Tear Jerker / Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)

• A minor one after the scuffle with Casey Jones, who then calls Raph a freak before running off, the scene leaves a clue as to why Raph is always so angry. Raphael is wrestling with the fact that he can't live a normal life and that he's an outsider and unlike the rest of the human population. He's mad that he has to be an outcast for looking so differently. And when Casey Jones calls him a freak, Raphael's reaction says it all. It really shows that it hurts to be judged on looks for someone who's already an outcast.
  • Also that he's the only one among the brothers to feel this way. Which could be why he would often fight with his brothers (especially Leo) because they don't feel the same way and don't understand his feelings. So he has no one (except maybe Splinter) to talk to, so he bottles it all up.
• The scene where Splinter consoles an angry Raphael after he returns home late and tells him not to get lost in his anger. Worst part is seeing Raphael tearing up.
  Splinter: My Master Yoshi's first rule was... possess the right thinking. Only then can one receive the gifts of strength, knowledge, and peace. (puts a hand under Raphael's chin, who is beginning to cry) I have tried to channel your anger, Raphael, but more remains. Anger clouds the mind. Turned inward, it is an unconquerable enemy. You are unique among your brothers, for you choose to face this enemy alone. But as you face it, do not forget them. And do not forget me. (places a hand on Raphael's forehead) I am here, my son.
• Raph's reaction to coming home and finding the lair in shambles and Splinter gone.
  • This hits even harder when you realize that in that instant, Raph most likely came to the conclusion that he unwittingly led whoever did this to the lair when he rescued April. Just the night before, Splinter told him that he'd always be there to help guide him through his aggression issues. Now, just when he thought he was doing the right thing by using the skills he had been taught his whole life to save an innocent, it resulted in the safety of their home being compromised. Even worse, their father is missing and could be dead for all they know! And as far as Raph's concerned… it's all his fault.
  • Donatello falls to his knees in pure, broken, sorrow.
  • And when they return to April's, for once they really do seem like lost, scared teenage boys who need someone to turn to. They're only 15 - and they're facing something very tragic and traumatizing.
• The fate of Master Splinter's owner Yoshi, poor sap.
  • As if that weren't enough we see a pre-mutated Splinter holding his dead master's hand in grief. Any other rat in his situation would simply eat the corpse, but this one loved him.
    Splinter: (narrating) Then he was gone, and I was alone.
• This Shredder really likes to twist the knife in the wound whenever he gets an opportunity. It doesn't matter who as long as he gets the chance.
  Raph: Where's Splinter?
  The Shredder: ...Ah! The rat! So it has a name... (evil smirk) It had a name.
  Leo: YOU LIE!
  The Shredder: ...Do I?
• Seeing the boys cry after getting a message via Astral Projection from Splinter.
  Splinter: I am proud of you, my sons. Tonight you have learned the final and greatest truth of the Ninja: that ultimate mastery comes not of the body, but of the mind. Together, there is nothing your four minds cannot accomplish. Help each other, draw upon one another, and always remember the true force that binds you. The same as that which brought me here tonight. That which I gladly return with my final words: I love you all, my sons.
  • Mikey is crying the hardest in that scene, which paints an earlier scene in a vastly different light. Earlier in the film, as Mikey and Donnie wait for the pizza to be delivered, Donatello contemplates what it would be like once Splinter dies. Just the way he says it, avoiding any words to do with "death", can make the eyes of anyone who has a strong bond with their parents misty. But the way Mikey shrugs the subject off... at first watching, it seems like Mikey is just not paying attention, but on subsequent viewings it's clear that Mikey is in denial - he can't bear to think of a life without his father beside him.
  • A scene mostly cut from the film (but mentioned in both the novelization and comic book adaptation) showed that Mikey was indeed hit hard. During their time at the farm, Mikey spent a lot of time training in the barn to the point that he snaps the rope holding up a training bag and even punching down / through one of the barn walls in sheer anger. Seeing the goofy, fun-loving brother now angry enough to practically match Raph is heart-rending. It's why he's seen punching something in the barn during the final cut. Equally intense is the scene where Raph is heard atop the barn screaming Splinter's name — except that if you look closely, the turtle seen atop the barn has nunchaku. It's Mikey doing the screaming.
    April: But the one that worries me the most is Michelangelo. He spends all his time in the barn, training. Alone. Withdrawn. On the edge...
    Raphael: (screaming from the barn rooftop) SPLINTER!!!
• Leo and Raph's argument.
  Raphael: Oh, so that's the plan from the "great leader", huh? Just sit here on our butts!
  Leonardo: I never said I was your great leader.
  Raphael: Well you sure act like it sometimes.
  Leonardo: Yeah? Well, you act like a JERK sometimes, you know that? And this attitude of yours isn't helping anything.
  Raphael: Yeah? Well, maybe I'll just take my attitude and LEAVE!
  Leonardo: Why don't you?
  Raphael: I will!
  Leonardo: Good!
  Raphael: Great! (slams door)
  Leonardo: Go ahead! We don't need ya!
  • It seems to be a Running Gag since Donnie and Mikey head straight for the kitchen. However it becomes less comical after Raph is knocked unconscious and Leo is fending the Foot off long enough so they escape to a hideout. As they hide, Leo stays by Raph's side until he wakes up. It doubles as heartwarming but you can feel the guilt Leo is going through since his brother almost died after their fight (which ends with Leo screaming the team doesn't need Raph).
  • When Raph wakes up, he is most overjoyed.
    Leonardo: (sees that Raphael is awake and rushes to him) Raph! You're awake! How do you feel?
    Raphael: What's a guy gotta do... to get some food around here?
    Leonardo: (stands up, ecstatic, and runs to bathroom door) Hey! Hey, he's awake! He wants some food! Bring some food!
    Leonardo: (runs back to Raphael) You're gonna be ok Raph... you're gonna be ok!
    Raphael: Yeah, yeah, alright Leo! Get a grip, will ya?
    Leonardo: Listen, Raph... (helps Raphael to his feet) -about what I said before... y'know... about not needing you and all?
    Raphael: Leo... don't.
    (they hug.)
    Leonardo: Boy, we missed you.
  • When Leo is about to be killed and Shredder tells the other three to forfeit their weapons to save his life, even though he knows Shredder is full of it, Raph is the first to chuck his sais.
• The aftermath of the apartment fight scene as the Turtles, Casey, and April narrowly escape with their lives. April looks from the back of the van to see not only her apartment burn right in front of her, but the shred of sentimental value, her father's antique store, is burning along with it, too. The look on her face is very difficult to watch.
  • Made even sadder as Danny watches the burning building from a distance. Not only does he appear dismayed believing that April O'Neil may have died in the fire, but he is also guilty at the fact that he was the one who revealed where the Turtles had been hiding out in. Due to the seemingly disasterous results, this was more than enough for him to later leave the Foot Clan.
• Splinter and Danny's conversation while the former is kept prisoner at the Foot Clan base.
  Splinter: And have you no one to go to, Danny? No parent?
  Danny: My dad couldn't care less about me.
  Splinter: I doubt that is true.
  Danny: Why?
  Splinter: All fathers care for their sons.
  (He trails off, clearly thinking about the turtles.)
• Danny's and Charles's reunion. Also falls under Heartwarming.
  Charles: Danny! Oh God, where've you been?! I've had the whole city looking for you! Are you hurt? Are you okay, Danny?
  Danny: Dad, I'm fine. And Dad, it's just Dan now, okay?
  Charles: Dan...
  (Father and son share a tearful hug.)
• The Turtles reunion with their father Splinter. Also a moment of Heartwarming.
  (The Turtles immediately gather around Splinter, giving him a emotional group hug.)
  Leonardo: Splinter!
  Donatello: Oh, Splinter! We were so worried about you!
  Michelangelo: Splinter!
  Splinter: (being hugged by all his sons) Hmmm, kids.
  • Blink-and-you'll-miss-it but just before the screen turns to black and the end credits roll, Raphael can be seen giving Splinter another big hug. Showing how he really missed him.
• Despite Raph's impatience, the other Turtles willingly wait for any information on the Foot via April's news report, hoping it'll help them find Splinter. Unfortunately, all they got is a call from April's boss telling her, out of the blue, that she's fired (all thanks to Chief Stern).
  April: My amazing new friends have suffered their first real defeat. That's bad enough, but they also lost the opportunity to find out about their mentor, and I'm sure that hurts them more than anything else.

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