Turtle Power!

Fun fact: I was introduced to the TMNT franchise through the 2003 show on Miguzi (aka Cartoon Network). What’s funny is that I didn’t know it was an older franchise until one day my Dad rented a videotape which had the first episodes of the 1987 show. Not even one year after Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie released on Netflix; Nickelodeon released another film this time theatrical titled Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Mutant Mayhem. Unlike other TMNT films this is more of a coming-of-age story compared to the others.

This film has my favorite interpretation of the turtles. Why? Because unlike other adaptions where the actors playing the turtles sound more like adults trying to play teens, these turtles sound and act like actual teens. What really helps it that they hired actual teens to play them which I think is very refreshing. All four are very enjoyable and work off each other wonderfully. Speaking of which the voice acting in this film is so good. Everyone sounds like there having a lot of fun and not one of the characters felt miscasted.

When I found out Nickelodeon would release another TMNT film one year after Rise I was neutral on it, but once I saw the animation in the trailer I was immediately hooked. This film is amazing to look at. I love that while it has the same animation style as Spider-Verse and Puss in Boots the Last Wish it still has its own unique look and identity. The action scenes are awesome and thanks to its fast and unique animation. The character designs are great especially since they were inspired by the director Jeff Rowe’s old sketches he drew as a teen. New York City is also amazing to look at because of its great comic bookish look.

I will admit, I’ve never been a huge fan of the TMNT franchise but this film might just have made me a fan now. I don’t think any TMNT movie before has ever had this much passion or heart. You really feel like this was a story that Seth Rogan and Jeff Rowe really wanted to tell. Mutant Mayham is the best TMNT film by a long shot and my favorite adaption in the whole franchise. Grab a piece of peanut butter, and hot fudge pizza and enjoy.

Verdict:

+Action scenes

+The animation

+The voice talent

+The turtles

Score: A

Malibu Barbie, the nightmare, the nerve

Barbie 2023 is directed by Greta Gerwig who’s also directed acclaimed films such as Ladybird and Little Women 2019. It is also the first live action adaption of the popular doll that’s both not animated or direct to video. I first thought this would be a meh live action toy adaption much like the Transformers movie but it turned out to be a clever deconstruction on Barbie. When I saw the trailer for this film, I was won over by the production design of Barbieland. Every house in Barbie land is literally a Barbie doll house. This film did not have to go this hard. Apparently, there was a pink shortage because of this film.

Everyone in this movie gives a great performance but the two biggest standouts were Margot Robbie as “Stereotypical Barbie” and Ryan Gosling as “Beach Ken”. Both roles are absolutely perfectly casted. Margot Robbie really nails the typical barbie we all know while also making you feel for her when she goes thought such a huge identity crisis.  Ryan Gosling was absolutely entertaining as Ken. Spoiler: I was surprised that Ken becomes the villain of the movie after he learns about toxic masculinity. I also thought Will Ferrell was really hilarious as the Mattel CEO. When the duo enters the real world, I was worried it would be that typical real life sucks trope I’ve seen, but was surprised that there was a lot of comedy during their time there. It’s kind of like season 3 of Amphibia in which Anne’s home has characters that have just as much life and energy and humor as the frogs in Amphibia. There are so many great jokes that poke fun at the history of Barbie. The journey to the real world gag is absolutely hilarious.

The best movie I can compared this to is The Lego Movie. The trailers made them seem more like fun movies just to sell toys but turned out to be very thought provoking full of wonderful writing, self-poking comedy and deep themes. Barbie was the biggest surprise of 2023 so far. I want a Depression Barbie for Christmas now, make is happen Mattel!

Verdict:

+ Deep themes

+The casting especially Margot and Ryan

+ The comedy

+ The production design

Score: A