In the late 80’s /early 90’s, there were few things more enjoyable than watching four precocious mutant turtles doing high level ninjutsu in New York City and devouring pizza every chance they get. After decades of comics, toys, animation, and video games, the Turtles are still relevant back on the big screen in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.

From the mind of Seth Rogen, this turtle tale follows Leonardo (voiced by Nicolas Cantu), Donatello (voiced by Micah Abbey), Michelangelo (Voiced by Shamon Brown Jr.), and Raphael (voiced by Brady Noon) as they are being raised by Splinter (voiced by Jackie Chan). The turtles are never to go to surface world, except for supply runs.

As teenagers do, they disobey Splinter and save a teenage girl named April (voiced by Ayo Edebiri). This leads the Turtles to a mutant named Superbly (voiced by Ice Cube) and his gang of mutants voiced by Rose Byrne, John Cena, Natasia Demetriou, Post Malone, Seth Rogen, and Paul Rudd. The gang is responsible for high profile crimes around New York City. The Turtles learn Superfly’s plan is to turn the ooze that made them mutants into an airborne virus and work together to stop him.

Mutant Mayhem is a fun adventure for all ages. The Turtles origins story is tweaked slightly but the core of who they are hasn’t changed. They dynamic between the group is at the core of all these characters. There’s even a running joke about Raphael having anger issues. The story could’ve used more of the Turtles and their relationship with Splinter. Not only is Jackie Chan hilarious as Splinter, exploring how Splinter raised them and the film was at its best when those characters on screen together.

Superfly and his gang were a great way to introduce mutants to and it forecast why the Turtles will have a hard time being accepted by law enforcement and the citizens New York City. Although the title is Mutant Mayhem, it still assumed the Turtles arch nemesis Shredder would make an appearance or at least the Foot Clan. It looks like the film will be saving their introduction for the sequel.

The film’s highest points come courtesy of the very well animated fight sequences and comedy. There’s one long montage of the Turtles fighting to clean up city and it’s of the coolest animated sequences in a Turtles film. The screenplay from Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, and Jeff Rowe delivers some laugh out loud moments along with a glimpse of dynamics that exists with brotherhood. This dialogue created a good foundation for where these characters and go and grow.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem continues the tradition of charming Ninja Turtles movie. It may not be as compelling as previous films or stick to the comics as close as some would like. That does not stop from being incredibly entertaining, funny, and a well animated film.

Grade: B