Tag: TMNT

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (2023) Film Review

Heroes aren’t born. They’re mutated.

Rating PG
Length 1h40
Release 31.07.2023
Director Jeff Rowe & Tyler Spears
About After years of being sheltered from the human world, the Turtle brothers 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.
Moon: full moon at multiple points
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime – with Paramount subscription
Trailer:

The Good

The animation is stunning. Since Spiderverse, other companies have really upped their game when it comes to having a unique animation style.

The characterisation of the quartet is perfect. The turtles are no longer identified by their coloured mask, but each of the brothers has an individual body type that reflects their personality.

Love that the film oozed easter eggs; it was most definitely written by my kind of people who loved the original cartoon tv show. They don’t overwhelm, so people new to the franchise will not feel alienated. Instead they add value to those of us who loved the show growing up.

The soundtrack is amazing.

The Bad

There are some pop culture references that *may* date this film in years to come. While calling the boys “Shrek” will linger, some of the others might not.

The Ugly

Yet another origins story. Bit like the death of Batman’s parents or Uncle Owen, I really would love a TMNT incarnation to forgo the mutation beginnings of our heroes in half shells.

Final Thoughts

I really enjoyed this film, but more than anything it has me craving the original tv show.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)

Rating PG
Length 1h35
Release 23.11.1990
Director Steve Barron
About A quartet of humanoid turtles, trained by their mentor in ninjitsu, must learn to work together to face the menace of Shredder and the Foot Clan.
Moon: full moon while waiting for pizza delivery
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime
Trailer:

The Good

The puppetry is amazing. Of course it is, it’s Henson productions. The Turtles are only surpassed for me by the full on puppet of Splinter. The characterisation of the team is spot for me.

The Bad

I’m not quite so sure what the plot is?! Shredder ratnaps Splinter, but he doesn’t know who Splinter is? What was the motivation? Why were the Foot stealing random shit? Too many questions about the story arc really and it stops me being entirely invested.

Not a fan of this iteration of April and I never thought I would say there’s a worse choice for one of my favourite characters than Megan Fox.

The Ugly

It’s really dark. Both physically and tonally. While it isn’t the modern ‘so dark you can’t see anything’, there’s still no reason for it to be as dark as it is. It’s probably why, despite this being one of my favourite shows growing up, I have only seen the film once before today.
Add to that, the violence, it does seem to indicate that the creatives weren’t too sure who they were targeting audience wise.

Final Thoughts

Nostalgia is sometimes left in the past. While I’m glad I took a rewatch, I can also see why this was not something that my parent’s allowed me to have on repeat.