Power Rangers Review: Those teenagers with attitude are back in Dean Israelite’s Power Rangers origin tale.
Power Rangers review by Ben Read, March 2017.
Power Rangers may not be as popular, or highly regarded as its Marvel and DC counterparts in the current superhero landscape. But, as a series that has endured for 24 years, 24 seasons, 2 movies, and enough action figures to fill an entire Toys R Us, it is firmly embedded within pop culture. With both Transformers, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles both receiving the reboot treatment in recent years, it was only a matter of time. Now, Saban and Lionsgate are targeting nostalgic 90’s enthusiasts, with a re-packaged Power Rangers franchise for the 21st century. Is it a Mighty Morphin ‘misfire? Or has Saban captured lightning in a bottle once again?
The plot once again revolves around 5 teenagers with attitude, who are selected to become earths mightiest saviours, by utilising the power of five magical coins. With these coins, the angsty adolescents harness the power of the ‘Morphing Grid’, to become multi-coloured superheroes equipped with giant, robotic fighting machines. If this story seems like an amalgamation of cliches and overused formula, then that’s probably because it is. But, Power Rangers has never really relied on complicated plots, or intricate narrative devices. This is franchise built on the appeal of essentially combining a Marvel superhero, with a Japanese monster movie.
But, this is where the problem of this new Power Rangers lies. It seems unable to decide whether it wants to be a contemporary teen drama, or a colourful, light-hearted, superhero romp. As a result, both of these conflicting narratives leave each other a little bit shortchanged. The film seems to excel when it’s dealing with the friendship, and burgeoning bond between the team. The 5 young actors have been perfectly cast, and undoubtedly share a wonderful chemistry on screen, which is well developed throughout the course of the film. Issues of loss, disability, and sexuality, are all touched upon, to give the characters some surprisingly effective emotional weight.
Dacre Montgomery, and RJ Cyler shine particularly bright, as Jason Scott and Billy Cranston. The former easily displays the leading man quality of a future Hollywood A-lister, while the latter gives a performance with enough heart to hold the entire script together. Fan favourite Bryan Cranston channels his Breaking Bad days as a slightly more arrogant and self-entitled Zordan than fans might be used to. But, this is actually an interestingly refreshing angle to see the character from. Given Cranston’s history with the franchise in the early 90’s, this role is a fitting tribute that is easily worth the price of admission. Elizabeth Banks on the other hand, feels slightly out of place in a minimalistic, scenery-chewing role as the central antagonist, Rita Replusa. Where the majority of Power Rangers attempts to establish itself in a relatively grounded world, Rita’s presence is slightly jarring.
Unfortunately, audiences will also find themselves waiting an excruciatingly long time before the rangers actually suit up. Much like the original Power Rangers movie, Saban seems to have found another way of keeping the Rangers…..powerless, for the majority of the film. Despite the attention spent on character development for the first 2 thirds of the script, it does begin to flag long before we glimpse the Rangers in action. Thankfully, the climactic action sequence does manage to overcome some narratively wobbly moments, and some questionable CGI, with a throughly enjoyable final act.
Overall, Power Rangers gets a lot wrong, but it also gets more than enough right. Die-hard fans will easily pick up on some great easter eggs, ranging from the original theme, to a nice little cameo appearance from Jason David Frank, and Amy Jo Johnson. The action may be relatively sparse, but Saban and director Dean Israelite have laid some solid foundations for future sequels. With the obligatory origin story now out of the way, we’re very excited for more morphenomenal adventures from Angel Grove.
Viewers should also stay in their seats during the credits, for an exciting reference to a certain future Green Ranger!
Power Rangers review by Ben Read, March 2017.
Power Rangers is in cinemas now.
