When "TMNT II: The Secret of the Ooze" hit theaters in 1991, critics were quick to label it as too violent for children and too frustrating for parents. But were they wrong?

In a new series from Meet Your Double Feature, Thomas and Frank look back on contemporary reviews to find out what the discourse was around a popular film in the week of its release.

It's a deep dive into everything Ninja Turtles, and it starts right now!

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Meet Your Double Feature is a double-blind movie review podcast hosted by brothers Thomas and Frank. Thomas is an event producer and broadcaster from Chicago. Frank is an independent filmmaker living in Los Angeles.

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Sources + Further Reading

• Donna Britt and Hamani Britt-Gibson - Washington Post
• Roger Ebert - Chicago Sun-Times (TMNT II)
• Roger Ebert - Chicago Sun Times (TMNT 1990)
• Dave Kehr - Chicago Sun-Times
• Janet Maslin - The New York Times
• Michael Sauter - Entertainment Weekly
• Gene Siskel - Chicago Tribune
• Felix Vasquez - Cinema Crazed

Music for tonight's show licensed through Soundstripe

"The Shakedown" by Dresden, The Flamingo

"Soul Tonic" by Cast of Characters

"Sophistikitty" by Cast of Characters

(00:00) Intro

(00:33) Why Secret of the Ooze?

(05:02) Box Office and TMNT History

(09:00) Were the Turtles Too Violent?

(19:35) The Plot to End Turtle-Mania

(32:01) Vanilla Ice the Omnipotent Rapper

(33:46) Are the TMNT Movies Good?

(39:46) The Two Faces of April O'Neil

(48:05) Modern Perspective on Secret of the Ooze

(51:23) Wrap-Up