Power Rangers (2017) ... "Go, go, Power Rangers!"

Power Rangers (2017)

“It’s Morphin’ Time!”

I absolutely loved Power Rangers growing up. I am certain that, between my brothers and I, we had the complete Power Rangers models. I even had an Action Man style version of the red power ranger and my brother had a red power ranger costume. Yeah!

I watched it every day I could and even enjoyed the Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers 1995 movie, despite its excessive cheese.

My friends and I used to act out battles in the playground (I was always the Blue Power Ranger).

So, when I saw the trailer for the new movie over a year ago, I was very worried.

It looked like they had taken something beloved for its cheesiness and low budget and turned it into a Transformers movie.

I kept my preconceptions back though and I am very glad I did.

The movie takes its time to get into the action, spending its time letting us get to know the characters.

They are good characters too, with enjoyable and believable back stories that genuinely lend to the development of the story and my fondness of each character.

Although when talking about the main characters, I do have to mention one issue I had with one character.

Billy. A great addition to the film who is genuinely my joint-favourite of the five. (The other being Didi/Trini) However, what they do with Billy is try to make him an outcast, not just by his quirky and loveable behaviour, but by having him mention that he is on the ‘Spectrum’.

By ‘Spectrum’ they must be talking about the Autistic Spectrum, right?

Hm… very unnecessary. Quite obviously included just to make the character more interesting and cool.

One big problem though. He is NOT on the Autistic Spectrum.

Everything he explains about being on the Spectrum and what it means… he shows the complete opposite to throughout the bloody film!

There is NOTHING autistic about this character. He is just quirky. Quirky does not mean Autistic.

Anyway, that small issue I had, that is so minor that it almost seemed pointless them including it, may as well be forgotten about for the rest of this review.

Why?

Because the film is brilliant.

As a childhood Power Rangers fan – I loved almost every second.

The cheese? Check.

The bad fighting talk? Check.

Silly training montage? Check.

‘Go, Go, Power Rangers’ music? Fucking check!

The casting is just right. Bryan Cranston, as Zordon, bringing his excellence to the role as he does with everything.

Bill Hader as Alpha 5 is a sublime choice.

…and Elizabeth Banks. Holy shit. She is amazing as Rita.

The Power Rangers themselves? Every one of them is unique and interesting and that is massively helped by the excellent cast.

This pacing is what made the film work so well, weaving its way through the standard High School angst each Ranger is experiencing, building the anticipation and character development, teasing you here and there until just the right time to reveal the suits – and what a reveal. Jason even says “It’s Morphin’ Time!”

Even when Netflix dropped out I waited until it came back so that I could carry on! I wanted to see how this movie developed.

No, Netflix! I will sit here staring at the TV until you work!

When we eventually get to the final battle, it goes down exactly how it should. With excellent one-liners (“Sorry bumblebee” is a particular favourite of mine) and genuine anxiety that even though I knew nobody would die. Well… let’s just say I still cheered like my eight-year-old self when the Mega-Zord appeared.

I could gush about this film all day.

So, I will end it with this.

The director Dean Israelite (Project Almanac, 2015) clearly understood what Power Rangers was. He has modernized it and added just the right amount of depth to the characters, adding genuine emotional coupled with well-timed humour, to bring the Power Rangers into 2017 without borrowing from every other epic action adventure out there.

Shut your brain off.

Forget about how shit it is to be an adult.

Enjoy the stupidity of this film.

"Go, go, Power Rangers!"

And finally… can Michael Bay please fuck off and let Dean Israelite make the next Transformers film? Please?!

Also - shout out to Popchips for their Star Wars themed Barbeque crisps. Seriously. Try them. I found R2-D2 and ate him... will you?!