Jeff Rowe's "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mayhem" bursts onto the screen with the high-octane energy of a caffeine-fueled sprint. While it races through its narrative with unrelenting speed, the film raises questions about the difference between fast-paced creativity and hyperactivity. In a genre where velocity can both enhance and undermine the material, "Mayhem" finds itself straddling the line, showcasing impressive visuals and dynamic voice work, but sometimes sacrificing depth for a whirlwind ride.
As the seventh installment featuring the beloved turtles, "Mayhem" chooses to revisit their origin story. Director Rowe, alongside co-writers Dan Hernandez, Benji Samit, Seth Rogen, and Evan Goldberg, rewinds the TMNT saga, immersing viewers in the creation of the iconic characters. The story begins with scientist Baxter Stockman (Giancarlo Esposito), whose creation of a transformative ooze alters the lives of ordinary creatures. When the ooze is accidentally unleashed into the sewers, four turtles—Donatello (Micah Abbey), Michelangelo (Shamon Brown Jr.), Leonardo (Nicolas Cantu), and Raphael (Brady Noon)—undergo a radical metamorphosis into humanoid creatures.
At the heart of the tale is Splinter (Jackie Chan), the rat who also experienced the ooze's effects and became the nurturing father to the teenage mutants. Under Splinter's guidance, the turtles are instructed to avoid contact with humans to prevent potential exploitation. However, tension simmers as the young mutants yearn for a normal life beyond the sewers.
Parallel to this, Baxter's experiment, Superfly (Ice Cube), reacts differently to the divide between mutants and humans. Superfly assembles a group of mutants seeking retribution, including Genghis Frog (Hannibal Buress), Leatherhead (Rose Byrne), Rocksteady (John Cena), and others. The narrative intensifies as these characters come into play, leading to a crescendo of action and exploration.
"Mayhem" excels visually, embracing a dynamic animation style reminiscent of "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse." The characters' designs seamlessly blend comic book aesthetics with modern animation techniques, delivering a visual feast that captivates the audience. The film's engagement with various animation styles keeps viewers visually stimulated and engaged.
However, the film's breakneck pace sometimes compromises character development and thematic depth. While "Mayhem" explores the coming-of-age journey of the four turtles, the narrative leans towards shallower waters. De facto leader Leonardo's sense of responsibility and his growing affection for April form the core of his development, but the other turtles receive relatively limited exploration.
Despite these shortcomings, the stellar voice cast injects personality and charm into the characters. Ice Cube's portrayal of Superfly and the interactions among the mutants add layers of entertainment and complexity to the film. As "Mayhem" reaches its action-packed climax, the collaboration between the voice actors and the visual execution creates a crescendo of excitement that resonates with audiences.
In essence, "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mayhem" is a rollercoaster ride of action and energy. While it may lack the narrative depth of its predecessors, its captivating visuals and engaging voice work offer an entertaining summer escape for families seeking thrilling adventures in the theater.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (2023) - info
- Release date: August 2, 2023
- Genre: Comedy, Sci-fi, Adventure
- Directors: Jeff Rowe, Kyler Spears
- Writers: Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, Jeff Rowe
- Stars: Micah Abbey, Shamon Brown Jr., Nicolas Cantu