“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem” Review
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are back for a high-stakes, goofy, action adventure film in “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.”
Growing up, I really never had an obsession with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I guess I was born at the wrong time to have been the right age. I definitely overshot the original animated series my parents had, the animated series from the 2000s ended just as I was getting into action cartoons and the Nickelodeon series came out when I was foolish enough to believe that I was too old for cartoons.
Despite never having a strong affinity for this franchise, I have always admired its creativity and longevity. After all, the idea of mutated anthropomorphic turtles who have studied ninjutsu, live in the sewers of New York and love the delicacy of pizza is not something just anyone could come up with. Oh, and they’re also teenagers named after Renaissance artists. With numerous series and film adaptations, it can be difficult to stand out but “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem” manages to not only be a unique entry, but just might be the best film based on the teenaged reptiles.
In New York City, teenage mutant turtles Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello and Michaelangelo (Nicolas Cantu, Brady Noon, Micah Abbey and Shamon Brown Jr.) spend their days living in the sewer with their father, a giant rat named Splinter (Jackie Chan), and dreaming of acceptance from the world above the manhole covers. This opportunity to prove themselves arises when a mysterious mutant named Superfly (because kids love references to 1970s blaxploitation films) and his gang of humanoid animal followers break onto the scene to destroy humanity and make mutants the dominant species. With the help of a teenage journalist named April O’Neil (Ayo Edebiri), the four brothers must stand together to save New York and learn what it means to be heroes.
Right out of the gate, I knew this was going to be something special when I noticed one detail in the trailer. The turtles actually sounded like teenagers. I mean, think about it. Their age is the first part of the group’s name yet it’s so rarely tackled. While most versions of the turtles capture the teenage goofiness, they don’t necessarily focus on the problems of being a teenager and most versions are clearly voiced by adult actors. Micah Abbey, Shamon Brown Jr., Nicolas Cantu and Brady Noon are all teenagers and bring that sensitivity and fun to their roles. What makes the journey of these turtles so compelling is that they’re after something much more tangible than just saving the world. They’re seeking the acceptance that most teens crave and also to have some independence from their coddling father.
While this isn’t the first time we’ve seen April O’Neil depicted as a teenager, this film does provide immense relatability to the character with Ayo Edebiri giving an immensely funny and warm performance as the turtles’ first human friend. Jackie Chan also stands out as a very different version of Splinter than what we’ve seen in the past, playing the role as more of a dorky dad who needs to let go as opposed to a stoic and calming presence.
But it’s the other mutants that really captured my attention. Not only do they serve as an inverse for the turtles, mutants wishing for the destruction of mankind, but they’re all played by an incredible voice cast with the likes of John Cena, Seth Rogen (the film’s producer and cowriter), Rose Byrne and Natasia Demetriou. I didn’t think I needed Paul Rudd voicing a mutated, skateboarding gecko in my life but this film proved me wrong. As for Ice Cube as Superfly, it’s nice to see an original villain in this series as opposed to Shredder or Krang and he brings a great balance of intimidation and humor.
The script of “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem” is truly outstanding with five incredible comedy writers collaborating on it: Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg (behind “Superbad,” “This is the End” and “Pineapple Express”), Jeff Rowe (the film’s director and writer on series like “Gravity Falls”) and Benji Samit and Dan Hernandez (writers of “The Tick”). Together, they have written a story that not only captures the unique energy of the previous series, films and comics but gives a new spin on a pop culture phenomenon nearly 40 years old with a great sense of humor.
Through the years, we’ve seen the turtles in a variety of styles and tones from the dark angst of the original comics to the goofy camp of the animated series. This film shows love for all things turtle and the insanity that has resulted from this franchise including a hilarious cameo from Vanilla Ice’s “Ninja Rap” as seen in “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze.” But the film is so much more than callbacks and Easter eggs. This film has a tremendous sense of style thanks to its wonderful animation and creative action. With an artistic style that feels like concept art as opposed to finished images, it presents a unique look that is wildly different from any other animated film.
A few years ago, Michael Bay produced two films based on the turtles which really did a poor job of adapting the franchise. While the turtles can look good in live-action (as seen in the 1990 film), it’s in animation where they truly thrive and “Mutant Mayhem” is the perfect example of this. If you grew up with the turtles, this is going to be an adaptation that reignites that love you had for them. If you’re someone like me who never had an obsession with the series, then this film will be a great introduction to the most bodacious of reptiles. Cowabunga dudes.
