My Saban's Power Rangers Movie review

My Saban's Power Rangers movie review 

Intro: When I first learned about this reboot a part of me was excited because I've been waiting for this series to get a facelift for years. On the other hand, I didn't have high hopes for this movie. I'm not just saying that because I wasn't happy with the design changes the creators made from the original show. (Personally, I don't think that was a smart move marketing-wise. If fans won't accept these alterations what makes the creators think the merchandise will sell?) 

(Hello Bug eyes)

Or because most movies based on kids' shows or shows, in general, are bad.

I'm saying this because since Saban got the rights back to this franchise seven years ago, they haven't made a good season since. (Well Dino Charge/Supercharge was OK.)

Look at how they revised the original show, if this is not a red flag I don't know what is?

 

With all that being said is this movie a Go Go or a No No? Let's find out... 

Saban's Power Rangers movie: This movie is centered on five teens, they discover mysterious coins that have and give them special abilities. After realizing this they go back to the place where they found the coins to investigate what's happening to them? The group gets more than what they bargain for when they find a spaceship and learn that their city is in danger from an alien threat. In order to stop it, the teens have to master their powers and learn how to work together.

This movie put a smile on my face! The movie did things that I wanted to see, like give Rita and Zordon a backstory, the group of kids not being friends at first, the teens have to earn the right to be Power Rangers and humor at the zords expense. There are moments where this movie reminds me of the first episode of Mighty Morphing and other Power Rangers seasons. I appreciate how the civilian powers are handled in this movie more than I did in the Power Rangers series. The grievance I have with the series uses of civilian powers (Besides the fact that it undermines the morphing powers.) is that it feels separate from their morphing powers, that's not the case in this movie, they're an extension of their morphing powers. 

The pacing in this movie makes the movie's runtime feel shorter than it is. I wasn't happy to learn that Bulk and Skull (Two characters from the original show.) was not going to be in this movie, after seeing how this movie turned out I understand why they're not in it. This movie is about these kids trying to become a team and becoming friends. Bringing them in the movie would have been distracting. I appreciate that this movie isn't plagued with kids dealing with bullying, drugs and pure pressure. I'm not saying those are not a big deal however I don't see how this movie can address these issues in a new and meaningful way. This team of rangers may not be honor students but they're not bad kids either.         

I like this movie’s version of Jason/the red ranger because you get a leader vibe from him. That's saying a lot considering that he doesn't warm up to the idea of being a leader because of his temper. My beef with him is that I don’t know why he did what he did that caused him to be in detention. Not only that there's a line he keeps saying over and over again in the movie, but that can also drive anyone nuts. I know the writers are trying to make that a famous line however for it to work you have to use it at the right time. I'm surprised that no one complains about how often that line was used instead of the product placement in this movie. Oops! Also, the movie could have done more with this character.    

Trini/the yellow ranger is the reserved one of the pack. I’m not crazy about the other thing this movie has done with her. You'll feel the same way if you're tired of writers changing the race or sex of already established characters. If you want more fictional characters of a different race or sexual orientation, make up your own please and thank you. 

Billy/the Blue ranger is the best character in this movie because he's the brains and heart of the bunch. I’m not sure how I feel about the other change the writers made with this character. I shouldn’t have a problem with it because we had a Power Rangers series where two of the rangers act like kids, another series where a caveman is a ranger and a series where a ranger might have the same challenges as Billy. The only complaint I have with him is that he can be annoying, I mean Felicity from Arrow was kind of annoying before season 3. 

Zack/the Black ranger is the goofball of the group. That’s fine because he was kind of like that in the original show in a fun way, not in an I wanna strangle you way like this Zack. What bothers me about this character is that he has the same problem I had with Sandman from Spider-Man 3, you'll see what I mean when you watch the movie.     

Kimberly/the Pink ranger is lovely and sarcastic as always. I like her dynamic with Jason because they both have the same backstory, as far as being popular figures who fell from grace. I have issues with why she ended up in detention, I'm not saying she's innocent however she shouldn't take all the blame for what happened. Plus, she did something toward the end of the movie that damaged her credibility. Also, I was let down that this movie didn't explore an aspect of this character from the show.   

I'm fond of what this movie has done with Alpha 5, he’s less obnoxious in this movie than he was in the show. He feels like a mentor to the rangers, he coaches them and boosts their morale.  

Speaking of mentors this Zordon is Cranky, bossy and demanding of the teens. He does try to help them however he seems impatient. Despite that I'm fine with this movie's interpretation of Zordon, however, the movie could have done more with him.  

I’m impressed with what this movie has done with the villain Rita, she did things that she had never done in the original show like grunt work and interaction with the rangers. She's also creepy, unstable and menacing. The gripe I have with her (Besides her looking like a Batman villain.) is that she makes my little head talk! She’s a villain I’m suppose to be disgusted by her not turned on, that’s Kimberly’s job. Also, I'm frustrated that this movie didn't have her use one of her catchphrases, I mean there was a moment in the movie where she could have used it but the movie didn't take advantage of that scene.     

One of the problems I have with this movie is that Jason is the only one that has his signature weapon, which bugs me because this feels like a cheap way to make him popular. Some of the jokes and references fell flat. This movie could have been better if the director did a better job directing certain scenes and have some of the dialogue rewritten. I wish this movie had its own remix of GO GO Power Rangers.  

The movie putties are almost as bad as Lord Zedd's putties from the show. What’s the point of having the movie putties being golems if they can fall apart with one hit? I’m annoyed with what this movie has done with Goldar, He's reduced to a mindless monster in this movie. If that's not character assassination I don't know what is. He should have been replaced with a different monster if that's what the direction was going to do with this character. The fight between Goldar and the Megazord was lame, watching two elderly people fight is better than this. Plus, I'm irritated that the zords can do the same thing because the zords had different capabilities in the show. Finally the plot holes, sorry I can’t address them without spoiling the movie.  

Overall, I enjoyed this movie I would recommend this to both fans and nonfans. If you like The Avengers, you'll like this movie. 

Rating = Worth seeing 

My review of Kong: Skull Island

 My review of Kong: Skull Island 

 

Intro: Could someone pop Peter Jackson upside his head because this is the movie, we should have gotten twelve years ago. 

Kong: Skull Island: The movie takes place in 1973 where a group of scientists and soldiers are looking for an island called Skull Island to investigate it. Their mission of discovery turns into survival when they see that this island is filled with giant creatures. Escaping the island becomes difficult when the Army wants to pick a fight with one of the creatures name Kong. Now the groups have to decide if they want to fight or flee? 

This is a movie that surprised me because I wasn't expecting much from it. This movie may have a simple story but it has some depth to it. The conflict between Kong, the humans and the other animals on this island all make sense in a way that doesn't feel like it's black and white. The theme of this movie is protecting vs destruction and this is where the human characters come into play. I like that this film has humor because it helps lighten up the mood. Also, the fight scenes are brutal, the CGI is impressive and the film is well-directed with some great shots. I like the creature designs because some of them blend in with their environment. The movie wastes no time getting us to what we want to see and that's Kong. 

Speaking of Kong I'm fond of what the movie has done with this character. The issue I had with this character is I couldn't root for him in the 1933 movie because he was a lovesick puppy dog in that film. I wouldn't have minded the beauty and the beast aspect of that film if it was good. Peter Jackson had a chance to fix that in his 2005 remake but he dropped the ball. In this movie, he's the protector of this island and he has a good rapport with the natives. This movie works as an origin story for Kong as you will see when you watch the movie. 

William Randa is the lead scientist of the group who will stop at nothing to get to Skull Island. What bothers me about him is that the movie could have done more with him. 

Hank Marlow is the comic relief and the voice of reason due to him being on the island since WW II.  

Col. Packard is a fearsome soldier who's chummy with his men, he does push them however he's not ball-busting about it. What bugs me about him is that he becomes an obstacle for everyone, I understand where he's coming from however, he's being short-sighted about it. it's hard to tell if he's surfing for PTSD or not. 

The human characters are the weakest part of this movie they're mostly there to get killed off. I wish the natives were more involved with the story. The movie also has some head-scratching moments in it.  

Overall this movie is a good example of how to reintroduce an iconic figure to the public. I would recommend this if you like monster movies. 

Rating = Rental 

My Logan review

My Logan review 

 

Intro: After 17 years we finally get an R-rated Wolverine movie, better late than never I guess. 

Logan: This movie takes place in the future where most of the mutants are dead and the rest are keeping a low profile including Logan/Wolverine and Charles Xavier. That changed when Logan meets a girl name Laura whose being chased by a group called the Reavers. So Logan has to protect her from them. 

This is one of those movies that took me by surprise! When I saw the trailer for this movie, I didn't expect much because I thought it was going to be a typical bodyguard movie. It is to a point however it's played out differently. This movie is loosely based on the old man Logan comic and the X-Men Evolution episode that features X-23. I like how this movie broke the fourth wall it wasn't done for laughs but to poke fun at how superhero movies are. This movie gave me what I wanted to see and that's the berserker rage, we haven't seen that since X2. The movie also creates social commentary on how we manipulate children. It also deals with preservation. This movie also feels like a western and how most of the mutants were killed off scares me. You'll understand why when you watch this movie.    

Logan is a shadow of what he was because he's weary and his body is breaking down. My beef with this character is I'm unclear as to what caused his body to fall apart? Also, what happened to him at the end of the movie would have been shocking if the actor who plays him didn't tell us that (My editor censor me) role.   

Charles Xavier is also a shell of what he was because he has dementia, it's funny and sad to see him like this. I'm not saying having dementia is funny I'm saying he says some funny things. He also may or may play a role in why most of the mutants are dead? 

Laura/X-23 is quiet but dangerous, you'll feel sorry for her when we learn of her backstory. The only complaint I have with this character is the reason why she's called X-23 makes no sense. 

Caliban helps Logan and Prof. Xavier he's funny in his own right. 

The Reavers are nothing to brag about. Donald Pierce (the leader of the Reavers) is relentless. 

One of the many problems I have with this movie is the Reavers did something that undermines their purpose of getting X-23. There is a scene in the movie that's suppose to be sad but the way it was edited ruins the scene. This movie can be hard to watch because of how depressing it is. You might be confused as to what time period this movie takes place, I mean is this movie in the same timeline as the other X-men movies or in an alternate one? I don't like the dynamic between Logan and Laura because it was done way better in the cartoon I mentioned, when a cartoon does a better job than the movie that's not a good sign. 

Overall, this is the Wolverine movie I've been waiting for! I would recommend this if you want to see the end of an era.  

Rating = Worth seeing