As I watched Jeff Rowe’s “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem,” I couldn’t help but notice the dialogue’s high energy, akin to my kids when they gulp down a bottle of Prime, a new energy drink. This got me thinking about the distinction between being fast-paced and hyperactive in movies. Take “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” and its sequel, for example; they are undeniably fast-paced, but it works well with their content. Another film, “The Mitchells vs. the Machines,” co-written by the director of “Mutant Mayhem,” is also packed with an abundance of material, almost impossible to grasp fully in a single viewing.
These movies are fast because they are brimming with creativity, with their ideas jumping off the screen. However, “Mutant Mayhem” feels fast for the sake of being fast, and it lacks substantial thematic depth. Though it boasts impressive visuals and creative voice acting, it ultimately falls short of being a truly rewarding cinematic experience. Despite this, it can still provide a tolerable escape on a sweltering August day when families seek refuge in an air-conditioned theater. Nevertheless, I can’t help but wish that the chaos and mayhem in the film led to a more fulfilling and meaningful outcome.
In this seventh installment featuring the popular characters, the TMNT saga starts with an origin story. The film takes us back to the beginning, where a scientist named Baxter Stockman, portrayed by Giancarlo Esposito, plays a crucial role. Baxter creates the infamous ooze that has the power to transform ordinary creatures into mutants. However, when the authorities intrude into Baxter’s basement lair, the ooze gets spilled into the sewers, setting the stage for what follows next in the comic book history. Four turtles, Donatello (Micah Abbey), Michelangelo (Shamon Brown Jr.), Leonardo (Nicolas Cantu), and Raphael (Brady Noon), undergo a transformation, becoming fast-talking humanoid creatures.
The film explores the early days of these iconic characters, giving the audience a fresh perspective on their journey. Rowe and the team of co-writers, including Dan Hernandez, Benji Samit, Seth Rogen, and Evan Goldberg, delve into the origins of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, providing an exciting backdrop to the well-known saga. The focus on Baxter Stockman’s role in creating the transformative ooze adds a new layer of intrigue and drama to the story, setting up a unique and captivating narrative.
The film’s storyline moves beyond the typical action-packed adventures, allowing the audience to connect with the characters on a deeper level. Each turtle’s journey of self-discovery and adaptation to their new form offers compelling character arcs, giving the movie emotional depth and resonance. As they come to terms with their unique abilities and appearances, the turtles face challenges that test their bond as a family and their commitment to protecting the city from evil forces.
Baxter’s experiments have brought about different responses from mutants now living underground. While Splinter prefers hiding, Superfly (Ice Cube) seeks something closer to vengeance. To accomplish his goal, he has formed a group of mutants, including Genghis Frog (Hannibal Buress), Leatherhead (Rose Byrne), Rocksteady (John Cena), Wingnut (Natasia Demetriou), Ray Fillet (Post Malone), Bebop (Seth Rogen), and Mondo Gecko (Paul Rudd). Adding to the excitement is Maya Rudolph’s mysterious character searching for the turtles and Ayo Edebiri as April, the human befriending the turtles and introducing them to the above-ground world. The stellar voice cast allows each actor to showcase their talent through fun voice beats, making “Mutant Mayhem” even more enjoyable.
In conclusion, while “Mutant Mayhem” may offer some fun and action-packed moments, its failure to delve deeper into the turtles’ characters hinders its ability to become a standout addition to the genre. Striking a better balance between energetic spectacle and thoughtful character development would have made the movie more compelling and engaging for a wider audience.
