Caution – this review contains Spoilers
When it comes to long-term fans of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies, audiences generally fall in two camps – those who enjoy the darker, comic adaptation-like 1990 original and those who prefer the lighter, dance filled cartoonish sequels. Out of the Shadows sits firmly in the second category and how you feel about that fact will affect how much you enjoy this instalment.
Make no mistake, TMNT as a film saga has always been aimed at children, in particular those old enough to enjoy stylised violence but not old enough to ask questions about real-world believability. Out of the Shadows realises this and almost plays like a target market checklist, wisecracking villains, explosive gadget merchandise and a bombshell feminine companion (Megan Fox) all hit the mark – this is young boy demographic 101.
There’s still plenty of nostalgia to draw the older generation, Turtles fans have longed for characters like Bebop (Gary Anthony Williams), Rocksteady (WWE Wrestler Sheamus) and Baxter Stockman (Tyler Perry) to feature in a silver screen flick and all three are a resounding success. Perry in particular chews up the scenery as the highly intelligent yet morale lacking Stockman and the duo of Bebop and Rocksteady are frankly the best thing about the movie. The Warthog and Rhino mutations are hilarious without becoming annoying (toeing the line occasionally) but importantly get more development as characters than either of the ‘big bad’ characters this franchise has seen since it was rebooted.
Which brings us to The Shredder (Brian Tee). There is actually a significant amount of screen time for the Shred-Dude but little is done with him. Serving only as a bridge between the heroes and their new enemy it is disappointing a character so deeply entwined with the franchise is relegated to a non-combatant. He seems to have significantly de-aged since being recast and is intent on showing this off by practically never wearing his mask. The resulting portrayal simply does not carry the menace or threat of previous incarnations of Oroku Saki.
Likewise Krang (Brad Garrett) is severely underutilised – A lot of excitement was had when he was revealed in recent trailers but in truth this is a glorified cameo – and whilst his look is everything fans dreamt of – he is simply not fleshed out enough to be a legitimate threat. His interaction with the brothers stretches to one or two lines before a brief showdown that holds little personal stakes. For all the criticism of the 2014 reboot, the final fight vs Robo-Shredder felt like a defining moment in the development of the team. That emotional core is lacking this time out and in a big way.
It’s not just the villains that fail to deliver. Casey Jones (Stephen Amell) was a major selling point and this updated take on the character is too far removed from what came before. The Punisher-like vigilante of old is long gone – Casey is now a cop with dreams of becoming a detective. Perhaps a positive influence makes sense for today’s audience but they could have come up with someone original. Everything about this Jones is inferior in comparison to the Elias Koteas version, the loveable rogue attitude, the genuine chemistry with Judith Hoag (who’s cameo has sadly been cut), is all lost in favour of a generic gym pumped goody who is as forgettable as he is disappointing.
Splinter (Tony Shalhoub) is hardly involved beyond pleasantries and April O’Neil takes a major back seat compared to last time out –not many complaints will be had that the plot is not centred around her again – but it does feel she is shoe horned in as a reporter/secret agent hybrid. There is some nice development when it comes to Verne Fenwick (Will Arnett) though and out of the heroic support it is certainly he who steals the show again.
In many ways Out of the Shadows feels like a Turtles cartoon and that is both a positive and negative. It is positive because the vibe and tone is in line with the era that made this franchise an on-going success. It is negative because (despite a 2 hour run time) the film shares a cartoon like abrupt story arc that focuses purely on action and laughs with little substance or worry about realism (even for a kids film it is ridiculous how many people take being introduced to Ninja Turtles and Alien Invaders in their stride) .
What’s most disappointing about this is how close the movie comes to touching upon emotional subjects but never fully pulls the trigger. There is a welcome spin on the Ooze McGuffin that sees the Turtles debating whether to turn human or accept who they really are. An above ground encounter that sees the brothers visibly hurt at being called monsters will resonate to anyone made to feel shunned and it is a shame this is not expanded on further. Furthermore, a change in heart by one of the team on the subject is never really explained beyond putting everyone back on the same page.
What is very welcome is an expansion on the characteristics of the Turtles themselves. Leonardo and Raphael find themselves predictably at odds whilst Michelangelo and Donatello are given more room to express their take on key matters beyond simply acting as Comedian and Brains respectively. The team divided idea however is nothing new and seems to flit in and out of importance as the scenes demand.
The big question when the credits roll is where this franchise goes from here. The status-quo of the Turtles is changed forever (Out of the Shadows is a very literal description of the theme of this movie) and whilst it is likely things will simply be forgotten and go back as they were– there is the possibility of doing something very different now a much wider part of society know of the teams existence.
All in all Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows is a n average kids flick and entry into Turtles franchise history. It is much better than some of what came before it but is equally far removed from the pace setting 90’s mega hits. Nostalgia elements will entertain some oldies (the credits music medley is worth the price of admission alone) but the people who will love this film most are undoubtedly young children – several of which this reviewer saw ninja kicking their way out of screenings. As long as kids are being entertained and inspired enough to lose themselves in that moment, the film has succeeded and ensures Turtle Power will live on.
Cowabunga.
Jellyhead Films 