Review of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie (1995) by Aaron A — 14 Sep 2011

"What is that odious stench? *Sniffs* Smells like...teenagers.".

Synopsis: When the vile villain Ivan Ooze is released from the prison where he has languished for millennia, he seeks vengeance against his captor -- the Power Rangers' own mentor, Zordon.

Admittedly, the film is expectedly full of problems; and the actual filmmaking is nothing terribly special. But as an adaptation of it's source material, Power Rangers doesn't disappoint. Bryan Spicer achieves this by not just upping the production values of the show, putting the actor in goofier costumes, and increasing the special effects; it succeeds by making sure that the series' themes and heart doesn't get lost in the shuffle of a more complex production.

That, and making sure the film never takes itself too seriously, continuously poking fun and not being afraid to try something absolutely ridiculous like have a Ranger jump 150 feet in the air and do about a thousand front flips before he lands when he could have just stepped down without much effort, it's stupid sure; but boy can hilarity ensue.

Director Bryan Spicer does an admirable job infusing the (once) popular kid's series with added production values but doesn't shy away from show's kid friendly themes.

P.s. Paul Freeman is absolutely charming as Ivan Ooze.