Lavender Ranger's thoughts on Hasbro movie announcement

UPDATED 6/22/20

[Art by Freelance illustrator/concept artist Carlos Dattoli]

It has recently been announced that Jonathan Entwistle has been hired to direct the new Hasbro/Paramount Pictures Power Rangers. Jonathan Entwistle is best known for UK show The End of the F***ing World. Patrick Burleigh (Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway) is the writer. They promise that the movie will go back to the 90's roots. It is said that the Power Rangers will return back to the 90's. Time travel is a major component of the script. I am not sure about returning back to the 90's. I am okay with the time travel element though. Now, the movie is still in early stages so it is possible this can be changed. I have not seen Peter Rabbit 2 but I have seen The End of the F***king World. It seems strange that they want a more kid-friendly movie but with a director of a young adult show with edge. I would've gotten the director of a Superhero movie (DC, Marvel, etc.) or someone more familiar with family fare but has done edgy movies like the director of The House With the Clock on Its Walls (Eli Roth) or even the director of Galaxy Quest (Dani Parisot).

I have written my ideas for a soft reboot here. But I think Mighty Morphin should be left alone, since they already did a movie in 2017 and now rebooting so quickly into 2021. Reboots are nothing new to Hollywood and recently the trend is to have new reboots really close to each other like Batman. Also I am curious if the teens will become Rangers before the time travel or after the time travel. I hope the characters have more characterization and they have a different take on Rita.

Related: https://collider.com/new-power-rangers-movie-the-end-of-the-fucking-world/ | https://henshingrid.blogspot.com/2018/05/dear-hasbro-soft-reboot-idea-for-sequel.html

Dear Hasbro: Soft reboot idea for sequel

A soft reboot is that they don't completely disregard the events of a last movie but take a new view of it with style, casting, tone and other things. Since Hasbro was revealed to take over Power Rangers from Saban, fans have wanted Hasbro to continue the film series. Some people want a sequel and some people want a reboot. I would just like a sequel, but for it to a big success, it would have to handle some problems from the first one. Hasbro property G.I.Joe had a soft reboot with the sequel concentrating more on a smaller cast, less weapons and working on problems from the first. 

Tone

I think the tone was fine, some people think it was too dour. What some people who aren't diehard fans now but were fans as kids want it to be campier or more 'fun.' I would like more humor but a smart humor, a humor more like Marvel cinema series than campy movies like Batman and Robin or something all over the place like Green Lantern. Also, I say keep the cast, don't recast. But build on their personalities and backstories like Zack and Trini.

In Suit Battles

The biggest complaint of the movie was there wasn't enough time of the rangers in the suits. I agree. Now that the Rangers can morph, they can mix it up, have battle scenes evenly spread throughout the movie. The biggest element of Power Rangers is the mix of teenagers' lives and their ranger duties. 

Less Technical, more Opaque Zords

Now that Hasbro is in charge maybe the zords can look less like Transformers and different, maybe more opaque and less technical. X-Men 2 did different styles changing the interior of the X-Wing and the hairstyles of the girls. Batman Forever completely changed the Batman suit, Batmobile, Gotham city's designs but kept the event of the last one. They can change the zords' look and ranger suits. I never really liked the ranger suits, maybe less silver and more of their regular color and less complexity. 

Green Ranger

Green Ranger is the biggest  draw to a sequel, with Tommy and the Dragonzord. I personally think the Dragon zord has to be huge, has to be the biggest draw. I think the producers and designers have to look at Pacific Rim and Gundam and Halo for big bulky mech. I would have Dragonzord to be bulky and large. Also Tommy would have to conflict and be convert with all the Rangers. Have a personal stake in the character. Have the Rangers get to know Tommy first and then have evil Tommy affect them personally. Tommy had the unique ability to affect the Rangers in their personal lives and Ranger life. 

Soft Reboot examples

Batman Forever - kept last movie history, changed suit, vehicles and sets. Also recast lead. 

G.I. Joe Retaliation - dumped last cast, reduced characters, changed tone.

Superman Lives - recast, style same, continued from first two movies, ignored others.

So a Power Rangers sequel/soft reboot should change some styles for zords and suits, focus more on suit battles, incorporate Tommy into both personal and Ranger battles, soften tone, and keep cast. 

Power Rangers Multiverse and Labeling the Universes

WARNING: Before this starts, heed my warning that I know Power Rangers have different writers and how difficult it is to adapt a series from another country. Super Sentai always starts fresh every year with their stories and resets things. Aliens could be part of it, and sometimes not. That's the fun. Japanese understand this. But American fans love everything to be in the same universe and stay together. But unfortunately Power Rangers has switched so many hands in charge, it's hard to keep track. It is not easy making a TV show, even if they follow a Series Bible or not. A stray comment can get fans upset (Alpha 5 planet in SPD) and so forth. So I understand that writers do their own thing and I expect whoever reading this understands that too. 

It all started with the first Power Rangers movie, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie (1995). Power Rangers has its canon continuity but then veered off with the movie that offered an alternative view. Same teens, different looking everything (Command Center, Zordon, Zedd, etc.) and different way of receiving the Ninja Zords than the series. So fans considered that non-canon. Then after MMPR, the seasons changed names and casts started changed. In Space closed off one chapter by Zordon dying and various villains being destroyed. Lost Galaxy started a wrench in that it was 'distant future.' That Earth created a huge space station in short time since sending two dumb astronauts to open Rita's dumpster in the first season. Fans suspected it could have been set three or four years later but then Lightspeed Rescue being set in 2000 and Lost Galaxy Rangers showing up placed Lost Galaxy in 1999.

While Disney seasons were vague if they were in continuity or completely tied in, RPM threw a monkey wrench by having complete apocalypse and no mention of past Rangers. Many fans theorized it took place in another universe (or dimension, which is not the correct word). Samurai plainly place it in another world but unfortunately was confusing about it (the monster said, "So this is Earth.") Samurai and Megaforce seemed to be in the same main continuation of MMPR to Jungle Fury with inclusion of those teams. Dino Charge seem to be in its own continuation as it began at the time of the dinosaurs and went in against what Dino Thunder set up in 2004. But I didn't expect it to follow that. Anyway, the finale changed time and the DC team ended up with Dinosaurs living with them. Then Sledge ended up in the Ninja Steel universe, setting both series in two different continuation. Then there is the Boom Comics MMPR that establishes different universes. Now Shattered Grid comic event seems to tie all these teams together, including Hyperforce, the RPG that is set in the main continuation. Also Beast Morphers might also take in another continuation with another virus and the future premise. 

"DC (Comics) does a really good job of monitoring the universe for the movies," Yoshi Sudarso (Koda of Power Rangers Dino Charge) says. "You know, the cinematic universe, and there's the cartoon universe, and there's Earth 1, Earth 2, Earth 3, Even the Batman Beyond universe. I think if Power Rangers started labeling things better like that, that'd be kind of nice too. Cause a lot of the times, as a fan, you get lost. I'm sure you feel the same way too, you're like, 'Wait, did that happen in this universe? Or did this not happen?' You know."

Here is my feeble attempt at labeling the continuations/universes:

Main Continuity

Starting with Mighty Morphin Power Ranger through the whole Saban era to Wild Force, through the whole Disney era up to Jungle Fury and then Samurai to Super Megaforce. Seemingly, I think Ninja Steel seems to fit in the same continuation. Hyper Force is also set in this continuation. SPD is set in 2025 but when we reach 2025, let's see what the writers come up with.
1. Mighty Morphin-In Space (Including Turbo movie)
2. Lost Galaxy
3. Lightspeed
4. Time Force
5. Wild Force
6. Ninja Storm
7. Dino Thunder
8. SPD (2025)
9. Mystic Force
10. PROO
11. Jungle Fury
12. Samurai/Super Samurai
13. Megaforce/Super Megaforce
14. Ninja Steel/Super Ninja Steel

Movie Continuities

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers The Movie is in its own canon and might not ever be visited again, unless in the comics. Also the 2017 Power Rangers movie is also in its own continuation. 

RPM Continuity

Everything seemed to be Ranger less at first. Dr. K made the Venjix virus and it caused global apocalypse and the Power Rangers RPM were created. They later jumped dimensions to fight Samurai. Super Megaforce came to visit Cronith but it looked different.

Dino Charge continuity

Sledge the bounty hunter and Keeper killed the dinosaurs and then the Dino Charge Rangers couldn't save the Earth from being sucked into a blackhole. The Rangers go back in time and send Sledge into the sun but somehow the future baddies went into the black hole and ended up in Ninja Steel's universe. The Dino Charge Rangers then ended up co-living with dinosaurs.
1. Dino Charge
2. Dino Supercharge

Boom Comics Continuity

Lord Drakkon didn't exist in our main continuity, he came from another dimension. If the Boom Comics continuation is the same or their own timeline is up to debate. 

Source:

http://www.denofgeek.com/us/tv/power-rangers/271191/the-problems-with-power-rangers-continuity

Why wasn't Power Rangers (2017) a Box Office Smash?

I have been wanting to write this for a while. I've had the whole summer to write this but as you can see, I've been busy with my comic. I've been debating to even do this article. I mean it is like putting salt on the wound. The majority of diehard Power Ranger fans loved the movie. I did too. But we can't gloss over that the movie was not a Box Office success in the United States nor internationally. It tanked in China (3.3 Million) and Japan. It had a $100 Million budget and made $84 Million in the United States and came in #2 the first week and then went down from there. They made a profit but it wasn't enough to call a sequel. The DVD and digital sales were marginal, making number one two weeks in a row but that was it. Fans were hoping the DVD sales would bring us a sequel. So far it is up in the air and not sure. 

Lots of people have told me it needed more action. I can't say it was just one thing. Listening to Dean Israelite's director commentary, from the beginning he didn't want the typical Superhero movie. The movie opens with a intimate view of a flashback to Zordon and Rita as Rangers. He said in a typical movie, it would be a vast view, an epic scope and more elaborate.  They were going for an intimate movie. I totally got that and loved that. But I knew the movie was only going to be a hit with fans. Dean Israelite kept saying 'superhero.' One thing is that the majority of mainstream audience has not considered Power Rangers as superheroes. It's a hard pill to take as fans I know. My nephew's girlfriend told me she dressed as Pink Ranger for work for superhero day and they told her she wasn't a superhero. Now why? Because I think the mainstream expect superheroes to be from the comic books. And Power Rangers are well known to come from originally at least partially from Japan. 

 A lot of movie hinged on Nostaglic-factor. Those non-current fans that remember it from being a kid. Dean said he wanted to capture the feeling he felt watching it as a kid. I think those fairweather nostalgic fans were expecting an epic superhero movie. Going back to what I said about the opening sequence, I expected more. The reason Dean focused on Rita and Zordon being Rangers, I think fans would had needed more details. We didn't get much details in the original show. And having them as Rangers was great but it wasn't clear if Rita was a witch or just dabbled or where her powers came from. Also her motives, which were alluded to but never said outright why she betrayed her team. I get what the movie was going for with the Rangers transforming in the end but having an epic opener would have smooth out the transition that just made the movie not feel like the 30-minute climactic ending was tacked on.

Now Thor did have a limited scope in the first movie and a smaller budget and the budget and scope grew bigger with each movie. But the first Thor did still have epic scenes and action. (Some people have called Rita a female Loki) Don't get me wrong, I loved the movie and liked the intimate feel and getting to know the characters. I am just trying to figure out why it didn't do well with mainstream audiences. I think it was too advanced for its time. I hope it finds an audience in the future but most likely it will just remain a  cult favorite. I desperately do want a sequel, I think the director, the actors and crew definitely need a sequel. Superhero sci-fi movie sequels that did better than the first were X-Men, Terminator, The Dark Knight, etc. Now what could a sequel do to get more of an audience? Be a huge epic, not be too esoteric like Pacific Rim with its dreams and brain stuff and milk the hell out of Tommy Oliver. 

Sources: http://www.slashfilm.com/was-power-rangers-2-just-killed-by-poor-international-box-office/

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 (2017) Movie Review - Lavender Ranger's Thoughts

There is a bunch of reviews out there right now, I would understand if not a lot of people would read mine. After watching the movie, I read the IGN review which I agree with only a little bit. I was planning to see the movie Thursday but I was sick. In fact I was invited to the opening premiere in LA but I live in Miami and had to work Wednesday and given that I got sick, I'm glad I didn't shell the money for the airplane tickets and hotel. By luck would have it, I missed the beginning of the movie. It was for 11am, I got to the theater with my niece and her kids at 10:45, went for popcorn and the movie had already started as we got in at 11. Someone on Twitter told me I should have complained but I didn't think about it. Now I have an excuse to see it again. I normally don't see movies twice in the theater, only one I ever did was Roger Rabbit but I was a kid.

Spoilers ahead:

I thought of doing a spoiler-free review but a spoiler-free review would basically be this: five teenagers find a ship underneath a cave and are chosen to fight the evil Rita, her putty army and giant Goldar. That's it. Because even though director Dean Isrealite said the Rangers Jason, Billy, Kimberly, Trini and Zack would be the same basic characters we knew from the show, he was slightly right. There was not much to Trini in the original show save for her understanding Billy's tech talk, being Chinese, and knowing martial arts. None of the Rangers know martial arts and I'm not complaining. I kind of like the new backstories. Wish there was more detail to Zack and Trini. This is what the IGN review said. The young cast has chemistry. Bill Hader does a good job as Alpha, not annoying by any means. Bryan Cranston's concern and mentor advise pulls through and does a great scene with Dacre Montgomery (Jason). 

The Rangers are now REALLY teenagers with attitude. In the original MMPR, they were goody-goodies and squeaky clean. Billy is now autistic which makes sense and he is the most charming of the Rangers. I do like the friendship between Jason and Billy, it seems authentic. Jason is a football player who gets in a car accident and is put under house arrest (is never found out by police that Billy disarms the brace). Kimberly is a cheerleader who does a 'mean' thing to a girl via cyberbullying. Zack is a loner taking care of his sick mom in a trailer park. Trini is questioning her sexuality and as a gay man, I find refreshing and everyone is making a big to-do but in reality it is just in one scene and wish they elaborated it on more. Maybe have a couple of scenes with a potential girlfriend or a crush even. I mean, she doesn't have to be in a  relationship to be gay but in movies, you have to be visual. But the fact that they tried is great. I seriously never expected a gay Power Ranger, probably not one on  the show because it airs on a  children's network (even though Loud House has gay parents in it). There is a campfire scene where the team open us and it almost makes me tear up as I am gay and also had to take care of an ill mother. 

I enjoyed the movie, it had great writing, good acting, immersive action scenes and funny scenes. IGN still called it campy and some reviews said the movie might not appeal to non fans. The movie is what I expected, it would appeal to fans but probably wouldn't be a general audience hit. It so far is exceeding expectations. A disclaimer for parents who take kids under 13 to a PG-13 movie, my 7 year-old grandnephew was creeped out by the soul-sucking Rita and a doomsday prediction scene. I liked Elizabeth Bank's portrayal, she hammed it up and was creepy, but wish she was a bit more menacing and a scene where she was more disarmed. In this version as fans deduced, Zordon was the Red Ranger and Rita was the Green Ranger. She has the dragon coin. There is a mid-credits scene and it hints at Tommy Oliver but we don't see him, hinting to a sequel. Lionsgate originally said they planned 7 movies, Haim Saban says now 6. If the movie does well which I am now thinking of it might. Like Rita says in the movie: "There will be more." In the zord scene that they start playing the 1995 movie theme, I was so pumped up.

Kind of glad they didn't update it what with so many updates with Samurai and Megaforce and whatnot. My niece is a non-fan and she liked it. My 3 year old grandniece liked it and stayed in her seat throughout save for a bathroom break. I think general audiences new to the franchise that are younger than 30 might like it but adults that didn't like it when it first came out might still be jaded. Like I said before Power Rangers is a hard nugget to crack. It's a hard mix of drama, comedy, camp and action to balance. Past seasons have proven this (Operation Overdrive, Samurai, etc.) I think this movie balances it nicely but IGN doesn't think so. The camp does get a bit too campy but not as much tongue and cheek like Batman and Robin thankfully. Krispy Kreme does have a heavy promotion in  this movie which a scene of Rita enjoying a donut makes up for.

Upcoming and Current toys and Exclusives

2 Pack Good Vs Evil Sets in 5 inches

Green Ranger with Sword of Darkness vs Red Ranger (from Super Megaforce toys)

Robo Knight vs Loogie (5 inch version as original was 4 inch)

Silver vs Vekar

Samurai (PRSM toy) vs Ninja (?)

Gold vs Fury

Red vs Poisandra

Toys R US Exclusive Movie Legacy figures

Picture from @itswallysworld on Instagram

Target Exclusives

Power Ranger Team with metallic figures and Goldar.

SFX Masks

Red available in all other stores, these only at Target

Power Swords, Red available at other stores.

Auto-Morphin Figures coming soon, presumably available in other stores.

Power Rangers movie morpher, Trex and Sword toys revealed

Movie morpher

When I first saw the morphers on the suits, I couldn't figure how they would make the toy. looking at this, it looks so unappealing. I understand on a story standpoint how the suits and morpher are supposed to look organic and foreign but for a toy, it looks like strange space rocks.

Tyrannosaurus zords

The zord looks like the movie zord will be awesome but the toy itself looks like the regular zords, cheaper and lost in translation. I really would've liked to see a complex toy like the Hasbro Transformers or like the Legacy zords. I hope he gets the Legacy treatment.

Power Sword

this actually  looks more impressive than the actual movie sword but I wish it was more complex like the Samurai Mega Blade that just a hand blade.

Late April Power Rangers Movie On Set Photos

More shooting images of Rita with her wand and the cast. The Rangers in civilian clothes are thrown back and fight.

 

 

http://www.justjared.com/2016/04/27/elizabeth-banks-does-power-rangers-stunt-work-as-rita-repulsa/

 

Rita has a second or (first) outfit which reminds me of Jen from the Time Force/Wild Force teamup mixed with Trakeena.

http://yvrshoots.com/2016/04/shoot-power-rangers-movie-films-rita-repulsa-elizabeth-banks-and-the-rangers-in-steveston-as-angel-grove.html#.VyKHIWf2bIW

This appears to be Rita kissing Kimberly (Naomi Scott) but I doubt it, it could be her whispering something to her and even if she is kissing her, it could be a dream sequence.



 

Here is fan Tom with Naomi Scott and Becky G.

The Cast with fans