​Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows

In the era of comic book remakes it’s not surprising that Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is returning with its second instalment. This Michael Bay-produced flick is everything we would expect: cheesy one-liners and action-packed fun that veers towards the silly side. However, unlike the first film, it stays true to its origins in introducing characters like RockSteady and BeBop whilst still bringing back the familiar faces of Megan Fox and Will Arnett. Stephen Amell, who is notably known for his portrayal of the Green Arrow, joins the cast as the vigilante, Casey Jones.  

The story follows the four brothers as they encounter an old enemy who is determined to bring about an alien invasion with catastrophic consequences. Although predictable, it is also a heart-warming tale depicting the struggles of acceptance and what we are willing to do in the face of such adversity, which is always an interesting topic to explore.

However, with yet another popular comic book franchise making its mark on the box office, we are left wondering if there’s a need for more depictions of old beloved characters on the big screen. The answer seems yet to be decided. Unlike its contemporaries in the comic book adaptation world, Out of the Shadows seems to have a clear target audience – children. So although you may chuckle at Michelangelo’s witty humour and revel in the explosions, it’s definitely not a film you’re likely to take home with you.   

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows is an enjoyable superhero feature that doesn’t attempt to rewrite the wheel, instead choosing a familiar structure with familiar tropes. It’s not good nor is it bad, it’s a cheap thrill movie which pulls out all the stops expected from a film produced by Michael Bay.  

Aisha Mohamed

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows is released nationwide on 30^th May 2016.

Watch a trailer for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows here: