New TMNT...Are Actually Teens?!

Released on August 2nd, 2023, the comedic hit for children and adults alike, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, created by Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, Dan Hernandez, and Benji Samit, took over the animated scene for a moment in the midst of Barbie and Oppenheimer. But it did not disappoint at all! With the animation styles of 2D animation and a style with the feel of sketches/multiple layers, we were able to get that feeling of color pencil design art. Different shades mix into one character, the transitions from one similar scene to the next; for example, in one scene it goes from a blinking buzzer to a blinking light within the professor's home. Great use of transitions for not only keeping the children engaged but also the adults as well to wonder what could happen next.

The movie's storyline itself wasn't the only thing that stood out to me, it was also the soundtrack combination of old-school and new-school, as well as the star-studded cast. With some of my comedy favorites such as Seth Rogen, John Cena, and Ayo Edebiri to name a few. These actors and actresses alongside some new rising actors who voice the turtles. Donatello(Micha Abbey), Raphael(Brady Noon), Leonardo(Nicolas Cantu), and Michaelangelo(Shamon Brown JR.), who are all actual teenagers! Which isn't very common when it comes to animated and live-action movies. Most of the time people playing as teenagers are usually in their early 20s or 30s due to how well they take care of their skin. But, to have actually teenagers makes the story that much more believable. As for the music, with help from both director Jeff Rowe and writer/producer Seth Rogen, we were able to get some East Coast flavor since that is where the movie takes place, in New York, New York, but there was a new-school twist to a few songs. For example, "Ninja Rap" by Vanilla Ice, was performed by the rapper in the 1991 TMNT movie, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze, but in this TMNT edition, the song is played through a car, creating not only a different sound for it to be combined into the sequence of an epic fight scene that gives the turtles the confidence they needed in order to be prepared to become actual heroes.

With the movie now available for digital download, all we want to know is what is next for this specific version of TMNT? As of right now, we can confirm that there will be a sequel and a spin-off series due to the huge success of this movie joining the million-dollar box office club. Which is a huge win for them, especially with being released during the midst of Barbie and Oppenheimer madness and their takeover of the theater. Even though those two topped the charts, TMNT Mutant Mayhem, ended their theater run with $108 Million, $45 Million Internationally, and $153 Worldwide(rounded up). While the movie is now currently on digital release as of September 1, I know the movie will be a hit through the streaming systems as well!

<Photo Credits to Paramount Pictures>