The “look away” moment in question occurred approximately 74 minutes into the film TMNT 2: The Secret of the Ooze. I’m sure you can guess what it is, but I’m not going to reveal the scene just yet.
I’d like to take you back to 1990. A time when the first turtle movie had reigned supreme at the box office with a final take of $135,265,915. Considering it was made on a shoestring budget of 13.5 million, New Line cinema was a very happy studio. So happy in fact that it had zero problems green lighting the sequel for spring of 1991. Though this time around they upped the budget to 25 million, and got hot director Michael Pressman (of CBS Summer Playhouse fame) to helm the project.
The producers also followed the formula of every sequel of the late 80s, early 90s. Create a quality soundtrack to help build on the excitement of the release. So they signed some of the hottest acts of that time – Ta Kid K, Cathy Dennis, Tribal House and the crowning jewel of white rappers, Vanilla Ice. Sure the producers could’ve been satisfied with the V-man just doing his thang in the studio, but they knew VI was the real deal. A double threat. He could sing...and act. In fact, V’s movie COOL AS ICE was due out later that year.
It seemed like a no-brainer to include him in the film. But what role would be Ice appropriate, yet still maintain the integrity of the movie? In the end the producers decided the best approach would be to have ice play himself performing his hot new single GO NINJA, GO NINJA, GO in a nightclub. Then suddenly the turtles burst in fighting this dragon like…hey I think I’ll let the screencaps and video do the cringe-talking for themselves.
FYI…by the time the sequel rolled into release mode TURTLE merchandising was at an all time high. Action figures, board games, cereal and the cartoon were all over the place. Not to mention the first movie was doing gangbusters in video sales. So no, the sequel didn’t do bad. It just wasn’t a success like the first one (only $78 million). Still, TMNT 2: The Secret of the Ooze did produce perhaps the cringiest worthy moment that the world will ever know. As Mr. Ice so eloquently rapped it in the movie…
“Choose your weapon but don’t slip – Vanilla’s in control with the flex of the mic grip!”
Word to ya mutha.
What could be better than the Go Ninja video? The making of the Go Ninja video.
Why do I love posts having anything to do with Vanilla Ice? I wasn't even a fan!
ReplyDeleteLove being the first comment!
Good luck today!
FourthGradeNothing.com
The first Turtles movie was excellent....
ReplyDeleteThe other two just felt like over commercialized disappointments, made by people who thought, "hey, kids are dumb, so lets give them dumb movies!"
Still, I miss the Turtles.
LMFAO all the way through the ooze and the ice!
ReplyDeleteHa, I saw this one in theaters, I was actually pumped. I was a fan what can I say? Let me tell ya, when the first movie came out, it was the biggest deal for me. First, comic book movies werent as popular back then, so the fact that a comic book movie was being made....was a big deal.
ReplyDeleteSecond, they nailed the turtles look. They look exactly like what I expected. I remember I couldnt stop looking at the pictures on my Starlog magazine...I couldnt believe they had made that movie.
IT took a low budget small approach with its storyline, but they got it right. The second one was too over the top, and it was waaay too kiddie for me, I mean, the first one was "dark" in comparison. This second one was too colorful. Plus it had Vanilla Ice in it.
The third one I dont remember very well...I think Id like to revisit it at some point.
Cringetastic! I loved TMNT. The sequel just wasn't as good as the original.
ReplyDeleteTMNT cost me a small fortune. I think every piece of my son's clothing had something TMNT related on it...
ReplyDeleteI loved the first one and the second one. How can you not like Vanilla Ice in the movie? I thought the 3rd one sucked. Going back in time? C'mon.
ReplyDeleteI had turtle action figures and I was Leonardo for Halloween when I was a wee lad. I wore that costume about 6 years ago to work during Halloween, the costume was meant for a 6 year old so you can imagine how it looked. it was awesome though.
I was just watching this video on Monday! Go Ninja Go Ninja Go! Awesome post Jesse!
ReplyDelete