Phil Roberts 
Tales Of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is a fun continuation of the Mutant Mayhem universe that explores the sandbox in exciting new ways.
Tales Of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is finally emerging from the sewers and onto Paramount Plus this week. Fresh off the back of the success of TMNT: Mutant Mayhem, the 2D animated series aims to bridge the gap between the film and its sequel while exploring the sandbox in fun new ways. With original cast members Micah Abbey, Shamon Brown Jr., Nicolas Cantu, Brady Noon, and Ayo Edebiri all returning to reprise their roles, the series has all the hallmarks to be great. But can the atmosphere established in its big screen predecessor translate to 2D animation? Or should the adventures of these heroes in a half-shell be held back for the cinema?
Fear not TMNT fans because TALES OF THE TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES continues the exciting Mutant Mayhem universe with new, engaging storylines. While the characters could use some more depth, the series impresses with its incredible animation and a captivating narrative that captures all the essential elements. The show stays true to the TMNT lore and introduces more legacy characters. This ensures that the franchise’s legacy remains strong and consistent. The result is a fun, fresh, but familiar series that delivers several quickfire episodes that will delight kids of all ages.
REVIEW
After the film’s events, the series continues with the Turtles adjusting to a new normal. They are balancing their school life with their nighttime crime-fighting responsibilities. Meanwhile, Splinter’s connection with Scumbug grows stronger, and the teenage heroes grapple with the challenges of living in the spotlight. However, lurking in the shadows is a new threat with a vendetta against our heroes.
When the school calendar marks the arrival of the grandest party of the year, the fantastic four set out to revel in a night of merrymaking. Little do they know that their new adversary, Bishop, a brilliant robotics mastermind, is scheming to divide the siblings and obliterate them using her deadly AI contraptions. What transpires is an epic tale unfolding on four separate fronts. Each member of the team confronts their own distinct trials as they endeavor to reunite with their siblings. Along their journey, they forge new alliances, encounter fresh adversaries, and discover how to harness their unique abilities to conquer seemingly insurmountable challenges.
COWABUNGA
In this iteration of the TMNT series, the core team of turtles is divided into four opening episodes, each dedicated to a specific Turtle. This unique approach allows for a deeper exploration of each character. This enables viewers to develop stronger connections with them as they fully embrace their talents. The episodes also provide insight into the dynamics between the Turtles, often hilariously entertaining, while also delivering a powerful message about the significance of family. Each episode contributes to the overall storyline, gradually adding complexity to the plot and setting the stage for the series finale.
The new villain is given an entire episode dedicated to delving into her motivations, adding depth and complexity to her character. This allows her to transcend the typical role of a token villain and become a fully realized character with her own compelling backstory. This focus on character development sets it apart from previous iterations and adds a layer of depth to the narrative.
CHARACTERS
In Mutant Mayhem, our favorite heroes in a half-shell didn’t fully embody the refined Turtles we love. Sadly, that sentiment persists in this installment, albeit to a lesser extent. Here, the Turtles gradually begin to adopt the characteristic traits of their personalities. All four of them initially struggle to fully embrace their individual abilities, which can be seen as character flaws. Yet, as the story unfolds, and they each embrace their unique strengths fully, they soon begin to evolve into the Turtles we know and cherish.
Unlike Mutant Mayhem, which didn’t fully explore the characters, this series dives deep into their arcs, providing a satisfying conclusion and leaving us eager for what’s to come. As the series wraps up, we’re filled with anticipation for the next thrilling adventures.
DETRACTIONS
Sadly, not all of the characters involved in the series are treated like the Turtles. Ayo Edebiri’s April O’Neil is sidelined for most of the series and resigned to casual interactions. Rocksteady and Bebop are referenced but never make an appearance. Hun, the infamous leader of the Purple Dragons street gang, on the other hand, suffers a brutal character assassination. But the Turtles’ beloved mentor, Splinter, is the worst character to suffer.
SPLINTERED!
In Mutant Mayhem, Splinter is voiced by Hollywood icon Jackie Chan. However, due to budget constraints, the show creators could not retain Chan as the voice actor for Splinter. As a result, the character’s dialogue was limited to “Rat language,” explaining that Scumbug prefers hearing Splinter speak in this way. While this change may not be particularly noticeable to young viewers, it presents a jarring experience for long-time fans.
Additionally, due to Chan’s departure, Splinter’s role in the show was notably reduced. The character only made brief appearances in the opening and closing episodes without any speaking lines, which ultimately diminished the character’s significance. That’s an interesting point about why Bebop and Rocksteady are not part of the animated series. Seth Rogen and John Cena voiced the characters in the film. So, it would have been challenging to retain them for the series. However, this trend could potentially impact future episodes of the show.
SETTLING THE SCORE
The series’ soundtrack is noticeably lacking compared to Mutant Mayhem, which had a solid and memorable score. The new theme by Matt Mahaffey that plays during the opening credits comes across as harsh and unimpressive, failing to capture the essence of the previous themes. The absence of impactful music does a disservice to the overall quality of the series, preventing it from reaching the standard set by its predecessors. Each installment of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise has featured an iconic theme that distinguishes it. But sadly, Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles falls short in this aspect.
VERDICT
Overall, Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is an exhilarating show that delves into the vibrant world established by Mutant Mayhem and introduces exciting new storylines. Building on the narrative foundation laid by its predecessor, the show adds depth and complexity to its characters. This results in a captivating series that delves into the individual qualities of the heroes, taking them on a transformative journey of self-discovery and skill development and ultimately shaping them into the beloved heroes we admire.
This series is genuinely impacted by budget cuts, which unfortunately hinders it from reaching the same level of excellence as its predecessors. However, it provides an enjoyable experience that will leave a lasting impression and have us craving more. And that is the true mark of a phenomenal series. So, order some pizzas, warm up the popcorn, and settle in for new episodes of pure Ninja Turtles excellence. It may have its flaws, but it’s full of entertaining thrills.
Cowabunga!
Tales Of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is streaming on Paramount Plus on Saturday 10th August.
Meet Phil Roberts! He’s the dedicated owner, daily content manager, and editor-in-chief of The Future of the Force. Phil is a budding novelist who turned his passion toward writing about the franchises he loves back in 2016. He’s a huge fan of all things Star Wars, Batman, DC, Marvel, Star Trek, Indiana Jones, Ghostbusters, King Kong, and the Ray Harryhausen movies. Phil is a BFI-accredited journalist and a distinguished member of the Film Critics Association UK.
If he’s not catching a movie at the cinema, you can bet he’s streaming something just as awesome!
