TMNT: Mutant Mayhem Film Review

TMNT: Mutant Mayhem

We all want to be accepted by people because it’s part of our human nature. With all the social media, it’s easy to make videos and

share our opinions. Technology has made certain aspects of life easier in a way.

But what if you were seen as an outcast? Maybe rejected for being different from everyone else? Well, you can probably understand

how Leo, Donnie, Mikey, and Raph feel. These four turtles have seen much of the human world but never interacted with humans

themselves. It’s because of their overprotective rat father Splinter and his horrible experience with humans.

However, when the four teens discover bad guys causing “deadly thefts” around New York, they jump at the opportunity to be known

as true heroes. What Leo, Donnie, Mikey, and Raph don’t realize is that Superfly (the gang’s leader) doesn’t back down easily.

Positive Elements: As with other TMNT movies, Mutant Mayhem delves into the turtles learning how to work together as a team. Each

one brings traits that make the team stronger as a result. Their love for each other is evident too.

Leo, in particular, encourages his brothers to jump into action. This isn’t easy considering Donnie, Mikey, and Raph want to avoid

conflict, but they follow his lead. He tells the truth about their whereabouts to Splinter, which leads the rat to ground them for disobeying

him.

Splinter is strict, but dearly loves the teens. He recalls his awful experience with the humans and reminds his sons of this. After

hearing Superfly’s justification of destroying humans (more on that later), Splinter realizes his mistake and apologizes to the teens.

Superfly's mutant gang is a tight-knit family unit initially for the wrong reasons. But Leo, his brothers, and Splinter convince the

mutants to stop the diabolical plan, stating that if they kill humans, they’re no better than them. The mutants agree and side with the

turtles to stop Superfly. The teens realize doing the right thing even when they’re different from others is more rewarding than blending in.

April dreams of being a reporter, but an embarrassing incident holds her back. She warms up to the turtles after they get her scooter

back, and helps them at multiple junctures. (Spoiler Warning): April overcomes her fear of shyness/anxiety and tells the truth about the

turtles and mutants fighting Superfly. Because of this, humans/mutants help Leo, Donnie, Mikey and Raph defeat Superfly.

Spiritual Content: Splinter has the turtles recite a rhyming mantra about humans which includes “Humans are the demon scum of the

Earth.” Raph calls an Adele concert “transcendent.” Superfly meanly says “See you in h—, turtles.”

Sexual Content: Splinter fears his sons will be milked which is a running joke repeated a couple of times. The turtles object to this

paranoia, noting they don’t have nipples, which April also affirms. Mikey twerks on a few occasions. When first seeing Bebop (a mutant

warthog), the camera briefly pans across his pierced nipples. Superfly references wanting “fat booty races" as part of his diabolical plan.

Splinter mentions he checks “every day” for mutants his age. A female mutant cockroach called Scumbug attracts his interest and the

two kiss passionately. At April’s high school, there’s a bulletin board showing multiple LGBTQ posters and one transgender flag. An

outdoor movie scene features couples sharing popcorn and gazing into each other’s eyes.

When Leo first notices April, he’s struck by her beauty, prompting Donnie to joke “I think all of his hormones just kicked in at once.” He

harbors a crush on her throughout the film. Leo asks April to prom and she accepts. He inadvertently mentions that a mission is a date,

causing him to end the call awkwardly.

Violence: This is a warning to all parents and TMNT fans: the action takes a dark turn. As such, viewers witness several perilous

moments. For example, a chemical explosion kills one scientist and destroys most of his lab. Agents storm the lab but are knocked around

by a baby Superfly. They end up lying on the ground unconscious.

The turtles engage in fights with numerous bad guys, using their weapons in the process. After being captured by TCRI (a shady

scientific organization), they are shocked repeatedly, plus hooked up to a milking machine. We don’t see how it works, but it’s insinuated

by the turtle's reactions the process is anything but pleasant. During a fight scene, one of Raph’s sai swords accidentally ends up in

Donnie’s leg. Splinter fights with TCRI soldiers using ninja skills.

Raph has a bit of a rage problem, stating “I dream of fighting every night.” Superfly jumps on a van, scaring the turtles. He recalls his

family’s experience with the humans which is shown via flashback. While telling his story, Superfly slams his fist on the table, spraying

ketchup over the turtles. When Leo, Donnie, Mikey and Raph start questioning his plan, Superfly smashes a fire hydrant right in front of

them.

Speaking of Superfly, his prejudice against humans is a bit disturbing. He talks of nearly beating a man to death, an ominous glee

present in his voice. A jarring scene features three human guys being killed by him (this occurs offscreen, but the guys’ screams make it

clear of what’s happening). He drives super fast and crashes into a van, fighting the turtles.

Mikey uses Donnie’s Bo staff to stop a vehicle, causing mutants to fly through the windshield. The car chases end up in crash mode

with some cars being damaged. Cars/trucks/buses are kicked and thrown in the final battle scene. Splinter’s leg is broken after being

thrown in the air.

(Spoiler Warning): In a scene reminiscent of Godzilla, Superfly is mutated into a huge monster with multiple animals attached. He

causes chaos in New York, punching buildings (with people presumably inside), and almost crushes the turtles to death.

Language: There are about eight or nine uses of “h—, six of “d—n," and one “p—." God’s name is misused 16 times, along with other less

offensive words including “crap,” “bloody,” “sucks,” "heck," "gosh," and “shut up.”

Drugs/Alcohol: A mutant chugs alcohol (offscreen). Leo mentions wanting to “have a champagne brunch with Tom Brady.” During the

outdoor movie scene, a man is (briefly) shown drinking alcohol.

Other Negative Elements: Splinter’s prejudice against humans forces the turtles to steal groceries for their sewer home. Several other

instances of (implied/shown) hijacking occur as well. April earns the nickname “Puke Girl” after a humiliating viral incident shows her

vomiting due to stage fright. She comments on seeing an insect floating on a piece of excrement.

The Turtles sneak out/lie to Splinter when pursuing Superfly. Though Splinter’s strict rules are necessary, his fear of humans results in

friction between him and the turtles. Raph, Donnie, and Mikey bully Leo’s leadership by saying his head is “up Dad’s butt.” Scumbug

greets mutants by spreading her saliva over them several times.

Conclusion: Mutant Mayhem is gaining attention by not just critics, but TMNT fans everywhere. It’s easy to understand why; the film’s

animation is mesmerizing, giving off an Into the Spider-Verse vibe mixed with hand-drawn sketches from a teen’s sketchbook. It’s

fascinating to look at.

Then the fact that the turtles are voiced by actual teenagers is another stroke of genius. Producer Seth Rogen (who also voices Bebop

in the film) stated “The teenage aspect was the most under explored part.” He’s right on; the turtles we meet here act like teens. The voice

actors chemistry is off the charts, especially during the humorous scenes.

But be warned: Mutant Mayhem has content concerns. Though this film is intended for a kid audience, the action/fight scenes are

somewhat intense/scary. As mentioned, Superfly is heavily prejudiced against humans and his threatening demeanor towards our four

heroes is shown. Some language is thrown in here too, along with sensual innuendos that kids won't understand, but adults will. These

concerns might cause parents to press pause on seeing the film.

Despite the film’s conundrums though, Mutant Mayhem delivers an exhilarating experience for families. Parents and kids will appreciate

several pop culture allusions plus multiple hilarious moments. The film also gives a powerful lesson on how prejudice is harmful and isn’t

too preachy in the process.

Splinter and Superfly have a prejudice against humans, but both approach it differently. Splinter believes all humans are horrible and

therefore shelters the teens. Superfly on the other hand, thinks people need to be controlled in order to be accepted by them. Mutant

Mayhem graciously acknowledges that both sides of this argument are wrong. As alluded to above, once Splinter realizes his mistake, he

apologizes to the turtles.

The world we live in is a crazy, complicated mess. Yet, there is beauty in it too. It’s easy to glance at all the negative news and point the

blame at others for their mistakes. An assumption to people who are different than us is: You don’t believe the same way I do, so you must

be a bad person. However, as Mutant Mayhem points out, that is not true. If we learn about people first instead of jumping to conclusions,

it shows compassion.

The Bible clarifies prejudice and judgment are harmful in Matthew 7:1, 3-5 (NCV) “Don’t judge others, or you will be judged. Why do

you notice the little piece of dust in your friend’s eye, but you don’t notice the big piece of wood in your own eye? How can you say to your

friend, ‘Let me take that little piece of dust out of your eye?’ Look at yourself! You still have that big piece of wood in your own eye. You

hypocrite! First, take the wood out of your own eye. Then you will see clearly to take the dust out of your friend’s eye.”

Mutant Mayhem is not a Christian film, but it does manifest the harm of prejudice against people who are not like us. The turtles also

learn that even though humans might not accept them, they must protect people too. Their behavior is rewarded and brings Proverbs 11:3

(NCV) to mind: “Good people will be guided by honesty; dishonesty will destroy those who are not trustworthy.”

Mutant Mayhem is an absolute knockout on every level. The film delights viewers with the animation, humor, nostalgia, and voice

performances. Though the film has concerns, it manages to hold itself well. Mutant Mayhem is a must-watch for every TMNT fan and one

of the best-animated films of 2023, hands down!