In a laudable progression of the famed series, “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem,” the latest film from the franchise has finally hit the screens and offers its audiences more than just the usual slice of pizza. Featuring the celebrated quartet of turtles, namely Leonardo (Nicolas Cantu), Raphael (Brady Noon), Michelangelo (Shamon Brown Jr.), and Donatello (Micah Abbey), this high-octane spectacle is on a mission to foil Ice Cube’s Superfly from devastating New York City. The movie is at its zenith when it’s not striving to plant the seeds for an ensuing plotline. However, given our fondness for sequels, the climactic sequence often plays second fiddle to the tantalizing glimpse of future adventures. Indeed, the notorious credits scene never fails to whip audiences into a frenzy for as many upcoming installments as possible, regardless of whether the narrative merits them or not. Be forewarned, this review plunges deep into the film’s credits scene, delving into the implications for the future of the series. If you’re yet to relish this cinematic treat, you might want to bookmark this piece for later perusal.
A bit of backstory to bring you up to speed: post their successful attempt at thwarting Superfly and saving New York City, the Turtles are faced with a dauntingly new and real-world challenge: high school. On their first day, they are greeted with an eerie silence until they are welcomed by the jovial non-amphibious character April O’Neil, voiced by the talented Ayo Edebiri, who boasts an array of works from The Bear to the upcoming Bottoms. As the film transitions to the credits, the narrative resumes to capture the turtles grappling with their new lives at school. Although the idea of these mutant teenagers undergoing puberty remains ambiguous, it’s clear that high school life is bound to serve a generous helping of awkwardness. However, it seems the turtles have found their tribe with Donnie falling in with a group of anime enthusiasts, Mikey showcasing his questionable improv skills, and Raph venturing into wrestling. As the turtles go to prom and strive to acclimate to a life of normalcy, they enjoy a brief respite from their adoptive rodent father Splinter (Jackie Chan) who, upon finding a fellow mutant as a romantic partner, has been otherwise preoccupied. The crux of these small yet significant vignettes is to foreshadow the upcoming challenges that the turtles will have to face.
The Shadows Lurking in the Background
As the film pans out from a jovial prom scene, we realize the turtles are under the surveillance of a familiar figure. It is none other than Cynthia Utrom (Maya Rudolph) of the Techno Cosmic Research Institute (TCRI), who, despite being a secondary antagonist in the film, has been a constant presence. She was the force that set the plot in motion fifteen years ago by targeting the lone scientist Baxter Stockman (Giancarlo Esposito). Utrom’s fixation with the turtles is evident as she continues to monitor their movements but seems reluctant to confront them directly. This reluctance points towards a feeble explanation we will address later. For now, it’s important to note that she maintains a close watch on them, even keeping a small jar with a presumably de-powered Superfly as company.
The defeat of Superfly at the film’s end doesn’t necessarily write him off from future plotlines. Sequels tend to prioritize potential new narratives over neat resolutions, keeping us in a perpetual state of anticipation. This unending cycle also poses a looming threat to the Turtles who are privy to more than they should be, despite being unaware of their surveillance. Having seen the inner workings of TCRI during their capture and the extraction of their mutant ooze, the turtles have valuable knowledge. Further, when Leonardo isn’t busy gathering the courage to ask April to prom, the duo embarks on a fresh investigation into the mysterious organization. Unbeknownst to them, Utrom is preparing to deploy a figure who has been biding his time, almost like a freelance villain waiting for the right gig.
The Arrival of the Shredder
This might not be what you’re thinking – Utrom’s command, “Bring me the Shredder,” is not about a mundane kitchen tool. Instead, it signals the arrival of the iconic antagonist Shredder. The next scene presents him standing alone in the rain, seeming like a gloomy child itching to join the game. That marks the definitive end of the current narrative. There is no profound subtext here – just the relentless push for more sequels. Amidst all this, one can’t help but sympathize with the Turtles who didn’t even get a chance to enjoy some pizza before another predicament was served to them. One can only hope that their next encounter with Shredder might involve sharing a pizza and pondering over life’s deeper mysteries.
Experience the action-packed “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem,” now playing in theaters near you.
