Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2018-2020) was an incredible addition to the beloved franchise that is the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, since changed what the audience had known to be the turtles since the 80’s. With new aspects to their already lovable personalities and wonderful voice talents and beautiful animation to accompany it, this should’ve been the next great hit within the franchise.

So, why did it fall flat? Well, it’s through no fault of its own. The show itself was incredible, but the fan reception was what eventually got it the boot midway through its second season.

Enter Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie (2022). A continuation to a series that fans were either ecstatic or absolutely disgusted to see. However, this movie was no disappointment. It took what made the show amazing and multiplied it tenfold.

Every scene has so much love and detail crafted into it with the animation being spectacular. All throughout, it’s beautifully smooth and the scenes that are made to impact the viewers definitely HIT just from the pure raw emotion these animators were able to work into every scene. I cannot stress the glory of this animation without sounding like a broken record, so it’s something that everyone needs to see for themselves.

Besides the visual factors, this movie is so amazingly put-together. With the lovely voice acting from the cast, leading star Ben Schwartz being a stand-out. Schwartz is primarily known from his role as Jean-Ralphio in Parks and Rec as well as other voice acting credits like Dewey Duck in Ducktales (2012) and Sonic the Hedgehog in Sonic (2020). However, he absolutely steals the show as Leonardo in this film.

Along with other cast members like Kat Graham (voice of April), Josh Brener (Donatello), Brandon Mychel Smith (Michelangelo), and Omar Benson Miller (Raphael) the chemistry between them all really allows the characters to shine.

All in all, this movie is action-packed with its extreme high and lows all throughout. Fans of the turtles, old and new, can find something to love within this movie if they only give it the chance.

It’s not just another animated kids movie, it’s more than that. It’s gritty and witty all at once, not even trying to hold back in spots that need to be focused on. Not even 4 minutes into the movie, there’s more than one character death and heart wrenching dialogue. And a movie has never handled a time travel based plot as well as this one has.

There were little holes they left open regarding the logistics of it all, and if they did it was not large enough to cause any concern. The storyline can seem a little bit slow at times, but once Casey makes it into the group it becomes a fast-paced emotional rollercoaster.

Directors Andy Suriano and Ant Ward bring homage from the predecessors and then some perfectly in this film. If you’re in any way, shape, or form a fan of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles this is a must watch. Even if you’re a casual filmgoer, this is still definitely worth it from the storyline and animation elements alone.