In *Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem* (2023), director Jeff Rowe delivers a vibrant reimagining of the iconic franchise, striking a delicate balance between nostalgic reverence and bold reinvention. The film’s most striking achievement is its visual language a kinetic, graffiti-inspired animation style that feels like a comic book splashed across a city wall. This aesthetic, with its jagged lines and vivid textures, mirrors the adolescent energy of its protagonists, Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, and Michelangelo. Cinematographer Kent Seki deserves applause for crafting a New York City that pulses with chaotic charm, its neon-drenched streets serving as both playground and battleground. The animation doesn’t just dazzle; it amplifies the story’s emotional stakes, particularly in scenes where the Turtles grapple with their outsider status.

The screenplay, co-written by Rowe and Seth Rogen, among others, leans heavily into the Turtles’ teenage identity, emphasizing their yearning for acceptance over martial arts bravado. This focus yields authentic, often poignant moments Leonardo’s awkward flirtations with April O’Neil are endearingly clumsy, capturing the universal ache of youth. However, the script occasionally stumbles under its ambition, juggling too many mutant adversaries, which dilutes the narrative’s focus. The villain, Superfly (voiced with menacing charisma by Ice Cube), is a standout, but his sprawling gang feels undercooked, their motivations murky at best.

The voice acting is a triumph, with a youthful ensemble (Nicolas Cantu, Micah Abbey, Brady Noon, and Shamon Brown Jr.) infusing the Turtles with distinct personalities. Their banter crackles with improvisational wit, grounding the fantastical in relatable sibling dynamics. Jackie Chan’s Splinter, however, is a mixed bag his comedic timing lands, but his emotional beats sometimes feel rushed, undermining the mentor’s gravitas.

Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross’s score is a pulsating undercurrent, blending electronic grit with orchestral swells to match the film’s anarchic spirit. Yet, it occasionally overwhelms quieter scenes, drowning out the dialogue’s intimacy. Despite these flaws, *Mutant Mayhem* succeeds by embracing its heroes’ imperfections. It’s a film about belonging, rendered with enough heart and visual flair to make its chaos feel like home. Rowe’s direction ensures the Turtles aren’t just relics of the ’80s but vibrant avatars of today’s youth, navigating a world that doesn’t always want them.