--- title: "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-mutant-mayhem/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-mutant-mayhem" critics_score: 78 critics_reviews: 21 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (2023): what the critics said Critics' score 78 from 21 reviews: 18 positive, 3 mixed, 0 negative. Most critics like this one, and they like it for the same two things. The first is the animation: a scribbled, hand-drawn look, often compared to the Spider-Verse films, which the reviews describe as scruffy, sketch-like and a relief after years of glossy computer imagery. The second is the decision to cast actual teenagers as the turtles and to make the film about being an awkward adolescent who wants to be accepted; nearly every review says this is what makes the franchise feel new. Most also find it funny. The spread is narrow. The reservations, where they appear, are about the plot: Variety and Den of Geek find the story by-the-numbers, and RogerEbert.com thinks the speed hides a lack of substance. The one clear dissent comes from The New York Times, where Maya Phillips finds the film trying too hard to be cool, with clichéd messaging. Nobody dislikes the look of it. ## Slant Magazine — Justin Clark Rating 3.5/4. 31 July 2023. The film stands out by truly portraying the turtles as awkward modern teens, with strong pedigree in writing and direction delivering earnest characterization, fresh cartoony action, and a questioning homage to the property without pandering. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-mutant-mayhem-review/) ## Los Angeles Times — Justin Chang Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 3 August 2023. Nimbly directed with a funny script, the film is an unexpectedly delightful franchise entry that embraces a hand-drawn, sketchy aesthetic and turns mutant alienation into an effective, lightly worn metaphor for otherness. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2023-08-03/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-mutant-mayhem-review-seth-rogen-animated) ## The AV Club — Manuel Betancourt Rating B+. 27 July 2023. The film succeeds by embracing its absurd premise with winning voice work, textured animation, sight gags, and a strong score; it refreshingly focuses on teenage angst and fitting in while delivering zippy action. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/review-of-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-mutant-mayhem-1850681327) ## Little White Lies — Kambole Campbell Rating 3/4/4. 31 July 2023. The critic praises the film's energetic, hilarious reinvention and charming animated outing that embraces the turtles' adolescent spirit. Singles out the expressive, gangly design and teenage voice cast for praise. [Read the review](https://lwlies.com/reviews/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-mutant-mayhem) ## Radio Times — Terry Staunton Rating 4/5. 31 July 2023. Full of heart, smart movie-making that breathes fresh life into the genre; praises the focus on teenage experience and striking visuals. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movies/scifi/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-mutant-mayhem-review/) ## Screen Daily Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 27 July 2023. After many tries, finally a winning adaptation; irreverent yet charming, with hip youthful energy, fresh and funny story. Praises the sweetness and voice cast. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-mutant-mayhem-review/5184264.article) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 27 July 2023. The critic finds this new animated origin story unexpectedly funny with a stylish crepuscular design and a starry voice cast. The crime-fighting mission is amiable and enjoyable with lots of funny pop-culture gags, though it avoids deeper exploration of the turtles' names. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/jul/27/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-mutant-mayhem-review-evergreen-superheroes-jackie-chan-ice-cube-giancarlo-esposito) ## The Telegraph Rating 4/5. The film is a surprisingly good, thrillingly kinetic pop-art piece with genuine wit, colour and sass, drawing on Spider-Verse aesthetics for energetic scribbly verve and funny PG-rated humour. [Read the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-mutant-mayhem-review-seth/) ## Time Out — Phil de Semlyen Rating 4/5. 27 July 2023. Belly-laugh-inducing and visually stunning coming-of-age reboot; praises visual effervescence, big laughs, and the teen voice cast's likeability. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-mutant-mayhem-2023) ## Total Film — Matt Maytum Rating 4/5. 27 July 2023. This is the Turtles’ most enjoyable outing since their '90s heyday, reinvigorating the franchise with actual teenage voices, consistent humor, and a rad sketch-like art style inspired by Spider-Verse. The father-child dynamic provides heart amid the absurdity, leaving viewers wanting more time with the characters. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-mutant-mayhem-review/) ## Vulture Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 4 August 2023. The critic highlights the film's charming teen-focused take, rapid-fire banter, and entrancing handmade-feeling animation that evokes Spider-Verse possibilities and ends in a chaotic, genre-blending finale. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/article/tmnt-mutant-mayhem-review-a-marvel-of-animation.html) ## Variety — Peter DeBruge Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 27 July 2023. The reboot’s fresh comic-book look is its biggest asset, allowing for truly weird and memorable moments like a surreal car chase, while the teenage shtick and script feel less original and more like familiar Rogen-Goldberg fare. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2023/film/reviews/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-mutant-mayhem-review-1235680377/) ## RogerEbert.com Fi1m's normalised score 55/100 (inferred from the text). 2 August 2023. The film is hyperactive but shallow, using its fast pace to mask a lack of substance. It has strong visuals and voice work that make it watchable, though the coming-of-age theme feels light. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-mutant-mayhem-2023) ## The New York Times — Maya Phillips Fi1m's normalised score 45/100 (inferred from the text). 2 August 2023. The movie has charms and replicates cartoon chaos well in fight scenes but tries too hard to be cool and relevant, resulting in clichéd messaging and a film stuck in its own adolescence. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/02/movies/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-mutant-mayhem-review.html) ## Empire — John Nugent 27 July 2023. The film feels fresh and engaging thanks to its scruffy hand-drawn animation style and authentic take on teenage outsider experiences. It is inventively animated, giddily funny, and charming despite some narrative and action shortcomings. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-mutant-mayhem/) ## Evening Standard — Charlotte O'Sullivan 28 July 2023. The movie is peppy, anarchic, and visually scrumptious with a smart plot that elevates it above recent TMNT entries. It benefits from strong voice work, especially Ayo Edebiri as April, and a distinctive animation style, though it lacks the depth of Spider-Verse films. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-mutant-mayhem-review-seth-rogan-paul-rudd-b1096942.html) ## IndieWire — Kate Erbland 27 July 2023. The review praises Jeff Rowe's animated take as a fresh, satisfying new entry in the canon, emphasizing its youthful appeal and inventive approach to the classic characters. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-mutant-mayhem-review-2023-1234887640/) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Frank Scheck 27 July 2023. The critic calls it the most engaging TMNT film encountered, highlighting the youthful energy from actual teen voice actors, consistently amusing dialogue, and vibrant Spider-Verse-like visuals that suit the rambunctious story. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-mutant-mayhem-review-seth-rogens-spin-on-beloved-franchise-is-a-rowdy-good-time-1235544784/) ## The Times — Kevin Maher Rating ★★★☆☆. 27 July 2023. After many poor prior entries this is comparatively solid and the Turtles’ best movie yet, with a punky scrappy outing, appealing splotchy visual style and fun voice work, though it reverts to automatic superhero settings. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/film/article/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-mutant-mayhem-review-finally-these-mutants-have-a-little-power-j9bx7bkmh) ## Consequence Rating A-. 27 July 2023. The critic describes it as the franchise at its finest and packed with teen spirit, noting the distinctive individual character designs for the turtles and how it elevates the material through strong character development and attention to detail. [Read the review](https://consequence.net/2023/07/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-mutant-mayhem-review/) ## Deadline — Pete Hammond Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 27 July 2023. The critic calls it the best TMNT movie yet thanks to Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg’s script and Jeff Rowe’s direction, which emphasize the teenage aspect with heart and clever pop-culture humor. They single out the distinctive, rough-around-the-edges animation style that evokes a high-school notebook doodle and the strong voice work by the young cast. [Read the review](https://deadline.com/2023/07/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-mutant-mayhem-review-seth-rogen-e-best-tmnt-movie-yet-1235449141/) ## /Film — Rafael Motamayor Rating 9/10. 27 July 2023. The critic calls it a fantastic and bold new take on the franchise. They single out the bold visual style suited for the big screen, the heartfelt script about the turtles' longing for acceptance, and the phenomenal soundtrack as standout elements. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/1349202/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-mutant-mayhem-review/) ## Collider — Ross Bonaime Rating B+. 31 July 2023. The critic praises the film for focusing on the teenage side of the turtles, making it the best in the franchise, with authentic energy from teen voice actors and a unique hand-drawn animation style paired with a strong soundtrack. [Read the review](https://collider.com/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-mutant-mayhem-review/) ## The Playlist Rating B+. 2 August 2023. The review finds the film a delightfully dorky reboot full of laugh-out-loud moments that cleverly plays with the premise's ridiculousness. It singles out the fresh, non-reverential perspective that makes the Turtles endearing misfits yearning for acceptance and ultimately cool again. [Read the review](https://theplaylist.net/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-mutant-mayhem-review-seth-rogen-evan-goldbergs-reboot-is-delightfully-dorky/) ## The Ringer — Daniel Chin Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 4 August 2023. The critic highlights how the film emphasizes the often-under-explored teenage element with young voice actors and an imperfect, sketch-like animation style that captures youthful energy and makes the long-running franchise feel fresh and authentic. [Read the review](https://www.theringer.com/2023/08/04/movies/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-mutant-mayhem-tmnt) ## The Wrap Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 27 July 2023. The review describes the film as a sweet and spirited passion project that delivers a fresh, Spider-Verse-influenced animation style and light, stylish fun in an economic runtime. It singles out the kaleidoscopic visuals that subvert soulless CGI and the inclusive message of acceptance and heroism, while noting some predictable story elements. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-mutant-mayhem-review/) ## Den of Geek — David Crow Rating 3.5 out of 5. 1 August 2023. The critic finds it a refreshing reset due to authentic teen voices and behavior, but notes the plot is by-the-numbers and generic. Praises the art style and youthful energy. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-mutant-mayhem-review/) ## Paste — Tara Bennett Rating 9.0. 1 August 2023. The critic calls it the most creative adaptation yet, praising the hybrid 2D/3D hand-drawn animation aesthetic and the authentic portrayal of the turtles as awkward teens voiced by actual teenagers, along with emotional depth on themes of otherness and acceptance. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-mutant-mayhem-review) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-mutant-mayhem.md