Top 10 Hidden Details in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Mutant Mayhem

The film opens with our heroes in a half-shell on a daring mission to pick up groceries… and maybe Pizza Hut if there’s time. Before hitting their target, the Turtles strike an intimidating pose on a New York rooftop against a green-lit moon. This image is reminiscent of the cover for the first “Ninja Turtles” comic, which was published on May 5, 1984. The Turtles lacked their signature colored bandanas back then, but they stood out with aggressive snarls and whitened-out eyes. This look would be revisited in the 2003 “Ninja Turtles” series, although most incarnations borrow from the friendlier 87 designs. In “Mutant Mayhem,” the Turtles quickly drop their gritty personas, letting their true colors shine through - along with their pupils.

Taking a detour from stocking up on groceries, the Turtles stop for a movie in the park. It’s fitting that “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” is playing for a few reasons. Both of these films are coming-of-age stories where teenagers sneak around unbeknownst to their parents. Like the Turtles, Ferris needs to be stealthy as he eludes authority figures. Just as the Turtles struggle to keep a low profile, though, Ferris can’t resist a parade. Both also have a tendency to crash cars. The major difference is that Ferris goes to great lengths to get out of school (nine times). Meanwhile, the Turtles desperately want to attend high school like normal teenagers.

It all started with Kevin Eastman sketching a turtle on two legs, rocking a bandana and a set of nunchucks. Follow illustrator and roommate Peter Laird helped refine the look, adding the essential “Teenage Mutant” to the “Ninja Turtle.” Fast-forward about 40 years, their creation is still going strong with “Mutant Mayhem.” The film pays homage to Laird and Eastman. As April interviews them over pizza, the Turtles find themselves on a rooftop with a glowing sign reading The Laird. April also takes the Turtles to her high school, which is named after Mr. Eastman. By the way, is it just us, or does the younger Splinter’s mustache and mullock look an awful lot like the ones that Eastman had back in the day?

One is draped in green slime while the other is defined by green ooze. Nickelodeon and the “Ninja Turtles” were simply destined for each other! It’s not “All-Star Brawl,” but a few Nicktoons do invade “Mutant Mayhem.” When the Turtles and Splinter first go to the surface, everyone in Times Square stares at them. This includes a street performer wearing a SpongeBob SquarePants costume. That’s almost as surreal as the scene’s cameo from YouTuber MrBeast. Later, while messing around with ninja stars, Michaelangelo holds a watermelon that looks suspiciously like his head. It’s noted that there’s also a resemblance to Stewie Griffin and the OG football head, Hey Arnold. Funnily, if SpongeBob and Arnold existed in this universe, they could be mistaken for mutants.

The “Mutant Mayhem” crew clearly has a deep admiration for Japanese animation. Beyond the movie’s aesthetic, the filmmakers channel their love for anime through Donatello. In addition to mentioning “Attack on Titan” on multiple occasions, Donnie adorns his bō staff with anime references. One of the figures on Donnie’s staff resembles Satoru Gojo, who first appeared in the manga “Jujutsu Kaisen.” Sailor Moon fans will also recognize the character’s Crystal Star. We imagine that Donnie wants to join Eastman High’s anime club, especially since the face on the signup sheet is a dead ringer for Izuku Midoriya from “My Hero Academia.” We’d say that we need a “Ninja Turtles” anime post-haste, but good news, it already exists! Go watch “Mutant Turtles: Superman Legend” next.

As the Turtles face off against Superfly during the climax, New York becomes an all-out war zone. One instance even calls a classic war movie to mind. When Superfly deals a brutal blow, the area goes practically silent with our heroes unable to hear anything other than the ringing in their ears. Yes, to answer one of April’s questions, turtles do have ears! Tom Hanks’ Captain Miller experienced a similar sensation on Omaha Beach in “Saving Private Ryan.” That film’s depiction of D-Day is full of haunting images, including a soldier picking up his own arm. “Mutant Mayhem” echoes that moment as Mondo Gecko’s lost tail is located in the rubble. Thankfully, Mondo Gecko notes that his war wound will grow back.

Having already played one warthog, it’s only appropriate that Seth Rogen voice Bebop while John Cena voices Rocksteady. Rogen also reteams with “Neighbors” co-star Rose Byrne, who brings a Down Under accent to Leatherhead - although you find more crocodiles than alligators in Australia. Superfly’s crew includes lesser-known “Ninja Turtle” mutants as well. Natasia Demetriou goes from playing a vampire on “What We Do in the Shadows” to voicing the batty Wingnut. Hannibal Buress is Genghis Frog, who was part of Shredder’s Punk Frogs in the 87 series. Post Malone voices Ray Fillet, who’s rarely been seen outside of the comics. (xref) Mondo Gecko is voiced by Paul Rudd, or as he’s credited, “Introducing Paul Rudd.” That’s not the only sneaky credit, as Scumbug apparently voiced himself.

What’s the most 1991 thing you can think of? If your answer is Vanilla Ice’s “Ninja Rap” from “Secret of the Ooze,” congratulations, you’ve won a theoretical slice of pizza. It’s been over 30 years since the Turtles came crashing into a nightclub where the Iceman improvised this legendary tune during a mutant brawl. People are still singing “Go Ninja, Go Ninja, Go.” It’s even heard on the radio in “Mutant Mayhem” as our heroes infiltrate a hideout. Originally, director Jeff Rowe had another song in place. However, Seth Rogen texted him suggesting “Ninja Rap” instead. Rowe immediately fell in love with the idea, wishing he had thought of it before. First Rogen brings back the “DK Rap” and now “Ninja Rap.”

Having spent their lives learning the ways of the ninja, the Turtles are well-versed in martial arts movies. Leo even has a poster for 1985’s “Nine Deaths of the Ninja.” Deciding to use their skills to fight crime, our heroes step up their game by watching martial arts YouTube videos and movies. One of them even features the Great Jackie Chan, who’s perfectly cast as Splinter here. While we all know Jackie Chan, chances are you haven’t heard of Kerry Li unless you owned a very obscure self-defense video from the late 80s. How obscure? Apparently, the video doesn’t even have an IMDb page. However, Kerry Li does have a YouTube page with some of his old footage, and let us just say, it’s phenomenal!

Voiced by Maya Rudolph, Cynthia Utrom is new to the “Ninja Turtles” universe… or is she? Between her yellow suit and distinct glasses, Cynthia shares a resemblance to Krang’s android body in the 87 series. What’s more, her last name is Utrom, Krang’s species. Even if it turns out that Cynthia isn’t Krang, we’re willing to wager than she’s from Dimension X. This wouldn’t be the first time that an Utrom has disguised itself as a human. In the 2003 series, Shredder is revealed to be an Utrom named Ch'rell. Speaking of Shredder, his appearance in the mid-credits suggests he’ll play a major role in the “Mutant Mayhem” sequel. Given Shredder’s ties to Krang in other incarnations, Cynthia is almost certainly an alien brain incognito.