Mutant Mayhem Sequel to hit theaters in 2026

*Krutch* · 03-04-2025, 02:12 PM

Rewatched it for the first time last night. It was pretty much the same as I recalled, which was, "kind of decent, but mostly pretty to look at." Seriously, the art and score are still top notch. My main issue is that the things it does well, it only does well enough. And the things I don’t like just aren’t my cup of tea.

I like the general spirit of the story. It's mostly a Splinter story of letting loose of his grip on his boys. I don't mind that take. The turtles themselves have pretty much no arc going on of their own, which kinda sucks. They're growing up and want to be more independent, sure, but it's a pretty vague notion that's never really developed outside of getting themselves into trouble when they break the rules.

Unlike the turtles, April has become a character that's been changed up so much with every passing incarnation she no longer has a definitive identity anymore. She's been a mother figure, a sister figure, a friend, a love interest, a ninja, a scientist, a TV reporter, super-powered, no powers, younger, older, tall, short... She's pretty much a nexus to do whatever you want with her at this point - you just gotta hope whatever you do with her keeps her likable. This? This I don't like. She appears very uninterested in the turtles beyond what they can do for her. I really don't get a sense that this April wants to even hang out with the turtles.

And if you're going to have a turtle crush on her, I'd prefer it be based on something she does, not just the "love on first sight" trope. And since the post-credit scene fast forwards through her entire perspective on how she feels about Leo romantically, this whole thing just falls flat for me.

The ending leaves this series in a weird place that doesn't feel TMNT to me. The turtles going to school and being socially accepted while bunking up with all their classic villains is too much for me. What a bizarre place to end the first chapter.

But overall, it's a decent time. I don't get bored watching it, which is saying something at my age. I think the art and music does most of the heavy lifting. I hope the sequel has some more martial-arts focused action scenes, less fighting a rampaging monster kind of thing.

That running milk gag is still awful, though...

03-04-2025, 02:12 PM	#18
Krutch Like, stupid rich. Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: The Rawkzone Posts: 2,808	Rewatched it for the first time last night. It was pretty much the same as I recalled, which was, "kind of decent, but mostly pretty to look at." Seriously, the art and score are still top notch. My main issue is that the things it does well, it only does well enough. And the things I don’t like just aren’t my cup of tea. I like the general spirit of the story. It's mostly a Splinter story of letting loose of his grip on his boys. I don't mind that take. The turtles themselves have pretty much no arc going on of their own, which kinda sucks. They're growing up and want to be more independent, sure, but it's a pretty vague notion that's never really developed outside of getting themselves into trouble when they break the rules. Unlike the turtles, April has become a character that's been changed up so much with every passing incarnation she no longer has a definitive identity anymore. She's been a mother figure, a sister figure, a friend, a love interest, a ninja, a scientist, a TV reporter, super-powered, no powers, younger, older, tall, short... She's pretty much a nexus to do whatever you want with her at this point - you just gotta hope whatever you do with her keeps her likable. This? This I don't like. She appears very uninterested in the turtles beyond what they can do for her. I really don't get a sense that this April wants to even hang out with the turtles. And if you're going to have a turtle crush on her, I'd prefer it be based on something she does, not just the "love on first sight" trope. And since the post-credit scene fast forwards through her entire perspective on how she feels about Leo romantically, this whole thing just falls flat for me. The ending leaves this series in a weird place that doesn't feel TMNT to me. The turtles going to school and being socially accepted while bunking up with all their classic villains is too much for me. What a bizarre place to end the first chapter. But overall, it's a decent time. I don't get bored watching it, which is saying something at my age. I think the art and music does most of the heavy lifting. I hope the sequel has some more martial-arts focused action scenes, less fighting a rampaging monster kind of thing. That running milk gag is still awful, though...