'The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part' Review

Synopsis: The citizens of Bricksburg face a dangerous new threat when LEGO DUPLO invaders from outer space start to wreck everything in their path. The battle to defeat the enemy and restore harmony to the LEGO universe takes Emmet, Lucy, Batman, and the rest of their friends to far away, unexplored worlds that test their courage and creativity.

Runtime: 106 minutes

MPAA Rating: PG (for some rude humor)

Who should see it? Appropriate for all ages.

The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part may have one of the most redundant subtitles ever, but thankfully The LEGO Movie 2 is nowhere near being an unnecessary sequel. Since Phil Lord and Chris Miller were preoccupied producing Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse and *sigh* developing Solo: A Star Wars Story before leaving the project late in production due to creative differences, Mike Mitchell's wound up in the director's chair. It's undoubtedly an unenviable task to build a better sequel considering everyone's unexpected obsession with The LEGO Movie, but Mitchell leans into Lord and Miller's frenetic style that made the original so beloved. However, Lord and Miller are still solely responsible for the sequel's screenplay while Matthew Fogel lent the duo a hand constructing the story.

Picking up right where The LEGO Movie left off, audiences are treated to an opening sequence of the DUPLO destruction teased in the original's ending. After a five year time jump (mirroring the distance between The LEGO Movie 2 and its predecessor), viewers discover that Bricksburg has become a Mad Max: Fury Road-esque apocalyptic wasteland in the wake of said mayhem. Consequently, every citizen of Bricksburg is now edgy and battle-hardened, paralleling the newfound teenage angst of their owner Finn, except for Emmet... Emmet still has the cheery, naive disposition audiences will remember from the last movie, so Lucy asks him to change with the times, believing a tough exterior is the only way to survive in their world. When Lucy and co. are kidnapped, this all sets Emmet's arc into gear.

Also voiced by Chris Pratt, Rex Dangervest enters the picture as an amalgamation of Pratt's live action roles and a fascinating foil to Emmet. Dangervest is the prime example of a hyper-masculine tough hero Lucy wants Emmet to be. Now, EVERYTHING I've mentioned thus far is showcased prominently in the trailers, but I thought it ought to be regurgitated before I continue. I'm about to touch on story elements which could be considered somewhat spoilery, but I can assure you these are things you will quickly pick up on in the first fifteen minutes or maybe have already gleaned from the trailers. They aren't bombshell revelations in the slightest, but if you're sensitive to knowing story information beforehand, I figured I'd give you the courtesy of a warning so you can click away and come back once you've seen The LEGO Movie 2. With that said, the sequel's thematic material is a progression of the original's message to be yourself. This time around, it's more about staying true to yourself and not compromising your identity when growing up. Additionally, The Second Part trades in the parental-child dynamic for an allegory about sibling relationships.

Coexistence is key, and as someone with three younger sisters, I relate to the depicted central struggle between siblings. I've witnessed many overblown misunderstandings firsthand where both sides were well-intentioned. This fits together nicely with the arc mentioned above. Maturing doesn't mean you have to ditch the compassion in favor of cynicism. There's room for skepticism, but also a healthy dose of optimism. It's up to us to find the balance. 

Lord and Miller haven't abandoned the witty meta-humor that popularized the first though. From the get-go, they satirize the concept of darker sequels by offering the antithesis and poking fun at the notion in their dialogue. The LEGO Movie 2 often delves into self-parody by becoming a full-blown cheery musical. If you thought "Everything is Awesome" was an obnoxious ear-worm, you better prepare for a soundtrack filled with upbeat, original pop-tunes (I promise there's a narrative purpose). "Catchy Song" in particular delivers on the promise of its lyrics and WILL get stuck in your head for a while. The music may alienate viewers who perceive it as annoying, but I found the lyrics in most songs to be utterly hysterical. On that note, there's not a post-credits scene, but stick around during the first part of the credits and just listen carefully to the song playing over the credits. Trust me, you won't regret it.

Otherwise, the animation offers plenty of sensational spectacle. In addition to improving on the LEGO animation style, the animators ensure the sequel's more colorful, dynamic, and eye-catching than the original. There's extraordinary attention to detail in the mini-figure's restrictive movement and the reflection of light off the brick-built people which enhances the authenticity of the animation. Regarding the music, Jon Lajoie's responsible for the aforementioned original songs while Mark Mothersbaugh's score serves as an excellent accompaniment to the whole ordeal.

As I previously mentioned, Chris Pratt voices both Emmet and Rex Dangervest, effectively differentiating the two while often bantering back-and-forth with himself. In the meantime, Elizabeth Banks lends Lucy an abundance of spunk to further downplay the character's insecurities. Pratt and Banks once again have a wonderful on-screen dynamic. 

Reprising their roles, Will Arnett, Alison Brie, Charlie Day, and Nick Offerman click into the grand picture as quality comic relief, playing Batman, Unikitty, Benny, and Metal Beard respectively. Joining the cast, Stephanie Beatriz's General Mayhem and Tiffany Hadish's Queen Watevra Wa'Nabi prove to be exciting additions. As a fan of The Florida Project, I was also VERY delighted to see Brooklynn Prince show up in the live action segments as Finn's younger sister Bianca. Acting alongside her are Jadon Sand, Will Ferrell and fellow franchise newcomer Maya Rudolph.

Though it may not be quite as groundbreaking as the original due to some convoluted plot contrivances, The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part is a well-constructed sequel with plenty of heart, meta-humor, and exquisite eye-candy!

Film Assessment: A-

Recollection Reflection Review: 'The LEGO Movie'

It's been a while since I last reviewed a non-recent film release, but I wanted to revisit The LEGO Movie before I discuss The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part later this week. The reasoning behind this is that the sequel releases this weekend and the first review I ever shared here was for The LEGO Movie almost five years ago (we're days away from that anniversary where I'll share a 5th-year-anniversary post). In other news, I saw The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part at an advanced screening and hoped to complete and share my review Wednesday, but I may wind up seeing it a second time tonight and just wait till Friday. It really depends on when I finish writing this review.

'The LEGO Movie' Review

Nominated for: Best Original Song "Everything is Awesome."

Recollection- The LEGO Movie Review.

Reflection- I can recall seeing The LEGO Movie with especially low expectations because I figured it would be a feature-length advertisement for LEGOs, but being pleasantly surprised to discover an excellent animated feature brimming with heart, humor, and creativity. My opinion of it honestly hasn't changed much since I first saw it almost five years ago, but I'm excited to share a more in-depth review this time around.

Review-

Synopsis: An ordinary LEGO construction worker, thought to be prophesied as "The Special," is recruited to join a quest to stop an evil tyrant from gluing the LEGO universe into eternal stasis.

Runtime: 100 minutes

MPAA Rating: PG (for mild action and rude humor)

Who should see it? Appropriate for all ages.

Co-written and co-directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller, The LEGO Movie is the third feature from the writer-director duo and one of the most unique animated films to emerge in recent years. Moving at a breakneck pace, the brick-built flick is a remarkably kinetic, witty, and self-aware feature that encapsulates the core concept of LEGO better than a commercial ever could. However, the film takes on a much deeper meaning when the central conflict is revealed as an allegory for a struggle between father and son. Rewatching it with that perspective actually reveals layers-upon-layers of subtext about conformity vs. expressive individuality. However, it's very encouraging that a movie about toys which include an instruction manual is endorsing kids to be creative, and more importantly, be themselves.

Lord and Miller take the stock out of Chosen One prophecies by revealing no one in the film to be THE special because everyone is special in their own unique way. What makes you you is what makes you special, and sometimes a simple heart-to-heart conversation is all it takes to cultivate change. Everyone has the potential to be great and the capacity to make a difference in their home life, community, or even the world at large. All that's required of them is self-acceptance and initiative. With the proper motivation, anyone can complete a journey of self-discovery that will maximize their potential and ultimately make the world a better place. Cynics can criticize that optimistic perspective all they'd like, but it doesn't make the message any less meaningful because there's no harm in being yourself.

Stepping down from my soapbox, I must applaud the animators for materializing a brick-built world that's true to the brand. I've said it before, but I'll say it again... The animators captured the stilted, restricted movement of LEGOs so authentically that I often forget The LEGO Movie isn't a stop-motion production while watching it. Additionally, it all takes place within the imaginative mind of a child, so I love the little storytelling flourishes like the casual mixture of various IPs, the incorporation of common household products as mythic objects, and all the lasers, blasters, and weaponry going "pew pew" whenever fired. Each of these subtle details foreshadows the big twist in addition to giving that reveal much more credence. They're nice touches which flesh out the world in a fun, idiosyncratic way. 

As for the stacked voice cast, everyone constructs a memorable min-fig from the pieces of Lord and Miller's script. Chris Pratt provides the ideal excess of optimism and naivety required for the role of Emmet while also selling the character's self-doubt. Opposite Pratt, Elizabeth Banks' Wyldstyle (Lucy) is the sidekick who's clearly a more qualified hero. Banks strikes a wonderful balance juxtaposing Lucy's go-getter attitude with her underlying insecurities. Of course, I'll also never pass a chance to hear Morgan Freeman's voice share sagely wisdom through the mini-fig form of Vitruvius. Amongst the ensemble, Alison Brie's bipolar Unikitty, Charlie Day's space-ship obsessed Benny, and Nick Offerman's swashbuckling body-less pirate captain Metal Beard each serve as effective comic relief.

If there's a stand-out of the bunch though, it's undoubtedly Will Arnett's LEGO Batman. Arnett's narcissistic, self-serious take on the Dark Knight is legitimately a stroke of satirical comedic genius. Listening to him brag about his edginess will never cease to make me chuckle. It's no wonder he was the first to get a LEGO Movie spin-off!

Meanwhile, Will Ferrell delightfully chews the scenery as the megalomaniac Lord Business and even explores a more nuanced side to the character towards the film's conclusion. Serving as dual-personality law-enforcement, Liam Neeson quite literally spins his head around between voicing Good Cop and Bad Cop which remains an utter treat.

With plenty of heart, humor, and worthwhile messages to impart, The LEGO Movie proved itself to be much more than an hour and forty-one minutes of product placement. Impeccable animation, a charming voice-cast, distinct direction, and a smart script all worked in tandem to build a solid franchise foundation that likely won't get knocked down any time soon. After all this time, I'm happy to report that everything in The LEGO Movie is still awesome!!!

Film Assessment: A

Throwback Thursday Review: 'Ratatouille'

Sorry for the delay on this review, as it was supposed to be published on Thanksgiving. I watched the film on Thanksgiving, but only recently had a chance to sit down and write about it. Anyways, I'm reviewing Ratatouille to coincide with the most recent Pixar release, Coco. I felt Ratatouille was the perfect choice because it's a Pixar film about a foreign culture (France), and since it's all about cooking, it ties into the food motif of Thanksgiving! The Throwback Thursday Reviews I have scheduled through the end of the year include Pitch Perfect, The Room, Looper, and Jumanji (1995) to go along with Pitch Perfect 3, The Disaster Artist, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, and Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle. I'm also well aware that I've yet to publish the last two Throwback Thursday Reviews in addition to all the other significantly delayed ones. I haven't had a chance to sit down and watch any of them yet, but I will get them out there!

'Ratatouille' Review

Nominated For: Best Animated Feature, Best Original Screenplay, Best Sound Editing, Best Sound Mixing, and Best Original Score.
Won: Best Animated Feature.

Ratatouille scampers alongside the remarkable rat Remy, whose heightened sense of smell and passion for cooking cultivate a foolish fantasy that he may one day become a world class chef. As fate would have it, Remy unexpectedly winds up underneath one of France's most exclusive restaurants, which happens to also be the restaurant popularized by Remy's culinary idol, Auguste Gusteau. When the garbage boy, Linguini, discovers the rodent and bears witness to Remy's unique expertise, the two strike a peculiar partnership in hopes of rising through the restaurant's ranks.

Ratatouille was cooked up concurrently by Brad Bird and Jan Pinkava, who co-directed the feature and developed the story with Jim Capobianco while Bird was the sole screenwriter. Like the vast majority of Pixar's work, the film is still stirring thanks to exceptional animation, worthwhile themes, and a reluctance to adhere to any formula. However, despite its shared characteristics, Ratatouille always seems to be one of the forgotten films among Pixar's nineteen animated features. I'd daresay it's one of their more underrated entries in the grand scheme of things.

Ratatouille's unique flavor is derived from the ingenuity of its masterful storytelling. The emphasis remains on character and servicing the story in spite of all the entrées presented to the viewer. There's never a wasted moment, and a deft balance of humor and seriousness is successfully achieved in Bird's script. 

Ratatouille even offers ample meta commentary on criticism through the Anton Ego character by pointing out the humble origins of a critic's subjective perspective. Bird walks the tightrope between satirizing critics and glorifying them quite well in presenting an honest outlook of the profession.

And of course the animators ensure kitchen utensils, food ingredients, rat fur, and human hair are all as intricately detailed as any of the incredible animation to be found in Pixar's other offerings! Elsewhere, Michael Giacchino's swell score encompasses an extraordinary assortment of compositions ranging from pleasant and deliberate to swift and lively, but each one stands out as an inviting accompaniment underneath the ongoing events. 

Tossed to the forefront, Patton Oswalt's pleasant personality strictly suits Remy's delightful disposition and Lou Romano grants Linguini an apprehensive aptitude fitting of the character's aloof clumsiness.

Ian Holm chews the scenery as Gusteau's fiendish head chef Skinner, Brad Garrett brings a light-heartedness and compassionate nature to Gusteau, but Peter O'Toole's seemingly cynical food critic Ego is perhaps one of the standout supporting characters. Sprinkled throughout the animated ensemble, Brian Dennehy, Peter Sohn, Janeane Garofalo, Will Arnett, and John Ratzenberger can all be found voicing Remy's doubting dad Django, Remy's amiable brother Emile, cunning female chef Colette, mysterious German sous-chef Horst, and worried waiter Mustafa.

Ratatouille remains a bold, original recipe thanks to its inspired mixture of seasoned storytelling, charming characters, outstanding animation, and pinch of heart. When it's all over, you won't be able to resist the urge for a second helping. 

Film Assessment: A-

Throwback Thursday Review: 'Despicable Me'

Sorry for the string of delayed Throwback Thursday Reviews these past few weeks but I went to an advanced screening of Baywatch on Thursday and Comicpalooza Friday through Sunday. This Throwback Thursday may seem random but I didn't have another open slot to review Despicable Me before Despicable Me 3's release. I should have several reviews coming this week as I traverse further into the Alien Anthology leading up to Alien: Covenant this weekend, It's looking as though I'll have one Alien Anthology review a day this week. If you missed my review of Alien, you can find it at that corresponding blue hyperlink, and the next Throwback Thursday will be Prometheus to further tie-in to the release of Alien Covenant. Other reviews you can anticipate this May include Throwback Thursday Reviews over Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides and new reviews like Alien: Covenant, Baywatch, and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales.

'Despicable Me' Review

Despicable Me follows the exploits of vile villain Gru, who vows to steal the moon so he can be the greatest villain that ever lived. There's just one caveat, the adoption of three young orphan girls becomes embroiled in his scheme and he soon discovers his heart of gold. Despicable Me wasn't particularly groundbreaking for the animation genre, but it's a charming animated feature that has a nice dosage of sentimental satire.

Despicable Me was co-directed by Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud with a script penned by Cinco Paul, Ken Daurio, and Sergio Pablos. The screenwriting team properly parody villainy and parenthood while the duo's direction helps to maintain an emotional element and sense of humor. One thing that I feel has become a source of contention for this franchise are the minions but quite frankly, the minions are a stroke of creative genius.

For starters, they fit into the narrative naturally considering most baddies have their own crew of cronies. Then there's the fact they appeal to children based on appearance alone and are semi-effective immature comedic relief. Even when they're annoying, it's easy to see why they're around because it's simply the ideal marketing ploy. The animation in Despicable Me isn't particularly pretty and looks rather substandard, but that's usually the case for Illumination Entertainment animated efforts.

Elsewhere, Despicable Me bolsters a fun soundtrack and an impressive comedic voice cast. Steve Carell doesn't just provide a goofy, over-the-top demeanor to Gru, but instills an underlying humanity to the vulnerable villain. The film really hits this home with Gru's backstory and the inclusion of Miranda Cosgrove, Dana Gaier, and Elsie Fisher as subsequent adorable adoptees Margo, Edith, and Agnes. Each of the girl's really bring a sense of realism to the project, as I have three sisters and am constantly reminded of them every-time I watch Despicable Me. The respective portrayals feel incredibly authentic because I've witnessed those traits in my own siblings from time-to-time and the screenplay captures the family dynamic and childlike wonder beautifully.

Meanwhile, Jason Segel plays the obnoxiously dweebish Vector, an ideal foil to Gru as a nerdy millennial Bond villain in contrast to Gru's evil antiquated ways. Vector's name in-of-itself is symbolic because a vector is a quantity with both magnitude and direction. He's a powerful force aware of his orientation. Russell Brand, Julie Andrews, Will Arnett, Kristen Wiig, directors Renaud and Coffin, and Jermaine Clement lend their voices to fill the supporting ensemble of eccentric characters encompassing the aged Dr. Nefario, Gru's apathetic mother, foreboding financier Mr. Perkins, gruesome girls orphanage head Miss Hattie, and a whole host of minions respectively.

While Despicable Me doesn't quite reach the heights of other triumphant animated features, it sustains a sense of fun and heart well throughout its ninety minute runtime. Despicable Me is an entertaining animated enterprise worth exploring for the laughs and tenderhearted message at its core.

Film Assessment: B

'The LEGO Batman Movie' Review

I find it fitting that this review wasn't published till the film's release date that happens to fall on the third anniversary of my blog, and the exactly three years since I reviewed The LEGO Movie.

'The LEGO Batman Movie' Review

The LEGO Batman Movie revolves around everyone's favorite brick built bat LEGO Batman as he not only fights Gotham's criminal element but deals with the pressures of adopting a son. Somewhere along the way, LEGO Batman must learn the importance of teamwork if he's going to succeed in catching the villains set upon Gotham by the Joker.

The LEGO Batman Movie is the first of what looks to be a long line of LEGO spinoffs, in what I presume will be known as the LEGO Cinematic Universe, and it's only fair that the Batman gets the first considering his standout stint in The LEGO Movie and the simple fact *because he's Batman* (read in Batman voice). It's crazy to think we're getting another this fall with The LEGO Ninjago Movie, but at the same time it's not surprising Warner Bros. and LEGO want to proceed with as many of these movies they can possibly make considering the insane success of The LEGO Movie, a movie I was incredibly surprised by considering I was expecting a lazy feature length LEGO ad rather than a quality animated film with a huge heart.

Director Chris McKay's vision and imagination has no bounds as the film's plot plays out like an epic adventure only a child could imagine, appropriate considering the big twist of The LEGO Movie. One of the things that still astounds me is how animators utilized the plentiful plastic bricks at their disposal to construct animation that has the guise of a professionally-made stop-motion film using actual LEGOs. The animation is absolutely remarkable when you take into account that animators had to ensure each character and plastic piece onscreen exhibited the mannerisms and movement of a LEGO brick or mini-fig. So bravo to the group of animators and visual effects artists, your work was not forgotten. 

The LEGO Batman Movie brilliantly satirizes every aspect of the Caped Crusaders' legacy, both on and off-film, from the campy 1960s Adam West incarnation to the present brooding Ben Affleck take. The entire film is essentially a meta-commentary on DC Comics, and don't worry if you weren't a fan of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice or Suicide Squad there's some jabs in there for you. The screenwriting team of Seth Grahame-Smith, Chris McKenna, Erik Sommers, Jared Stern, and John Whittington responsible for the Dark Knight's zingers and commentary on the Caped Crusader. 

The screenwriters scope of Batman shows he's just a regular Joe; he misses his parents, swims in the Bat-cave's lagoon, and he heats up his leftovers in a microwave (a gag that plays out exceptionally well despite being in the trailers akin to the DMV bit in Zootopia). They're able to paint a plastic figure as what may just be the most human take on the character. 

An interesting component I'd like to touch on is the angle the story team viewed the Batman-Joker dynamic. The two need each other. It's not romantic, in fact it's the complete opposite, but when Batman can't tell Joker the three words "I hate you" or "You're not my greatest enemy" Joker is left an emotional wreck as though the two went through a bad breakup. Trust me, it's absolutely hysterical and plucks the heartstrings a little more than one would expect as you actually start to feel bad for the constructed clown prince of crime. 

My only issues are that sometimes the entire film felt like joke after joke after joke veering to be a little too kid friendly at times and that certain characters felt a little underdeveloped and cast off to the side in favor of serving the narrative theme. One thing many may be looking for is the next "Everything is Awesome" and while there's not an original song quite like that, there is in fact a heavy metal rendition of a Bat-rap about how awesome Batman is called "Who's the (Bat)Man" that's a hoot to listen to. Also, plenty of 80's hits can be found including "One" and "(I Just) Died in Your Arms" scattered throughout played to great comedic effect. 

The voice cast behind The LEGO Batman Movie is an immensely talented ensemble composed of A-list talent you would never expect to see behind a LEGO movie but I'll take it. Will Arnett's gravelly Batman voice remains an excellent play itself on the dark, gritty nature of recent incarnations of the character while he delivers one-liners and comedic bits with absolute ease and maintains an emotional, human aspect to his take on the Dark Knight. Michael Cera's giddy fanboy Robin, Ralph Fiennes' dry-cut Alfred, and Rosario Dawson's straight woman Barbara Gordon each provide excellent sources of comedy and pair well with Arnett's Batman. Zach Galifianakis' Joker is undeniably insane, not the best-nor worst take on Gotham's clown but easily the more multifaceted and somewhat sympathetic portrayal to date (as I briefly touched upon earlier).

All of Batman's rogues gallery are featured in the film to some capacity but I won't disclose the voices behind these iconic villains because that in and of itself can certainly be considered an entertaining trip to IMDB afterwards. Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill return for the buddy Superman-Green Lantern schtick along with fellow Justice League members for some brief cameo appearances. Oh and I can't forget that Siri makes her feature film debut as the Bat-computer or 'Puter for short.

In a strange turn of events The LEGO Batman Movie is the best love letter to Batman possible. While I don't think The LEGO Batman Movie was quite as good as The LEGO Movie, I can say it's a humorous and heartfelt family-friendly affair worth seeing in theaters.

Film Assessment: B+

'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows' Review

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows is the sequel to 2014's reboot Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles picking up relatively soon after the first. We find that the turtles are still working in secret to protect New York City and wish to be accepted by human society followed into the fray by lots of crazy hijinks. 

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows has new direction as Dave Green takes the reigns from Jonathan Liebesman and I can say that was a change for the better as the film keeps a consistent tone of fun, fun, fun. Green strays away from many of the Michael Bay-isms that plagued the first, but they're still present. 

Producer Michael Bay knows how to slip in some slow motion, big explosions, and one scene that focuses on Megan Fox's midriff. However, Green does maintains some honor to his work. I'll outright say that I feel Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows improves on many of the flaws that befell it's predecessor.

For one, the focus is consistent and clear emphasizing the turtles and their zany personalities, one of the few highlights from the first in my opinion. The human characters are relegated to supporting players, a much more appropriate place for the characters as they better support the film in that capacity.  Secondly, the visual effects are even better as the turtles look slimmed down to be somewhat more believable, aside from Raphael since he's the muscle who's meant to be the largest, and a less grotesque Splinter. Thirdly, character depth is actually distributed to characters this time around as we see some strong character arcs and a valuable message about teamwork for the turtles.

And lastly, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows doesn't feel too derivative of other films although I'm sure comparisons will be made to Transformers: Dark of the Moon and The Avengers' respective third acts. With that being said, the sequel does actually make some of the same mistakes.

The screenwriting team composed of Josh Applebaum and André Nemec did the best they could to balance all the ongoing storylines introducing a few new characters while continuing the stories of the characters from the preceding chapter. The story's not awful, but it just comes off as the plot to a serialized cartoon, not too surprising since the turtles have had quite a few popular cartoon series in their history. Many of the jokes come off as a bit too kid friendly, but considering that's the market in which the turtles thrive, it's not too big of a deal. 

The action once again is run-of-the-mill action, but there are unique moments hidden amongst it all. In particular, there's a sequence featuring the Turtle garbage truck and the inevitable third act conflict with the best sequence being the airplane brawl leading to a chase down the river. 

Another improvement was the cast, which brings back the major actors from the reboot along with introducing some fresh faces. Alan Ritchson, Noel Fisher, Pete Ploszek, and Jeremy Howard provide the motion capture work and the voices for the four turtles, ensuring each turtle's personality is distinct. The four motion capture actors did quite well carrying the film as the turtles are once again the heart and soul of the franchise thanks to the electric charisma radiating from Michelangelo, Raphael, Leonardo, and Donatello allowing for a number of entertaining moments. 

Other fun motion capture characters include the dynamic duo of dunces, Bebop and Rocksteady, brought to the big screen by Gary Anthony Williams and Stephen Farrelly in both human and mutant forms that seems incredibly faithful to the source material. Splinter is once again voiced by Tony Shalhoub and is brought to life by a new motion capture actor, Peter Donald Badalamenti II, and I feel both did a fine job. Splinter has a much smaller role as he basically meditates in the turtles lair and lends his infinite wisdom to the turtles when needed. 

As for the human supporting cast, Megan Fox's role as April O'Neil is scaled down and she does fine in the capacity used, none of her scenes are horrendous, but they aren't amazing either. Stephen Amell gets a chance to bring another vigilante of sorts to life as Casy Jones. Now, I'm not all too familiar with the mythos of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, but I hear this isn't quite the Casey Jones turtles fans are familiar with. 

Those who keep up with Arrow know that Amell dons a bow and quiver weekly as the Green Arrow, and as a fan of the show myself, I can comment on how this performance compares to his weekly turn as Oliver Queen. Amell, like Fox, is decent in the capacity used and only gets to truly shine in his action scenes and great stunt work, which Amell does himself here as well as Arrow. His performance is about what you would expect from him and very similar to what he does as Oliver Queen, but brighter, I do wish he had more to do in the film though because I liked the energy Amell brought to the human side of things. 

Will Arnett's Vernon Fenwick is much more tolerable this time around as his role is also scaled down, but I liked the spin they put on his character. Arnett's material is much better written this time around as well as he had a few moments that made me laugh. Tyler Perry plays the wacky scientist, Baxter Stockman, and certainly nails it. Brian Tee takes over the role of Shredder and unfortunately had nothing to really do than be a villainous presence with no action sequences or proper motivation. 

Brad Garrett voices the alien Krang, with emphasis on his appearance rather than character, I wasn't too bothered by this and have no idea how fans will receive it. I do think hardcore turtles fans will enjoy though thanks to plenty of fan service and loads of fun.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows is undeniably and unapologetically a 90's style faithful adaptation of the Teenage Mutant Turtles that can best be described as a mindless, entertaining popcorn flick reminiscent to a Saturday morning cartoon. I guarantee children will love it and the film definitely can be fun for the whole family, but for those looking for a more intelligent summer blockbuster either go see Captain America: Civil War again or wait around a little longer for smarter films to hit the market.

Film Assessment: C