Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows (PG-13)

“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows” follows the footprint of the previous film in combining laugh-out-loud action sequences with chaotic cinematography and a virtually non-existent story. This time the film goes for a bigger cast – in fact too big – as well as hiring a new director in Dave Green. The change works. The direction and cinematography are much improved. There’s less in the way of whip pans and blurry fight sequences. However, the story takes a dive, even if it is less incredulous than the first time around. There’s just too many villains and not enough screen time for any of them. “Out of the Shadows” is just as comic-booky and off the wall as the first. If that’s not your thing, you’ll probably want to stop reading. 

Once again, the filmmakers intend to present a film on-par with the childhood cartoon renditions of TMNT and place it in reality. There are no scenes of Ralphael lamenting Splinter’s capture, nor scenes of Leonardo meditating contemplatively. The score’s not somber. It features songs like “Werk that Booty” and Edwin Star’s iconic “War,” which highlights the most ridiculous scene in the movie. A newly transformed Bebop and Rocksteady (Gary Anthony Williams, Stephen Farrelly) drive a tank through the jungles of Brazil looking for something called an ‘Arc Capacitor’ that will enable Shredder to open a portal and allow the villainous, gelatinous brain entity Krang to enter Earth with a doomsday war machine (don’t worry; this isn’t the only time that “Out of the Shadows” rips off “The Avengers”). 

The film’s trailer made no mention of Krang, and, from a fan standpoint, his inclusion is interesting. He’s voiced by “Everyone Loves Raymond’s” Brad Garrett, and, though the CGI is over the top, he tests well. He plays a chess game with the characters from this film, and seems true to form from what I remember of the character from my childhood. “You Betrayed Me!” Shredder challenges in one scene, trying to appeal to…well, I’m not sure what exactly. Krang’s response is apropos: “Actually, I barely even thought about you” he observes before treating Shredder in a really cruel way, even for a villain. 

Some problems present themselves. First, while the turtles are still impressive and unique CGI-wise, they lose something in the camaraderie department. This is the result of a silly side-plot involving them wishing to become human and the replacement of Johnny Knoxville who voiced Leonardo in the first film with that of Pete Ploszek (who did the motion work last time but not the voice). An article details Knoxville’s befuddlement at being excluded, and it’s too bad. Despite his range of subpar post “Jackass” films, his voicing of Leonardo was one of the first film’s high points. Without him the film suffers; something I didn’t think I’d ever log as a complaint. 

There’s also the the story, written by Josh Appelbaum and André Nemec, which focuses too heavily on the turtles, if that’s possible. For most of the film we see a variety of scenes of them planning to stop Shredder (played by Brian Tee, who is an improvement over Tohoru Masamune from the first film), one exciting chase sequence involving a garbage truck turned Turtlemobile, and some fun scenes of Vern Fenwick and April O’Neil, reprised by William Arnett and Megan Fox.

However, there’s just not enough action to carry the film along. A fight scene between the turtles and Bebop and Rocksteady in the Brazilian jungle is interesting and crowd pleasing – more pleasing than the film’s close that features an epic battle against Krang. The first film’s fight against Shredder was its one true shining moment. And while the plot’s less ridiculous this time, its action is missing its heart. The battle against Krang is over almost before it begins; a fight there was basically no buildup for in the first place. Amidst a film that tries hard, this is probably its biggest detriment. 

The bottom line? Well, if you liked the first film, you’re bound to like this one. It features most of the same actors and set pieces that made that film entertaining, the turtles are still amusing, and the sequences are over the top and humorous. It has nice supporting characters, such as Stephen Amell as favorite Casey Jones, Tyler Perry as the mad scientist Baxter Stockman, and Laura Linney as a police Chief. It’s ending is kind of bland, but for a movie that only grossed $82 million you really can’t expect too much. 

Once again, I wish the writers had taken more time and written a compelling story. But, as it stands, the movie will please fans, though probably not many others. “Out of the Shadows” is like a trip down memory lane through the pages of a comic book. If that’s your thing, it may very well be worth the time. 

– by Mark Ziobro