Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem review – Smells like teen spirit

In comparison to some franchises, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles isn’t that old, having begun life as an underground comic series in 1984, created by Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman. However, the Turtles do feel like one of the truly evergreen pop culture phenomena. Since the late 80s, they have existed in one form or other (toys, cartoons, movies, a brief live-action series, more comics and cartoons), continually evolving and finding a new set of fans, as well as reconnecting with many existing enthusiasts, at key moments of transition in the series history.

Teenage Mutant Nina Turtles: Mutant Mayhem is definitely one of those pin drop instances. Although it’s technically the seventh big screen outing for the heroes in a half shell, Mutant Mayhem is only the Turtles’ second animated film, following 2007’s TMNT. It’s also a reboot, taking the crime-fighters back to the very start of their career, before they’ve ever been in a real brawl, and before their distinct personalities and rapport have solidified.

What really sets Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem apart, however, is that it’s arguably the first time ever in the franchise’s history that the Turtles feel like actual teenagers. Not just superficially behaving like teens, but credibly demonstrating the emotional needs and motivations of young adults – that simultaneous tug between finding, and fitting in with, “your people,” but also breaking free of home constraints.

So audiences meet the 15-year-old Turtles – responsible Leonardo (Nicolas Cantu), nerdy Donatello (Micah Abbey), light-hearted Michelangelo (Shamon Brown Jr.), and hot-tempered Raphael (Brady Noon) – as a relatable quartet of misfits who long to experience the world, but have been confined to the sewers by overprotective Splinter (Jackie Chan), the mutant rat who found and raised them. Their outcast status is something that bonds them with high schooler April O’Neil (Ayo Edebiri), a wannabe reporter teased because of her debilitating camera shyness. With a likeable dynamic reminiscent of the Stranger Things kids, the Turtles and April enact a plan to win social acceptance: catch the mysterious criminal Superfly (Ice Cube), who is terrorising New York City with his gang, voiced by the all-star likes of John Cena, Paul Rudd, Rose Byrne, Natasia Demetriou and Post Malone.

A lot of fuss has been made about Superbad’s Seth Rogen co-scripting and producing Mutant Mayhem (plus voicing warthog Bebop), and certainly his creative presence in the film is apparent. However, it’s The Mitchells vs. the Machines’ Jeff Rowe in the director’s chair and behind the keyboard, and Mutant Mayhem shares obvious genetic code with that 2021 Netflix animated hit. There are mixed media insertions, real-world pop culture references, clever song insertions, meticulously choreographed action scenes that hinge on comedically brilliant improvisation, manic moments, but also chances to breathe and empathise with the characters.

Perhaps most importantly, Mutant Mayhem isn’t a case of straight-up copying Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’s homework, which might be a viewer concern at first glance. The new Ninja Turtles doesn’t have the well-thought-out polish of Spider-Verse but that seems to be the point. There’s a jagged rawness to most of the character designs, an unapologetic ugliness, and this goes back to the Turtles’ indie comic roots. With animation provided by Mikros Animation and Cinesite, Mutant Mayhem features an incredibly striking aesthetic with 2D sketchy embellishments over 3D CGI. It’s one of the movie’s biggest drawcards, demanding a big screen experience. Trailers watched on phone and PC just haven’t done the visuals justice.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem ticks the boxes for characters, action and graphics but it waffles when it comes to story. If you really want to accuse the movie of aping Spider-Man, it’s in the narrative department. In addition, Mutant Mayhem introduces a glut of new characters in its final third. While they’re thrilling to see onscreen for long-time Turtles fans, these figures are barely named, let alone fleshed out. Ultimately, their presence distracts from the primary cast, while dropping the film’s pacing to sputtering first gear.

Also, if you’re considering Mutant Mayhem as a family movie outing, be aware that because it’s so adolescent focused it’ll have less to offer younger viewers. Kids under 12 are likely to grow bored, with the film’s dialogue-driven humour and themes sailing over their head. They’ll probably remember Superfly swearing, though.

Mutant Mayhem is a treat for older audiences, though – if you overlook its flaws. It’s loaded with all your favourite toppings, plus some surprisingly successful flavour combinations, like Jackie Chan’s standout vocal performance as Splinter. Between Mutant Mayhem, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, and Nimona, lovers of fresh, cool and boundary-pushing animated movies are eating well in 2023.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem is in South African cinemas from this Friday, 11 August.