‘Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ Review: Paramount+’s Winning ‘Mutant Mayhem’ Sequel

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As a seasoned gamer and long-time TMNT fan, I must say that the new Paramount+ series “Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” has left me with a mixed bag of feelings. On one hand, it’s great to see the Turtles back in action, their charming camaraderie and witty banter still intact despite being separated for much of the first arc.

Pop culture often enjoys combining prominent figures to observe the outcome, yet not every group is equally effective. While The Avengers achieve their greatest box-office successes together, they are essentially individual stars temporarily coexisting. In contrast, Friends’ primary charm lies in their camaraderie; remove one from the group and you’re left with _Joey_, who stands alone.

Initially, it appears that “Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” on Paramount+ may have misplaced its heroes on the spectrum. The first six episodes (out of twelve) primarily split up the main quartet, diminishing the charming camaraderie showcased in 2023’s “Mutant Mayhem”. However, it retains enough energy from that film to qualify as a commendable sequel. Eventually, it finds its way back to exploring the aspects that truly define the Turtles as a united force.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but appreciate the nostalgic charm that permeates through this new series, reminiscent of the DIY aesthetic from ‘Mutant Mayhem’. Although it may not boast the same level of intricate detailing and production value, it certainly maintains a cleaner, more simplistic art style. This change aligns perfectly with the show’s playful framing device: the tales are depicted as comic books penned by our katana-wielding team leader, Leonardo (Nicolas Cantu).

The narrative of Leo, crafted by showrunners Chris Yost and Alan Wan, continues directly from where the film ended. With New York City saved, Leo and his brothers are excited to resume normal teenage pursuits such as school and social gatherings. However, their night out is disrupted when they’re attacked by Bishop (played by Alanna Ubach), a formidable adversary who believes that for the preservation of humanity, all mutants must be eliminated. The Turtles are separated in this attack, and each of the initial four episodes focuses on one turtle as they elude their assigned robotic pursuer, a self-upgrading machine known as a mechazoid, capable of evolving itself during the chase.

Reflecting on how Mutant Mayhem captured their teamwork by having them record together, it’s a bit disheartening that Tales doesn’t showcase their genuine camaraderie as much. However, the narrative cleverly serves to let each Turtle explore his identity separately and collectively. In a twist, hot-headed Raphael (Brady Noon) questions whether he’s just good for going into “beast mode,” only to discover in a tense situation that he’s picked up a trick or two from jester Michelangelo (Shamon Brown Jr.) about diffusing conflicts with humor. Each Turtle, in turn, considers the others, yet each through his unique perspective: bookworm Donatello (Micah Abbey) visualizes a conflict like an old-school video game, while Leo’s dreams are depicted as raw comic-book sketches.

The series maintains a playful tone towards its environment, much like the movie did for its young characters. Unlike the film, only a few main cast members reappear during the early episodes. Splinter, the fatherly rat character, now communicates in “vermin” to avoid requiring Jackie Chan for a cameo. However, this remains a New York City where Leonardo’s self-pity gatherings could be disrupted by a pair of quarrelling neighbors grumbling about the racket, or where Raphael’s captivity might be supervised by a massive thug (Carlin James) who behaves like Shame from Inside Out 2.

In the realm of TV-Y7 programming, the show titled “Tales” treads cautiously into darker territories. Its storyline is thrilling and inventive, utilizing everyday items such as candy bars and squawking chickens to induce laughter. However, it lacks any real bloodshed; instead, robots often suffer the brunt of violent scenes involving limb detachment. Though one might interpret Raphael’s time on a poultry farm as an allegory for animal rights or Bishop’s rhetoric as a mirror reflecting fear-mongering attitudes, such topics are addressed in a subtle manner, making “Tales” more suitable for family entertainment and lighthearted escapism than serving as a covert critique on serious issues.

The show’s focus revolves around the highs and lows experienced by a family, and when the Turtles are finally back together, their mutual support seems more profound because we grasp so deeply the personal significance it holds for each of them. This makes one yearn even more for the second season to feature more collaborative efforts from the whole team. Bishop may not find much common ground with the Turtles, dismissively stating “Regular kids aren’t green,” to her assistant (Pete Davidson). However, regardless of age, anyone who has ever felt constricted by family expectations, sought guidance from a relative in times of trouble, or understands that family means cherishing each other despite occasional irritations – which essentially describes most people – will resonate with it.

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2024-08-09 01:26