Feature-length events Release Dates and Summarizations!

Welcome to the next exciting new unit on my blog! Over the course of Twenty-Seven years Power Rangers has been presented on Television usually in a Thirty minute episode. However Power Rangers does have a film history. My next unit will first look back at all five feature-length events; Both the good moments and the bad things from these extended stories. Then we will discuss how best to make the ultimate Power Rangers film! Only three stories were released into Theaters. The first movie; Mighty Morphin Power Rangers the movie was released on June 30th 1995. This is an alternative take on the Ninja Quest event from season 3 also featuring the unique movie Villain Ivan Ooze. He has been one of my favorite villains ever since I first saw the film. An article focusing on him is on this same blog titled; Welcome to My Nightmare! While not talked about as often there are three other characters unique to this film; These include Mordant the villain with a pig body and glass monocle, Dulcea Master warrior of Phaedos, and the Rangers surprise partner Fred Kelman, who leads the other kids in saving their Parents from Ivan's spell. Fred was played by Jamie Croft, Dulcea was played by Gabrielle Fitzpatrick, Mordant was voiced by Jean-Paul Bell, and Ivan Ooze was played by Paul Freeman! On March 28th 1997 a second film was released; Turbo A Power Rangers Movie. Only the Turbo film is considered canon to the main Power Rangers timeline due to how it well sets up key plot points for the Turbo series. Unfortunately one of the things this film is best known for is creating a unfavoring finale for the popular character of Rocky DeSantos 2nd MM Red and Blue Zeo Ranger. Rocky has an unfortunate accident during training for an upcoming Karate match and badly injures his back. The movie sets up the introduction of Justin Stewart who becomes the new Blue Ranger. So it could be said if you like this film a lot you're a Justin fan and those opposed to this movie are bigger Rocky fans. I like both of them but I do think Rocky deserved a better finale. Divatox was also introduced in The Turbo Movie. I have always found Divatox very attractive! Her wild fashion sense and destructive personality are a good match in my book. Hillary Shepard Turner plays Divatox in the movie and in the later Turbo Episodes. However she was also played by Carol Hoyt during Episodes 1-25. Whichever version you prefer; she still qualifies as one of the most dangerous villains of the PR universe. She even destroyed the Power Chamber in the Turbo finale. If not for the events of this film she wouldn't have her epic anger issues with the teen superheroes and she wouldn't be as fun to watch. Jason Scott and Kimberly Hart also made return appearances for the film. Jason fills in for the karate match since Rocky cannot compete.

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In 2017 on March 24th a pg-13 reboot film was released. This film was created in partnership with Krispy Kreme Donuts and features product placement dispersed throughout the movie. It has a more mature tone and features characters with more instense personal issues including a Blue Ranger with Autism, a lesbian Yellow Ranger, and A Black Ranger with a sick mom. The new Rita Repulsa portrayed by Elizabeth Banks is deadlier, more motivated, and more self-succifient. Rita and Zordon both seek control of the Zeo Crystal. The Rangers come together and learn more about each other. Through friendship and understanding they form a new team to stop Rita's plan. Jason David Frank and Amy Jo Johnson made cameo appearances in the last act. This scene is a common fan favorite moment. While the main story takes place in Angel Grove, several other cities from the PR universe received mention in the movie. The 1995 film remains the most popular of these movies. The fourth event included in my feature-length gallery is the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers stage show also known as Mighty Morphin Power Rangers World tour. Dan Southworth who would later play Eric in Power Rangers Time Force was first featured here as the White Ranger Stunt actor. It was released in the summer of 1995. It also includes audience participation and the unique monsters Lumintor the Fire Lion and Hollow Monster. Lord Zedd was also a main antagonist in the show. This remains one of my favorite special PR Events! To round out my reviews we will also be looking back on the Nickelodeon TV movie; Clash of the Red Rangers. Nickelodeon treats this special as a movie and Netflix also classifies it as a movie so therefore I do. It was released on November 26th 2011. It has a runtime of fifty minutes and features a return appearance by Scott Truman the Red RPM Ranger. Though he does not appear demorphed. This was made on a regular TV budget and does not have as strong reviews from fans. Also many people consider it a poorly written team-up event. Why am I set on including this in my new unit? Because it just so happens to also include something no other extended PR event has; An entertaining Romantic subplot! Emily Stewart is briefly intrigued by Scott's presence and this upsets Green Ranger Mike Fernandez. Each of these stories holds fond memories for me and I am eager to share them on my blog. So stay tuned and if you have the time check out one of these stories yourself. Any one of them can be found on DVD and are all watchable on their own. Please note the stage show is not available on dvd by itself but instead included on the The Extras disc included with purchase of the Complete Mighty Morphin set from Shout Factory. Morphinomal! Feature length reviews coming soon!