Power Rangers - Discussion and Spoilers

[Jev Moldara]

So I went and saw this movie last night, mainly because I have a huge crush on Naomi Scott, and I gotta say, I was pleasantly surprised at just HOW BLEEPING GOOD the movie was.

It was definitely more serious in tone than the original shows, but retained enough of the lighthearted campiness and cheese from the show to keep it fun and interesting. None of the characters felt like cardboard caricatures, but instead felt like real, developed people.

Dacre Montgomery's Jason Scott was a perfect leader who grabbed the role by the ears when the time came. He didn't really come across as a reluctant leader, and at the same time didn't seem like an overbearingly leadery-type guy. When the time came, he had confidence, not arrogance.

Naomi Scott's Kimberly Hart was a nice, welcome refreshing of the Amy Jo Johnson version, retaining a lot of the basics (such as being popular) while also embracing some of the darker side of that popularity with her backstory. It's telling about the character that even though she was a teenager and popular, she felt truly awful over what she had done. Of course, that didn't stop her from feeling a sense of satisfaction when the other two popular girls got their comeuppance in both the cafeteria and the final battle.

RJ Cyler's Billy Cranston played a pitch perfect version of a hyperintelligent kid on the autism spectrum. It never felt forced, nor did it feel like he was going over the top with it. He was awkward and unsure of himself when the character needed to be, and like many people on the spectrum, once they find their niche, he was able to focus intensely and get the job done.

Ludi Lin's Zach Taylor was a nice one. A kid with a very sick mother who masks his fears and doubts about life with bravado and reckless behavior, he did so with a grace and humor where most people would have just collapsed.

Becky G's Trini Kwan was an interesting character. The ultimate outsider, Trini is always the new girl at school (three schools in three years), has no friends because of it, has an overbearing helicopter mother (sweet JESUS that woman would drive me to drink... what kind of psychopath keeps medical urine collection cups at home?), and might possibly be gay. Now she has superpowers, which further isolates her. She's so used to be alone that she prefers it, so when she meets the other four, she really wants nothing to do with them. Not out of dislike, mind you, but because she's scared of making friends only to have to abandon them with the inevitable move that she has come to expect.

Bryan Cranston's Zordon. Nothing needs to be said on this matter.

Bill Hader's Alpha 5. Normally, I want to claw my eardrums and eyeballs out with a rusty melonballer whenever Bill Hader is on screen and/or talking, but I honestly think he found the one good role for him, which is saying something.

Elizabeth Banks' Rita Repulsa proves once again that the actress is perfectly willing to make herself look like a bag of smashed buttholes in order to make a role good. And she did both, in spades. Truly living up to the "Repulsa" part of her name, Rita was downright hideous at first, and even at her best looking, there was still something repulsive and off-putting about her appearance. It helped that she played the role with some serious creepy vibes, establishing Rita as a credible threat to the Rangers instead of the cackling megalomaniac we saw in the show.

[Jev Moldara]

Has nobody else seen this movie?

[Kham-Ryn Kurios]

MJ and I are going later this week. We would've gone opening day, but unforeseen circumstances with the dog changed those plans. 

Everything I see written about it though has me really anxious to get into the theater.

Forgive me for my lack of faith, but I am honestly a little shocked that it's getting the praise it's been getting.

[Jev Moldara]

MJ and I are going later this week. We would've gone opening day, but unforeseen circumstances with the dog changed those plans. 

Everything I see written about it though has me really anxious to get into the theater.

Forgive me for my lack of faith, but I am honestly a little shocked that it's getting the praise it's been getting.

Oh I understand. I went in with low expectations, thinking that all the best parts are in the trailers. I fully expected a mediocre at best film.

I was wrong.

It made something like 60 million on opening weekend, and the only thing that kept it from being number 1 was that it was going against the Disney juggernaut Beauty and the Beast.

[Lord Bladewraith]

I went with my 17 year old son last weekend and was delightfully surprised! The approach they took, focusing on the characters and story as much as the effects is a formula every action movie should have. The dialogue and the acting were both really great. It was a solid piece of cinema, easy to recommend.

[ThreadJack]

I saw it last weekend, and like Jev had pretty low expectations going in. I was a huge Rangers fan growing up, so I was a bit put off by some of the aesthetic changes(actual armor instead of spandex, the Megazord, etc.), the trailers just screamed "NOT YOUR POWER RANGERS" to me.

And I have to say, it really wasn't. It was a way more adult version of Power Rangers, and honestly was quite good. I'd like to see it a second time now that in a different frame of mind, since I have now completely seperated myself from the nostalgia  aspect, I think I'd enjoy more.

I really liked the cameo at the end too.

And, selfishly perhaps, I do hope Tommy ends up being a girl....

[Jediseth]

I was too old to ever get into the Power Rangers as a kid. My wife and I went to see it. It was better than I thought. I really liked the first half. The second have was kind of so so.

[Jev Moldara]

What I love most about the movie is how much fun the actors were having during it.

And TJ? The cast is apparently wanting Tommy to be a girl as well.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/power-rangers-green-ranger-theory-sequel-explained-988678?utm_source=twitter&utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral

[Jev Moldara]

Speaking of Tommy, here's a funny story: Jason David Frank was booted out of a showing of the movie.

Why? He whipped out his cell phone to record the audience reaction to his cameo in the film, and they booted him thinking he was trying to pirate the film.

Original 'Power Rangers' Star Kicked Out of Movie Premiere

[ThreadJack]

What I love most about the movie is how much fun the actors were having during it.

And TJ? The cast is apparently wanting Tommy to be a girl as well.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/power-rangers-green-ranger-theory-sequel-explained-988678?utm_source=twitter&utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral

Yeah I know! I'm fully on board, they better!

[Jev Moldara]

Yeah I know! I'm fully on board, they better!

Eh, I'm of the mind that it doesn't matter the gender so long as they cast the right person for the role.

[ThreadJack]

Eh, I'm of the mind that it doesn't matter the gender so long as they cast the right person for the role.

I would love for "Tommie" to be a transgender girl, because we need more role models and representation in media as a whole. However I realize that's asking a lot. I'd be happy with it just being a her. It won't really affect my opinion of the film either way though.

[Jev Moldara]

I would love for "Tommie" to be a transgender girl, because we need more role models and representation in media as a whole. However I realize that's asking a lot. I'd be happy with it just being a her. It won't really affect my opinion of the film either way though.

I'm not saying no to this idea out of hand, but I will say that casting a role should serve to further the story and do justice to the character, not serve socio-political agendas of the moment.

[Darth Calon]

I know absolutely nothing about Power Rangers. Should I see this movie?

[Jev Moldara]

I know absolutely nothing about Power Rangers. Should I see this movie?

Well, it's an origin story, so it can't hurt.