Power Rangers Best buy Blu-Ray/DVD Combo Review

Lionsgate was gracious to give me and a few others (do not know how many and who exactly) the Best Buy Exclusive Blu-Ray/DVD practice. The set has a clear sleeve with the Rangers on it while the set has the burning Lightning bolt. When you open it, you see Zordon in the Command Center and when you open the whole thing you get the zords on a landscape. Six cards come with it, shiny ones. Five Rangers and Rita. 

The Blu-Ray menu is cool in that it takes the scene from where Zordon tells the Rangers they are Rnagers and it is them in the Command Center. It uses audio bytes from other spots. It is cool for the first time but if I do plan to see it over and over, to wait for the menu. The Blu-Ray menu has instrumental of the MMPRTM theme. The DVD menu is different, it is the first image we got from the suits and flashes of each teen. It has soundtrack music. For the review of the movie itself, check the link below. The Director's commentary (Director Dean Isrealite and writer John Gatin) is cool (I love hearing director's commentaries) with fan shoutouts and the deleted scenes are already out. As for the featurettes, I think I should just leave it for fans to check out and not mention much. People on Twitter already voiced comments. As a collector, I do want to get the Target exclusive too, maybe the Wal-Mart one, not sure yet.

Blu-Ray: Commentary, Deleted/Extended Scenes, the 2 hour and 20 minutes documentary (which you can see in chunks), trailers, outtakes

DVD: Commentary, Deleted/Extended Scenes, Trailers

UPDATED 7/5/17

The Walmart Exclusive includes a bonus disc with Behind the Scenes featurettes divided in "Ranger Recon" (of specific Teen scenes like the donut fight, the gorge jumping, and the flipping van) and "VFX" (Visual Effects such as Alpha, Zordon, the flipping van, the Command Center, Goldar and the Zords).

Related: http://henshingrid.blogspot.com/2017/03/power-rangers-2017-movie-review.html

Movie DVD/Blu-Ray/4K details and Dino Supercharge Complete Season DVD

“Nostalgia has never felt so morphinomenal”

- Time Out

It’s Morphin Time! Saban’s Power Rangers to Arrive on Digital HD, DVD and On Demand in June 2017

Five Ordinary Teens Morph Into Extraordinary Super Heroes to Save the Planet in the Action-Packed Blockbuster Arriving on Digital HD June 13

and 4K Ultra HD^TM Combo Pack, Blu-ray^TM Combo Pack, and DVD

on June 27 from Lionsgate

4K Ultra HD™ to include both Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos

SANTA MONICA, CA (May 3, 2017) – The action-packed, coming of age feature film Saban’s Power Rangers will morph onto Digital HD June 13 and on 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack (plus Blu-ray and Digital HD), Blu-ray Combo Pack (plus DVD and Digital HD), DVD and On Demand June 27 from Lionsgate. As part of the 24-year-old global phenomenon and based on the five Rangers from the original TV series, “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers,”, the reimagined movie features a modern generation of Rangers including Dacre Montgomery (TV’s “Stranger Things”) as Jason the Red Ranger, Naomi Scott (The 33) as Kimberly the Pink Ranger, RJ Cyler (Me and Earl and the Dying Girl) as Billy the Blue Ranger, Ludi Lin (Monster Hunt) as Zack the Black Ranger, and Becky G. (Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising) as Trini the Yellow Ranger, as they attempt to stop the evil and unpredictable Rita Repulsa (played by Elizabeth Banks, The Hunger Games Franchise) from destroying their city…and ultimately the world. Bryan Cranston (“Breaking Bad”) as Zordon, and Bill Hader (Finding Dory) as Alpha 5 train the Rangers to morph and master their powers as a united team. 

The epic adventure, Saban’s Power Rangers follows five ordinary high school kids who must become something extraordinary when they learn that their small town of Angel Grove – and the world – is on the verge of being obliterated by an alien threat.  Chosen by destiny, the unlikely group of teenage heroes are the only ones who can save the planet but first, they have to band together in order to harness their super powers and become Power Rangers.

The Saban’s Power Rangers 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and Digital HD releases feature never-before-heard audio commentary with director Dean Israelite and writer John Gatins, as well as a nine-part documentary featuring commentary from the actors and filmmakers including Power Rangers Creator, Haim Saban which looks behind the scenes of the film at the casting, training, special effects, and creation of Saban’s Power Rangers, with deleted/alternate/extended scenes and outtakes. The 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray will also feature Dolby Vision™ high-dynamic range (HDR), making it the first title from Lionsgate to feature both Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos^®. Dolby Vision transforms the TV experience in the home by delivering greater brightness and contrast, as well as a fuller palette of rich colors. Together with the captivating sound of Dolby Atmos, consumers will experience both cutting-edge imaging and state-of-the-art sound technology for a fully immersive entertainment experience.

The Saban’s Power Rangers DVD will include exclusive audio commentary with director Dean Israelite and writer John Gatins, and deleted/alternate/extended scenes and outtakes. Saban’s Power Rangers will be available on 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack, Blu-ray Combo Pack, and DVD for the suggested retail price of $42.99, $39.99, and $29.95, respectively.

Story by Matt Sazama & Burk Sharpless and Michele Mulroney & Kieran Mulroney. Screenplay by John Gatins. Directed by Dean Israelite.

4K/BLU-RAY/ DIGITAL HD SPECIAL FEATURES

·        Audio Commentary with Director Dean Israelite and Writer John Gatins

·        “The Power of the Present” Documentary

o   “Rangers Then to Now”

o   “Building the Team”

o   “Beyond the Rangers”

o   “Suiting Up”

o   “Rangers, Welcome to Training”

o   “Rangers in the Wild”

o   “It’s Morphin Time”

o   “Power Ballad: Music and Sound”

o   “This is Your Destiny”

·        Deleted/Alternate/Extended Scenes

·        Outtakes

·        Theatrical Trailer with Audio Commentary by Director Dean Israelite

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES

·        Audio Commentary with Director Dean Israelite and Writer John Gatins

·        Deleted/Alternate/Extended Scenes

·        Outtakes

For Artwork: www.lionsgatepublicity.com/home-entertainment/sabanspowerrangers/

Trailer: https://youtu.be/KdlUhnajEb8

Website: www.powerrangers.movie/

Facebook: facebook.com/PowerRangersMovie/

Instagram: @powerrangersmovie

Twitter: @ThePowerRangers

PROGRAM INFORMATION

Year of Production: 2016

Title Copyright: Saban’s Power Rangers, Artwork & Supplementary Materials © 2017 Lions Gate Films Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Type: Theatrical Release

Rating: PG-13 for Sequences of Sci-Fi Violence, Action and Destruction, Language, and for Some Crude Humor  

Genre: Action, Adventure

Closed-Captioned:  N/A

Subtitles:  Spanish, English SDH

Feature Run Time: 124 minutes

4K UHD Format: Dolby Vision, 2160p Ultra High Definition 16x9 Widescreen 2.40:1 Presentation

BD Format: 1080p High Definition 16x9 Widescreen 2.40:1 Presentation

DVD Format:  16x9 Widescreen 2.40:1 Presentation

4K UHD Audio: English Dolby Atmos, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, English 2.0 Dolby Digital Audio Optimized for Late-Night Listening, English Descriptive Audio  

BD Audio: English Dolby Atmos, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital, English 2.0 Dolby Digital Optimized for Late-Night Listening, English Descriptive Audio  

DVD Audio: English 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital, English Descriptive Audio  

ABOUT DOLBY ATMOS

Dolby Atmos delivers moving audio — sound that can be precisely placed and moved anywhere in three-dimensional space, including overhead. It brings entertainment alive all around the audience in a powerfully immersive and emotive experience. To learn more about Dolby Atmos, visit dolby.com/Atmos.

ABOUT LIONSGATE

Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B) is a vertically integrated next generation global content leader with a diversified presence in motion picture production and distribution, television programming and syndication, premium pay television networks, home entertainment, global distribution and sales, interactive ventures and games and location-based entertainment.

With the acquisition of Starz, Lionsgate adds to its portfolio of businesses the flagship STARZ premium pay network serving 24.3 million subscribers and the STARZ ENCORE platform with 31 million subscribers. The combined company will operate five over-the-top (OTT) streaming services and the STARZ app delivering content directly to consumers.

The Company’s feature film business spans eight labels and includes the blockbuster The Hunger Games franchise, the Now You See Me series, the box office smash La La Land, which won six Academy Awards®, the hit franchise sequel John Wick: Chapter Two, double Oscar winner Hacksaw Ridge, Tyler Perry’s Boo! A Madea Halloween, The Shack, Saban’s Power Rangers, CBS Films/Lionsgate’s Hell or High Water, Roadside Attractions' critically-acclaimed Manchester by the Sea, Codeblack Films’ breakout concert film Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain and Pantelion Films’ Instructions Not Included, the highest-grossing Spanish-language film ever released in the U.S.

One of the largest independent television businesses in the world, Lionsgate’s slate of premium quality series encompasses nearly 90 shows on more than 40 different networks. These include the ground-breaking Orange is the New Black, the fan favorite Nashville, the syndication success The Wendy Williams Show, the hit drama The Royals, the acclaimed Casual, the breakout success Greenleaf, the network reality shows Kicking & Screaming and the eagerly-anticipated Candy Crush, and hit STARZ series including Outlander, Black Sails, Survivor’s Remorse and Power, the second highest-rated premium pay television series of 2016.

Lionsgate's home entertainment business is an industry leader in box office-to-DVD and box office-to-VOD revenue conversion rates. Lionsgate handles a prestigious and prolific library of more than 16,000 motion picture and television titles that is an important source of recurring revenue and serves as a foundation for the growth of the Company's core businesses. The Lionsgate, Summit Entertainment and Starz brands are synonymous with original, daring, quality entertainment in markets around the world. www.lionsgate.com

ABOUT SABAN’S POWER RANGERS

Saban’s Power Rangers franchise is the brainchild of Haim Saban, creator and producer of the original “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers” hit series that launched in 1993. Following its introduction, “Power Rangers” quickly became the most-watched children’s television program in the United States and remains one of the top-rated and longest running kids live-action series in television history. The series follows the adventures of a group of ordinary teens who morph into superheroes and save the world from evil. It is seen in more than 150 markets, translated into numerous languages and a favorite on many key international children’s programming blocks around the world. For more information, visit www.powerrangers.com.

Street Date: 6/27/17

DVD SRP: $19.98

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Catch all of the dino-charged adventures when Nickelodeon’s iconic, 23-years-running “Power Rangers” TV series returns with Power Rangers Dino Super Charge: The Complete Season, arriving on DVD and Digital HD on June 27 from Lionsgate. The Power Rangers must battle an evil intergalactic villain in this action-packed franchise that remains one of the top-rated and longest-running children’s live-action series in TV history. Including four discs with over four hours of action, the Power Rangers Dino Super Charge: The Complete Season DVD will be available for the suggested retail price of $19.98.

OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS

The Power Rangers continue their search for the Energems after Sledge’s defeat, but soon learn that his most dangerous prisoner, the evil Heckyl, survived! In light of this new threat, Kendall creates a powerful new Dino Charger that unlocks the Red Ranger’s T-Rex Super Charge mode! It will take every Zord, Megazord, and Dino Charger in the Power Rangers’ arsenal to finally unite all ten Energems and save the universe!

 *** For Artwork: www.lionsgatepublicity.com/home-entertainment/powerrangersdinosuperchargethecompletecollection/ ***

PROGRAM INFORMATION

Year of Production: 2015

Title Copyright: ™ and © 2016 SCG Power Rangers LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Type: TV-on-DVD

Rating: NR

Genre: Action/Adventure, Children’s/Series, Fantasy

Closed Captioned: English

Subtitles: N/A

Feature Run Time: 264 minutes

DVD Format: 16x9 Widescreen 1.78:1 Presentation

DVD Audio: English 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio, Spanish and French 2.0 Dolby Digital Audio

Power Rangers Dino Charge: Breakout DVD Review

I received this from Lionsgate Home Entertainment in exchange for a review. Thanks to them and Click Communications. 

Saban's POWER RANGERS DINO CHARGE: BREAKOUT, which arrives on DVD (plus Digital), Digital HD, 

and On Demand July 12 from Lionsgate Home Entertainment.

PROGRAM INFORMATION

Year of Production: 2015

Title Copyright: ™ and © 2015 SCG Power Rangers LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Type: TV on DVD

Rating: TV-Y7

Genre: Action/Adventure, TV Series, Children, Superhero

Closed-Captioned: English

Subtitles: None

Run Time: 92 minutes  

DVD Format: 16x9 Widescreen (1.78:1)

DVD Audio Status: English 5.1 Dolby Digital; French and Spanish 2.0 Dolby Digital

The DVD menu has Play All option, Episodes Languages and Trailers which includes Super Megaforce Complete Season, Super Samurai Complete Season, Megaforce, and Dino Charge.

When Logic Fails

The Rangers discuss the different motives of Fury, Sledge and Poisandra. Tyler is confused and Riley clarifies it with marbles, that they are all seeking the same end. Chase is attacked and loses the pizza. The bad guys revel in that they have the charger and broke the tracker. Fury goes down with a new monster and Wrench. The new monster Puzzler takes hold of an abandoned building. Puzzler makes the place into a maze for the Rangers to get lost in. They get split up and can't escape. Riley sneaks a peak in a room where Wrench is trying to help Fury and he sees gold energy trying to escape, confirming what Tyler saw in the last ep. Riley comes out at the top of the building and finds Puzzler.

Riley plays Chess with Puzzler and alerts the Rangers and they find their ways out through vents. When they fight Puzzler when big, Fury busts out Pterazord. The Rangers fight the Pterazord and Puzzler and destroy Puzzler. Sledge becomes buddy-buddy with Fury with his success with the Pterazord. Tyler and Riley discuss the gold energy he saw in Fury.

The Royal Rangers
Riley puts a sign for the Treasures of Zandar, a display at the museum. Kendall has made Dino Drive mode which is only in the zords because Fury has the Pterazord.  Riley says years ago, sir Irving helped a young prince on horses and when they stopped for water, Ivan spotted something shiny. The Rangers find the Pterazord attacking the city and Koda and Chase call their zords Stegazord and Parazord to fight against it. Fury forms the Ptera Charge Megazord. Tyler forms Megazord Para-Stego formation. The Rangers enter the cockpit without morphing. Kendall says to use the Dino Drive mode which they do. Ptera Charge Megazord forms a blast and the Stego Shield holds it for a bit.

Pter Charge is running out of power, Para Zord blasts him and he retreats. At night, the Rangers rummage through the Zandar stuff and find the Gold Energem. Keeper welcomes it back, saying it is bonded to the Pterdactyl, Meanwhile Wrench powers up the Dino Charger with the gold energy from Fury, which is now blocking the energy transfer. The Dino Charger is not half charged. On the other side of the ship, Poisandra and Curio watch a gossip TV show called Glitz World about a prince going to the show. Shelby comes in a princess dress. Kendall offers to do it, until Shelby sees how great Tyler looks and then she changes her mind. Shelby kisses Tyler which makes him blush. Shelby sees Julian drawing and she takes the drawing and says she has to have it for the castle, in order to make him famous--which seems to works. Fury attacks and slashes off the Energem from Shelby.

Fury summoned the Ptera Charge and climbs in.  Kendall has it activate and it launches Fury out as it was a fake. Kendall tells them to get Chargers. The Rangers morph and fight the Viviks. Chase gives Tyler the Para Chopper and he combine them to make T-Rex Chopper and fights Fury. Tyler demands the charger and he is about to give it to him but he glows with gold energy. Tyler de-morphs and refuses to destroy Fury. Tyler thinks it is his dad inside of Fury. Fury and the Spikeballs leave in their spaceships. Later at the Dino Museum, Julian is on the phone about his art in London and he thanks Shelby. Meanwhile, Tyler looks at a pic of his dad. Kendall walks in and says he had to chance to destroy Fury and asks what happened. Riley says he wouldn't do it, the others say he made the right choice until he knows. Tyler thinks Fury captured his dad ten years ago. Keeper tells him it is never a mistake, they can't destroy him until they free the person inside.

Breakout
Sledge is mad at Fury that the Pteracharge Megazord is loosing power and wants a solution. Kendall is doing a presentation on the stone of Zandar, continuing the story Riley started last time about Sir Ivan finding the gold energem. He and a young prince get attack by a monster in a coat. The prince got knocked out but kept the gemstone. Ivan and the monster disappeared afterwards. Men in suits arrive and Koda sees them in a tree. Chase wants the exhibit to be over so they can lock up the gem. Prince Phillip has them 'collect the treasures' and calls out Tyler and Shelby as impostors. They leave. Viviks and space ships follow the royal caravan. Ships attack and shoot fire, the caravan stop in a location, the men run out to fight Fury, Poisandra, Curio, Wrench and Viviks. Philip and Fury meet. Koda tackles Fury down and fights him. The others arrive and fight Viviks. Philip watches them fight. Chase shoots Viviks with his morpher and Riley fights them with his sword. Koda protects the prince and uses a hubcap to deflect an attack. Koda and Philip roll down a hill and run to safety in the forest. Koda sniffs around. Phillip asks why he would risk his life. Koda says people have goodness inside, even mean princes. Fury takes the energem. Philip thinks about the monster who attack Ivan, it turns out Fury was the monster that attacked Ivan and Prince Colin.

 The others attack Fury and he leaes, they help Philip and Koda. Kendall says Fury called the Pteracharger. The Rangers run off. The bad guys look through the treasures. Philip watches the Rangers morph. Fury calls Pterazord. T-Rex and Tyler arrive and make the zord retreat. He puts the Dino Stretch Charger in T-Rex, to stretch his neck and take out the Pterazord. They fight the bad guys. Shelby gives Riley her drill. Fury and Red fight. Green fights Curio and Poisandra. Koda fights the two blue monsters. Fury attacks Red. Red returns the favor with T-Rex smash. The gold energem glows and the gold energy tries coming out of him. Tyler thinks it is his dad. The man escape and there is an explosion, that de-morphs the Rangers and knocks Fury down. Tyler runs to the figure and finds he is Sir Ivan and is shocked he is not his dad. Philip says this is impossible. Ivan transforms into the Gold Ranger. The Rangers are shocked. He shoots down and fights Viviks. He calls the Pterasaber to fight Poisandra and Curio, burning them out. Wrench tries fighting him but is quickly dispatched. He fights the Blue monsters. The blue monsters are made big, Gold Ranger goes in the Ptercharge Megazord and fights the two blue monsters. He destroys him. They all greet the Gold Ranger. He bows to Philip, he knows the bloodline. Ivan was captured for 800 years. The Rangers show their Energem. Chase explains the Energem story. Philip gives back the Energem, Ivan nods. Philip lives in his caravan, he says he is humbled by Koda. Ivan leaves, saying he wants to see the world.

Knight After Knights

Fury is in trouble with Sledge for loosing the Pterazord, especially when the new monster Bones takes away his backbone and he runs away. In the hideout, Riley introduces the Ptera Saber to Ivan and Kendall show the charger. Tyler wish Ivan was his dad. Koda and Shelby cheer him up. Riley and Chase show Ivan that his gem goes in the cave and he leaves. Riley says he is part of his team. He says he is not part of his team, he can't make a decision so hastily. The five Rangers fight Poisandra, Curio, Bones and Viviks. Bones beats up the Rangers individually. Gold Ranger arrives and beats up Bones. Chase is slightly jealous. He leaves. Shelby follows Ivan and tells him that he was responsibility. He says they have to prove their worth. She says they saved him from Fury, and that is proof enough. He says he should reconsider. The boys meanwhile are walking and get attacked by Bones who steals Chase's courage/backbone. Shelby and Ivan arrive to find the four scared of Curio. Shelby tells them that it is not who they are. The three baddies retreat and Ivan leaves too. Shelby forces the other Rangers inside the cave. 

Ivan collects people he thinks are brave enough to be Knights, not understanding the modern world. Sledge punishes Bones for returning without all six backbones and energems. The girls deal with the scaredy-cat boys and figure Ivan is heading towards Bones. Shelby leaves. Ivan faces the baddies with his "Knights of Amber Beach" which Poisandra doesn't take seriously. Viviks arrive and they run off. Ivan fights the Viviks on her own which the woman of advance age continues screaming. Keeper gives the four guys a pep talk, he took a symbol but not their actual courage. Their backbone symbols return.Pink Ranger arrives in her cycle and blasts Viviks. Ivan notices her courage. She de-morphs. The others arrive and Poisandra and Curio leave. The six morph. Gold Ranger flies and then attacks the monster with his Ptera Saber. Pink says he has found his knights. She puts his Ptera Charger in her morpher and they do a double-attack to take down Bones. Sledge makes Bones grow. PteraCharge Megazord is formed. Gold activates his Dino Drive Mode. The basic Dino Charge Megazord is formed and the five Rangers get Dino Drive Mode and they fight Bones. Bones is destroyed by both. Later, Knight tells the gang a story about the energem. Fury attacked and he pushed the Prince Colin out of the way. The Energem was knocked away. The energem boned him with the spirit of the Pterdactyl. Fury swallows Ivan into his body. The energem then bounced off into Colin's possession. Ivan gets distracted by a burger. 

PMC 4: Shout! Factory Trivia Contest, Zyuranger DVD and Brian Ward

 

Saturday at PMC 4 they had a Shout! Factory Trivia Contest and panel. As you might now, Shout! Factory was live streaming the Power Morphicon 4 on Saturday all day long. Brian Ward, producer of the Power Rangers and other Saban DVDS from Shout! Factory was there and played host to the Trivia Contest. I entered and was an alternate while the four contests participated. There was two alternates, me and the second one answered when the others were stumped but we didn't get anything which was fine by me as some of the questions were from the Power Rangers Trivial Pursuit game and I wrote for it (though I don't think any of my questions made it). Database Ranger who is a new Power Force member helped Brian Ward with the contest questions.

 

After the contest, Brian Ward was asked questions about DVDs like VR Troopers, Big Bad Beetleborgs, Masked Rider and Zyuranger.

• All Zyuranger episodes will be release.
• A possible box set will be released of Zyuranger
• Zyuranger release date was not revealed, just 'soon.'
• A subtitling company will have Japanese people subtitling and translating the series. Brian Ward will be asked what are the best choices for weapons and arsenal.
• Big Bad Beetleborgs are missing a volume because sales are low. He encouraged fans to pay for the DVDs.
• Brian Ward is not sure if it is about the rights for Masked Rider and Mystic Knights but right now no DVDs are not planned and they have not be asked to make DVDs of them. It might be other reasons other than rights. He knows Kamen Rider is tied up legally and it is a sticky web.
• As for other Sentai, it depends on how Zyuranger sells. He would love to do other DVDs but it depends. Also, they are taking a risk as there might be confusion as kids might think Zyuranger is Mighty Morphin and it is in Japanese and subtitled. I think if they package it properly and advertise it, the confusion won't be an issue.
• There was a panel question about 'Zyu 2' footage that was Toei made footage for the Power Rangers and Brian Ward knows about it. A fan asked if they would put Zyu 2 footage as an extra in Zyuranger DVD. Brian wasn't sure if it would make sense to be on the DVD as it was never Zyuranger nor how exactly to put it on DVD (the footage has no sound). So most likely Zyu 2 won't be on DVD.

Superhuman Samurai Syber Squad Series Review

I bought Superhuman Samurai Syber Squad Volume 1 & 2 DVDs from Miller Creek. I have not seen the whole series since 1994. For those who do not know, this series was not produced by Saban. Tsuburaya Productions who created Ultraman had a 38 episode series called Gridman in Japan. The footage was used for this series along with help from DiC, Playmates and Ultracom. Superhuman Samurai Syber Squad had 53 episodes, some had continuity and the majority were stand-alone episodes. It had an announcer that sounded like SNL's Don Pardo or it was Don Pardo uncredited. It not only had one but two Christmas episodes.

 Both Gridman and SSSS dealt with teens watching a hero on the computer fight viruses online. In both series, a teenager could become Servo/Gridman. In SSSS, his friends entered the syberworld through the vehicles and in Gridman, they observed him. Kahn Digifer/Kilokahn both had control over a sullen rich kid who deisgned monsters for him. Syd was the tech/brains, she was like Billy of MMPR. Amp was the weird one, like the Screech of Saved by the Bell. Tanker was the jock/drummer who was like Slater of Saved by the Bell. Tanker liked Syd and Syd kind of harbored feelings for him as well. Amp's actor (Troy Slaten) left for unknown reasons and off-screen they said he was an alien and went home and he was replaced by Lucky. "Hasta La Virus Baby" is a clip-show reminiscing on Amp and introduces Lucky (Rembrandt Sabelis). "Little Ditch, Big Glitch" was his last episode.

DiC created two Tokusatsu programs, Superhuman Samurai Syber Squad and Tattooed Teenage Alien Fighters from Beverly Hills (Episode One available as an extra in the Volume Two First DVD) at the same time. Major difference is that SSSS used Gridman footage. While TTAFBH suffered bad acting and bad writing and bad special effects, SSSS had good writing and good acting. Tim Curry played the voice of Kilokahn and Matthew Lawrence (Hot Chick, Ms. Doubtfire, Boy Meets World) played Sam/Servo. It had its arc where Sam wanted Jennifer and finally got her and they were dating. It was an on/off relationship but mostly on. Sam was often teased for his height. His little sister Elizabeth (the brilliant Kath Soucie who was Phil and Lil in Rugrats) is an off-screen character that we hear from a laundry shoot.

In the episode "Kilokahn Is Coming to Town" is the second Christmas episode and shakes things up. It is the 38th episode and seems to use footage from the last episode of Gridman, 38th episode. Kilokahn is out to destroy Malcolm and tracked down the Team Samurai. He 'zaps' the team except for Sam and reveals Malcolm has been helping him so he goes to Malcolm and recruits him and even Jen comes down to his basement and she finds out the truth about Sam. Since there was only 38 Gridman episodes, they use limited footage and plotlines to not use footage like with "Hide and Servo." Also it looks like since Matthew Lawrence was 14 at the time, they limited his appearances as child labor laws.

 

In "Kilokahn Is Coming to Town," Kilokahn looks strange, like his clothes are too big for him. It could be possible this is his only American version. Could be they had the suit but had an American actor play him and the suit didn't fit well. Also, Sam gives Malcolm his digitzer. In Tokusatsu magazines it was revealed Malcolm's Japanese counterpart Takeshi Todo was going to become Gridman Sigma in a sequel series. It is hinted in this episode as Sam gives him his digitizer. Also worth mentioning is "Ashes to Ashes Disk to Disk," Jennifer is tired of being treated like a "sex object." Malcolm is also alludes to a sexual advance to her.

 "What a Rad Universe" is one of my favorites, where Sam enters another dimension where Yolanda or Yoli is one helping Kilokahn. Tanker is the Rainman, Syd is clueless as Kelly Bundy, Lucky is a sophisticate snub, Malcolm is as nice as Sam and Yoli and Jennifer is the brains. Ultimately Malcolm and Jennifer help Sam become Servo and fight a virus to return home. Funny part of the episode is Tanker says, "Oh right, like there is an alternative universe where we all Japanese." And yes, Tank, there is. What I do like about the show is that the Team Samurai got along so well. The Tattooed Teenagers did not. At least they had Malcolm to be grumpy and gloomy.

Does this show age well? No. Syd has a "Blossom" hat. They talk about topical stuff back then like New Kids on the Block. It also has timeless stuff like Anthrax, Bill Gates, etc. It has computers that are now 'old school' but deals with the digital world which can now be more fun with iPads, Smart Phones and the like. Both SSSS and TTAFBH had limited sets. TTAFBH had 5 sets: Drew's pool/backyard, Nimbar's command center, a high school hallway, coffee house and bad guy headquarters. SSSS had less with 4: Sam's basement, high school cafeteria, high school hallway, and Malcolm's bedroom but it wasn't as noticeable as TTAFBH.

Worth the watch: YES
Series Grade: B-, not gold but a fun series

Power Rangers Super Samurai 3-Disc Complete Set Blu-Ray

UPDATED 12/3/12 8PM EST

First of all, thank you to Saban Brands and Lionsgate for the complete season of Power Rangers Super Samurai Blu-Ray 3 disc set. Second of all, most likely fellow Power Force member Fury Diamond of Rangercrew Blog will be reviewing this and posting up the menus but I decided to give it a try as I usually review all the DVDs I ever get (on Spanengrish Ramblings). 

 The box shelve and case itself have the same graphics. As with all Lionsgate DVDs, the previews come up and you can't skip it with 'Menu.' You have to press 'forward' to skip the previews. The DVD menus are exactly the same. It would had been nice if Lauren appeared in the menu for the last disc but oh well. When you wait, a lightning bolt appears and it loads, changing red  to yellow. This set does not include Trickster Treat nor Stuck on Christmas.

Disc One: 1. Super Samurai 2. Shell Game 3 Trading Places 4 Something Fishy 5 The Rescue 6 The Bullzord

Disc Two: 7 He Ain't Heavy Metal, He's My Brother 8 Kevin's Choice 9 Runaway Spike 10 The Strange Case of the Munchies 11 A Sticky Situation 12 Trust Me 13 The Master Returns

Disc Three:  14 A Crack In The World 15 Stroke Of Fate 16 Fight Fire With Fire 17 The Great Duel  18 Evil Reborn 19 The Sealing Symbol 20 Samurai Forever

Extras? Not much, just stuff from Power Rangers YouTube like: Train like A Ranger shorts, Ranger Swarm from Licensing Expo 2011, and the Music Video from "He ain't Heavy Metal, he's my brother." I would have liked some interviews from Kimberely Crossman (Lauren) and the others.

 I can't post screen captures because I am guessing the rules are the same to Lionsgate as Shout! Factory, I am not sure. Anyway, the season itself I felt it was the same as the first but they did take more liberties this time. Bulk and Skull did actually get involved this time, but by the end, not enough. They get mixed in with the Samurai Rangers in "Runaway Spike," "A Strange Case of the Munchies" and "Stroke of Fate" where they make a giant gumball. I wish they did have some episodes of flashbacks and backstory on Bulk and Skull because lots of younger fans had no idea who they were. Kids have told me they don't like Bulk and Spike. 50 episodes, 1 movie, 1 teamup special and one sequel special have been reduced into 43 episodes and things don't seem so rushed like the Disney Seasons here in these 20 episodes. Check out my episode reviews.

Older fans have their problems with Power Rangers Samurai and Power Rangers Super Samurai being too much like its Japanese counterpart Samurai Sentai Shinkenger. In the defense of the creators, the show is targeted to children in the United States who have NEVER seen Super Sentai, part of the reason that Power Rangers EVEN exists. The reason I put those words in capital letters is because too many adult fans complain about this fact and they fail to realize this point. I mean, it would be nice if the writers were creative and made their own storylines and Power Rangers was unique to Super Sentai. But Elie Dekel of Saban Brands personally told me that he was surprised we fans knew about Sentai and knew things before they did.

Also Jonathan Tzachor probably decided to follow Shinkenger because Shinkenger was such a great series and wonderfully written. Given that lots of fans initially thought Disney dropped out of Power Rangers thinking that Shinkenger was quote "Unadaptable" because of its Japanese theme and background. But PRS and PRSS proves it can be done. I don't think most fans even imagine that the Samurai theme would be around for TWO years. Now fans can also argue that the writing and acting play into the 'blandness' of these two seasons but I honestly think it was a modest attempt. Kids really like it and understand it, keeping track of all the names and plots. Most kids I talk to are more into the action than the comedy. And Saban Brands keep talking about the "DNA of Power Rangers" but they forget two stables of the franchise: last names for the Power Rangers (we only got 4 out of 7) and the name of the city they live in. It looks like they live on an island. I will be covering more on the pros and cons of Power Rangers Samurai later this week.

Ninja Turtles Next Mutation Volume 1 DVD Review

Since RangerCrew has reviewed the Power Rangers DVD boxes and the VR Troopers Volume One DVD, I don't see a point for me to do it (Unless you guys request it). I decided to do a review on Saban's Ninja Turtles the Next Mutation, which aired from 1997-1998 and was filmed in Canada. With the new Ninja Turtles animated series and movies coming soon, it is interesting that Saban Brands chose to release this now. There were only 26 episodes. Rumor is that it did fine in ratings but Fox Kids chose to cancel it anyway. This volume has the first 13 episodes. Since Shout! Factory is not letting people post episode captures, I can't add more pictures.

The menu is straight forward (it is better than the Liongate DVDs of Power Rangers Super Samurai that take forever to go through the Previews---it doesn't let you skip to the menu in the first few minutes) with no previews at the beginning. What is interesting is that the menu plays a song other than the theme song and sounds a lot like the Big Bad Beetleborgs theme song. The Closed Captioning is actually much better than the ones on the MMPR DVD Box set and the VR Troopers Volume One, both from Shout! Factory. Brian Ward, who put together the Box Sets for Power Rangers for Shout! Factory says the closed captioning was given in by Saban.

Story: We all know the story: little pet turtles that got in mutagen ooze and became giant humanoid mutants trained in the ways of ninja by Splinter, the rat. The first episode doesn't really go over this, it expects you to sort of be familiar with it. They live in the train station from the second and third movies and Shredder is still around (but is not Super Shredder from the second movie). Everything is turned on its head when Splinter is taken into the dream world and is sick outside. The Dragon Lord and his group known as the Rank is trying to escape from a mirror. The keeper of the mirror has trained his adopted daughter, Mei Pei Chi, who is also a mutant turtle. Splinter must have not picked her up and she ended up in China Town and then grew up in China.

So after a 5-parter, it is established that the Dragon Lord escapes the mirror and sets up shop in a castle. Dragon Lord, himself, has horrible mouth movements, looks like a reject turtle and isn't that much of a villain. He is pretty much in the same realm of Master Vile and Dark Specter, where he is touted as a Big Bad but is more like a one-note villain. What his evil plot? He wants to eat the Turtles! Pretty disgusting. And we not only him but other villains through the other episodes like the ape-like yeti gangster Silver; Simon Bonesteel, a crazy game hunter; and Dr. Quease, an evil scientist that Dontello first admired but no longer the case. There is also Vam-Mi, but she doesn't appear until Episode 14 so hence not in this set. Also interesting is "Mutant Reflections" aired after the "Unchain My Heart" four-parter but is in this set. "Turtles Night Out" aired before "Meet Dr. Quease" but is placed four episodes after it on the second DVD.  "Truce or Consequences" which aired before the "Unchain My Heart" saga is not in this set. "All in the Family" aired before but is put after "Meet Dr. Quease." These are probably the Production Order. Which is funny because MMPR is put in the Airing Order instead of Production Order.

Venus De Milo is a female turtle who only appears in this series. One of the TMNT creators hated her because Fox Kids had Saban add her and she was not related to the Turtles so had the idea that they could make more turtles and the turtles basically were one of their kind. Venus is a Shinobi, meaning a Ninja that has magic. She can astral project, bring out energy from her hands, mediate and other tricks. She is very reserved and is a mediator, which is contrast to the rambunctious turtles. She doesn't like to be called 'babe' and so forth. I actually like her, even though the whole fish out of water mispronouncing slang terms a bit tiring, it definitely creates a big conflict and interesting plot point of the female/male dynamic.

 I was a Ninja Turtles fan before Power Rangers so I have to say that this series is fun and Ninja Turtle fans should pick it up! Should Power Rangers fans pick it up? Well, it is not exactly like the other Tokusatsu series that it has a Monster of the Day or has something be destroyed at the end of each episode. It is still fun, quotable and even though the puppetry is laughable and not top notch, the writing and voice acting is pretty good.