In a summer filled with blockbuster hits like Barbie and Oppenheimer, the latest installment of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise wasn’t expected to make a big splash. That is, until you take a closer look at the credits and see that the co-writers and producers are none other than Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, with Jeff Rowe directing. These talented individuals, known for their work on The Mitchells vs The Machines, have delivered exactly what fans could hope for: a clever, funny, and faithful take on a brand that has captivated audiences since its humble beginnings as a comic book in 1983.
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have become a cultural phenomenon, spawning countless comics, TV series, movies, video games, and merchandise. Now, we have a new animated film that proudly embraces the “teenage” aspect of the title, while also tugging at our heartstrings.
Rogen and Goldberg’s script is filled with pop culture humor and takes inspiration from the youthful energy of Tom Holland’s Spider-Man and the beloved animated versions of the Turtles. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem breathes new life into the franchise, even reinventing the concept with fresh voice actors in the lead roles.
Fans will be pleased with the decisions made for this film, including the unique animation style that feels raw, stylish, and visually captivating. The producers aimed for a look that resembles something a high school student would doodle in their notebook, and the result is a feast for the eyes.
The story follows the Turtles as they face off against the criminal mastermind Superfly, voiced by the ferocious Ice Cube. Superfly is determined to eradicate humans with the help of his crew, which includes familiar characters like Leatherhead, Ray Fillet, Mondo Gecko, Wingnut, and Genghis Frog. Seth Rogen lends his voice to the lovable Be Bop, while John Cena brings Rock Steady to life.
The plot revolves around April O’Neil, portrayed by Ayo Edebiri, a young and ambitious reporter who encounters the Turtles and sees an opportunity for a major news scoop. As the Turtles navigate their complicated relationship with humans, they find an ally in April and join forces to take down Superfly.
This leads to an epic showdown between the Turtles and Superfly’s gang, as their true intentions are revealed. Each Turtle is brought to life with distinct personalities and excellent voice acting from the talented young cast.
Seth Rogen has left his mark on the franchise, delivering a film that balances smart entertainment with thrilling mayhem. Title: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Release date: August 2, 2023
Director: Jeff Rowe
Screenwriters: Seth Rogen & Evan Goldberg and Jeff Rowe, Dan Hernandez & Benji Samit
Cast: Nicolas Cantu, Shamon Brown Jr. Brady Noon, Micah Abbey, Jackie Chan, Ayo Edebiri, Ice Cube, Seth Rogen, John Cena, Rose Byrne, Post Malone, Paul Rudd, Natasia Demetriou, Hannibal Burgess, Maya Rudolph
Rating: PG
Running time: 1 hr, 39 min
