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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III
1993 95 min United States of America, Hong Kong PG 0+
★4.8
Action, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Science Fiction
Director: Stuart Gillard
📖 Based on the novel
«Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles»
Trailers
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Description
The four turtles travel back in time to the days of the legendary and deadly samurai in ancient Japan, where they train to perfect the art of becoming one. The turtles also assist a small village in an uprising.
Budget:
$21M
US Gross:
$42.27M
Worldwide:
$42.27M
Starring
Elias Koteas
Actor
Paige Turco
Actor
Stuart Wilson
Actor
Awards
1 win total
Key opinion
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III is widely regarded as the weakest entry in the 90s trilogy, frequently criticized for its shift toward childish tone and lack of familiar series staples like Shredder. While some viewers appreciate the ambitious shift to feudal Japan and the practical puppetry, most agree the narrative lacks the depth and edge of its predecessors.
| Screenplay | The abandonment of familiar series villains like Shredder in favor of generic antagonists leaves the narrative feeling disconnected and incoherent. | |
| Theme | The shift toward a more childish, naive tone strips the franchise of the grit and thematic weight established in the first two films. | |
| Production | Critics are divided on the visuals: some praise the detailed period sets and practical puppet work as a high-water mark, while others describe them as cheap, cardboard-like, and technically poorly executed. | |
| Pacing | The time-travel premise in feudal Japan provides a refreshing departure for those enjoying the cultural exploration, though others find the pacing to be slow and boring. | |
| Humor | Opinions on the humor are split, with some finding the evolved comedic interactions more engaging and others viewing the dialogue as flat and devoid of genuine wit. |