Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987) Season One DVD Review

[Pavan]

From my ToonZone.net article:


TITLE: TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES (1987) - SEASON ONE


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Info:

DVD Release date: April 20, 2004 (Artisan Home Entertainment)
MSRP: $14.98
Number of discs: 1
Number of episodes: 9
Running Time: 110 minutes
Languages and subtitles: English, no subtitles
Special Features: Four Bonus Episodes



Review (out of 5 stars):

Video quality: 4.0/5
Audio quality: 4.0/5
Special Features: 3.5/5
Menu Navigation: 4.5/5
Overall: 4.0/5


Thoughts:

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! Heroes in a half-shell, Turtle power!

Yes, that green fearsome fighting team is headed our way in the world of DVD! I got the DVD on Monday, April 12 and I feel like a kid again. Turtles was even bigger than what SpongeBob or Pokemon is today in the late 80s/early 90s.

The DVD set is a single disc with nine episodes. The set starts off with the five-part mini-series that started it all. The opening/closing credits are on each episode, if anyone is wondering. And the episode title shot is also in tact. The video isn't too bad. There are times when you see quick white flash dots, but that's expected. It's very watchable. The audio is fine, it's better than what it have sounded like on television or VHS. The menu screen is easy to navigate, though there is no theme playing in the background when you are making a choice.

The popular five-part mini-series introduces the Turtles, Splinter, April O'Neil, and of course, their nemesis Shredder and his evil clang. Ah, mutation with Ninjitsu is such an interesting thing to watch. If there is someone that has never seen this mini-series, it is a must buy. It's a must buy for any Turtles fan as well. Or if you watch the new Turtle series on FOXBOX, and was wondering how the original series is -- now is your chance to see for yourself!

As for the bonus episodes, there are four episodes from the tenth and final season. These four episodes did not air originally in most markets, so that's why they are labeled on the box cover as unaired episodes. I don't think many fans remember that there was even a different opening/closing credits to this season, with some live-action shots from the movies. It certainly was not better than the original catchy theme. Also, Artisan kept the original CBS Action Zone bumpers that air before the opening credits for these four episodes. Nice job by Artisan.

The box cover is good looking, but it's hard to get the case out of the box for some reason. Or maybe because I'm just a klutz?

Hopefully Artisan continues to release seasonal box sets of Turtles and some extras would be nice. Season two has thirteen episodes. Maybe if everyone buys this set, we would get every season on DVD, or at least the first few seasons. And now that they released four episodes from season ten, how about the rest of that season (only four more left from that season)?

-- Reviewed by pavanbadal on 04/16/04.

[PZelda]

This sucks A LOT.

I grew up with TMNT, AND THE DVD ISN'T CAPTIONED?! Bull.

[barwars]

Sounds great.
I dont have it yet -- but Ill be getting it soon.

[Lamont Holmes]

I did some research on the show,and I know who did the voices in the series.

CAM CLARKE as Leonardo
ROB PAULSEN as Raphael
TOWNSEND COLEMAN as Michaelangelo
BARRY GORDON as Donatello
PAT FRALEY as Splinter
JAMES AVERY as Shredder
TRESS MacNEILLE as April O'Neil

I think the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles beat the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers on Saturday Mornings back in the 80's.

TURTLE POWER!!!

[barwars]

Originally posted by Miss Vicki
This sucks A LOT.

I grew up with TMNT, AND THE DVD ISN'T CAPTIONED?! Bull.

It doesnt have subtitles -- but I think movies/tv shows HAVE TO be in CC.
I may be wrong -- but I think its the law.

[PZelda]

Originally posted by barwars88
It doesnt have subtitles -- but I think movies/tv shows HAVE TO be in CC.
I may be wrong -- but I think its the law.

YOu're right- Freaks and Geeks doesn't have subtitles, but it IS closed captioned, even though there's no "CC" mark on the box.

I'll have to take a lookie...it's only one disc, so it wouldn't make a dent in my pocket like F&G did.

Thanks

[Jokerette]

I need to pick myself up a copy of this. I have the whole series on VCD but the quality isn't too hot and it's missing a few episodes (and episode 5! Grr!). I hope they release the other seasons on DVD too over time.