Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows

When they rebooted the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in 2014, I was vastly disappointed that they were ruining my childhood. I did not enjoy the film and really disliked the turtle’s large disfigured physical appearance. Months later, I watched the film again and realized it was not as bad as I originally thought. I then realized that the film was not made for someone who grew up with the Ninja Turtles and now in his thirties (Me) and instead made for kids today. It’s a kid’s movie through and thorough. And its 2016 sequel is no different.

I am happy to say that Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows is better than its predecessor in almost every way. It’s funnier and delivers the action at an almost frantic fast pace which will no doubt keep the youngsters eyes firmly fixed to the screen. For Dads, Megan Fox is back as April O’Neal and Moms get eye candy of their own with Casey Jones, who is played by Stephen Amell (Arrow). Both deliver the type of performance you would expect for a film like this, fun, upbeat and whimsical. Add in Will Arnett reprising his role as Vern and you have several laughs as this group interacts with the turtles.

On the villain side, we are introduced to the mutated Rhino Rocksteady and Warthog Bebop who are The Shredder’s new henchmen. Both of them are big, dumb, over the top…and they love it! This has been one of the best on screen representations of the duo yet. They add their own fun pace every time they are on film.

As a kids film, those expecting some kind of great explanation or exposition for story development will be disappointed. But those just looking to go along for the ride will feel right at home. The film doesn’t even balk at the opportunity to bring a new character from dimension X, introduce inter-dimension portals and the Technodrome with only a one liner here or there that explains the significance of those items. And then, before we can think of any holes in the explanation, we are taken away to the next set of fast paced and fun action scenes that makes us not care about clarification.

3 out of 5 stars

4 out of 5 stars for kids

 

Second Review by Tracey Barrientos

Michelangelo, Donatello, Leonardo, and Raphael are back in the second installment of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Shredder has escaped and joined forces with the evil scientist Baxter Stockman along with muscle men Beebop and Rocksteady to take over the world. Krang, an extraterrestrial Dimension-X inhabitant poses as a greater threat. Will the half shelled, pizza lovers rise above and defeat these evil and deranged men. With the help of master Splinter, April O’Neil, Vern Fenwick and a new friend Casey Jones they just might.

This film is action packed from the very beginning to the very end. There wasn’t a dull moment in it for me. From the casting choices, the humorous script and the great music, every bit worked. Unfortunately I went into this film thinking I wouldn’t like it or I wouldn’t be able to follow the story line since I hadn’t seen the first film. I was pleasantly surprised in how much I enjoyed it Seeing the first one is not necessary to enjoy the second. Perhaps it helps to have been such a big fan of the turtles when I was younger (by the way Leonardo is still my favorite!).
I usually am not a fan of a lot of computer generated films. However, in this case it worked out very well. How else are they supposed to make it seem somewhat “real”? Though I am and always will be loyal to the old cartoons and films; I do realize that puppeteers in costumes in this day in age just wouldn’t cut it. The 3D aspect makes the audience feel as though your a part of the action. In the past I always recommended to stay away from the prices of a 3D film and in the case of this film I would definitely recommend viewing it in 3D. Not only was the film entertaining, the credits were as well. Despite what others might say, I would totally recommend this film to be viewed in theaters even if you are only there to see Stephen Amell 😉
4 out of 5 stars!