Power Rangers Ultimate Visual History Review

I know this is a few weeks late but I was busy with work and Rangerstop, here is my review. Written by Jody Revenson and Ramin Zahed, for Insight Editions which have done "Ultimate Visual Historys" for Ninja Turtles and Back to the Future and Revenson has done Harry Potter volumes. It has a touching foreword by Amy Jo Johnson. It is a behind the scenes book from the inception of Power Rangers (Saban in a hotel room) to the series humble beginnings to the juggernaut it became to getting a bit more mature (In Space to Time Force) to being acquired by Disney (Ninja Storm to RPM) to Saban Brands (Samurai to Super Ninja Steel) to now (Beast Morphers). Even a diehard fan such as myself didn't know Saban sang all Sentai songs from Goranger to Jetman, Alpha 5 being based on 50's robot toys and named after an obscure French film Alpha 60 and the literal taping of random hardware to become a new invention for Billy.

The book is thorough in explaining the plot of each season, the characters, villains, zords and the producers and writers. It shows stunning visuals, some we already know and some never before seen such as concept drawings for various things from command center, juice bar, Ninjetti table, Wild Force Animarium and Samurai wardrobe. It is inconsistent in its content of pictures, say, compared to the Super Sentai encyclopedia books as the content is not consistent (for example, Megaforce villains get a two pages but Super Megaforce villains do not). I am not being nitpicky but it gets a little glaring for someone that has ADHD or OCD which I believe (going to conventions) which is probably half of the fandom. (not a criticism but an observation)

The book is guilty of indulging a lot in the earlier seasons and movies than the later seasons but probably for the reader, who probably is guessed to be over twenty years old and probably not as intrigued to have 14 pages on Megaforce. The 2017 movie gets 14 pages. Each Saban Brands season gets 12 pages except Dino Charge gets 10. Disney seasons gets 8 pages except SPD and Operation Overdrive that get 6 each. Each Saban Entertainment season gets from 6 pages to 10. Migthy Motphin, because its 3 seasons and the movie, it gets 58. Zeo and Turbo series gets 6 pages each, Turbo movie, Lost Galaxy, and Wild Force gets 10, Space gets 12 and Lightspeed and Time Force gets 8. It probably had to do with what they had to explain and the amounts of photos. 

I found intriguing reasoning of the writers such as a lower episode count in Mystic Force made producers and writers happy they could use less of the sentai footage and focus on their own. With MMPR season 1, they had to use ALL the footage. Then in other seasons that had so little budget they had no choice but to use mostly footage. Supposedly the less original footage they had to make the more high quality they could had done with it. But unfortunately with Megaforce, it looks like who is in charge is what dictates what 'high quality' is. In the case of RPM, the book claims Disney says it was just the scheduling why they fired Eddie Guzelian but Ari Boyland at Rangerstop 2016 claims it was because Guzelian didn't use all the monster suits they were ordered.

The book doesn't make the usual mistakes other Saban Brands publications do with misnaming things and only trusting fan information. They do quote and site a lot of fan websites (even mine) but mostly with interviews with actors. They used two of my interviews, one with Davi Santos and another with Ryan Carter. Unfortunately I did see one mistake. They have little pamphlets inside and one covered toys and one claimed you had to scan Power Cards" that came with the Ranger Keys which is incorrect. The cards came in the first season of Power Rangers Megaforce and the keys in Super Megaforce. All in all, a great book but if you can't cough up $50, its understandable. With most books it can just collect dust. But for me, this is a book I'll be revisiting. 

Power Rangers Legacy Wars Game Review (June 2017)

Power Rangers Legacy Wars app game was released March 23, 2017, along with the movie and was number one download for a while. I have been playing the game since then and it never occurred to me to review this game. They have constantly updated this game and it is now at version 1.3.5 as released June 21st. 

There are Rangers and Villains from the show and movie, each character gets two types. You have to pick three, one is the Leader and two are assists. The Leader gets different attacks and the assists only one attack. There are three types: balanced (yellow), attack (red) and defense (blue). But the assists, if they are labeled as one type, maybe the attack isn't of that type. They can be defense, but have a balanced attack. You have to fill in the spots where your leader is weakest. It is like Paper-Rock-Scissors, Defense beats Balance, Balance beats Attack and Attack beats Defense.

There is also different levels to the characters. There is common warriors, then Rare, Epic and Legendary. Some that are on level one is like a higher level of a common. I forget the numbers. Stages are leagues. The thunder bolt on the top left corner and it goes up by points, you change leagues by how many points. Depending on the points you get a Morph Box and they unlock shards to get a warrior or a warrior themselves. You can buy power coins, zeo crystals and shards but I don't ever pay money. I hear even if you buy a Morph Box, chances are nill to get the Ranger they promise. Also, you can join an alliance, with 1,000 power coins you can make your own alliance. You get more shards and level up if you donate shards to others. 

The Pit

League #0, you can get common warriors like:

Leader - Movie Red

Assists - Movie Black, Movie Yellow, MMPR Red, MMPR Pink and Wild Force Black

For me, the Movie Rangers aren't that great, they have no weapons and they often lose. Movie Red has been good for me, but you have to get him to a higher level to get good. He is better at close combat but not far away. MMPR Red as an assist shoots from his Blade Blaster which is strong but easily dodged. 

Angel Grove (Movie)

League #1, you can get warriors like:

Leader - Movie Black, Movie Pink, Movie Blue (Epic), Zeo Pink, MMPR Blue, Wild force Black (rare)

Assist: Movie Pink, Super Megaforce Yellow (rare), MMPR Yellow, Movie Rita (Epic)

For me, Zeo Pink and Wild Force Black work great. Black's attacks only work if you are closeby. The weakness of Zeo Pink as a leader is that people can avoid her red ball attack. Movie Rita is great as an assist with her soul steal but I didn't get her until well into league 7.

Zedd's Throne Room

League #2, you can get warriors like:

Leader: Movie Yellow, Dino Charge Blue (Epic), Goldar (epic), Lord Zedd (added-rare)

Assist: MMPR Black, Samurai Red Lauren (rare), Xandred, Dino Charge Blue (rare)

Lord Zedd as a leader is great, he is better at close attacks but he can't stay close for too long. He does one far attack. Dino Charge Blue works good for others but for me not so well. Xandred is great as an assist, he blows people away as a defense. You have to get more orbs of Eltar to make his attack stronger. 

Dino Lab

League #3, you can get:

Leader - MMPR Pink (epic), Snide (Epic), Dino Charge Purple, Super Megaforce Yellow (Legendary), Trakeena (added-Rare)

Assist - Movie Red, MMPR Blue, Trakeena (added-Epic), Goldar (rare)

Dino Charge Purple and Super Megaforce Yellow are great as leader, super strong. Trakeena not so much as both Leader and Assist because her attacks take too long. Goldar as assist is great but he can easily be blocked if you are too far from your opponent. 

Shiba Grove

League Four, you can get:

Leader: MMPR Red, Red Samurai Lauren, Rita (Legendary), Xandred (rare)

Assist: Movie Blue (epic), Psycho Red (Legendary), Dino Charge Purple (rare), Zeo Pink

MMPR Red is great if you remain close to your opponent. I haven't gotten Rita yet but she beats me every time. Zeo Pink as an assist is great because no matter where you are, she will hit. I haven't got Psycho Red as assist yet, but he seems strong.

 Rooftops

League Five, you can get:

Leader: MMPR Black (rare), MMPR Yellow, Psycho Red (Legendary), Space Silver (added-epic) 

Assist: Snide, Robo Knight (Epic), Space Silver (rare)

I don't have Psycho Red as a leader yet but he beats me bad. MMPR Yellow is good as a leader, she's quick but her attack is like a laser and can be countered quickly but packs a punch. Silver is good as a leader and assist, with lethal attacks. As an assist, he blasts from far away but goes close up.

Harwood County

New stage added after the release of the game, along with Robo Knight and Lord Zedd. Trakeena was later added. 

League 6, you can get:

Leader: MMPR Green (rare) and Robo Knight (Epic)

Assist: MMPR Green (rare) and Lord Zedd (epic)

MMPR Green as a leader is great because he has an earthquake attack that is a balanced attack. MMPR Green as an assist will jump anywhere and attack the opponent, no matter where you are. 

Island Fortress

New stage added later, along with Mesogog and White Dino Thunder Ranger.

League 7, you can get:

Leader: Mesogog (epic), White Dino Thunder (Legendary)

Assist: Mesogog (Legendary), White Dino Thunder (epic) and Rito (rare)

White Dino Thunder does an attack attack as an assist but has to be close to the opponent. Rito does an defense attack which is great. I don't have Mesogog nor White as Leaders but they beat me everytime. 

Angel Grove Juice Bar

New stage added last month, along with MMPR White, Space Silver as leader and Rito Revolto. 2017 Alpha 5 was later added.

 Leader: White MMPR (epic)

Assist: White MMPR (epic)

White MMPR as an assist is a defender which is great. 

Review:

I like the game. It is addictive. People have complained. They would had rather had this game on console without the Attack-Defense-Balance gimmick with cards. And others don't like you have to pay for stuff. I haven't paid for anything. The thing I hate is that lately I have been losing so I have been pushed back by two leagues. I wished if you were in on league you stay in that league. There is also challenges they give you every so often to get Morph Boxes, some are to get new characters (like Zhane or Rito), some you need an Attacker, Defense or Balanced leader and others have themes (like villains, Movie characters or MMPR characters). I hope this goes on so they can add other Rangers from other seasons. 

IF you have Loot Crate, you can get this 2nd version of Green Ranger has been revealed, based on cosplayer's design. 

Related: http://henshingrid.blogspot.com/2015/01/new-app-game-power-rangers-unite.html | http://henshingrid.blogspot.com/2013/11/power-rangers-megaforce-nintendo-3ds.html | http://henshingrid.blogspot.com/2013/02/power-rangers-megaforce-never-surrender.html

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Volume One Boom Comics Collection

UPDATED 8/16/16

(Some Spoilers)

  Saban Brands have been sending Power Force the Boom Comics comic issues and now sent us an advance copy of volume one. Boom Comics let us review it and there is no embargo like the comic issuess. This Boom Comics collection includes an introduction by Chip Lynn, Issue #0 - Issue #4, the Ongoing Adventures of Bulk and Skull and a Covers Gallery that includes all the covers of Issues #0 to Issues #4 by Goni Montes, David Ryan Robinson, Rebekah Isaacs with Stephen Downer, Kevin Wada, Paul Pope, Dustin Ngyugen, Vanesa R. Del Rey, Joe Quinones, David Rubin, Sanford Greene and Frazer Irving. This does not include the SDCC covers with Armored Black Ranger.

Chip Lynn about his involvement with Power Rangers and his thoughts on the comics, Here is an excerpt above. He mentions Ninja Steel. 

Summary:

(Mild Spoilers)

In the first five issues, Tommy has just been taken out of the spell from Rita but still has her spirit following him around. He doesn't tell the others and she feeds on his insecurities. He looses control o the Dragonzord and the city freaks out. Scorpina is given a fake Dragon Dagger that lets her hijack the Dragonzord. The series is set in modern times with cell phones, blogs, vlogs, podcasts but the characters remain the same: friendly jock Jason, instigator and realist Zack, intelligent but insecure Billy, caring and insightful Trini and 'it' girl Kimberly. Also, the teachers are actually competent and Bulk and Skull are little sweet--still annoying but sweeter. 

Review:

While focusing a lot on Tommy which some fans do not like, it covers an interesting transition between Green With Evil and Tommy joining the team where the original series did not go into depth. The characters are used smartly, especially Trini and Zack. Zack was a bit of a Devil's Advocate in "Green Candle" and this is later explored in issue #5. While some fans didn't like the modern-ness of it all with social media but this is about teenagers and teenagers are always keeping with the times so this has to be in modern times. I really wish the movie producers take note of this. It is going down an interesting direction. Rita is on top of it and she does not utter much about headaches or about the incompetence of her minions. I feel Scorpina and Goldar are used wisely. Also, we actually see Billy and Trini fixing the zords. My only critique is that Kimberly hasn't been explored a lot, maybe because she is in the spin-off Pink comics. Also that in the Bulk and Skull snippets, I like that Aisha is in there but for some reason, there are regular Putties, not Z-Putties, but it is a disguise but oh well. 

Where you pre-order your own copy: 

Fans can find their nearest comic book store by using http://findacomicshop.com or http://comicshoplocator.com. - Wherever books are sold, including Amazon ( http://bit.ly/boommmprv1-1) and Barnes and Noble ( http://bit.ly/boommmprv1-2)

It will be released September 20th, 2016!!!

Toy Review: Loyal Subjects Vinyl Figure - Mighty Morphin Pink Ranger

Loyal Subjects have released vinyl figures that usually go for retail price 11 to 15 dollars. They are blind packs, so you don't kow what you will get. The ones available are Billy/Blue, Red/Jason, Yellow/Trini, Pink/Kimberly, Black/Zack, White/Tommy, Green/Tommy, Translucent Red, Rita, Zedd and Goldar. Saban Brands gave me one and it's Kimberly.

 

 

First of all, it's hard to open without ripping the carboard on the top. When you take it out, it is in a silver reflective bag with the MMPR logo in front and  Power Morpher with black spot in back.

The figure comes with Blade Blaster, Power Bow, Pony Tail and two halves of helmet and Trading Card. Trading card has the figure on one side and the Red Ranger from the box cover in other. Pink Ranger has diamonds on the back which is not accurate, it should be two triangles meeting. Everything else is accurate. She has joints and can move around her legs and arms and head. Yes she can stand up but there is not much stand movement. The ponytail is hard to attach.

 

Review:

I love this Pink Ranger! When I first saw these figures, I thought they were smaller and didn't move a lot. I am impressed by the articulation and semi-action of detail, I must say. I would have said attention to detail but the back diamond writhes me because it is a common mistake that in 20 years, you'd think it wouldn't be overlooked. This is suggested age of 15 years old, I also suggest this is not for kids. They are great for collectors. They are a little pricey for me but I understand the price. Also since they are blind packs, I am not risking it in instead of paying $120-150, I will probably be paying $200 or more.



Toy Review: MM Power Rangers ImagiNext Blue Ranger & Triceratops Zord/Green & Pink Rangers

ImagiNext is a toy line from Fisher Price company which usually carters to children under the age of 8. ImagiNext are action toys mostly for boys ages 3 to 8. I received these two products (Blue Ranger & Triceratops Zord and Green Ranger & Pink Ranger set) from Saban Brands because I am part of Power Force.

 

Blue Ranger & Triceratops Zord

When I first heard of this, I was excited for my grandnephew (age 5) and grandniece (age 2) because they are around the age range. Some fans would prefer Dino Charge and not Mighty Morphin, but I think that if this is popular, then there will be more. Obviously this is to capture former fans, now adults to buy this for their kids.

It comes with four missiles, the zord and Blue Ranger figure. There is an empty slot in the package, which has no weapon in it. I thought something was missing.

 

The back missile launcher folds back and stands up. The two launchers rotate back and forth in about 340 or 330 degrees, it doesn't go all the way 360 because it hits the blue part. When the figure is placed in the red center, it pushes down and the zord necks pushes the head out. There is four blue wheels under the fake wheels.

This is the back of the box, it has beautiful artwork of the four zords (no Pterdactyl), Megazord, Goldar & Rita and the six Rangers with Power Cannon. Underneath shows Megazord, Tyrannosaurus, Sabertooth Tiger, Mastodon, Goldar, Green & Pink Set and Putty Set.

Second product is Pink Ranger & Green Ranger, Pink Ranger comes with Power Bow and Green Ranger with his Dragon Dagger. Green Ranger has no shield and silver stripes on his helmet.

 

This is the back of the box, it has beautiful artwork of the four zords (no Pterdactyl), Megazord, Goldar & Rita and the six Rangers with Power Cannon. Underneath shows Megazord, Mastodon, Goldar, Red & Yellow Set and Putty Set.

 

 



It is hard to put the Power Bow in Pink Ranger's hand. It has slots for the Power Lance, Power Daggers, Power Sword and Power Axe to form the Power Cannon. Proportion-wise I think the Dragon Dagger is too long, I tried fitting it in the Power Bow and it is hard to do so but it fits.

 

The backs are accurate with diamonds. Pink Ranger has no white in helmet. Green Ranger has silver stripe. The bottom feet have holes to fit the groves in the zords and other playsets.

Review:

My grandnephew of course loved the Triceratops Zord. He played with it for hours. His only complaint was that the Blue Ranger didn't have his Power Lance. He rather have the Ranger figures sit in the zords than stand. I like the details like the Triceratops and Ranger symbols on the console like on the show. The zord and Blue Ranger are accurate. Pink & Green aren't. Overall these are great for little kids who are the target audience. If you are a collector, you might find them cute.

 



Power Force Halloween Package

I misread an e-mail about the Facebook/Party City Halloween Chat with the "Red Ranger" and didn't read I would get a package soon. Anyway, ZeronXepher took a pic of it and I recieved today but FedEx brought it all damaged. It was stepped on and bent and slightly open. Only two items came slightly bent. I already told my Power Force rep and she said she'd take care of it.

 The package comes with:

- Mighty Morphin Morphsuit (color vary)

- Super Megaforce Halloween Bag

- Megaforce Chibi Coin Purse (color vary)

- 6 candies

- Samurai Paddle (color vary--I got a red one)

- Samurai Party Bag

- 3 Megaforce Party Discs (color vary--I got Blue, Black and 3 boys)

- Mini Megaforce Rubix

- Megaforce Tattoo Sheet

- Megaforce Kids Bag

I previously recieved the Blue one two years ago thanks to Saban Brands, now I got two! Too bad I don't fit in. 

Super Megaforce Halloween Bag, yes I know Green and Yellow are missing. My niece bought this for my grandnephew Jaiden and then my nephew's girlfriend got it too, not knowing we already had one. Now I got this one. This came wrinkled and bent thanks to FedEx. 

I got Blue Chibi Coin Purse, some got Red. I like this. The candies I put in the family candy jar that everyone shares, I put the paddle, discs and rubix cube in the party bag to give to my grandnephew when it's his birthday in early November, the cup is going to my grandnephew now, the chibi purse is staying in my room which I'm sure my grandniece and grandnephew will chew on (yes, they are not dogs but they still put stuff in their mouth) and the Halloween bag to my grandnephew Jaiden for Halloween.

Power Rangers Megaforce Nintendo 3DS Game Review

 I got this game for my four year old grand nephew who loves his 3DS. We got it last week. I am not much of a gamer so I will not into too much detail or every little nook and crany. This review is for random gamers and those who just play casually. So basically the story to the Power Rangers Megaforce game is that the Rangers must fight together (hence when you play one, the others talk and encourage you) the forces of Vrak. Basically all the villains still exist and all work together like Creepox, Metal Alice and Bluefur. You can play as any of the Rangers and change back and forth.

 

There are different stages you have to go through. There is like for example 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 1-4, and 1-5. The last one is the Megazord battle. And the one before is the boss battle. You have to pass the five stages and complete the game, not with bonus stages to get the Mighty Morphin skins. I say skins because they still show that they are the Megaforce rangers and when you play as MM Blue Ranger, his Power Lance blasts lasers like Noah's Shark Bowgun. You can scan cards for extra power but it doesn't help you unlock Ultra Mode, Robo Knight or MMPR skins. It is extremely hard to scan the cards. They need the barcode on the sides that activate on the Gosei Morpher.

  

 The story modes are just cliparts of the characters and they talk with captions and have Anime like emotions like little smoke puffs and anger lighting. You have to fight a bunch of Loogies or find some stuff to unlock secret bonus levels, most are Robo Knight levels that you fight only as him. Later on when you unlock Ultra Mode or MMPR, you can't fight as Green Ranger. When you hit the button for Ultra Mode, the five Megaforce Rangers go to Ultra mode for a short time. Robo Kngith and the Mighty Morphin Rangers just 'power up' with a yellow-white flame around them, giving them extra strength. So no, no golden shield for Mighty Morphin Red.

 Megazord battles, you fight Gosei Great Megazord, later when you get Robo Knight, you can fight as Gosei Grand Megazord and later on as Gosei Great Grand Megazord. When you go Mighty Morphin, this DOES NOT effect the zords. To fight, you can hit the green to block, red for shooting fire (which takes time to load so you got to back up a bit) and blue is for sword slashing.

 After passing all the stages except for the bonus ones, you can unlock the Mighty Morphin skins. You have to press X + A before entering a stage. The bottom with the Megaforce faces doesn't change, the Megaforce face on the top doesn't change. Only the playing mode. They have their Blade Blasters and Power Weapons. Pink says "Morphinomical" and Yellow says something like "You're Finished!" and Black says "Hey." Blue and Red just grunt.

 Megaforce takes the code or whatever (I don't get it) from the current Super Sentai series game Kyoryuger. It looks EXACTLY the same, uses the same sets and fighting styles, the clipart story pics, the other rangers talking and even the MUSIC. Yes, the only song the Megaforce game uses from the show is the THEME SONG. There is Samba music from Kyoryuger in this game. Some sound great, some don't.

 As you can see it uses the same clipart like story. In the Megaforce game, none of the voices are the same. Robo Knight and Gosei aren't even their voices. Most of them similar. To me, Jake sounds like Noah and Noah sounds like Jake. For me, Gia is the one that sounds farthest like her. Vrak sounds pretty close but Gosei and Robo Knight are clearly generic voices. There is no Tensou in the game.

 Your kid or you can morph yourself into a Ranger just like the Kyoryuger game. You can change which Ranger you change into at 'Morphin Time' after starting the game. So finally, I think the voices during the game is annoying and too repeatative, the music is okay, the gameplay... I hate how the directions aren't responsive, the Nick.com games are more responsive. For example, when I want to change the direction they go, I have to wait until the attack sequence ends. Red Ranger and Yellow Ranger have best handle for fighting, Blue is only good from far away and Pink is the best for jumping. My nephew likes it, it is kind of entertaining.