Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

The heroes in a half-shell have been reinvented for a new generation using spectacular special effects but it’s debatable whether The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles translates beyond kids’ cartoons and ‘80’s kitsch.

The cumbersome rubber suits have been swapped for some ‘realistic’ CGI to help the turtles move like the ninjas they are supposed to be, and the best bits are when the four brothers are interacting with each other – the characterisations, at least, are spot on.

Unfortunately, even the comedic genius of Will Arnett cannot make up for the miscasting of Megan Fox, the mutated mess of a plot, full of holes and crammed with unnecessary touchstones to the originals as well as references to Fox’s hotness.

Entertaining enough for a specific demographic and fan base, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is not the impressive nostalgia-stuffed update most were hoping for. (LL)

*** /5