Although set in Japan, the movie was actually filmed in Astoria, Oregon , using the rainy Pacific Northwest to stand in for the Japanese countryside. The Verdict
The Turtles—Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael—must travel back in time to rescue April and retrieve the scepter before the "space-time window" closes forever. Once they arrive in the past, they find themselves caught in the middle of a civil war between a ruthless Daimyo (Lord Norinaga) and a group of village rebels. Las Tortugas Ninja 3
Las Tortugas Ninja III is often seen as the "black sheep" of the original trilogy because it lacks the Shredder and the urban atmosphere fans loved. However, it’s a fun, campy adventure that leans hard into the "Teenage" aspect of the characters. It's a nostalgic trip for anyone who grew up with a Sega Genesis and a bowl of cereal on Saturday mornings. Although set in Japan, the movie was actually
The story kicks off when April O'Neil buys an ancient Japanese scepter as a gift for Splinter. Unbeknownst to her, the scepter is a magical time-travel device. When she activates it, she inadvertently swaps places with Prince Kenshin from 1603 Japan. Las Tortugas Ninja III is often seen as
Because of the scepter's "equal mass" rule, for every Turtle that goes back, a Japanese honor guard is sent to modern-day New York. This leads to some of the movie's funniest moments, as 17th-century samurai discover the joys of television and hockey masks (thanks to Casey Jones).
The Vibe: After the dark grit of the first film and the neon-soaked "Secret of the Ooze," the third installment takes a sharp turn into historical fantasy. It’s a "fish-out-of-water" story that swaps the sewers of NYC for the feudal landscape of 16th-century Japan. The Plot: Turtles in Time