Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows is a 2016 American superhero film directed by Dave Green.
It serves as a sequel to the 2014 film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and is based on the characters created by Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman. The film features a returning cast, including Megan Fox as April O'Neil, Will Arnett as Vern Fenwick, and introduces new characters such as Casey Jones, played by Stephen Amell.
The plot follows the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles—Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael—as they face off against their arch-nemesis, Shredder (Tohoru Masamune), who has teamed up with Baxter Stockman (Tyler Perry), a mad scientist. Together, they plan to unleash an alien warlord named Krang on New York City. The turtles must work alongside April and Casey to stop Shredder's plan and prevent Krang from taking over the world.
The film premiered at Madison Square Garden in New York City on May 22, 2016, and was released in theaters on June 3, 2016. While it received generally mixed reviews from critics—who praised its action sequences, visual effects, and humor—it was noted as an improvement over its predecessor. However, it struggled at the box office, grossing approximately $245.6 million against a production budget of $135 million, which led to plans for a third film being scrapped in favor of an animated reboot.
Out of the Shadows features several high-octane action scenes, including a skydiving sequence that transitions into a thrilling battle. The film also emphasizes character development among the turtles, showcasing their unique personalities and brotherly dynamics. Despite its flaws, such as some criticism directed at Megan Fox's performance and the film's reliance on CGI-heavy action sequences typical of Michael Bay productions (who served as producer), it remains a fun ride for fans of the franchise.
Overall, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows aims to deliver entertaining superhero action while staying true to the spirit of the original comic series and animated shows.