Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: Out of Plot Ideas

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: Out of the Shadows
Produced by Michael Bay, directed by David Green

I don't know what I was thinking when I subjected myself to reviewing producer Michael Bay's latest epic gem Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: Out of the Shadows, directed by David Green. As my friend put it "Ughh!!! Remi why are you subjecting yourself to this?". My answer before walking in was to see how bad this diamond in the rough or polished masterpiece of a film this is.

I knew three sure things about this film before going in, given that producer Michael Bay is attached to this project. Loud explosions that will leave a ringing in my ears for at least an hour after the credits role. CGI overkill, this time in the form of turtles and other amphibians/reptiles. Veteran Bay actress Megan Fox will be starring in this film, since Veteran Bay performance artist Shia LaBeouf is hitch-hiking across America. 

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2 is being hailed as the one that stays true to the animated series. The series is about four turtle brothers named Donatello, Michelangelo, Raphael, and Leonardo, who fight crime in the Big Apple. Sadly, I was not raised on the animated series so this review may be a bit biased.

After defeating Shredder (Brian Tee), the Ninja Turtles are feeling under appreciated. Vernon Fenwick (Will Arnett) is soaking up all the glory for putting Shredder behind bars. Cut to mad scientist Baxter Stockman (Tyler Perry) breaking Shredder out of a police-armoured vehicle, enlisting him in plans for scientific chaos. The scenario is creating a time portal of doom for Krang (Brad Garrett) to destroy New York City. Beebop and Rocksteady are the worst henchmen you would ever want to hire, as they are stuck in their own style and era.

Thank God the Turtles have April O'Neil (Megan Fox) and beat cop Casey Jones (Stephen Amell) to stick their necks out and protect the Turtles' identities and break the law. A reluctant Fenwick decides to help out the Turtles as well. The ending is heart-warming overkill, as everyone finds their place and another instalment of the franchise is sadly set up.

Let me start off by saying that I have lost all respect for Tyler Perry as an actor. What made him stand out in Gone Girl is now overshadowed by the role of a goofy scientist who runs out in oncoming traffic. None of the characters are interesting, there is no clear indication of the archetypes they are meant to play, as seen with the villains of the film, who are weak with no lack of style or substance. The Turtles' friends are laughable, as seen when the police captain (Laura Linney) is reprimanding Casey Jones on how he will never make detective and he should just get out of the way. 

I can see where the heart lies with the Turtles, who add the motional substance to the film. However, it took me to the very end of the film to get over their childish antics and their annoying and limited vocabulary—"Cowabunga Dude!" This film is for one audience member only. To quote Fenwick, "Why aren't we going with the Turtles? When something bad happens, you want to be with the Turtles!". This film is only for the true nostalgic fans of the '80s franchise. 

Rating: 1/5

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