Another Lady Innocent (2005)

The themes of family and acceptance in a world suspicious of anyone or anything that defies the norm is universal, and one capable of penetrating and transforming the hardest of hearts. Being shunned by a society seemingly unable and/or unwilling to tolerate that which is different is indeed scary. It is also the one thing that makes the story of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles resonate to this day.

First introduced in 1984 by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, the four heroes in a half-shell quickly captured the hearts and minds of kids and adults alike. The media franchise has spawned several movies, television shows, and an onslaught of merchandise. While the turtles have evolved with the times, the central tenants of family and acceptance are still the heart of the franchise. And it still works!Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, the seventh cinematic adventure in the media franchise, once again finds the titular heroes beckoned by the possibilities of the outside world, each dealing with this struggle in his own unique way. Shepherded by their surrogate father, Splinter, they all retain their individual quirks and charms that help them stand out in the group. The ensuing dynamic sparks many humorous beats and a few enjoyable callbacks.