One element of superhero movie reboots that started to wear on audiences is the origin story. How many times can we see the Waynes eat it? The issue is often that they are just completely rehashed moments that the audience is very aware of, and it makes the scene feel redundant, ultimately bogging the new movie down. What Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem does so well is it introduces a new origin for the beloved turtles that pays homage to the source material, so both new and old fans are in for a different experience. The thing that makes this even better is the experience is fantastic in almost every regard.
The talent behind this new animated turtle adventure is deep, starting with Seth Rogan and Evan Goldberg producing and writing. Rogan contributes voice work as Beebop, alongside other incredible work from Jackie Chan as Splinter, Ayo Edebiri as April O’Neal, Ice Cube as Super Fly, John Cena as Rocksteady, Paul Rudd as Mondo Gecko, and several others. Jeff Rowe directs his first solo film, having co-directed The Mitchels vs Machines – which is also an incredible animated film – and proves himself more than capable. However, the standouts of the talent pool are the four teens cast to make the new generation of turtles, with Nicolas Cantu as Leonardo, Sharon Brown Jr. as Michaelangelo, Micah Abbey as Donatello, and Brady Noon as Raphael. These turtles are actual teenagers, and the dynamics of the characters are very much rooted in that detail.
All the people involved seemed to treat this IP with so much love, and it shows in every frame. This film looks incredible, both in its animation and its character design. The turtles are quite distinctive – not just by the color of their mask and assigned weapons. The variety of characters only adds to the feel of the world. There is an incredible action montage that immediately reminded me of the hallway fight in Oldboy, but with the violence toned down to be teenage-appropriate. It seamlessly cuts between the four turtles and various locations while side-scrolling with them. It’s a master class in storytelling, action, and animation in one impressive sequence.
This comic book-inspired movie stands out with the effortless joy and humor it produces. The four brothers have a natural chemistry, and it works for some really natural ribbing between them. There is an inherent fish-out-of-water element to this story, and it is frequently used to great effect. The turtles want to be part of the human world, and that is the last thing their father Splinter wants, as he fears humans. The parental dynamic and the longing to fit in work so well with the characters, and allows for a great story. The first action scene uses their newness to great comedic effect, and audiences will have a blast as the story builds.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem is a massive success. There is so much to enjoy, and it would be failing to not mention the great music in the film. Both the score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, and the many hip-hop needle drops work perfectly to help establish the tone. The race for best-animated films continues to grow in 2023, with this easily in the top three.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem is in theaters everywhere on August 2.
Rating: Must See
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