Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)

Related: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II (1991)

The TMNT franchise played a large role in my childhood, and for that it pains me to write this review. That so many children have been exposed and thereby endeared to it is a tragedy, for it has ultimately served as one of many means through which our generation has become desensitized to violence, irreverence, and profanity. The violence in this movie, in particular, was so problematic back in the 90's that during development, its own producers, actors, actresses, and even Jim Henson, the creator of the turtle suit animatronics, complained that the violent content was excessive. Yet, the violence in this movie pales in comparison to what dominates movies, television, and video games today—how quickly has society fallen and continues to decay!

This movie should be avoided because it is filled with profanity (at least 16 instances), blasphemy (God's name is taken in vain at least 12 times), and involves and/or promotes defiance against God, disdain for authority, immodesty, and sexual immorality. Since its heroes practice sin, this movie conditions viewers to substitute evil for good and good for evil (Isa. 5:20) by praising evildoers who ought to be despised (Ps. 15:4; Pro. 28:4).

Violations of God's Law

Defiance against God

This movie violates the First Commandment.

• Splinter and the turtles are shown assuming Hindu meditation poses, engaging in eastern style meditation, which is antithetical to Christianity and biblical meditation.
• There is a scene in which Leonardo leads the turtles in an eastern meditation ritual whereby they summon Splinter through astral projection—effectively engaging in sorcery to gain knowledge and insight regarding the whereabouts of their master.

Blasphemy and Profanity

This movie violates the Third Commandment. God has warned that he will not hold guiltless those who take his name in vain (Ex. 20:7).

• April takes God's name in vain at least 4 times
• Charles takes God's name in vain at least twice
• Michelangelo, Casey Jones, and the police chief each take God's name in vain at least once
• Leonardo, Donatello, and Danny each utter a minced oath
• Profane references: hell (4), damn (7), among others

Disdain for Authority

This movie promotes violations of the Fifth Commandment. Those who disobey parents are worthy of death according to the judgment of God (Rom. 1:30-32); those who despise government are likened to brute beasts who will be condemned (2Pe. 2:10-12; Jude 1:8-10).

• Vigilantism: as self-appointed masked vigilantes, the turtles, along with their ally Casey Jones, defy civil authority and ignore the laws imposed by duly appointed authorities.
  • Casey takes it upon himself to roam the city streets looking to punish criminals, which he does so violently, beating them with sporting equipment, including baseball bats and hockey sticks
  • The turtles train to fight crime and avoid detection by the police
• Raphael is portrayed with a rebellious character with which he treats his master Splinter dismissively, and speaks derisively to the group leader Leonardo
• April is repeatedly shown dismissing, mocking, ignoring, and disobeying her employer, even to the point where he fires her
• Charles' character and actions demonstrate a bad, negligent, and profane example of a father, but the movie presents him as normal and good

Abuse, Violence, and Murder

This movie promotes violations of the Sixth Commandment. God hates those who love violence (Ps. 11:5). The Bible says those who hate are murderers, and no murderer has eternal life (1Jo. 3:15).

• Raphael is portrayed as one given to rage and vengeance, a fact attested to by his master Splinter, and exemplified by his repeated profane utterances throughout the movie, shoving his brothers in anger, and throwing one of his lethal sai weapons at Donatello over a trivial matter
• The turtles and Casey are all shown enjoying and relishing violence
• After Shredder falls into the back of a dumpster truck, Casey mockingly says, "Oops!" while turning on the crushing mechanism to kill him, then whistles as the crushing commences

Immodesty and Sexual Immorality

This movie violates the Seventh Commandment. The Bible warns that those who do not repent of sexual immorality will not inherit the kingdom of God (1Co. 6:9-10), but will be judged by God (Heb. 13:4). We are commanded to "flee fornication" (1Co. 6:18).

• April (Judith Hoag, married) and Casey Jones (Elias Koteas, married) are shown kissing at the end of the movie, and are cheered on by the turtles
• Casey forcefully sits April down in order to massage her neck, chest, and shoulders, and then takes God's name in vain when interrupted by the turtles
• April is repeatedly shown immodestly dressed throughout the movie, wearing revealing low-cut V-neck shirts, pajamas, showing breast cleavage, exposing legs in short shorts and skirts. Her looks are frequently noted by the turtles and Casey Jones, calling her a "babe" and "fox"
• Immodestly dressed teenagers (girls in crop tops and boys with unbuttoned shirts and exposed chests) are shown in Shredder's hideout
• Hamato Yoshi is shown practicing martial arts while shirtless

Sinful Content in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Warning! The following table contains direct quotations from the film, which include instances of blasphemy, profanity, and other vices.