more serious tone. In my opinion, the 1987 series seemed to be hampered by the annoying human cast and poor fight sequences. I have yet to get the entire series on DVD, besides the first season with the 4 Red Sky episodes, which I think is the best sample of what the show had to offer, and it is still fun to watch to this day.

babyb · 08-09-2014, 03:26 PM

I was watching the turtles last night and to this day i still love them! especially the witty comments

kinda sucks that all of the cartoons i used to watch are now only on telethon retro.. makes me feel old lmao

pharaohyami5000 · 08-09-2014, 03:50 PM

I think the Classics are still fun and entertaining to watch to this day, and a good way to be introduced to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. At least until you move toward the comics, the TMNT movies and 2k3 TMNT. By the way, I do wonder if Hero is still replacing Ninja to the residence in Europe?

I like the Turtles and Splinter, April O'Neil and Irma Langinstein are funny and supportive at times (hate how Irma was dropped with the rest of the Channel 6 crew later in the series) and Shredder and villains with their oddball plans are just entertaining.

It just that most of Season 5 and 6 were what started to become repetitive to me until Season 7 kicked in. Still, if given the chance, I'll give the Classics a go again, just to make fun of their animation flaws.

*IndigoErth* · 08-09-2014, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babyb

I was watching the turtles last night and to this day i still love them! especially the witty comments

kinda sucks that all of the cartoons i used to watch are now only on telethon retro.. makes me feel old lmao

lol Tell me about it. When it and it's toys are now "retro" and some figures might be resold well past original retail prices.... How and when did this happen! o.O

*CyberCubed* · 08-09-2014, 05:00 PM

There are many great episodes in the OT's run and even the sillier episodes have their merits. You guys shouldn't go into it with the mindset that it's an action cartoon, it's more of an adventure comedy.

**Jester** · 08-09-2014, 05:07 PM

Loved it as a kid, thought I think the only episodes I really remember from then are the ones on the VHS tapes I owned. Having finally watched the whole series years later I still enjoy quite a bit of it...mainly for it's campyness, though there are some episodes that are genuinely well done...especially the 1st couple of seasons and season 7.

Werecat · 08-09-2014, 05:18 PM

I still like the 1987 cartoon. Before I was convinced I wouldn't like it because I assumed only those naive enough will enjoy the show. I was wrong. Well I don't like the late seasons. The first season is amazing and still holds up to this day. Combining some comic book themes with humor is pure gold. I dislike the different origin as a fan. However, the cartoon does a good job telling its story.

Mutagen · 08-09-2014, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

There are many great episodes in the OT's run and even the sillier episodes have their merits. You guys shouldn't go into it with the mindset that it's an action cartoon, it's more of an adventure comedy.

A PURE 80S adventure comedy, in the vein of The Critters or already mentioned Killer Klowns From Outer Space or House (1986). All of those very fun, not taking themselves seriously, and extremely bizarre, as surreal as they came in the crazy 80s

*Candy Kappa* · 08-09-2014, 05:23 PM

I hVe little to no nostalgia for the FW cartoon. As a kid I hates the Fred wolf show, or the few episodes I saw on rental VHS. The Norwegian dubbing was terrible and the episodes was usually boring, and I still don't likee this episodes I remember seeing as a kid.

But, when I got the chance to see the entire show in it's English dub a few years ago, I really enjoyed the show a lot more.

*CyberCubed* · 08-09-2014, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mutagen

A PURE 80S adventure comedy, in the vein of The Critters or already mentioned Killer Klowns From Outer Space or House (1986). All of those very fun, not taking themselves seriously, and extremely bizarre, as surreal as they came in the crazy 80s

Very true. There are some bad episodes from time to time, but I'm being honest when I say I enjoyed at least 75% of its total episodes.

I do wish the Turtles had fight scenes a bit more in various episodes but what can you do.

~~Leo656~~ · 08-09-2014, 05:50 PM

My friends and I were seriously heavy into it as kids. I didn't wanna like it, because everyone else did and I've always been one of "those" kinda people, but I decided to check it out and just couldn't hate it, especially when my parents liked it, too. It blew up huge at school, I still remember at recess how we'd make turtle bandanna masks and Turtle-Coms and "weapons" and sh*t out of construction paper; it used to be on for an hour every day after school, pretty sure it was on at 3:30 and 4, two different episodes on two different channels, and again on Saturdays (I never really liked the Saturday morning version of the intro). I watched it constantly, and I had those four Burger King VHS tapes. I didn't see it as much besides Saturday mornings once a lot of syndicated channels stopped running it, but I still watched it up until the end, although I didn't quite catch when they cancelled it, I just noticed one day it wasn't on anymore. I kinda liked the "Red Sky" seasons, mostly, and I appreciated what they were trying to do with it but it did feel kind of like a forced change. I had no idea they were going to cancel it, but you could kind of get a feeling that the end was near by that point.

Going back to it now, I do still like it and I do still laugh, but a lot of what got laughs back then gets a serious groan now, especially some of the middle seasons. I could still watch the first "season" anytime, but it's really tough for me to do a marathon run of it; they really got stale and started carrying the whole show on pizza jokes and "Cowabunga", at one point, and t became really obvious. Some of the stories are really clever, though. And the art is good, aside from the glitches and whatnot. The music was also pretty good, they always had a good way of working the theme song jingle into some plot- or scene-based variation whenever they would shift scenes, I thought that was creative.

It's definitely one of the best shows of its era, but when you compare it to everything else that was on at that time (except the Disney Afternoon stuff) that isn't really saying much, because even a lot of the most memorable shows from back then simply aren't that great when you look at them. It's definitely good for what it is, but it's hard to watch in large chunks now, because a lot of the episodes are really pretty similar after a while.

08-09-2014, 02:15 PM	#27
FoxBoxKid Foot Soldier Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 214	I grew up on the 4Kids show as you might have gleaned from my username. I've seen season 1 of the original show and that was decent enough, but I hate that the worst Ninja Turtles cartoon is the most popular. Not only is it not my kind of show, but it seems like a "who cares, it's for kids" sort of show. I resent that it's the most popular and well-known version of TMNT, and one my biggest peeves is seeing people online say, "teh new ninja turtles suks, bring bak teh orginal." I respect it for it's importance to the franchise, but I hate it's nostalgia-blinded fandom. I belive that because of this show, Ninja Turtles might never realize it's full potential, but IDW comic is pretty darn close. __________________ cow·a·bun·gler /ˌkou-əˈbəNG(ə)lər/ noun informal a person who enjoys the 1980s animated series, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, but erroneously believes that no other incarnation of the franchise can possibly compare to the cherished cartoon of their childhood, often expressing their opinion in an obnoxious manner. Example: "Cowabunglers and their absurd narrow-mindedness regarding Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles really get on my nerves."

08-09-2014, 03:26 PM	#31
babyb Mouser Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: saskatoon Posts: 5	feelin old I was watching the turtles last night and to this day i still love them! especially the witty comments kinda sucks that all of the cartoons i used to watch are now only on telethon retro.. makes me feel old lmao __________________ only trust people who like big butts they cannot lie

08-09-2014, 05:07 PM	#35
Jester Rat-faced Dude-guy Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Arkansas Posts: 26,298	Loved it as a kid, thought I think the only episodes I really remember from then are the ones on the VHS tapes I owned. Having finally watched the whole series years later I still enjoy quite a bit of it...mainly for it's campyness, though there are some episodes that are genuinely well done...especially the 1st couple of seasons and season 7. __________________ "Clearly, you're Ninja Turtling incorrectly." - Leo656

08-09-2014, 05:23 PM	#38
Candy Kappa The Agenda of Existing Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Vikingland Posts: 14,596	I hVe little to no nostalgia for the FW cartoon. As a kid I hates the Fred wolf show, or the few episodes I saw on rental VHS. The Norwegian dubbing was terrible and the episodes was usually boring, and I still don't likee this episodes I remember seeing as a kid. But, when I got the chance to see the entire show in it's English dub a few years ago, I really enjoyed the show a lot more. __________________ devianArt Instagram Youtube Tumblr Art Blog Patreon

08-09-2014, 12:12 PM	#22
IndigoErth Team Blue Boy Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: U.S., East Coast Posts: 16,293	In the process or rewatching it, just got to the first few episodes of season 6 last night. I realize now how their personalities are only mildly distinct between them and, watching more than one episode in a sitting vs maybe one a day years ago, some of the themes are obviously a bit repetitive, but its still a cute show. While Nick's series may be more creative and is able to have the luxury of 21st century writing, effort, animation technology, etc, I'll refrain from judging the old one against Nick's as it should prob just be left to stand on it's own for what it is, and visa versa. At the very least the old one is still certainly better than a lot of the cartoon nonsense on tv these days and contributed it's own aspects to the Turtles that helped craft them into who they are today and most would not want missing from them.

08-09-2014, 12:29 PM	#23
Mewzard Hench Mutant Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 255	My sister (who is around six or so years older than me) grew up on the cartoon, so I know I must have seen some of it. But I was born in 1988, so by the time she stopped watching it, my memories of things are still in a fuzzy period. My first real good memory of the TMNT (and what defined how they should be to me) was the first movie, which I wore the VHS into ruin with rewatches. So, I probably ended up thinking they were not quite as serious/cool as I would like. Now? Well, I've experienced many a series now (I do wish the 2003 series would get a proper full release, as I've been meaning to watch more of it/rewatch what I have) both in comic and animated form, but I've never seen a lot of the old Cartoon, so probably about the same. My preferred TMNT actually became something I only discovered in the last few years, the Mirage Comic run. I really gotta thank Turtles Forever for getting me curious about the series around the time IDW was just starting to reprint the old stuff (it also eventually lead me to want to do a Podcast about the series, and I knew Andrew was the biggest turtles guy in my group of friends, and that eventually lead to Shellshocked). I do want to eventually check out more (probably get some of the DVD sets if I can ever get the spare cash, it's costing a fortune as is trying to catch up on a year's worth of TMNT trades from the Mirage, Archie, and IDW series). But, as it is now, I can only speak on limited terms. I'd probably like the series for a while if I gave it a shot. I just prefer my turtles a bit darker (but I haven't watched a lot of turtles material that I hated, so I'm not too concerned).

08-09-2014, 01:29 PM	#25
Original TMNT Cartoon Fan Overlord Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Sweden Posts: 10,480	As a kid, I mostly cared for Krang and Shredder episodes. Then I rediscovered TMNT, I became more fascinated with those season 4-5 solo adventures, often set at the countryside. One of the strength with this show is how most characters actually are ordinary humans, coming from planet Earth!

08-09-2014, 01:39 PM	#26
snake Disgusting Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Outer Heaven Posts: 12,231	To be completly honest, most of it is pretty bad. I don't hate it, but it's not exactly the best thing ever. It is fun to watch if you look past all the animation errors and such.

08-09-2014, 03:20 PM	#30
The-Shredder Hench Mutant Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 458	Back when I first watched it in the early 2000s on a foreign T.V. channel, I was instantly hooked. It was only when I saw the toys in stores back in 2003 that I discovered there was a new show on the FoxBox. Eventually, the 2003 series became my favorite version. I still watched both shows at the time and enjoyed them both, but I liked the 2003 series a lot more due to it's more serious tone. In my opinion, the 1987 series seemed to be hampered by the annoying human cast and poor fight sequences. I have yet to get the entire series on DVD, besides the first season with the 4 Red Sky episodes, which I think is the best sample of what the show had to offer, and it is still fun to watch to this day.

08-09-2014, 03:50 PM	#32
pharaohyami5000 Thug Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 83	I think the Classics are still fun and entertaining to watch to this day, and a good way to be introduced to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. At least until you move toward the comics, the TMNT movies and 2k3 TMNT. By the way, I do wonder if Hero is still replacing Ninja to the residence in Europe? I like the Turtles and Splinter, April O'Neil and Irma Langinstein are funny and supportive at times (hate how Irma was dropped with the rest of the Channel 6 crew later in the series) and Shredder and villains with their oddball plans are just entertaining. It just that most of Season 5 and 6 were what started to become repetitive to me until Season 7 kicked in. Still, if given the chance, I'll give the Classics a go again, just to make fun of their animation flaws.

08-09-2014, 05:00 PM	#34
CyberCubed Overlord Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 43,831	There are many great episodes in the OT's run and even the sillier episodes have their merits. You guys shouldn't go into it with the mindset that it's an action cartoon, it's more of an adventure comedy.

08-09-2014, 05:18 PM	#36
Werecat Hench Mutant Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Canada Posts: 266	I still like the 1987 cartoon. Before I was convinced I wouldn't like it because I assumed only those naive enough will enjoy the show. I was wrong. Well I don't like the late seasons. The first season is amazing and still holds up to this day. Combining some comic book themes with humor is pure gold. I dislike the different origin as a fan. However, the cartoon does a good job telling its story.

08-09-2014, 05:50 PM	#40
~~Leo656~~ Banned Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: nWo Country Posts: 27,703	My friends and I were seriously heavy into it as kids. I didn't wanna like it, because everyone else did and I've always been one of "those" kinda people, but I decided to check it out and just couldn't hate it, especially when my parents liked it, too. It blew up huge at school, I still remember at recess how we'd make turtle bandanna masks and Turtle-Coms and "weapons" and sh*t out of construction paper; it used to be on for an hour every day after school, pretty sure it was on at 3:30 and 4, two different episodes on two different channels, and again on Saturdays (I never really liked the Saturday morning version of the intro). I watched it constantly, and I had those four Burger King VHS tapes. I didn't see it as much besides Saturday mornings once a lot of syndicated channels stopped running it, but I still watched it up until the end, although I didn't quite catch when they cancelled it, I just noticed one day it wasn't on anymore. I kinda liked the "Red Sky" seasons, mostly, and I appreciated what they were trying to do with it but it did feel kind of like a forced change. I had no idea they were going to cancel it, but you could kind of get a feeling that the end was near by that point. Going back to it now, I do still like it and I do still laugh, but a lot of what got laughs back then gets a serious groan now, especially some of the middle seasons. I could still watch the first "season" anytime, but it's really tough for me to do a marathon run of it; they really got stale and started carrying the whole show on pizza jokes and "Cowabunga", at one point, and t became really obvious. Some of the stories are really clever, though. And the art is good, aside from the glitches and whatnot. The music was also pretty good, they always had a good way of working the theme song jingle into some plot- or scene-based variation whenever they would shift scenes, I thought that was creative. It's definitely one of the best shows of its era, but when you compare it to everything else that was on at that time (except the Disney Afternoon stuff) that isn't really saying much, because even a lot of the most memorable shows from back then simply aren't that great when you look at them. It's definitely good for what it is, but it's hard to watch in large chunks now, because a lot of the episodes are really pretty similar after a while.