Teenage
Mutant Ninja Turtles II and III on DVD
That old shell game...
Though not as fun, or interesting, as the original, these two sequels
to “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” provide an entertaining
time in the home theater nonetheless.
In TMNT II – The Secret of the Ooze,” the guys and their
rat mentor Splinter are back in action, once again facing off against
the evil Shredder. They're joined this time by a Ninja wannabe pizza delivery
guy named Keno (they, in fact, take a gamble on him), while Shredder,
thanks to more of that mutating ooze, is joined by Rahzar and Tokka, two
new mutant creatures – and nasty ones at that.
The subplot involves a reasonably evil corporation and its scientist
leader (David Warner, and what the heck's he doing here?) whose company
is responsible for that awful ooze. Shredder gets his mitts on a supply
of the stuff, uses it to create his new critters, and goes after the Turtles.
Another subplot sees the Turtles looking for new digs so they can move
out from April O'Neil's (Paige Turco) place, where they've been hanging
out.
It's entertaining and fun, and kids should have a good time.
TMNT
III continues the tradition. This time, a magic scepter dumps April back
in time to 17th century Japan, so the boys take off after her.
The bad guy this time is Lord Norinaga, and not only must they bail out
April, they need to get that pesky scepter so they can get back home again.
It's pretty good, lots of fun, and as with II, kids are sure to eat it
up “on the half shell.”
The DVD's aren't bad. While they're nowhere near reference quality, at
least they're presented in both anamorphic widescreen (16x9 TV compatible)
and Pan&Scan versions, which is how it should be if you have to include
P&S, and the picture is okay.
Audio is Dolby Digital 5.1 surround, and it's pretty good, too. Not outstanding,
but okay.
Extras on both discs are limited to a “Pick that flick” game
that's pretty lame in a promotional kind of way, the trailers, and some
DVD ROM stuff.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II – The Secret of the Ooze
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III
from Alliance Atlantis Home Video
88/95 min. anamorphic widescreen (1.85:1), 16x9 TV compatible/Pan&Scan,
Dolby Digital 5.1 surround
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