There’s action and humour aplenty in the animated adventure, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem. The film tracks how the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles came to be and how they won favour.
Scientist Baxter Stockman’s (the voice of Giancarlo Esposito) lair is raided. He’s killed, but he has already “grown” some terrifying creatures. Among the “monsters”, he has also “given birth” to four cute, bright green turtles. They are brought up by a father figure, large rat Splinter (Jackie Chan), who warns them not to venture into the human world because it’s such a dangerous place. He urges them to stay in the sewers that they call home. But as the years pass, Donatello (Micah Abbey), Michelangelo (Shamon Brown Jr.), Leonardo (Nicolas Cantu) and Raphael (Brady Noon) become more curious.
Fifteen years on and one day while out getting groceries the turtles can’t help but watch the adoration on an outdoor movie screen for Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. (This is a lovely scene where a clip of Ferris Buller’s Day Off is woven into the animated screenplay.) The turtles crave interaction and positive recognition from humans. Ignoring their father’s overtures, they venture out again and into the middle of a firestorm embracing New York City. They must face an army of mutants led by the evil and menacing Superfly (Ice Cube), who is looking to destroy mankind. In trouble, the turtles find a sympathetic ear in wannabe reporter April O’Neil (Ayo Edebiri), who has her own issues at school. Intent of finding a way to stop Superfly from carrying out his nefarious plan, the TMNT have their work cut out for them.
A five-strong writing team that includes Seth Rogen gives us the turtles’ origin story and first grand adventure. It’s colourful and entertaining, with laughs to satisfy both younger and older audiences. Of course, the storyline is largely predictable (the Ninja Turtles must come out as winners), but that’s not without some hijinks and scrapes along the way.
I appreciated the ragtag bunch of ugly critters that make up Superfly’s mutant “army”. The turtles are teenagers simply spreading their wings. The way Splinter is realised made him a particular favourite of mine. He may be big and ugly, but he is also protective (his heart is in the right place, even if he is overly cautious). Ayo Edebiri brings no shortage of get-up-and-go as April O’Neil. The character is ambitious and refuses to let previous obstacles stand in her way.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem marks a reboot of the franchise, with the ending suggesting more to come. Remember to stay on as the credits roll.
Alex First
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Alex First is a Melbourne based journalist and communications specialist. He contributes to The Blurb on film and theatre.
