Power Rangers Dino Fury - The Festival - Episode Review

Episode Summary:

A monster strolls in and it is actually Wreckmate. Void Knight and the others aren't happy to see him. He tells a big story.  Wreckmate fights with SLyther. Void Knight tells them to fight with the Rangers. Slyther has a potion. Wreckmate steals it and drinks it. Slyther swears he can defeat the Rangers. Slyther, Wreckmate, and Mucus teleport away. Aiyon and Zayto arrive at the command center and they talk about their birthdays. Rafkon Third Sun festival is today. Solon made Flargon Cake. They surprise Aiyon with a motorcycle. Ollie gives Zayto a box, with two weapons that Ollie made. They call them Dinochucks. Solon says not to use it in the base. Everyone leaves Auyon alone who takes the DInochucks and uses them in the base. They power up and flow. Aiyon loses control and busts up the base. The Dinochucks stop glowing and he stuffs them in a box. They get an alert about Wreckmate and Slyther. Zayto splits up the team. Slyther and Mucus encounter Javi, Izzy and AIyon, who morph. 

The other trio fight Wreckmate. They find out Wreckmate has been taking a potion. He beats Zayto up. The other two then get beaten. Zayto has an idea and says burb and teleports away. Amelia says it is "BRB." Wreckmate prepares a big attack on Amelia and Ollie. Zayto arrives with the Dinochucks and fights Wreckmate. He does Dinochuck strike but they malfunction and he is blasted back. Meanwhile, Mucus fights the other trio. Wreckmate saves her. Wreckmate faces the three. He does a big attack and they all are beaten. The three teleport away. The potion wears off Wreakmate. Slyther is mad at him. They argue. 

Back at the base, the Rangers are recovering. Zayto says the Dinochucks malfunction. Solon checks it out but is blasted back. Solon says maybe she can rebuild new ones but her spare parts are ruined. Aiyon tells the truth. Solon berates him. Zayto is not happy with Aiyon. Zayto says to look through the Legendary database, they look at old weapons like the Fire Smasher (Samurai). Solon says she can't build something like that. They then see a clip from Ninja Storm of the Sonic Fin. Zayto sees a video of Mighty Morphin and Wild Force with the bikes. They then see a video of the Mega Morph Cycle from Ninja Steel, which can blasts villains. Solon says they don't have spare parts. Aiyon looks at his own motorcycle and offers his motorcycle. Solon says it is selfless of him. Aiyon makes a bad pun. Aiyon morphs and fights Wreckmate. He dons the Electro Battle Armor. 

 

Aiyon is down. Wreckmate is out of potion. Wrekcmate swings his anchor and wraps it around Aiyon. He swings Aiyon onto canisters. Aiyon resists and calls Zayto. Zayto arrives on his new cycle. He does DIno Fury Cycle Plasma Blast on Wreckmate. Wreckmate goes down and teleports away. Zayto and Aiyon regroup. Aiyon likes the cycle. They say best festival ever. Back at the base, the others are feeling better. Solon brings the Flargon Cakes. They eat them without hands, with mouths. They join in.

Episode Review:

I frequently forget Slyther's name but not Wreckmate. I like that Zayto is out of it with local slang. Could have been like a clip show but luckily not so bad. I like the Power Rangers cyclereference. I am glad there is more American-made stuff, they seem to be doing what they did in Beast Morphers and inspire by legendary weapons. 

Power Rangers Dino Fury - Numero Uno - Episode Review

I will be doing two or three-episode reviews a week as 11 episodes were released on March 3.

 Episode Summary:

A scary monster attacks and Red runs on rooftops. The others (without Amelia) arrive and Javi uses his Stego Fury Strike. The Rangers unmorph. Gold was taking time. Izzy says there could be an improvement. Amelia arrives. Amelia is helping out at Buzz Blast. Izzy gives Zayto the Sporix. Everyone leaves Amelia alone. Javi plays music for Amelia. A co-worker comes in for a decision for Amelia. Amelia is plenty bus at work. Jane and J-Borg are in a hot air balloon. Jane asks Amelia to run Buzzblast for more months. A co-worker asks Amelia to call her pop-pop to clean something up. Ollie talks to his mom in Japan through a video cam. Zayto and Aiyon search for Rafkon. Meanwhile, the monsters think Void Knight has been destroyed and try breaking into his secret room. Void Knight communicates to them through screens and he makes Bitscreem. Bitscreem tells them to obey Void Knight. Javi, Izzy, and Aiyon come from the library, where Aiyon got books. Izzy gets a call from Fern that is interrupted by Bitscreem. Bitscreem attacks. 

The Rangers morph and fight. They defeat the monster. Aiyon picks up his books. A man ask them to fix his flower cart. Javi fixes the cart with his Fix-It Dino Key. The man thanks them. Bitscreem steals the key. AT the base, all the Rangers join up. They have Void Knight's saber, they can't figure out how they can use the key. They wonder if Void Knight could've survived. Amelia has to go to BuzzBlast and leaves. Ollie finds the footage of where Bitscreem stole the key. They notice the man was really Slyther. Izzy fakes an idea when she notices Bitscreem on the laptop. She wraps up the computer, Zayto figures it out. Izzy explains the monster was spying. They think Void Knight will get the saber. At the base, they tell this to Void Knight. Bitscreem has an idea. 

Outside Dinohenge, Izzy sets up an explosive and Aiyon does some bad acting. They put Void Knight's Saber with the explosives. Amelia is still paying attention to work. Ollie fakes reprogramming. Amelia hams it up with acting, criticizing Ollie. Izzy says at least she is interacting with them now. Amelia gets a call. She puts the call on speaker. Mucus and Slyther arrive. Amelia is still talking to her job. Bitscreem arrives and steals the saber. Amelia feels bad. The six morph. Zayto calls T-Rex and Cosmo Raptor Zords. He combines them into T-Rex Cosmic Megazord. Ollie uploads the Megazord into the laptop to fight Bitscreem. 

The Megazord blasts Bitscreem but he reboots himself. Zayto destroys the monster. Void Knight is human and puts the Fix-It key in his saber. The man makes the armor come to life. He takes off the helmet. He looks at his love. Back at Dino Henge, the laptop explodes and they find a Sporix. Void Knight arrives and gets the Sporix. Amelia feels bad at BuzzBlast. She says she can't jumble both. She has to quit her new job, she calls Jane she has to step down. Jane arrives with J-Borg. They flashback to what happened. They say there were bad weather conditions. J-Borg's camera box disintegrates. Zayto says he is happy to have Amelia back.

Episode Review:
A decent episode but I feel Amelia's storyline was shoehorned in. It could've easily been about Izzy and Aiyon and their timing thing and library search. 

Different Sci-Fi Fantasy Influences in Power Rangers

 Star Wars
The Popular franchise started with George Lucas' 1977 film, inspired by Saturday sci-fi films like Flash Gordon and westerns has inspired a lot of science fiction ever since. Star Wars has arguably influenced a lot of factors of the Power Rangers, maybe some unintentional. Most of this post may be obvious to the more seasoned fans but newer fans may not be aware of this or may not have made the connection as of yet. 

"May the Force Be With You"

The famous saying "May the Force Be With You" originated in the first movie. Zordon would say "May the Power protect you" since the pilot "Day of the Dumpster" in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. This carried on throughout season one and perhaps later connection seasons, I am not sure. 

Bounty Hunters

The ideas of Bounty Hunters originated with western movies, the idea of cowboys, and the Dunn Brothers. The Empire Strikes Back saw the debut of Boba Fett, a bounty hunter. In Power Rangers Zeo (1996), the Varox Bounty Hunters went after the Gold Ranger from Triforia. Also, in Power Rangers Dino Charge (2015) the main villain Sledge was a bounty hunter. Even though Sledge is much bigger and bulkier, his armor is slightly similar to Boba Fett, it is unknown if this was intentional. 

Mos Eisley Cantina
Once Power Rangers went to space, the producers drew a lot from Star Wars and Star Trek. The three seasons Power Rangers In Space, Power Rangers Lost Galaxy, and Power Rangers SPD have different hangouts for villains, monsters, or "Scum of the Earth." Power Rangers in Space and Power Rangers Lost Galaxy have the Onyx Tavern. Power Rangers SPD had Piggy's, a hangout for aliens. In the first Star Wars movie, the Mos Eisley Cantina is a watering hole for aliens and the scum of the universe on the plant Tatooine. 

Onyx Tavern

Set in a western town in a desert on a planet. The tavern has monsters, aliens, and robots frequent the tavern. It is seen in Power Rangers in Space and Power Rangers Lost Galaxy. In Power Rangers in Space, Darkonda frequents it. In Power Rangers Lost Galaxy, Karone disguises as her old self Astronema in order to retrieve the stolen Pink Galaxy Saber. 

Jedi
Obi-Wan was the first Jedi with the cloak and overall uniform later seen replicated by the Jedi in the prequel movies. When Power Rangers in Space aired, it was 1998. The Prequel movie The Phantom Menance started in 1999. Andros had a cloak to hide in that resembles some of Jedi's uniforms. It was probably inspired by Obi Wan from the 1977 movie.

Andros' cloak was first seen in 1998. The Phantom Menance (1999) introduces other Jedis with similar costumes. The above picture is Andros in Forever Red (2002), where he wears the cloak again. This is probably not directly inspired by it but a rethread from 1998 "In Space" season. As I said before, the Andros cloak was probably inspired by the 1977 movie. 

Star Trek
The 1966 Television series started the long-spanning franchise. Star Trek, for those who do not know, tells the story of an organization of space travelers. Various elements like costumes, dialogue, jargon, and sets of Power Rangers In Space, Power Rangers Lost Galaxy, and Power Rangers SPD are inspired by Star Trek. 

Star Trek: TNG/Power Rangers in Space
It is hard to tell apart but to the left is the hallway from Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987). The one to the right is the hallway from Power Rangers In Space (1998). The walls are highly different but each has panels. The floors are very similar, just different colors. The ceilings are going in different directions. The Star Trek ceiling is horizontal while the Power Rangers ceiling has lights going vertical. 

 

Star Trek: DS9/Power Rangers Lost Galaxy

Star Trek Deep Space Nine first aired in 1993. Even though not exactly the same, some sets of Power Rangers Lost Galaxy (1999) had arcs and circular items similar to Deep Space Nine sets. Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue (2000) also had sets that were similar, as some sets and props were repurposed from Lost Galaxy. 

Crew Uniforms
The Astro Megaship crew uniforms have some close resemblance to some Star Trek uniforms. 

 

Cyborg Astronema

When Astronema was brainwashed and a cyborg, could be inspired by the Borg or Seven of Nine.

Aliens

The Aquitar Rangers from Mighty Morphin Alien Rangers were clearly inspired by some of the aliens from Star Trek, with the head ridges and whatnot. Not exactly from one specific alien race but broad strokes.

There are much more factors taken from Star Wars, Strek Trek, and other Science Fiction franchises but I don't have the wavelength to figure it out. If you noticed anything else different or unique that was inspired by these other franchises, let me know. SPD did have animal aliens which were inspired at first by Dekaranger. Dekaranger probably got inspired by American Science Fiction movies. I also must not that all these things I have mentioned from Power Rangers have been from the American elements and not Super Sentai. Super Sentai is of course from Japan and there are elements from Star Wars and Star Trek but not as obvious or similar to mention. Bioman had lightsabers and Kyuranger had Star Trek influences but those Super Sentai series were not adapted into Power Rangers. 

Avataro Sentai DonBrothers Reveal

UPDATED 12/24/21

The series theme is based on the legend of Momotarō---like Kamen Rider Den-O. 

Red - DonMomotaro

Yellow - OniSister

Blue - SaruBrother (gorilla-like character(

Black - InuBrother (dog-like character)

Pink - KijiBrother (bird-like male character)

DonMomotarowill show up at the near-end of Zenkaiger and have tie-in to them. DonBrothers will technically be their sequel/spin-off. At first, I was surprised by the different-sized characters but I supposed it was done in order for COVID restrictions like Zenkaiger (having unmasked humans with heavy costumed humans). InuBrother (black) is clearly a puppet and KijiBrother (pink) is probably CGI-mixed with costumed character. Most US fans seem happy with the team. 

 Avataro Sentai Donbrothers is the 46th season of Super Sentai.

Power Rangers Lightning Collection Updates

I am a teacher and I've been busy. Now I am on winter break. So here are some late updates. Last Fan First Friday, it was revealed Red Ecliptor and 11.5" Megazord will be released. 

Also Wave 11 Exclusive covers for Walmart. 

Also new reveals of Dino Fury are more figures like Green Ranger with Sprint Sleeve, Black Ranger with Shield Sleeve and Dino Knight Red Ranger. 

 

Power Rangers Dino Fury - Secret Santa - Episode Review

Episode Summary:
At the mall, Javi sings and plays the keyboard. Izzy arrives and asks how it is going. He has no replacement key to his keyboard. Izzy asks if he got his Secret Santa present. They only have an hour for the exchange. Izzy leaves Javi. Javi goes to talk to Santa and he gives him the idea to get gloves. Santa shows him his magic sketchbook and to make real gloves from a drawing. Javi says no thanks. Meanwhile, Slyther and Mucus are lurking and want revenge for Void Knight. They get the idea about the book. At the base, they put the tree up. Javi teleports in with a topper, a star. He puts it on the tree. Amelia teleports in, with letters from Power Rangers teams. Aiyon asks for Solon. Javi has a glove gift for Solon, Solon has claws, not human gloves. Javi feels bad. He says Santa is the expert. Aiyon has no idea who Santa is. Aiyon got a Power Sander, thinking Santa was Sander. Amelia and the others go to get a gift. Javi stalls with Solon while they get her gift. Javi asks Solon if she wants to do Christmas Carols. Solon says it feels bad that she can't keep track of the singing. Javi opens a fan card and Mucus sends a holo message. The back is attacked. Mucus says Kaboom, it disables the coms and teleporters. There is a 10-minute countdown until the whole base explodes. 

Solon checks on the computers, they are stuck in the base. Javi thinks one of the gifts is explosive. Javi opens a gift for Izzy, it is an electronics kit--a flashback to the episode where Ollie taught Izzy about electronics. Javi thinks Ollie got it. Javi and Solon open Ollie's gift, it is a ghost rain poncho. Ollie and Amelia met this way--flashback to episode 1. They know it is from Amelia. They have four more gifts. The other Rangers get a message from Santa. Santa says his sketchbook has gone missing. They bump into Mucus and Slyther. They mention a bomb. Zayto tries calling the base but no answer. Slyther gets art supplies and they draw something on the book and create a new monster. The Rangers morph and call the Zords. Zayto calls the Zords. They combine T-Rex, Dimetro, and Mosa to make Fusion Ultrazord. They fight the Spider Monster. Almost six minutes to go, Solon opens a cold gift. It is ice cream for Aiyon. Flashback to Aiyon saving an ice cream truck. Javi says Flagron--a Rafkon food, so it must be from Zayto. They then find a punching bag gift for Zyato. They flashback to Izzy and Zayto joining a gym. They know the gift is from Izzy. So they have one more gift---Solon made a key for Javi. He adds it and thanks her for it. 

They only have Aiyon's Sander, they can't figure which one would be a bomb. The star he put on the tree was a star he got in his guitar case from a guy--it must have been Slyther in disguise. Solon thinks of putting the bomb in a container they sue for Sporix. It explodes and it is contained, only a  minor inconvenience. They get communications back. The Ultrazord destroys the monster. The Rangers teleport out of the Megazord. Slyther is about to draw something else on the sketchbook. Javi appears, all six use their Booster Keys and fight Hengemen. They destroy the Hengemen. Red demands the book. Slyther makes the book huge and draws a huge Slyther. The Rangers call Zords again. Mosa Razor Zord and Dino Fury Megazord Warrior Formation are formed. They race towards Giant Sluther and fight it. They slash at it and destroy the big Slyther. Regular Slyther is sad, Mucus comforts him. Back at the base, Javi apologizes to Santa for the book. The Rangers thanks Santa. They exchange gifts and thank each other. Javi says great gifts come from the heart. He comes up with giving Solon a Christmas Songbook, to help her not be nervous and get in the Christmas spirit. They sing Jingle Bells. 

Episode Review: 

Nice to see Santa again, after 11 years of playing Santa on Power Rangers. Cute clipshow but it shows how clueless Javi is, making me remember Tommy Oliver.