The reviews for Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem are now in, so has the duo behind Superbad found a way to reignite the beloved franchise? Well, yes, if the near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes score is anything to go by. Now sitting at a promising 97% on the review aggregator website, it certainly sounds like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem is the movie that fans of the heroes in a half shell have been waiting for.
We begin with MovieWeb’s own Julian Roman, who heaps praise on this latest take on the characters and the way they have been uniquely brought to life through animation.
“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem is a refreshing new take on beloved characters. The film looks absolutely incredible with stunning animation and killer action scenes. The turtles experience growing pains in a world that fears them.”
Next up is Empire’s John Nugent, who awards Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem another near-perfect score of 4/5.
“It’s that adolescent experience that keeps this latest entry feeling more alive and engaging than it has any right to.”
Another near-perfect score comes courtesy of Tom Jorgensen of IGN, who awards Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem a rating of 8/10 and concludes that the movie is “a new high” for the series.
“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem oozes confidence, energy, and heart, and the animated adventure represents a new high for the Turtles on the big screen.”
Kate Erbland of indieWire meanwhile continues to applaud the distinctive animation style and cannot wait for more. Which is good news, as a sequel and television series have already been confirmed.
“The heart of “Mutant Mayhem” is pure, and the look of it is sprightly and unique, making it a worthy new addition to a franchise that clearly still has new stories to tell.”
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem Lands in Theaters Next Week
Things get a little more middling with ComicBook.com’s Evan Valentine, who gives Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem a 3/5 and states that, while there are issues, the movie still offers plenty of enjoyment.
“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem has its problems, but it does justify this new take on the Turtles while also giving old and new fans quite a bit to enjoy should they venture to theaters to take in this animated enterprise.”
The somewhat so-so reactions continue with Peter Bradshaw from The Guardian who, while also rating Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem a 3/5, does commend the humor and animation.
“This new animated origin story for the chelonian adventurers is unexpectedly funny, with a rather stylish crepuscular design.”
Things though get near-perfect again with Total Film’s Matt Maytum who, alongside another 4/5, declares…
“Turtle Power is back, thanks to a potent combo of winning humour and gnarly animation. Cowabunga!”
Finally, Deadline’s Pete Hammond calls Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem nothing less than “The Best TMNT Movie Yet.”
“Fans will not be disappointed with any of the decisions here, notably the scattershot animation that feels rough around the edges, stylish, anti-CGI blandness, and visually surprising and satisfying.”
Directed by Jeff Rowe and starring Micah Abbey, Shamon Brown Jr., Nicolas Cantu, Brady Noon, Jackie Chan, John Cena, Ice Cube, Ayo Edebiri, Giancarlo Esposito, Post Malone, Seth Rogen, Paul Rudd, and more, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem introduces the Turtles as they attempt to win the hearts of New Yorkers and be accepted as normal teenagers through heroic acts.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem is scheduled to be released on August 2, 2023.