By Daniel Paiz

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem is a film I did not expect to enjoy so much, but animated turtles growing due to ooze was a fun ride the whole way through. Cypher Flicks has jumped into reviewing animated films a bit more in recent years, and it’s a good time to do so. The animation is so good these days and it really conveys setting and mood in ways live action cannot. What makes it even more intriguing is that this Seth Rogan-backed film didn’t really have the feel of his earlier work; rather, Rogan and the team he brought in really did a good job of capturing the essence of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

*Minor spoilers are mentioned below, but the ending and other key aspects are not. Read below at your own peril if you have yet to see this film*

Each role fits together well with the others

Each turtle plays their role on the team and as an individual very well, making the green crew likeable from the start. Leonardo plays the leader, Ralphael the raging muscle, Donatello the tech wiz, and Michelangelo as the improvisational expert. There is no rigid role structure that they each follow, but rather a fluidity in which each role listed above is a part of each turtle’s arsenal.

The vocal counterparts of Ayo Edebiri (April O’Neil), Nicolas Cantu, Brady Noon, Micah Abbey, and Shamon Brown Jr. might not be as well-known as that of their dad, Splinter (Jackie Chan is the perfect fit for this role) or their eventual adversary Superfly (who knew Ice Cube would smash this role), but that’s part of what works. Both animated and live-action films are at their best when the key roles are played by relatively unknown people; their notoriety doesn’t overshadow the role itself. When characters like the four turtles need to be front and center, having people who are household names would distract from the story (what I call the Jack Nicholson or Idris Elba effect: they overshadow whatever role they have).

Those grandiose themes of growing up, defining who you are, and what’s your place in the world are all huge drivers into the decision-making of our masked pizza eaters. If any audience member had to avoid going out, couldn’t interact with the wider world, and didn’t interact with people their own age, it would drive them mad too. Plus, as the film goes on, the story reminds viewers that things are less black and white and more shades of grey.

Animated storytelling leaves its mark

This iteration of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, as well as both installments of the Spider-Verse have approached larger themes in a more honest way then their live-action counterparts. Marvel and DC films at times are carried by one or two memorable performances, whereas these animated films have entire ensemble casts each adding their necessary piece of the story puzzle to make the overall picture whole.

The writing is balanced enough where New York City is a character in this film. Not quite literally, but the response of New Yorkers based off of what the learn (or don’t know) about the turtles has a vital impact to the finale. Live action films are missing this key choice. Plus, the combination of the city itself unifying with the mutants against Superfly is one of those moments where a viewer can envision themselves in that position. When somebody can picture themselves in an animated film, that’s one of several ways the audience bonds with the story and outcome.

Not to mention the artwork is very reflective of its setting, and of the countless comic books and graphic novels featuring the green foursome. Production designer Yashar Kassai worked with Seth Rogan, Jeff Rowe, and Evan Goldberg on the look and feel for this film. There’s this feel of imperfection you get from someone drawing who isn’t following expected conventional art methods. Imperfection is what makes art and stories relatable, and that clearly is connecting with audiences.

Final Verdict

The plot of the film is pretty solid, and the animation is wonderfully done, and the musical selections are amazing. 90s-era Hip-Hop is so well utilized in this film, and each scene with a classic jam is that much better for it. Pairing classic Hip-Hop against a New York City backdrop enriches the story overall.

Also, the introduction of so many characters is actually not overwhelming. Superfly and his little family of mutant misfits isn’t that different than our four turtle friends, and they’re all seeking the same thing. The means to attain it are fairly different, but the interactions between these two groups are a lot of fun.

Splinter and April O’Neil are x-factors in this film, and their stories are probably the best arcs overall. Neither one gets the screentime the turtles do, making their screentime all the more valuable. This story is well done, and there’s plenty to reflect on and debate for…well, you’ll see. This film is pleasantly surprising, and now gives the Spider-Verse franchise a worthy adversary in the realm of animated comic book films.