Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem 2023 Movie Review
“In the eyes of their adoptive rat father, Master Splinter, Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Raphael—the four mutant turtles—were taught to view humans as malevolent beings, urging them to avoid any interaction and refrain from even a simple ‘hi.’ The fear stemmed from past incidents where Master Splinter’s attempts to reveal himself to the public led to violent hostility. The human world did not take kindly to mutant animals, prompting Master Splinter to train his turtle sons in the ways of ninjitsu.
For a decade, the ominous, rhyming phrase kept the brothers confined to the safety of the sewers. However, their humanoid forms for the last 15 years ignited a yearning to be accepted by the human society they had come to love. Despite the warnings, their chance encounter with April, a girl in need, proves that some humans can see beyond their appearance.
Inspired by April’s belief in their heroism, the Ninja Turtles concoct a plan to change the public’s perception of them. They aim to capture Superfly, a criminal mastermind responsible for deadly thefts and terrorizing the city. By bringing him to justice, the turtles hope that people will recognize them as heroes rather than monsters.
But as they delve deeper into their mission, they discover an unexpected twist—Superfly is not only a criminal’s name but also a descriptor: their mutant cousin.”
Mutant Mayhem is an animated coming-of-age origin story that follows the Turtles as they embrace their crime-fighting destiny, transforming into a formidable superhero team while also discovering their individual strengths and confidence.
Among the four Turtles, Leonardo emerges as the responsible one, though it takes time for him to fully embrace his role as the group’s leader. Encouraging his brothers to take action against crime, he understands the diverse personalities within the team, with some preferring to avoid confrontations. Each Turtle brings a unique attribute to the fights, and their unity proves to be the key to success.
Their heroic journey culminates in a showdown against the formidable villain, Superfly, whose sinister plan seeks to cause widespread destruction and subjugation. Despite facing mistreatment from humans, the Turtles choose to stand as protectors, defending even those who rejected them in the past.
Superfly’s motivations become apparent when his own history mirrors that of Master Splinter, who was once met with violent rejection when attempting peaceful integration into society. This juxtaposition reveals the stark contrast between the characters, leading Master Splinter to reflect on his overprotective nature towards the Turtles. He realizes that his actions may have inadvertently caused harm, prompting a pivotal moment of growth.
Having willingly adopted the four Turtle boys and raised them as his own, Master Splinter now sees the significance of helping them find acceptance in society. Supported by April, who commits to aiding their integration, the story showcases a diverse array of individuals, both humans and mutants, willing to risk their lives to protect others and combat evil.”
