DALLAS —
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem
Watch out "Barbie" pink, here comes green ooze! ...and "Oppy," a different kind of radioactive!
TMNT blasted into pop culture back in the 80s with comic books, TV shows and movies over the years. It was all lost on me, but I do know this latest treatment is something special.
The origin story of our 'heroes in a half shell' starts with the sabotage of a science experiment and four mutant baby turtles rescued by a sewer rat, 'Splinter.' He lovingly keeps his boys down under except for the occasional pizza run, while teaching them ninjutsu for defense. But they just want to be like other teen humans. One night, they sneak out to watch "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" from a rooftop and end up helping 'April', a high school damsel in distress. She's trying to up her cred in the journalism department by tracking down the villainous super-mutant "Superfly." With her brains and their skills, they embark on their grand mission!
Seth Rogen and his long-time partner Evan Goldberg clearly wrote this from a place of affection and, of course, humor. Director Jeff Rowe summoned an animation style that's ragged around the edge, providing a cool energy. He also gathered great voice talent with Ice Cube ('Superfly') and Jackie Chan ('Splinter') as standouts.
This fun, fresh movie won't likely kick Barbie off her pedestal, but has legs enough that a series and a sequel are already in the works.
(Paramount Pictures. Rated PG. Running Time: 1 hr. 39 mins. In Theaters Only.)
Shortcomings
Be careful when you title a movie "Shortcomings," someone might point them out! Based on Adrian Tomine's graphic novel by the same title, it's the feature directorial debut of actor Randall Park (ABC's "Fresh Off the Boat").
"Shortcomings" centers around 'Ben' (Justin H. Min), an aspiring Asian American filmmaker who settles for running an arthouse movie theater in Berkeley, California. He's also a jerk when it comes to women. He continues to make his preference for blonde Anglos clear, so his lovely girlfriend Miko (Ally Maki) bolts for a film internship in NYC. No sooner does she leave, and he's in hot pursuit of her replacement(s). So much for just 'taking a break.' His best friend 'Alice' ("Joy Ride's" Sherry Cola) prefers women herself but tends to love them and leave them. When Miko ghosts Ben, his wounded pride can't handle it, and he and Alice take off for NYC to find out what's really going on.
It's hard to like a movie whose lead is unlikable, but Park pulls this off well and with insightful humor. It becomes a clever, if not painful, study in perceived societal hierarchy and how leading with kindness can go a long way.
(Sony Pictures Classics. Rated R. Running Time 1 hr. 32 mins. In Theaters Only.)
Looking for streaming content?
The aforementioned "Joy Ride" is now on Prime VOD.
"Guardians of the Galaxy 3" (Disney+) and "Super Mario Bros." (Peacock) are now available.
"Only Murders in the Building" just launched Season 3.
And Taylor Sheridan has a new contemporary CIA series on Paramount+ starring Zoe Saldana and Nicole Kidman.
Other movie news/reviews: