by Mike Hilty, Contributing Writer
I’ve been a fan of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for as long as I can remember. It’s the first movie I can remember watching in theaters as a kid, I played with the toys until fifth grade, dressed up as them for Halloween multiple times, and even dressed up as them in high school for a church talent show. I was there whatever iteration they were in, whether a new interpretation of a movie, comic, or TV show. So when Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem came out, I took my oldest daughter to see it. We both enjoyed it.
Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles occurs shortly after the movie’s events. The Turtles (all voiced by the original cast) deal with the fallout of being New York’s newest heroes, as they balance the pressures of their teenage lives. Family and personal issues surface as they face off against a new foe.
When I heard it was announced, my first question was how much you need to know about the movie to appreciate the show. It turns out, quite a bit. Several movie characters show up, not just as cameos. They have substance and development, making it feel natural for them to show up.
The principal cast, including Micah Abbey, Nicolas Cantu, Brady Noon, Shamon Brown Jr., and Ayo Edebiri, are outstanding. They all feel like they could be friends in real life, so their chemistry feels natural. Edebiri gives a great performance as April, with a natural charm paving the way for a fun and awkward high school performance.
I loved the animation style in Mutant Mayhem, and I appreciate the show’s look as well. It feels more like a graphic novel at times and hand-drawn at others. I really like the style of the show — it’s a unique and refreshing style for the Turtles.
The overall story is strong, focusing an individual episode for each Turtle at first. I enjoyed all these episodes, but also struggled with the turtles being separated for nearly half the season. The story develops quickly, and none of the episodes ever feel wasted.
The only real hang-up I have is the absence of a particular cast member from the movie. It is a glaring omission, and some of the tricks the show does to hide the absence are a little cheap and desperate. The absence is greatly felt.
Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is a great entry in the franchise. I love the Mutant Mayhem universe and am fully invested in the characters. Mutant Mayhem is necessary viewing, and I’m concerned about whether or not the show will be required for the next movie, but that’s a minor hang-up that shouldn’t hamper your enjoyment of the show.
Rating: Low Side of Liked It
Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is currently streaming on Paramount+
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