I grew up when the original Mighty Morphing Power Rangers television show was at its peak popularity. I remember, every day after school, settling down in the living room with my younger sister and watching the continuing adventures of Jason, Kimberly, Billy, Zack, and Trini as they fought the evil that Rita Repulsa would bring raining down upon Angel Grove. I couldn’t get enough of their adventures, nor the toys that the show spawned. I remember one Christmas in particular when I awoke to find all of the essential action figures and their corresponding zords beneath the Christmas tree so that I could reenact the adventures of Rangers for days on end. As a child of the ‘90s, I can assure you that nothing was cooler when growing up than the Power Rangers.
When I first heard that Lionsgate wanted to adapt Power Rangers into a new, feature length film, I was dubious. The original television series was so campy, and such a product of the ‘90s, that I didn’t know how well it would work in today’s climate where a new superhero is released every month. Then there was the fact that rumors were swirling around that this reimagining of the classic series would be darker and more grounded in reality, which I believed would take away from what made the original show so fun. Yet, even though I wasn’t impressed by any of the trailers or surrounding marketing, nostalgia got the better of me and I not only became excited to see the film, but eager enough to see it opening night.
After watching the movie, I can honestly say that it was legitimately good. In fact, I’d go as far to say that the film has no business being as good as it actually turned out to be, considering the source material it’s based on. Before I elaborate, however, please note there are spoilers after the jump!
