In isolation, I can use some renewed cheers looking back on my childhood nostalgia. I learned a day too late of 30 years ago marked the cinematic release of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles live-action movie. I was there on that day of the release at the AMC Kabuki 8 Theater in San Francisco, very excited.

I hold my nostalgic love for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, grown from its super-weird, totally out there cartoon of the late 80s (and darker original comic books by creators Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird). I enjoyed the 1990 from day one, movie backed up by awesome Jim Henson puppetry, outdated jokes and 80s humor, a darker feel matching my brewing angst of city life, and somewhat restrained action scenes…a true experience, that I shall carry with me over 30 years later, into an uncertain present.

There’sThe some great messages in this movie, especially useful now. Social distance when necessary. Choose friendship wisely. The power of family is binding. Get through difficult situations with humor and challenge. Train, and listen to your wise elder (especially if it’s a talking rat). Possess the right thinking…only then can one receive the gifts of strength, knowledge, and peace. Anger clouds the mind, and forgiveness is divine but never pay full price for late pizza!

So, for TMNT fans out there moving forward with current challenges far worse than any Foot Clan now, remember your Turtle Power!

Orion T

Picture above: taken by me of my personally owed movie versions of the Ninja Turtles, released by NECA in 2018. Beautiful sculpts and worth every penny.