Set in the alleyways of New York City, a mysterious radioactive ooze has mutated four sewer turtles into talking, upright-walking, crime-fighting ninjas. Michelangelo, Donatello, Raphael, and Leonardo are the “heroes in a half-shell,” adopted and trained in the Ninjutsu arts by their rat sensei, Splinter. Years later, a crime wave is begun by an ancient Japanese order known as the Foot, which is led by the Shredder, Splinter’s former pupil. During these revelations and adventures, the Turtles come to the aid of an investigative reporter, April O’Neil (Judith Hoag), and befriend a sports equipment-wielding vigilante, Casey Jones (Elias Koteas). Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles was the first of three live actions films for the Ninja Turtles franchise, based on the popular comic book characters and 1987 animated series of the same name. The live action turtles and creatures were created by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop. — Rebecca Mendez

Rated: PG