(Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures)

 

‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows’ Will Leave Fans Curious About Next Installment

 

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“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows” is a great summer movie for the kiddos and adults who grew up on the Mirage Studios creation. 

 

Picking up from the 2014 release of “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” which introduced the story line of how the turtles came into existence, “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows” continues the turtles’ reoccurring conflict with their nemesis Shredder, played by Japanese American actor Brian Tee (“The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift,” “Chicago Med”). 

 

Shown in 3D, the story opens with the turtles watching over their beloved New York City, a pizza run and catching a New York Knicks game where they see Vern Fenwick played by Will Arnett, (“Arrested Development,” “Flaked”) being interviewed for his heroism in taking down Shedder. 

 

The turtles and Fenwick made an agreement in the prequel that Fenwick would take the credit for taking down Shredder as to keep their identity a secret from the citizens of New York who they selflessly protect.  

 

Meanwhile, during the transfer of Shredder from the New York Police Department to a maximum-security prison, three original characters from the T.M.N.T. series are introduced. 

 

Casey Jones played by Stephen Amell (“Arrow”) is introduced in “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows” as a corrections officer with dreams of one day becoming a detective. 

 

This version of Jones is calmer as opposed to the one in the comics who’s portrayed as a loose cannon vigilante with brain damage and emotional issues. 

 

Characters two and three are Bebop and Rocksteady played by Gary Anthony Williams (“The Soul Man,” “Whose Line Is It Anyway”) and Sheamus an Irish professional wrestler and actor.

 

These two cross paths with Shedder when he is placed in the same truck transporting the three of them to a different facility.

 

As they move through the streets of New York City, Casey and his partner encounter the Foot Clan led by Shedder to release him from captivity. 

 

Despite the valiant efforts of Casey and the turtles, Shedder escapes through a porthole with the help of Dr. Baxter Stockman, a mad scientist played by actor, writer producer Tyler Perry (“A Madea Christmas”). 

 

Dr. Baxter Stockman is the fourth character introduced. 

 

He has partnered with Shedder to take over the world. 

 

A first for Perry, his character is somewhat memorable for his “evil laugh” which is more like the “Revenge of the Nerds” than a mad scientist. 

 

The reoccurring role of April O’Neil, played by Megan Fox, is lackluster. 

 

Fox does not bring justice to the comic or television animated series character O’Neil who is a feisty, smart news reporter and friend of the turtles. 

 

She’s mostly seen as “eye candy” parading around on screen showing her midriff and pouting lips. 

 

Produced by “Transformers” director Michael Bay, the “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows” has good story line that will have audiences curious about the next movie. 


REGAL RATINGS

FOUR CROWNS=EXCELLENT

THREE CROWNS=GOOD

TWO CROWNS=AVERAGE

ONE CROWN=POOR

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