Metascore
41 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 21 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 21
  2. Negative: 5 out of 21
  1. At its best, TMNT does recall the slangy fun of the series' glory days. But there are too many moments when it feels as stale as one of Mikey's half-eaten pizzas.
  2. TMNT has a cool, noirish sheen. There's an attention to detail in the visuals and sound design that pushes it up several notches above most kiddie fare. It's not art, dude, but it will do.
  3. Reviewed by: Gregory Kirschling
    58
    This all-CG reboot is missing the goofy excitement of the old TMNT.
  4. The story -- something to do with an ancient evil returning after 3,000 years -- plays like a multi-episode story arc of the TV series.
  5. 58
    Only those already predisposed to love a TMNT movie that at least LOOKS edgy are likely to care.
  6. A tad too conservative and calculated. CGI delivers best on moody sets and a noirish atmosphere achieved by lighting, backgrounds and visual effects. But the characters look like plastic dolls, and the story is recycled sci-fi.
  7. Reviewed by: Will Crain
    50
    Silly, but an enjoyable, well-paced fantasy-action story.
  8. 50
    The movie is a serviceable way to pass the time: Kids will cheer the bright colors and funny new words ("Kowabunga!").
  9. With your sharper minds, you'll probably figure it out. I hope so. Hope you'll like the movie too. But here's a bit of advice: Don't bet your allowance on it. Make Daddy pay.
  10. Fans should be satisfied, but it's hard to imagine anyone else will be much interested in TMNT.
  11. Reviewed by: Nathan Lee
    50
    Writer-director Kevin Munroe parties like it's 1989, grooving on the extreme-sports set pieces and vintage slang to generally cowabusted effect.
  12. Reviewed by: Michael Ordona
    50
    That's really what TMNT lacks most -- humor. Despite the doll-like cartoonishness of the human figures, the filmmakers seem to expect us to take this animated romp seriously. Too seriously.
  13. Reviewed by: Peter Debruge
    50
    Munroe's script denies fans the satisfaction of a decent story or amusing interactions. Rather than waiting for a screenplay that warranted their bigscreen return, TMNT feels like an attempt to exploit the phenomenon further.
  14. The upshot is that the film is technically superb and quite enjoyable as long as you don't bang your head against the plot.
  15. Reviewed by: Zach Haddad
    40
    I expected to see the triumphant return of my childhood favorites, yet I feel like this wasn't the answer.
  16. The turtles themselves may look prettier, but are no smarter; torn irreparably from their countercultural roots, our superheroes on the half shell have been firmly co-opted by the industry their creators once sought to spoof.
  17. 38
    The movie pretty much exists to sell tie-in products, and it's about as entertaining as watching little kids playing with their toys in the sandbox.
  18. Reviewed by: Angel Cohn
    38
    Bummer, dudes. Longtime fans who expect the fun lingo and pizza-gobbling Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles of the past may be shocked by director Kevin Munroe's reimagining of the popular kiddie series.
  19. Reviewed by: Claudia Puig
    38
    It takes more than an awkward title attempting to sound cool to overcome its mundane plot and silly dialogue.
  20. Without the brute vigilante junk, this 82-minute picture would be approximately 2 minutes long.
  21. It's all probably too slippery for the youngest viewers to grasp and too sketchy for the nostalgia crowd (for whom this revival seems most geared).
User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 91 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 37
  2. Negative: 8 out of 37
  1. "TMNT",a movie based off on the popular kid TV series, is just terrible and confusing in every manner. The costumes are downright idiotic as well as the corny acting. The story is like if it was written by a 8 year old child, and the morale is too damn simple. Want to watch it? Great, cause you won't. Full Review »
  2. This movie is exactly what it needed to be for TMNT fans. All the critics hating it don't truly love the TMNT. For those who love the TMNT, this is your movie. Full Review »
  3. Love the fact that they are bringing back the series but I didn't enjoy the plot way too far out there. TMNT is great CG and with voices that bring back the nostalgic memories of the old Turtle movies but the sci-fi storyline just didn't do it for me. Full Review »