‘Ninja Storm’ Is One Of The Power Rangers’ Best Series Since ‘MMPR’

Courtesy: Shout! Factory/Saban

There’s a storm brewing.  But this time it’s a good storm.  How can a storm be good?  It can be good when it’s a Ninja Storm.  Earlier this week Shout! Factory released Power Rangers Ninja Storm: The Complete Series on DVD.  And there is plenty to appreciate about this installment of the long-running franchise beginning with its writing.  The writing applies first and foremost to the series’ plot.  The fact that the writers would go back to the franchise’s interstellar/sci-fi roots this time out is impressive in its own right.  The ultimate reveal, which is made later in the series makes the plot all the more interesting.  That leads to another of the series’ most important elements, the writing within its episodes.  That will be discussed later.  Last but not least of note in this series is the work of the series’ cast.  Each element is important in its own right to the series’ overall presentation.  All things considered they make this series one of the franchise’s best so far in its post-Mighty Morphin’ era.

Late next year, Lionsgate is set to release the new big-screen reboot of Saban’s beloved Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers.  Needless to say it has already created quite a storm among fans of the beloved series.  Some people love it.  Others hate it.  Regardless which side one takes on the upcoming adaptation, audiences will just have to wait until the movie comes out to see how it actually turns out.  While they wait, Power Rangers fans have another classic Power Rangers series to take in.  It comes in the form of Power Rangers Ninja Storm: The Complete Series.  This installment of the long-running franchise is one of its best so far in its post-Might Morphin’ era.  This is due in part to the series’ writing.  More specifically it is due in part to the series’ plot.  The plot behind Power Rangers Ninja Storm follows a trio of Rangers, tapped to fight the evil interstellar space ninja Lothor.  It marks the first time since the days of the Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers that the franchise has gone the full-on sci-fi/interstellar route.  The closest that any previous series came in that avenue, was Power Rangers Time Force.  Even that series didn’t go the full-on sci-fi route taken by MMPR (as it will henceforth be known here).  Lightspeed Rescue and Wild Force were more based in fantasy than science fiction.  Keeping that in mind, that approach in itself makes this series’ plot an important part of its presentation.  Add in the fact that for the first time the Power Rangers start out as a 3-person team and only grows to 6 members, and audiences get another important part of the series’ plot.  Again, none of the franchise’s former installments had taken that course.  Though, it did become more commonplace as the franchise progressed.  It makes this aspect of the series’ plot just as important to note as the larger story.  The two plot elements together show clearly why the series’ plot is so important in examining its writing.  The plot is just one part of the series’ writing that should be examined.  The overall writing within the series’ episodes is just as important to note as its plot.

The writing behind Power Rangers Ninja Storm’s plot is its own important part of the series’ writing.  It isn’t the only important part of the series’ writing to be examined.  The writing within the series’ episodes is just as important as the writing behind the series’ plot.  Audiences will find that the writing within the series’ episodes is relatively familiar from one to the next.  One episode that exemplifies that familiarity comes in the form of “The Wild Wipeout.”  It sees Tori end up in an alternate universe in which the Rangers are the villains, and Lothor and company the good guys.  It is a story line that has been used time and again throughout television’s modern history in so many series.  That includes series aimed at adults and children.  What sets this adaptation of the classic story line apart from others is that it also uses a sort of Wizard of Oz approach, leaving both Tori and audiences to wonder, was it all just a dream sequence, or actually another universe.  As if that isn’t enough, the writers also added in the story of Rangers being turned from the evil side to that of the good guys in the multi-part “Thunder Rangers” story arc.  It includes both the three-part “Thunder Strangers” story arc and its lead-in “Looming Thunder.”  The evil Ranger-turned-good story arc is an element that has been used in every installment of Power Rangers going all the way back to Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers.  Though, the writers this time have switched things up at least a little bit.  What sets this story line apart from those previous stories is that 1) it involves here not just one Ranger but two.  And in this case, the Rangers in question weren’t under some evil curse to start off their multi-part story arc.  Rather they had just been brainwashed by Lothor’s propaganda, not to reveal too much.  Though, they were eventually put under a brainwashing spell of sorts at one point.  Of course that was only a one-episode story line that saw the Rangers break that spell and win the day.  Audiences can discover that story for themselves.  If these episodes aren’t example enough, the writers also take on the evil twin story line in this series.  It’s yet another way in which the writing within the series’ episodes proves so important to the series’ presentation.  Any of the series’ other episodes could be cited just as easily in this argument.  Considering that it becomes increasingly clear why the writing within the series’ episodes is just as important to the series’ presentation as the writing behind its plot.  What’s more the two elements together make perfectly clear why the series’ writing in whole is so important to its presentation.  The writing is, of course, not the series’ only important element.  The work of the series’ cast is just as important to note as that of the series’ writers.

The work put in by the writers behind Power Rangers Ninja Storm is undeniably important to its presentation.  This is clear in examining both the series’ overall plot and the plot behind each of its episodes.  Of course in examining the series’ writing it becomes clear that the writing is just one of the series’ most important elements.  The work of the series’ cast is just as important to the series’ presentation as its writing.  While audiences might think that the actors who portrayed the Rangers are real stars of note here, that is not the cast.  That is at least the view of this critic.  In all honesty, the real stars of the series are Katrina Devine and Katrina Browne.  The pair portrayed Lothor’s nieces Marah and Kapri respectively.  While the pair ultimately turned out to be quite the devious evil duo, they do a wonderful job of tricking both Lothor and audiences.  The pair’s comic portrayal makes for so many laughs throughout each episode as they present themselves as stereotypical air headed valley girl types.  The personalities that they portray couples with their physical comedy to keep audiences entertained every time that they are on camera.  It would have been so easy for them to go over the top in their portrayals.  But they manage to successfully keep that reined in, thus leading to so many great moments right up to the point that they reveal their true personalities.  Even when they do reveal that truth they  are still just as great to watch.  To a lesser extent, Grant McFarland is entertaining in his own right as the evil space ninja Lothor.  Those that are familiar with the Power Rangers’ history will note a certain throwback to Robert Axelrod’s portrayal of Lord Zedd from the days of MMPR in McFarland’s take on Lothor.  He is clearly devious.  However one can’t help but laugh at his facial gestures and general reactions from time to time.  It is just a great reminder of the franchise’s old days.  The rest of the series’ cast impresses in its own right.  There is not denying this.  But the work put in by McFarland, and the duo of Devine and Browne is at least to this critic the most notable in this series.  In the end, their work couples with that of the rest of the cast to show in whole why the cast’s work is, in whole, just as important to the series’ presentation as that of the series’ writers.  All things considered Power Rangers Ninja Storm presents audiences with plenty to appreciate.  There is a lot of familiarity throughout this series and just as much new material.  All in all it makes this installment of the Power Rangers one of the franchise’s best in its post-MMPR era.

Power Rangers Ninja Storm is one of the best installments of the Power Rangers franchise to come along since the days of the Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers.  That is due in part to writing that boasts its own share of familiar and new elements.  This applies both to the series’ plot and the stories presented within each of its episodes.  The same can be said of the cast’s work.  Grant McFarland conjures thoughts of Robert Axelrod with his portrayal of Lothor in this series.  Axelrod handled the role of Lord Zedd in MMPR.  Katrina Browne and Katrina Devine are just as entertaining as Lothor’s nieces even when their characters reveal the truth of their personas.  The rest of the cast impresses in its own right.  These three just shine brighter than the others in the eyes of this critic.  The cast’s work couples with that of the series writers to keep audiences engaged and entertained from one episode to the next.  The end result is a series that, again, audiences familiar with the Power Rangers franchise will agree it is one of the best installments to come along since the end of the franchise’s Zordon era.  It is available now in stores and online and can be ordered online direct via Shout! Factory’s online store now at https://www.shoutfactory.com/kids/kids-action-adventure/power-rangers-ninja-storm-the-complete-series.  More information on this and other titles from Shout! Factory is available online now at:

 

 

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Wild Force Is One Of The Power Rangers’ Most Intriguing Installments

Courtesy: Shout! Factory/Saban/Disney Enterprises

Earlier this week Shout! Factory released yet another installment of the Power Rangers franchise when it released Power Rangers Wild Force: The Complete Series.  While not the first time that this tenth “season” of Power Rangers has been released it is the first time that it has been released in its own standalone season set.  Compared to it first nine “seasons” this installment of the Power Rangers franchise is noticeably different.  One area in which that is most obvious is the “season’s” writing.  This includes its story and the elements therein.  The “season’s” overall look is quite different in comparison to previous seasons of the Power Rangers, too.  That will be discussed later.  Last but hardly least of note about this season is the work of the “season’s” cast.  While a lot had changed in this season from the franchise’s previous installments the cast’s acting boasts its own balance of camp and class.  It rounds out the “season’s” most important elements.  Together with the “season’s” writing and its look, all three elements combine to make this “season” of the Power Rangers franchise one of its most important love it or hate it.

Power Rangers Wild Force: The Complete Series is an important addition to every hardcore Power Rangers fan’s home DVD library.  This is the case because in comparison to every previous “season” of Power Rangers this “season” stands out unlike any of them all the way around.  That begins with the “season’s” writing.  The writing includes the “season’s” story and the elements therein.  The “season’s” story marks the first time in the franchise’s history that any of its installments had gone full on fantasy.  By comparison every season that came before was either largely science fiction or a hybrid sci-fi/fantasy hybrid in terms of their stories.  In the case of this “season,” the story centers on the Rangers’ conflict with the resurrected spirit of one Master Org and its org minions.  Master Org was originally defeated three thousand years prior to the story’s setting.  But thanks to the jealousy of a character who turns out to be close to Red Ranger Cole Evans, Master Org is essentially resurrected and made able to carry out its evil ways once again.  Again, this is a story that is completely unlike that of any previous season of Power Rangers.  It’s just one way in which the “season’s” writing proves to be so important to its presentation.  The smaller, more intricate details of the “season’s” writing are just as important to its presentation as the story itself.

Looking at the story’s smaller, more intricate details, it is even clearer just how much this “season” of Power Rangers stands out from its predecessors in regards to its writing.  Cole’s relationship to the man playing host to Master Org’s spirit is just one of those smaller, yet still important elements of the “season’s” writing.  The pair’s surprising relationship is so important to note to the “season’s” writing because it is another first for the franchise.  It marked the first time that one of the franchise’s main villains had presented such a close relationship to any of the franchise’s protagonists.  On a related note, the “season’s” multi-part “Lunar Wolf” story arc is just as important to note in the “season’s” writing.  That is because of its ability to balance the arc’s own identity with its obvious throwback to the Green Ranger story arc from Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers, the series that started it all for the Power Rangers franchise. On yet another note, this “season” of the Power Rangers also marked the first time that the Rangers were given so many options for zords and all within the course of a single run.  It has since gone on to become the precedent for every “season” to come after in terms of the Rangers’ wide array of zords from which to choose.  It’s just one more way in which the smaller details of the “season’s” writing proves so important to its presentation.  Together with the story itself all, the writing incorporated into PRWF proves to be hugely important to its presentation.  It is noticeably different from that of any of the previous installments of the Power Rangers.  But that clearly noticeable difference is a big part of what makes this installment of the Power Rangers so interesting. It is just one part of what makes PRWF such an interesting addition to the Power Rangers legacy.  The “season’s” look is just as important to note in regards to its presentation as its writing.

The writing behind PRWF is in itself a rather important part of the “season’s” presentation.  That is because it shows the clearly different route taken by the show’s creative heads this time out in comparison to the previous Power Rangers “seasons.”  Love it or hate it there is no denying that the writers and creative heads are to be commended for even taking the risk and changing things up so much this time out.  It’s just one part of what makes this installment of the famed franchise stand out.  The “season’s” look makes it stand out just as much.  Audiences will note in viewing this “season” that being that its footage is taken in large part from its source in the Japanese action series Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger, there is also even more reliance on CG elements in this “season” than in any previous “season” of Power Rangers.  Yes, the live action material is still just as prevalent here with the models and explosions.  But there seems to be even more focus on CG special effects incorporated into the writing than ever before.  As with the “season’s” writing that increased of computer graphics even within the course of the show’s major fight scenes this is a brave step both in terms of the program’s source material and in the bigger picture of the Power Rangers universe.  It definitely gives the show a different feel as well as look in comparison to its predecessors.  Again to that end, this “season” of Power Rangers is just as worth the watch as any of the Power Rangers previous installments if not more so.  Even as important as the look and feel of the show is to its presentation it still is not the last of its most notable elements.  The work of the “season’s” cast plays its own part in the show’s presentation, too.  It rounds out the “season’s” most notable elements as a matter of fact.

Both the writing behind PRWF and the show’s production values present their own value to the program’s presentation.  Both elements are so important to note because they present an installment of the long-running Power Rangers franchise that is largely unlike any that has come before.  Even with so much changed exhibited in this “season” of Power Rangers not everything has changed.  The cast’s take on the scripts is just as entertaining as that of previous casts in their respective installments.  Jack Guzman is wonderfully entertaining as the gentle giant type figure Danny.  Here is this really built figure who looks like he could effortlessly break a person.  Yet he is the total opposite.  Instead he is just a kind, gentle soul with a somewhat childlike sense of humor.  In the same vein Alyson Sullivan is just as impressive as Taylor Earhardt.  Taylor is a strong female lead that even today’s female viewers will appreciate watching.  What’s really impressive about Sullivan’s take on Earhardt is that she was just as believable in the role as Erin Cahill was as Jennifer in Power Rangers Time Force.  The two characters are very similar in their strong personalities.  On another note, Philip Andrew is a little bit over the top in his take on Merrick, the conflicted three-thousand year-old Wild Force Ranger.  But there is good reason for that.  The actor that originally filled the role on Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger was just as much over the top.  Now whether that was intentional or not is anyone’s guess.  Even as campy as Andrew’s acting seems there’s something endearing about it that still makes it entertaining in its own right surprisingly enough.  Whether through Andrew’s acting or that of Guzman, Sullivan, or any of their cast mates, an examination of each cast member’s work on camera shows why the cast’s work in whole is so important to this “season’s” presentation.  Together with the work of the “season’s” writers and those behind its special effects, all three elements combine to show in whole what makes this installment of the Power Rangers stand out from both the shows that came before and after.  Keeping that in mind, they serve to show why this installment of the Power Rangers is just as worth the watch as the franchise’s other offerings if not more worth the watch.

Power Rangers Wild Force is one of the most interesting offerings from the Power Rangers universe to be released to date.  This is proven in part through the show’s writing, which includes both the show’s story and the story’s smaller details.  The show’s special effects stand out just as much from other Power Rangers offerings.  That is because there is a noticeable increase in the use of CG elements within this show as any other from the Power Rangers.  The work of the show’s cast is just as notable as its writing and special effects.  There are some quite believable portrayals in this season and some that are just as enjoyable for their entertainment value.  Each element is important in its own right to the whole of Power Rangers Wild Force: The Complete Series.  Altogether they present this full series/season set as one of the most interesting of the Power Rangers series/seasons to date.  In turn this makes it just as worth the watch  as its counterparts if not more worth the watch.  It is available now in stores and online and can be ordered direct via Shout! Factory’s online store at https://www.shoutfactory.com/kids/kids-action-adventure/power-rangers-wild-force-the-complete-series.  More information on this and other titles from Shout! Factory is available online now at:

 

 

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To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.   Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Lionsgate’s Latest Power Rangers DVD A Good Watch Any Time Of The Year

Courtesy: Lionsgate/Saban/Saban Brands

Nickelodeon is set to close out the latest installment of Saban’s hugely popular Power Rangers franchise this weekend.  Power Rangers Super Megaforce will close out this Saturday on Nickelodeon.  Before it closes out Saban and Lionsgate have released a new featuring a holiday episode from this season.  Power Rangers Megaforce: Robo Knight Before Christmas brings to audiences yet another new holiday tale from what has over the years become a worldwide phenomenon.  What audiences will appreciate most of all in this episode is the fact that yet again, the people behind the franchise have switched things up in this episode instead of repeating the same story as in previous Power Rangers seasons.  This is especially important considering some of the redundancy that can be seen in the seasons that followed the franchise’s original seven-season run.  The lessons taught in the central episode tie directly in to that originality.  It’s another reason that audiences will appreciate this installment from the Megaforce Rangers.  Speaking of lessons being taught, the lessons taught in the companion episodes are just as important to the overall presentation.  The episodes themselves may not be Christmas-themed.  But the lessons shared in said episodes are just as applicable during the holidays as they are any other time of the year.  Those lessons coupled with the lessons taught in the DVD’s central episode and said episode’s originality combine to make this DVD one that any Power Rangers fan will enjoy whether during the holidays or any other time of the year.

Over the course of its now twenty-ne years on television, Saban’s Power Rangers franchise has made a tradition of running a new Christmas-themed episode in every season.  And every season’s Christmas episode has proven to be different from the last.  This applies both stylistically and in terms of their stories.  Power Rangers Megaforce: Robo Knight Before Christmas is no different in that fashion.  Given, it is for all intents and purposes a clip show.  And it’s not the first time that Saban has used clip shows in previous seasons of the Power Rangers.  But through the use of the various clips, the story is more than just another typical clip show.  For that matter, it’s also not just another piece telling about the “true meaning of Christmas.”  The show’s writers incorporate the values commonly associated with Christmas into Robo Knight’s own attempt to better understand humans.  The end result is something of a third person vantage point that helps to better illustrate the morals and values that are so important not just during the holiday season but during any time of the year.  The show’s writers accomplish this goal without being overly preachy about it, either.  Sure there’s some sappiness.  But it’s still a good non-traditional piece that focuses on the holiday season and its associated values.

The lesson centering on Christmas’ values and Robo Knight’s own attempt to understand those values couple to make Robo Knight Before Christmas another enjoyable Christmas episode of Saban’s Power Rangers franchise.  Staying on that same train of thought, the two Power Rangers episodes included as bonuses offer audiences their own positive lessons.  Neither episode takes place during Christmas or even the holiday season.  But they still teach invaluable lessons.  Power Rangers Wild Force’s episode “Team Carnival” teaches an important and invaluable lesson about self-worth.  The interesting thing of the episode is that the writers behind that season actually also took a non-traditional route in presenting said lesson.  In the case of this episode, that season’s writers presented the lesson through the use of the season’s villains Toxica (Sin Wong) and Jindrax (Danny Wayne).  When Jindrax sees that Toxica has her own family in the fight against the Power Rangers, it makes Jindrax feel worthless.  He ends up teaming up with his own family member to fight the rangers and still learns his own valuable lesson about self-worth in the long run.  It’s interesting to see any episode of the Power Rangers make a villain a sympathetic character.  But it works here.  That and the lesson centering on personal self-worth makes this episode its own invaluable addition to this DVD.  It’s one more reason that this latest Power Rangers is another *ahem* mega-hit for audiences.

The second of the bonus episodes included in the new Power Rangers Megaforce DVD, “The Spirit of Kindness,” comes from Power Rangers Jungle Fury.  The most important lesson taught through this episode could be argued to be that of the golden rule so to speak.  As audiences will see in this episode, Casey (Jason Smith)  finally wins over an old nemesis in Whiger (Jared Turner) and convinces Whiger to join him in fighting Whiger’s own former evil ally.  Whiger admits before disappearing that he fought alongside Casey because Casey was kind to him unlike the season’s other villains.  He finally realized in that final moment before his own demise the importance of kindness.  It taught Casey that kindness can be just as powerful as fighting, too.  That in itself is an extremely important lesson to be taken away from this episode.  It’s one more lesson that is just as important during the holiday season as any other time of the year.  This lesson combined with the others presented on this DVD shows once more how much the Power Rangers franchise has to offer audiences even two decades plus after it first debuted.

If the lessons taught in each of the DVD’s trio of episodes isn’t enough for audiences, then the fact that the DVD comes with a bonus digital copy will win over audiences.  Having that digital copy means that audiences can take all three of these episodes with them wherever they go.  So the lessons and the entertaining stories can be shared with any viewer without having to lug around the DVD.  It is the finishing touch to yet another DVD that any Power Rangers fan will appreciate.

Power Rangers Megaforce: Robo Knight Before Christmas is available now in stores and online.  It can be ordered online direct from Lionsgate’s online store at http://www.lionsgateshop.com/product.asp?Id=31609&TitleParentId=9994.  More information on this and other titles from Lionsgate is available online at:

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Power Rangers Seasons 8 – 12 Box Set A Must Have For Any Diehard PR Fan

Courtesy: Shout! Factory

Shout! Factory’s release of Power Rangers Seasons 8 – 12 is an absolute must have for anyone that is a true hardcore fan of the Power Rangers franchise.  This latest box set was released in late 2013, only months before the planned release of the franchise’s next box set, containing Seasons 13 – 17.  Audiences that grew up watching Seasons 8 – 12 will appreciate this box set primarily because of its writing.  Seasons 8 – 12 mark a complete cutting of ties so to speak from the original Power Rangers franchise, which ended with Power Rangers Lost Galaxy.  It was a surprisingly clean cut, too.  The bonus DVD included in this set adds to its value for any true hardcore Power Rangers fan.  That’s because of the abundant amount of extras included just on the one disc alone.  And rounding out the whole thing is the bonus booklet that comes with the set.  All of this together makes Power Rangers Seasons 8 – 12 a set that the most hardcore Power Rangers will want to add to their personal collection.

Power Rangers Seasons 8 – 12 is an important addition to any hardcore Power Rangers fan’s collection first and foremost because of the writing behind each season.  It all starts with Season 8 a.k.a. Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue.  This season and those that follow mark a clean cut from the Power Rangers’ original franchise, which ran technically six seasons.  The franchise’s seventh season saw what would be the first attempt at cutting ties from the original franchise.  But even that season maintained at least some link to the original franchise with the re-introduction of the Astro Megaship, which was used in Season 6 (Power Rangers in Space).  That essentially makes Season 8 the very first time that the franchise’s writers made a complete and clean break from the original series.  It did this quite well, too.  It is interesting to see the Power Rangers go from almost superhero-like status in its previous incarnations to being made into a semi-militaristic force in Season 8.  A similar approach is taken in Power Rangers Time Force.  The writers behind Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue made a clean, solid break from the Power Rangers’ original franchise.  For all of their ability to break from that franchise, audiences will appreciate that they did throw back to Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers with the introduction of the Titanium Ranger in this series.  Just as Tommy was originally brainwashed by Rita, so was Ryan brainwashed by Diabolico.  Fans that grew up with the original Power Rangers franchise will appreciate this throwback, whether it was intentional or not.

The eighth and ninth seasons of Power Rangers exhibited brand new chapters in the long-running franchise’s mythology.  They showed in their writing that the Power Rangers brand could keep running even in a whole new universe separate from the one created in the its first seven seasons.  This trend continued on through Seasons 10 and 11.  The most intriguing of the seasons included in this set would have to be Season 12, though.  Tommy Oliver (Jason David Frank) returns in Season 12 a.k.a. Power Rangers Dino Thunder as the head of a new team of Power Rangers.  What makes this season so enjoyable is that while it lives within the confines of its own universe, it also makes no attempt to ignore Tommy’s past as one of the original Power Rangers.  The very fact that it would be titled Dino Thunder and that the new Power Rangers would have their own dinozords of sorts is a full on throwback.  It brings everything full circle in this set.  It goes without saying that this was not the longest series in the Power Rangers canon.  But it was nice to see the writers and the franchise’s heads make that re-connection with the early days of the Power Rangers once again, just as Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue did in Season 8.

All involved behind Power Rangers Season 8 – 12 are to be commended .  These five seasons prove to be some of the best from the Power Rangers franchise in its post-Zordon era.  Fans will see this for themselves when they order the complete five-season box set from Shout! Factory.  The solid writing in each season and the inclusion of each season are only the starting point in what makes this collection a must have for any hardcore Power Rangers fan.  The set also comes with an extra sixth disc loaded with bonus material that fans will love.

The bonus sixth disc that comes with Power Rangers Seasons 8 – 12 is a bonus in itself.  It is loaded with more than its share of background on each season beginning with an in-depth look at how the actors voiced their parts for the big fight scenes.  Audiences will laugh along with the cast members as they recall being in the recording booth, recording their lines and even fight sounds as they see the action on screen.  The “Ranger Tales” segment is just as in-depth.  It offers insight on each season from different members of each season’s cast.  What’s more, this segment proceeds chronologically from Season 8 – 12.  Viewers will also enjoy watching “A Web of Fans.”  This bonus feature takes a look at the impact of the show on its fans and vice versa.  It showed how close-knit the Power Rangers fanbase is to this day and how it has helped to keep the franchise alive such a long time.  There are even more bonuses including one that discusses the introduction of the Titanium Ranger and a semi-promo from Tommy himself pushing Power Rangers Dino Thunder and even a promo by two members of the Dino Thunder cast for Power Rangers S.P.D. which is part of the next Power Rangers box set.  The bonuses don’t end here.  There is still at least one more aspect of this set that fans will appreciate being included.  That bonus is the booklet that comes with the box set.

Power Rangers Seasons 8 – 12 includes as a companion to the bonus sixth disc, a bonus booklet that includes character bios for each season as well as a complete episode guide for each season as well.  Along with the character bios are the actual names of each cast member from each season.  This includes both the Rangers and the villains.  There are even stills of various scenes taken from different episodes of each season to enhance the booklet even more.  From the stills to the episode list and character guide, those responsible for assembling this booklet put in a lot of work to make it the perfect addition to the overall set.  Together with the bonus sixth disc, the two bonus additions collectively make for one wonderful bonus to a set that simply put is a must have for any true hardcore Power Rangers fan.  Power Rangers Seasons 8 – 12 is available now in stores and online.  It can be ordered direct from the Shout! Factory online store at http://www.shoutfactory.com/product/power-rangers-seasons-8-12.  More information on this and other releases from Shout! Factory is available online at http://www.shoutfactory.com and http://www.facebook.com/shoutfactoryofficial.  To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Samurai Rangers Rise To The Challenge Again In New DVD

 

Courtesy: Lionsgate/Saban Brands

Lionsgate released two new volumes of adventures from the Samurai Power Rangers this week.  The second of the new volumes offers audiences four more adventures loaded with action and important life lessons that young audiences will enjoy.  Power Rangers Super Samurai: Rise of the Bullzooka teaches yet again the lesson of believing in one’s own self.  It also teaches the equally important lesson of never giving up in even the most difficult of situations.  The set’s second episode, “The Strange Case of the Munchies” is actually a valuable inclusion to this set as it not only teaches about believing in one’s self, but also of taking care of one’s self by not eating too much.  It takes on the subject of the obesity epidemic without being too preachy.  And as with previous releases, audiences also get the lesson of teamwork in the set’s third episode, “A Sticky Situation.”  This time, the lesson is taught when Mike and Kevin have to learn to work together, even when they face off against their latest Nighlok foe.  It all leads up to another confrontation between Jayden and Deker.  It is just one more in a rivalry that will later reach its peak for the two later in the season.

Fans of this latest team of Rangers will undoubtedly enjoy this new set of adventures for both the action and the life lessons that were more subtly tied in to each episode.  Also helping make the episodes more enjoyable is the continued inclusion of comic relief from Bulk and his nephew, Spike.  Long-time fans of the Power Rangers franchise will recall that Spike is the son of Bulk’s old friend Eugene “Skull” Skulovich.  The chemistry between Bulk and Spike harkens back to the original Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers franchise just as much as the adventures themselves.  Before this season came along, the last time anyone had seen or heard from Bulk (Paul Schrier) was in a cameo role in Power Rangers Wild Force.  While Spike isn’t Skull, the pairing of Bulk and Spike still brings about the same hilarious physical comedy that Bulk and Skull offered audiences during the original run of the Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers.  Add in a little romance on the part of Spike (spike develops a crush on Mia, not knowing she’s also the Pink Ranger) and both boys and girls will have their own entertainment here.

While this latest set of adventures only boasts four episodes, all four episodes will offer audiences of the latest Rangers squad plenty of entertainment.  The comedy element instilled by Bulk and Spike plays its own role in the success of the episodes.  The stylistic link between the stories of the original Power Rangers franchise and this latest installment is another connection that will entertain both long-time fans and younger, newer fans.  The life lessons included in each story are another standard of the Power Rangers franchise as a whole.  It makes for one more element that both long-time fans and newer fans will appreciate.  Altogether, they combine to make one more set that any Power Rangers fan will enjoy.  Power Rangers Super Samurai: Rise of the Bullzooka is available now in stores and online.  It can be ordered online via the Lionsgate store at http://www.lionsgateshop.com/product.asp?Id=27841&TitleParentId=8042. 

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