History YMMV / TeenageMutantNinjaTurtlesIII

* {{Sequelitis}}: The film has a rather dull time travel plot, an uninspired villain, fewer fight scenes (although the fights that ''are'' in the movie are longer and more elaborate), and [[SpecialEffectFailure costumes/animatronics that looked unbelievably cheap]] due to the absence of Creator/JimHensonsCreatureShop. [[FranchiseKiller There wouldn't be another Ninja Turtles movie]] until the franchise was rebooted [[WesternAnimation/{{TMNT}} in 2007]], and no live-action movies until [[Film/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2014 over twenty years later]]. Some longtime fans go as far as to say this film was the end of the initial Turtle mania wave that started in the late 80s and early 90s, arguing this film didn't just hurt the film series, but the franchise as a whole, something many longtime fans still resent the film for. [[Series/NinjaTurtlesTheNextMutation A live-action TV series]], which [[BroadStrokes seemed to loosely follow the continuity of the movies]], did come out four years after this movie, but lasted only for one season before it was canceled. It was not until ''WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2003'' came along and proved that the Ninja Turtles had staying power well past their initial popularity.

* VindicatedByHistory: While it's still not considered a ''good'' film, and widely considered the worst film in the original trilogy. The reactions to [[Film/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2014 the 2014 film]] have caused many to look back on this film and at the very least, no longer consider it the worst in the franchise. Plus, newer fans who go back and watch the older films have the benefit of knowing that the damage this film did to the franchise ultimately didn't last. Some fans (and franchise co-creators Eastman and Laird) have actually said that beyond the SpecialEffectsFailure, this movie actually holds up better than the previous one, due to better martial arts action scenes, with the Turtles using their weapons and because of the more epic feel of the movie.

* VindicatedByHistory: While it's still not considered a ''good'' film, and widely considered the worst film in the original trilogy. The reactions to [[Film/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2014 the 2014 film]] have caused many to look back on this film and at the very least, no longer consider it the worst in the franchise. Plus, newer fans who go back and watch the older films have the benefit of knowing that the damage this film did to the franchise ultimately didn't last.

* UnintentionalUncannyValley: As noted above, the suits were not handled by the Creator/JimHensonsCreatureShop this time around, and the results speak for themselves. Common complaints include their rubbery appearance and jerky facial animatronics and ''very'' visible eye slits under the masks. Their teeth are quite visibly larger than the previous film and baring them in anger or determination makes the turtles look like they have shit-eating grins instead. Splinter fares worse, being fully mechanical this time with movements that look outright broken.
* VindicatedByHistory: While it's still not considered a ''good'' film, and widely considered the worst film in the original trilogy some fans have grown to appreciate it more since it's original release, praising it for the Turtles actually being allowed to use their weapons again after the previous film made the fight scenes more goofy and commending it for it's attention to detail with how [[ShownTheirWork period accurate the costumes are]] and Elias Koteas's surprisingly strong performance as Casey and Whit.

* UnintentionalUncannyValley: As noted above, the suits were not handled by the Creator/JimHensonsCreatureShop this time around, and the results speak for themselves. Only being a step above the ones from the [[Film/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2014 2014 film]]. Common complaints include their rubbery appearance and jerky facial animatronics and ''very'' visible eye slits under the masks. Their teeth are quite visibly larger than the previous film and baring them in anger or determination makes the turtles look like they have shit-eating grins instead. Splinter fares worse, being fully mechanical this time with movements that look outright broken.
* VindicatedByHistory: While it's still not considered a ''good'' film, and widely considered the worst film in the original trilogy. The reactions to [[Film/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2014 the 2014 film]] have caused many to look back on this film and at the very least, no longer consider it the worst in the franchise. Plus, newer fans who go back and watch the older films have the benefit of knowing that the damage this film did to the franchise ultimately didn't last.

** At one point, Walker is referred to as "Zorro dude". Creator/StuartWilson would go on to play the BigBad in ''Film/TheMaskOfZorro''.

--> '''AVGN''': "He looks like a puppet that should be used on ''Series/SesameStreet!''"

* OlderThanTheyThink: Fans lament that this film has little to nothing to do with the first two films and barely feels like a TMNT story. But in reality, the film actually works quite well as a condensed, simplified retelling of the two part ''Masks'' storyline (issues 46 and 47) from the original Mirage comics, just with some characters and any fantastical elements (like Savanti Romero and the lizard man Chote) taken out.

* {{Sequelitis}}: The film has a rather dull time travel plot, an uninspired villain, fewer fight scenes (although the fights that ''are'' in the movie are longer and more elaborate), and [[SpecialEffectFailure costumes/animatronics that looked unbelievably cheap]] due to the absence of Creator/JimHensonsCreatureShop. [[FranchiseKiller There wouldn't be another Ninja Turtles movie]] until the franchise was rebooted [[WesternAnimation/{{TMNT}} in 2007]], and no live-action movies until [[Film/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2014 over twenty years later]]. Some longtime fans go as far as to say this film was the end of the initial Turtle mania wave that started in the late 80s and early 90s, arguing this film didn't just hurt the film series, but the franchise as a whole, something many longtime fans still resent the film for. [[Series/NinjaTurtlesTheNextMutation A live action TV series]], which [[BroadStrokes seemed to loosely follow the continuity of the movies]], did come out four years after this movie, but lasted only for one season before it was cancelled. It was not until ''WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2003'' came along and proved that the Ninja Turtles had staying power well past their initial popularity.

** The first film used angles and puppetry techniques to pull of Mikey pulling his head into his shell. in this film, they just slide Leo's ''entire upper body'' down into a stationary shell. And it is very clear the actor was replaced with a full animatronic prop for the scene.

** The first film used angles and puppetry techniques to pull of Mikey pulling his head into his shell. in this film, they just slide Leo's ''entire upper body'' down into a stationary shell.

* VindicatedByHistory: While it's still not considered a ''good'' film, and widely considered the worst film in the original trilogy, but the reactions to [[Film/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2014 the 2014 film]] have caused many to look back on this film and at the very least, no longer consider it the worst in the franchise. Plus, newer fans who go back and watch the older films have the benefit of knowing that the damage this film did to the franchise ultimately didn't last.

** The turtles and Splinter look a lot more cheaply made this time around (albeit, not as cheaply made as their [[Series/NinjaTurtlesTheNextMutation Next Mutation counterparts]]). The turtles have mouths that move too quickly and robotically, visible seams where the neck meets the headpiece, eyeholes under the bandanas that are just slightly visible in half the film, giant overbites, and poorly blended spots on their bodies, giving them a more rubbery, cartoony look. Splinter is a ''very'' obvious robotic puppet as opposed to the advanced hand puppet of the first two films, and was seemingly only built from the waist up, as the viewer never sees his legs like in the first two[[labelnote:*]]his feet and tail are shown in one scene, however, when he's sitting in a chair cross-legged, though his legs are still obscured implying separate props were constructed. Behind-the-scenes material [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1sdT_DlptA uploaded by All Effects]] does show they built a full-bodied puppet for the movie.[[/labelnote]] He also has barely-existent lip sync between the voice and the animatronic mouth movements. This is largely due to the Creator/JimHensonsCreatureShop not returning, and a company less experienced in creature effects, Eric Allard's All Effects Company (who are better known for their robotic and on-set effects work in the likes of ''Film/ShortCircuit'', ''Film/ClassOf1999'' and ''Film/DemolitionMan''), taking over instead.

** The turtles and Splinter look a lot more cheaply made this time around (albeit, not as cheaply made as their [[Series/NinjaTurtlesTheNextMutation Next Mutation counterparts]]). The turtles have mouths that move too quickly and robotically, visible seams where the neck meets the headpiece, eyeholes under the bandanas that are just slightly visible in half the film, giant overbites, and poorly blended spots on their bodies, giving them a more rubbery, cartoony look. Splinter is a ''very'' obvious robotic puppet as opposed to the advanced hand puppet of the first two films, and was seemingly only built from the waist up, as the viewer never sees his legs like in the first two[[labelnote:*]]his feet and tail are shown in one scene, however, when he's sitting in a chair cross-legged, though his legs are still obscured implying separate props were constructed. Behind-the-scenes material [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1sdT_DlptA uploaded by All Effects] does show they built a full-bodied puppet for the movie.[[/labelnote]] He also has barely-existent lip sync between the voice and the animatronic mouth movements. This is largely due to the Creator/JimHensonsCreatureShop not returning, and a company less experienced in creature effects, Eric Allard's All Effects Company (who are better known for their robotic and on-set effects work in the likes of ''Film/ShortCircuit'', ''Film/ClassOf1999'' and ''Film/DemolitionMan''), taking over instead.

** The turtles and Splinter look a lot more cheaply made this time around (albeit, not as cheaply made as their [[Series/NinjaTurtlesTheNextMutation Next Mutation counterparts]]). The turtles have mouths that move too quickly and robotically, visible seams where the neck meets the headpiece, eyeholes under the bandanas that are just slightly visible in half the film, giant overbites, and poorly blended spots on their bodies, giving them a more rubbery, cartoony look. Splinter is a ''very'' obvious robotic puppet as opposed to the advanced hand puppet of the first two films, and was seemingly only built from the waist up, as the viewer never sees his legs like in the first two[[labelnote:*]]his feet and tail are shown in one scene, however, when he's sitting in a chair cross-legged, though his legs are still obscured implying separate props were constructed. Behind-the-scenes material [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1sdT_DlptA uploaded by All Effects]] does show they built a full-bodied puppet for the movie.[[/labelnote]] He also has barely-existent lip sync between the voice and the animatronic mouth movements. This is largely due to the Creator/JimHensonsCreatureShop not returning, and a company less experienced in creature effects, Eric Allard's All Effects Company (who are better known for their robotic and on-set effects work in the likes of ''Film/ShortCircuit'', ''Film/ClassOf1999'' and ''Film/DemolitionMan''), taking over instead.

** The turtles and Splinter look a lot more cheaply made this time around (albeit, not as cheaply made as their [[Series/NinjaTurtlesTheNextMutation Next Mutation counterparts]]). The turtles have mouths that move too quickly and robotically, visible seams where the neck meets the headpiece, eyeholes under the bandanas that are just slightly visible in half the film, giant overbites, and poorly blended spots on their bodies, giving them a more rubbery, cartoony look. Splinter is a ''very'' obvious robotic puppet as opposed to the advanced hand puppet of the first two films, and was seemingly only built from the waist up, as the viewer never sees his legs like in the first two[[labelnote:*]]his feet and tail are shown in one scene, however, when he's sitting in a chair cross-legged, though his legs are still obscured implying separate props were constructed[[/labelnote]] He also has non-existent lip-sync between the voice and the animatronic mouth movements. This is largely due to the Creator/JimHensonsCreatureShop not returning, and a company less experienced in creature effects, Eric Allard's All Effects Company (who are better known for their robotic and on-set effects work in the likes of ''Film/ShortCircuit'', ''Film/ClassOf1999'' and ''Film/DemolitionMan''), taking over instead.

** The first film used angles and puppetry techniques to pull of Mikey pulling his head into his shell. in this film, the just slide Leo's ''entire upper body'' down into a stationary shell.

* UnintentionalUncannyValley: As noted above, the suits were not handled by the Creator/JimHensonsCreatureShop this time around, and the results speak for themselves. Only being a step above the ones from the [[Film/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2014 2014 film]]. Common complaints include their rubbery appearance and jerky facial animatronics. Their teeth are quite visibly larger than the previous film and baring them in anger or determination makes the turtles look like they have shit-eating grins instead. Splinter fares worse, being fully mechanical this time with movements that look outright broken.

* UnintentionalUncannyValley: As noted above, the suits were not handled by the Creator/JimHensonsCreatureShop this time around, and the results speak for themselves. Only being a step above the ones from the [[Film/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2014 2014 film]]. Common complaints include their rubbery appearance and jerky facial animatronics. Their teeth are quite visibly larger than the previous film and baring them in anger or determination makes them look like they have shit-eating grins instead. Splinter fares worse, being fully mechanical this time with movements that look outright broken.

* UnintentionalUncannyValley: As noted above, the suits were not handled by the Creator/JimHensonsCreatureShop this time around, and the results speak for themselves. Only being a step above the ones from the [[Film/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2014 2014 film]]. Common complaints include their rubbery appearance and jerky facial animatronics. Their teeth are quite visibly larger than the previous film and baring their teeth in anger or determination makes them look like they have shit-eating grins instead. Splinter fares worse, being fully mechanical this time with movements that look outright broken.

** The turtles and Splinter look a lot more cheaply made this time around (albeit, not as cheaply made as their [[Series/NinjaTurtlesTheNextMutation Next Mutation counterparts]]). The turtles have mouths that move too quickly and robotically, visible seams where the neck meets the headpiece, eyeholes under the bandanas that are just slightly visible in half the film, giant overbites, and poorly blended spots on their bodies, giving them a more rubbery, cartoony look. Splinter is a ''very'' obvious robotic puppet as opposed the advanced hand puppet of the first two films, and was seemingly only built from the waist up, as the viewer never sees his legs as they do in the first two[[labelnote:*]]his feet and tail are shown in one scene, however, when he's sitting in a chair cross-legged, though his legs are still obscured implying separate props were constructed[[/labelnote]] and has poor lip-syncing between the voice and the animatronic mouth movements. This is largely because of the Creator/JimHensonsCreatureShop not returning for the film, and a company less experienced in creature effects, Eric Allard's All Effects Company (who are better known for their robotic and on-set effects work in the likes of ''Film/ShortCircuit'', ''Film/ClassOf1999'' and ''Film/DemolitionMan'', to name a few), taking over instead.

* {{Sequelitis}}: The film has a rather dull time travel plot featured an outrageous plot even by the franchise's standards, an uninspired villain, fewer fight scenes (although the fights that ''are'' in the movie are longer and more elaborate), and [[SpecialEffectFailure costumes/animatronics that looked unbelievably cheap]] due to the absence of Creator/JimHensonsCreatureShop. [[FranchiseKiller There wouldn't be another Ninja Turtles movie]] until the franchise was rebooted [[WesternAnimation/{{TMNT}} in 2007]], and no live-action movies until [[Film/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2014 over twenty years later]]. Some longtime fans go as far as to say this film was the end of the initial Turtle mania wave that started in the late 80s and early 90s, arguing this film didn't just hurt the film series, but the franchise as a whole, something many longtime fans still resent the film for. [[Series/NinjaTurtlesTheNextMutation A live action TV series]], which [[BroadStrokes seemed to loosely follow the continuity of the movies]], did come out four years after this movie, but lasted only for one season before it was cancelled. It was not until ''WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2003'' came along and proved that the Ninja Turtles had staying power well past their initial popularity.

* {{Sequelitis}}: Mercilessly panned by both critics and fans alike; the movie featured an outrageous plot even by the franchise's standards, an uninspired villain, fewer fight scenes (although the fights that ''are'' in the movie are longer and more elaborate), and [[SpecialEffectFailure costumes/animatronics that looked unbelievably cheap]] due to the absence of Creator/JimHensonsCreatureShop. [[FranchiseKiller There wouldn't be another Ninja Turtles movie]] until the franchise was rebooted [[WesternAnimation/{{TMNT}} in 2007]], and no live-action movies until [[Film/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2014 over twenty years later]]. Some longtime fans go as far as to say this film was the end of the initial Turtle mania wave that started in the late 80s and early 90s, arguing this film didn't just hurt the film series, but the franchise as a whole, something many longtime fans still resent the film for. [[Series/NinjaTurtlesTheNextMutation A live action TV series]], which [[BroadStrokes seemed to loosely follow the continuity of the movies]], did come out four years after this movie, but lasted only for one season before it was cancelled. It was not until ''WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2003'' came along and proved that the Turtles had staying power well past their initial popularity.

* VindicatedByHistory: A downplayed example; it's still not considered a ''good'' film, and widely considered the worst film in the original trilogy, but the reactions to [[Film/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2014 the 2014 film]] have caused many to look back on this film and at the very least, no longer consider it the worst in the franchise. Plus, newer fans who go back and watch the older films have the benefit of knowing that the damage this film did to the franchise ultimately didn't last.

* AuthorsSavingThrow: Unlike the LighterAndSofter approach of the previous film, this one actually has the turtles use their weapons and actual martial arts in combat, as well as having a more serious story.

** The turtles and Splinter look a lot more cheaply made this time around (albeit, not as cheaply made as their [[Series/NinjaTurtlesTheNextMutation Next Mutation counterparts]]). The turtles have mouths that move too quickly and robotically, visible seams where the neck meets the headpiece, eyeholes under the bandanas that are just slightly visible in half the film, giant overbites, and poorly blended spots on their bodies, giving them a more rubbery, cartoony look. Splinter is a ''very'' obvious robotic puppet, as opposed the advanced hand puppet of the first two films, that was seemingly only built from the waist up, as the viewer never sees his legs like they do in the first two[[labelnote:*]]his feet and tail are shown in one scene, however, when he's sitting in a chair crosslegged, though his legs are still obscured implying separate props were constructed[[/labelnote]] and has poor lip-syncing between the voice and the animatronic mouth movements. This is largely because of the Creator/JimHensonsCreatureShop not returning for the film, and a company less experienced in creature effects, Eric Allard's All Effects Company (who are better known for their robotic and on-set effects work in the likes of ''Film/ShortCircuit'', ''Film/ClassOf1999'' and ''Film/DemolitionMan'', to name a few), taking over instead.

* {{Sequelitis}}: Mercilessly panned by both critics and fans alike; the movie featured an outrageous plot even by the franchise's standards, an uninspired villain, fewer fight scenes (although the fights that ''are'' in the movie are longer and more elaborate), and [[SpecialEffectFailure costumes/animatronics that looked unbelievably cheap]] (albeit, not as cheap as their [[Series/NinjaTurtlesTheNextMutation Next Mutation counterparts]]), due to the absence of Creator/JimHensonsCreatureShop. [[FranchiseKiller There wouldn't be another Ninja Turtles movie]] until the franchise was rebooted [[WesternAnimation/{{TMNT}} in 2007]], and no live-action movies until [[Film/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2014 over twenty years later]]. Some longtime fans go as far as to say this film was the end of the initial Turtle mania wave that started in the late 80s and early 90s, arguing this film didn't just hurt the film series, but the franchise as a whole, something many longtime fans still resent the film for. [[Series/NinjaTurtlesTheNextMutation A live action TV series]], which [[BroadStrokes seemed to loosely follow the continuity of the movies]], did come out four years after this movie, but lasted only for one season before it was cancelled. It was not until ''WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2003'' came along and proved that the Turtles had staying power well past their initial popularity.

** The turtles and Splinter look a lot more cheaply made this time around. The turtles have mouths that move too quickly and robotically, visible seams where the neck meets the headpiece, eyeholes under the bandanas that are just slightly visible in half the film, giant overbites, and poorly blended spots on their bodies, giving them a more rubbery, cartoony look. Splinter is a ''very'' obvious robotic puppet, as opposed the advanced hand puppet of the first two films, that was seemingly only built from the waist up, as the viewer never sees his legs like they do in the first two[[labelnote:*]]his feet and tail are shown in one scene, however, when he's sitting in a chair crosslegged, though his legs are still obscured implying separate props were constructed[[/labelnote]] and has poor lip-syncing between the voice and the animatronic mouth movements. This is largely because of the Creator/JimHensonsCreatureShop not returning for the film, and a company less experienced in creature effects, Eric Allard's All Effects Company (who are better known for their robotic and on-set effects work in the likes of ''Film/ShortCircuit'', ''Film/ClassOf1999'' and ''Film/DemolitionMan'', to name a few), taking over instead.

* ReplacementScrappy: Walker is considered a major step down from the Shredder.
* {{Sequelitis}}: Mercilessly panned by both critics and fans alike; the movie featured an outrageous plot even by the franchise's standards, an uninspired villain, fewer fight scenes (although the fights that ''are'' in the movie are longer and more elaborate), and [[SpecialEffectFailure costumes/animatronics that looked unbelievably cheap]] due to the absence of Creator/JimHensonsCreatureShop. [[FranchiseKiller There wouldn't be another Ninja Turtles movie]] until the franchise was rebooted [[WesternAnimation/{{TMNT}} in 2007]], and no live-action movies until [[Film/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2014 over twenty years later]]. Some longtime fans go as far as to say this film was the end of the initial Turtle mania wave that started in the late 80s and early 90s, arguing this film didn't just hurt the film series, but the franchise as a whole, something many longtime fans still resent the film for. [[Series/NinjaTurtlesTheNextMutation A live action TV series]], which [[BroadStrokes seemed to loosely follow the continuity of the movies]], did come out four years after this movie, but lasted only for one season before it was cancelled. It was not until ''WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2003'' came along and proved that the Turtles had staying power well past their initial popularity.

** The turtles and Splinter look a lot more cheaply made this time around (albeit, not as cheaply-made as their [[Series/NinjaTurtlesTheNextMutation Next Mutation counterparts]]). The turtles have mouths that move too quickly and robotically, visible seams where the neck meets the headpiece, eyeholes under the bandanas that are just slightly visible in half the film, giant overbites, and poorly blended spots on their bodies, giving them a more rubbery, cartoony look. Splinter is a ''very'' obvious robotic puppet, as opposed the advanced hand puppet of the first two films, that was seemingly only built from the waist up, as the viewer never sees his legs like they do in the first two[[labelnote:*]]his feet and tail are shown in one scene, however, when he's sitting in a chair crosslegged, though his legs are still obscured implying separate props were constructed[[/labelnote]] and has poor lip-syncing between the voice and the animatronic mouth movements. This is largely because of the Creator/JimHensonsCreatureShop not returning for the film, and a company less experienced in creature effects, Eric Allard's All Effects Company (who are better known for their robotic and on-set effects work in the likes of ''Film/ShortCircuit'', ''Film/ClassOf1999'' and ''Film/DemolitionMan'', to name a few), taking over instead.