Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze (1991)
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The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles must confront the Shredder and the Foot Clan while uncovering the truth behind their own mutagenic origins.
The story
Shortly after defeating the Shredder, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles encounter a skilled martial artist pizza delivery boy named Keno who is attacked by burglars. While the Turtles live with April O'Neil, they learn from their master, Splinter, that the mutagenic 'Ooze' that created them was produced by Techno Global Research Industries (TGRI). The Foot Clan kidnaps a TGRI scientist, Professor Jordan Perry, to obtain more ooze. The Turtles must navigate a series of conflicts with the Foot Clan and their new mutated threats while searching for a new home and trying to protect April's safety.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Following their victory over the Shredder, the Turtles live with April O'Neil while searching for a new lair. They encounter Keno, a pizza delivery boy and martial artist, who helps them fight off burglars. Splinter reveals that their mutagenic 'Ooze' was created by TGRI. The Foot Clan kidnaps Professor Jordan Perry to steal more ooze, creating two new mutants, Tokka and Rahzar, who possess infant-like mindsets. Raphael breaks off from the group and recruits Keno to find a hideout, but they are captured by the Foot. The Turtles eventually find a subway station hideout but are forced to retreat after facing Tokka and Rahzar. Perry reveals the ooze was an accident, disheartening the Turtles. The Foot releases Tokka and Rahzar into Central Park. The Turtles attempt to trick the mutants into eating an antidote, leading to a massive fight in a dance club featuring Vanilla Ice. During the chaos, the Shredder consumes the last of the ooze, transforming into the Super Shredder. The Super Shredder rampages through a dock, eventually collapsing it and killing himself. The film ends with April reading a thank-you note from Perry and the Turtles being punished by Splinter for being seen by humans.
- Runtime (minutes)
- 88
- Production countries
- United States; Hong Kong
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Michael Pressman
- Writers
- Todd W. Langen · writer
- Cast and characters
- Paige Turco · April O'Neil; David Warner · Professor Jordan Perry; Ernie Reyes Jr. · Keno; Kevin Clash · Splinter; Raymond Serra · Chief Sterns; Toshishiro Obata / Michael McConnohie · Tatsu; Michelan Sisti and Robbie Rist · Michelangelo; Leif Tilden and Adam Carl · Donatello
- Genres
- superhero comedy; action comedy; science fiction comedy
- Themes
- Identity; Origin; Teamwork
- Tone and mood
- Mixed; Juvenile; Action-oriented
- Premise and plot tags
- Sequel; Superhero; Martial Arts; Science Fiction
- Source material / true-story basis
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles characters
- Franchise connections
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
- Content notes
- Violence
- Reception
- The film received mixed reviews from critics, who noted its departure from the darker tone of the original. It was a financial success, grossing $78.7 million against a $25 million budget, becoming the thirteenth highest-grossing film domestically in 1991.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 37% · review count: 43; Metacritic · score: 45 · scale: 100 · review count: 20
- Production trivia
- The abandoned subway station hideout was based on the real-life decommissioned City Hall station of the New York City Subway.; The film was dedicated to the memory of Jim Henson.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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