Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem: An exciting reintroduction for the franchise
Whether it was the preferred cartoon for a lazy Sunday morning, having imaginary battles with your favorite action figures, to seeing the comic books in your local bookstore; Since 1984, “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” (TMNT) have always been in the presence of kids one way or another. The popularity of this franchise is massive and with that; it carries the baggage of many reboots and remakes in the form of TV series or films. After the last project, being the feature film of the TV series, “Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” ending in 2020, a new story was already cooking that would remind us why we love these pizza loving turtles.
With the whimsical directing of Jeff Rowe (known for Gravity Falls) and the playful yet cheekiness of Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg (known for Superbad) comes a new high-spirited iteration; “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem”. After years of being sheltered from the human world, the turtle brothers: Leornado, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Donatello set out to win the hearts of New Yorkers and be accepted as normal teenagers. Their new friend, April O’Neil, helps them take on a mysterious crime syndicate, but they soon get in over their heads when an army of mutants is unleashed upon them.
Since 2018, mainstream animation has felt the rippled effect of “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse ” positively. Thus, influencing its way into “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem” by blending 2D and 3D animation to give the entire film the feel of a comic book; but also experimenting the visual style with unique asymmetric character designs and half finished sketches that look straight out of your high school notebook. The rouged edged street art animation matches perfectly with the soundtrack. From Vanilla Ice’s Ninja Rap to Busta Rhymes’ Woo Hah! Got You All in Check’, the music encapsulates the essence of life in New York City.
In contrast to the previous installment of the TMNT series, this new film feels refreshingly novel, largely due to the dynamics and energy brought by its teen voice actors. Instead of teenagers acting beyond their years, the turtles are seen embracing their true age with their infectious banter and how they overlap each other while they are interacting. Of course, accompanying the authentic representation, there’s the unmistakable presence of Gen Z humor and lingo; in addition to pop culture nods that add a layer of relatability and modern storytelling.
Beyond the mutant battles and teenage banter, there’s an underlying coming-of-age narrative interwoven within the story. Having spent years shielded from the human world, the turtle siblings embark on a mission to resonate with the hearts of New Yorkers in pursuit of living their lives as regular teenagers. As they proceed on this path, they find themselves at a moral crossroads; should they stick with parental guidance and hide forever or chase their own desires? While they are secretly watching “Ferris Bueller’s day off”, they harbor the hope that they too, like Ferris, can one day find acceptance and love.
“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem” is an action-packed blast of sheer fun that oozes lively energy. It’s filled with laugh-out-loud moments and touching instances that balance enjoyment with emotion. “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem” is an absolute thrill for new viewers and long-standing fans alike.
Writer’s Note: This review was written and published during the strikes of the Writer’s Guild of America (WGA) and the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA). Without their work, the film being covered would not exist.
