It’s safe to say we’re in a new, and glorious, era of animated movies. The world is realising that we no longer need to play it safe when it comes to animation, and that animated movies can be for everyone. The latest feat in the genre? Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.
With an astounding 96% on Rotten Tomatoes, TMNT: Mutant Mayhem took the world by storm when it jumped into cinemas earlier this year. Now, the newest adventure of Donatello, Michelangelo, Leonardo and Raphael is available to buy on digital and it’s a must-have for your collection. With all-star talent, a heartwarming story, a nostalgic soundtrack and animation that has left fans in awe, this is a movie that can stand the test of time.
The Talent
One of the best things about Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem is that four relative newcomers were cast as the titular turtles. Micah Abbey, Shamon Brown Jr., Nicolas Cantu and Brady Noon hold their own as the iconic heroes, and their chemistry is palpable — even through animation. What’s more impressive is that they hold their own against a cast of film & TV legends. Giancarlo Esposito, Seth Rogen, Paul Rudd, Rose Byrne, John Cena and the people’s princess Ayo Edibiri all lend their vocal talents to his movie, and the movie is better off because of it.
The Characters
We all know Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo and Raphael. Most of us even know the sage guidance and wisdom of Splinter, the turtles’ mentor. But what is really exciting about Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem is that for anyone who isn’t already a super-fan, we’re introduced to a wide array of new mutants that are all lovable in their own way. You’ve got Bebop and Rocksteady, a mutant rhinoceros and warthog duo that are impossible to forget, Ray Fillet, played by Post Malone and obsessed with singing his own name, and Scumbug, who can only speak vermin and sparks up a surprising romance. The TMNT universe spreads far beyond the turtles, and this movie serves as the perfect introduction to mutants big and small.
The Soundtrack
For many of us, the idea of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles inspires intense nostalgia, even with this refreshing new take on their story. To match that, an array of hip-hop classics were chosen to play throughout the movie to evoke those feelings, and pay homage to its setting: Brooklyn. In the movie you’ll find classics from De La Soul, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, M.O.P., A Tribe Called Quest and more, really taking you to brickladen alleyways covered in colourful graffiti. Beyond that, the film’s pulsating score, created by Oscar winners Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, gets you feeling every last emotion. The action scenes are packed with throbbing electronic music, while drawn out strings make the melancholy moments feel even more tender.
Oh, and no spoilers, but you’ll turn off this movie with ‘What’s Up?’ by 4 Non Blondes in your head, trust me.
The Animation
If you talk about anything to do with TMNT: Mutant Mayhem after turning it off, it’s going to be the animation. Using a unique blend of 3D and 2D elements that creates a visually striking and dynamic look, the animation team and director Jeff Rowe make this entire universe feel like concept art. This means that you can really see the details in expressions and scenery, but doesn’t really resemble anything else in the animated sphere right now. It’s particularly effective in the action sequences, which are fluid and almost glitch-like, adding extra excitement. On top of that, the animation style means the characters’ facial expressions and body language are nuanced and believable, helping to define all of their unique personalities.
The Story
Of course, like any movie, the story is what holds Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem all together, and this story is filled with heart. Not only is it a fresh take on the origins of the iconic heroes, but it’s a deeply relatable story too. Sure, not all of us are mutant turtles who live in a sewer and fight bad guys, but most of us can relate to the feelings of not fitting in, as children and as teenagers. On top of that, living up to the expectations others put on you and the pressure that brings is a universal experience, and TMNT: Mutant Mayhem deals with it with nuance and with beauty, with the character of April O’Neil being a necessary addition to the story. But, alongside all its heart, TMNT: Mutant Mayhem is also incredibly funny (in ways you might not expect) and filled with action. It’s truly a film for everyone.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem is a must-include for your next at-home movie night. Buy or Rent it on Digital now via the Apple TV app, Prime Video, Google TV, YouTube, Fetch and Microsoft Movies & TV.