TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES

US, 1990, 93 minutes, Colour.
Judith Hoag, Elias Koteas.
Directed by Steve Barron.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were a craze across the world in the late '80s and early '90s. Originally a tongue-in-cheek comic strip in the United States, gently spoofing the heroics of Superman, Star Wars etc., it was turned into an animated television series and then marketed for all kinds of toys and commercial merchandise. Rather late in the day comes this full-length feature with the Turtles, not animated, but rather designed by Jim Henson's Muppet-style workshop.

It is an enjoyable cross between Star Wars, Superman and The Karate Kid. It is good-natured, as are the classically-named Turtles themselves. It is the old story of city crime and gangbusters - with touches of violence and a philosophy of discipline. In fact, the old sage rat Splinter is the nicest Master since Obi- Wan- Kenobi.

Not too serious, delighting in its oddball premises, and good versus evil, it is full of message exhortations as well and is surprisingly enjoyable for adult audiences as well as youngsters.

1.The background of the Turtles, comic strip, spoof, television animated series, merchandise? A hit throughout the world in the '80s?

2.Popular response to the Turtles, younger audiences, parents? Moral and education lobbies against the alleged violence? How violent is the film? In its context, treatment of its theme?

3.The traditions of the gangbuster films, crime in the city, martial arts features and The Karate Kid, Star Wars and wise Masters?

4.An entertaining fantasy? Touches of realism in the modern city? The modern language and jargon? The use of the media? Youth themes, growing up, law and order? Mythical heroics?

5.Splinter as the Master, his story, the rat, Japan, the martial arts and learning from his Master, falling in love, the death of his Master, Shredder, revenge? The flashback styles? Shredder as the enemy? The finding of the Turtles, their contamination by the radioactive material? Their quick growing up? Speaking, his teaching them his wisdom? The patient grandfather figure with the rowdy teenagers? Their growth, his advice? A character of peace?

6.The young Turtles themselves, types? Their story, their classical names, their origins, American youth, love for pizza - and slicing it? Their fooling around, spats and jealousies, fighting? The confrontation with Casey? Saving April? Telling her the story? The growing involvement, April's apartment and its destruction, her boss, Danny and the gang? The Foot and their attacks, in the subway, at their home, in the drains? The kidnapping of Splinter? Strategies, going to April's farm and training? The discovery of Splinter's whereabouts? The media interviews and their response? Casey and his help? April, the kids under Shredder's influence, the final fight, the confrontation with Splinter? Splinter's victory?

7.The identities of the Turtles, their style, mannerisms, leadership, youngsters, their martial arts skills?

8.April, the television reporter, strong views, attacks on the police, interactions with her boss, being mugged, saved by the Turtles? Her investigations of the Foot, the attack on the police, the visit to the Commissioner? Her listening to the Turtles' story, her investigations, her apartment and its destruction, the friendship with Casey? Being sacked? The final interview, opening up the questions of law and order? The training of the Turtles, the final fight - and her bargaining with Charles for better conditions? Kissing Casey?

9.Casey, the vigilante, his style, the fight with the Turtle, law and order, rediscovering the Turtles, joining in with them, attracted to April?

10.Shredder as the villain, the Samurai background and style, his mutilation? The Oliver Twist and Fagan aspects of the story? The discontented kids, his control over them? The crack Ninja squad? Vengeance and attacks, the final confrontation with Splinter, his death?

11.Danny and his father, the busy boss, the young boy taking his father's money? Father's severity? Running away, the police? Joining the youngsters in Shredder's headquarters, the video games and their way of life, freedom, robberies, organised crime in the streets? The conscience for Danny, helping the group? Liberating the youngsters?

12.The build-up to the climax, right versus wrong, good versus evil - and the expected heroic victory?