Review of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze (1991) by Jesse M — 08 Aug 2013

A classic case of sequelitis, and more colorful and aimed at kids than the darker first film. It is however an adequate enough film that does expand on the turtles' origins more. Shredder is even more diabolical this time. I don't mind that he's once again the central villain. I was disappointed with the very brief use of the super shredder. Just a cool aspect that was criminally underused. The two mutant henchmen were technically well done, but their cartoony presence bogged the film down in silliness.

The action and fx are of course top notch, and the tone is pure good natured fun. Still there is an air of artificiality over the development of this film that makes it feel more like a quick cash grab than a necessary continuation. You have Vanilla Ice wedged into a totally shamelessly contrived song number to appeal to kids (at that time anyways).... Go ninja go? Yeesh. There's even a "registered" trademark on the title.

Overall its a less edgy sugar coated yet more hollow rush job of a film that was made to bank on the success of the first film and sell toys and market the name and property which I guess is good business. Thankfully its a generally entertaining marketing ploy that uses the same humor and banter to good effect.