Score: ***1/2 out of ***** (B-)
Directed by Dave Green
Starring Megan Fox, Stephen Amell, Will Arnett, et. al.
Running time: 112 minutes
Rated PG-13
Long Story Short: TMNT: Out of the Shadows continues the live-action film reboot of the beloved cartoon franchise that started with the 2014 film. Settled in now, the sequel spends more time with the characters and boosts the humor factor. It also has a few very fun action scenes, a crucial component in this series, but it lacks inventiveness, a good villain, and the 2014's films exhilaration. You likely already know if this appeals to you and if so, it's worth at least a Netflix.
A year after saving New York City from the Shredder, the ninja turtles continue to watch over the city from their home in the sewers. The Shredder's gang known as the Foot Clan attempts to free him as he is transported to a new prison and the ninja turtles race to stop them - when he suddenly disappears. The Shredder had gained a new ally on the outside, a mad scientist named Stockman. As the turtles try to figure out the Shredder and Stockman's plan, they encounter both new allies and new enemies, and also struggle to conceal their existence to a world not yet ready to accept them.
TMNT: Out of the Shadows has a fun cast that embraces the spirit of the cartoon in this live action sequel. The turtles themselves are fully CGI, with distinctive designs for each turtle that makes it easy to tell them apart. The turtles' personalities remain faithful to the cartoon and while they each occupy broadly stereotypical roles, the dialogue is typically light fun and nothing cringe-worthy. Michelangelo and Rafael tend to get a bit more to do than Leonardo and Donatello, but it's definitely still an ensemble effort. Megan Fox returns as April O'Neil, the turtles' first human friend and ally. She provides a perfectly solid performance that shows her character's independence and grit more than in the first film. Newcomer Stephen Amell is likable if unremarkable as the turtles' second ally, former cop and hockey enthusiast Casey Jones. The other notable supporting roles are enjoyable for the humor they bring, including Tyler Perry's unhinged scientist villain, Will Arnett's returning Vern Fenwick, and a pair of numbskull criminals known as Bebop and Rocksteady (Gary Anthony Williams and Sheamus).
Out of the Shadows is an enjoyable sequel to the series' reboot from two years ago, with some improvements but still modest in its overall success. Leaving anything heavy at the door, the Ninja Turtles films just want to have fun, something this film does well with its characters and humor, and to a lesser extent with CGI-based action. Out of the Shadows, along with the 2014 film, takes advantage of the fun foursome of turtle characters, which is appreciated by fans of the series but also easily digestible for newer, younger audiences. Having re-introduced them earlier, this film is able to expand on the relationships and interplay among the turtles to just the right degree. And the turtles, assisted by some colorful supporting roles, bring a tone that is primarily light hearted, with frequent doses of appropriately juvenile humor. The film has "serious" parts as well, but crucially never takes itself too seriously. There are several fun action sequences in the film, particularly as the turtles attempt a prison break by Shredder, and overall they are slightly less ridiculous than the 2014 film's. Unfortunately the main villain is quite strange yet not particularly interesting, with a disappointing climax; the fun is in the set up, not the hastily executed finale.
***
TMNT: Out of the Shadows gets a B-, just like the 2014 film: the sequel doesn't reach the action adrenaline highs of the first, but it does a better job with the turtle characters and humor. To enjoy either of the films, though, requires that you understand the intended tone and audience, which the critics have completely ignored. Yes, these films are produced by the dreaded Michael Bay, but unlike the over-the-top, dumb Tranformers movies, they understand that they're silly and all of their components, from the acting to the script, fit together well. Within that framework improvements can still be made, but these are perfectly entertaining films - for the right audience. Those most likely to enjoy them include nostalgia-prone adults who still enjoy a fun if silly action romp (*raises hand*), and pretty much any boy under 15.
By Source, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=49463105
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