Iconic heroes in a half-shell have arrived at cinemas for some crime-fighting and delicious pizza in New York City. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem it is an animated superhero film that features Donatello, Michelangelo, Leonardo and Raphael in a new version of these four turtle brothers who have had a long history in movies, TV and comics alike. This film sees them team up with April O’neil to uncover a mysterious crime syndicate led by Superfly. This is a stylish, delightful animated action-adventure comedy film that serves the characters well.
When you have four characters who are so famous and have been in six movies released in theaters before, finding a new perspective can be a challenge. No one could be trusted with this task except Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, the duo behind classics like Superbad and Pineapple Express. This is the third film they have produced together this year after the hilarious R-rated comedy Joy Ride and the lesser-known horror film Cobflix. These two have always been a dynamic duo, and they help produce and write this new TMNT movie that serves as a fun, family-friendly movie with some fun action pieces and some well-written humor.
Although “teenage” is the first word of any TMNT movie, turtles are always portrayed by adults in their films. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem makes the wise choice to move away from this, by dumping Micah Abbey, Shamon Broantann Jr. Nicolas Cantu and Brady Noon as leaders. One of the strongest directing choices from Jeff Roflix is the decision for these actors to record their replays together, which is rare for voice work. It is clear from watching the film how much chemistry these four boys have together. Their dialogue sounds impromptu and authentic, as the actors were able to insert their personalities into the characters and accurately capture the way teenagers speak in 2023. The way they play each other’s energy is perfect for the camaraderie that quickly settles into the movie.
The four main voice performances are excellent, but they have an excellent supporting cast with them as well. Martial arts icon Jackie Chan The Voice of Splinter, the wise, incredibly protective father of the turtles. Splinter is given a good reason not to like the people in this movie and he is the character with the strongest arc. There are moments in this film that pay homage to Chan’s real-life filmography, and although it’s been a while since audiences have seen him kick into live action, he does it well in animated form. Another strong performance is Ice Cube as the bad Superfly. He brings much of his charismatic voice to the role, and creates some mature and funny results.
At the core of this film is a story about these turtles who want to fit in and fall in love but are worried about how the world perceives them. The film features April O’neil portrayed a little differently this time as an African-American teenager. With Ayo Edebiri’s performance, it’s easy to root for her because she and the turtles are both looked down on and want to be liked. April is very involved in the action, and she is a great character. The supporting actors, who include stars like Paul Rudd, Post Malone and John Cena, also get great moments to shine.
The issue with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem is the script, which feels form in a story that lacks invention. It’s a different story about a bad guy who wants to end the world and the heroes who need to stop it. This isn’t the crowd-pleasing hit it could have been, and it’s a small step down from the previous rosibles of A Mitchells vs. comedy. Machines. This movie has some strong jokes, especially some funny live action pieces included in the mix, but it also has some references to successful or lost movies. The story in this film is predictable enough, but it compensates for it with moments of laughter and a mid-credits scene that the audience will definitely want to stand for. All in all, it’s an extremely good animated film that serves as another fun, entertaining experience that may or may not make you scream, “Co ,babunga!”
Results: 7/10
As ComingSoon’s review policy explains, a score of 7 equates to “good.”A successful piece of entertainment that is worth watching, but may not attract everyone.
Disclosure: ComingSoon attended a press show for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: mutant mayhem revieflix.
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