Power Rangers
Go, go Power Rangers? Although the answer can seem pretty clear for many, there are a few aspects of the new 24-years-old franchise’s reboot that attracted critics’ attention and that might make you want to go see the super-hero movie in theatre this weekend.
The story? 5 modern teenagers who met during high school detention are infused with unique superpowers in order for them to save the planet from an evil witch (Elizabeth Banks) who has a weakness for gold and world domination.
So, should you be tempted to check out Power Rangers on the big screen? Here’s what the reviews are saying…
90 Minutes of emptiness, but a pretty cool finale
Given a “spare-no-expense makeover,” the reboot still struggles most of the time to entertain. But that’s until it reaches a certain level of success once it gets to a finale with action scenes that ooze “the essence of blockbuster decadence.” In the end, just like junk food, it’s not because it’s bad for you that you won’t enjoy it.
An aspiring blockbuster that turns out to be too ambitious
Despite its “surprising relevance,” Power Rangers feels “hopelessly lost in time,” quickly turning into a “molehill-posing-as-mountain-size triumph.” Reviewers describe it as a bland, hollow film with no personality of its own. One of them even points out: “This would hardly seem like a Power Rangers movie at all; even the iconic, color-coded spandex suits have been turned into hard plastic nonsense that looks so dumb and lifeless that Zack Snyder might as well steal it for ‘Justice League’.”
Characters that offer diversity, and a reminiscence of John Hughes’ movies
The “admirably diverse group of characters” is probably one of the few strengths of the movie (which also introduces an LGBTQ role for the first time in a super-hero franchise), as it allows the story to dig deeper into each of their culture. However, what could have been a clever reflection of modern adolescence turns out to only offer “teen archetypes” screw-ups who constitute “the weirdest Breakfast Club of all time.”
Elizabeth Banks is probably the best thing that happened to the movie
“The only thing that makes this battle-heavy second half orgy of green-screen destruction remotely interesting is Elizabeth Banks’ Repulsa,” says one of the critics. In fact, Banks makes all the “generally appealing performances” of the other actors “pale” next to hers as she looks like she’s having a lot of fun, which brings a much-needed dose of “winking humor” to the production. Eventually, the actress approaches the film pretty much like anyone who wants to have a good time watching it should, by knowing exactly what you signed up for and “decide to have a ball with it”.
The best quotes from the reviews:
“Set your expectations low enough and you might just be entertained.” – Chris Nashawaty, Entertainment Weekly
“The thing is, it’s all franchise window dressing. What it can’t cover up is that the characters in “Power Rangers” have all the depth and idiosyncrasy of walking talking robo-teen action figures.” – Owen Gleiberman, Variety
“It really isn’t that weird that someone spent $105 million on a “Power Rangers” movie in 2017. What’s weird is that someone spent $105 million on a “Power Rangers” movie in 2017, and then decided that it should open with a gag about a teenage boy inadvertently masturbating a bull.” – David Ehrlich, Indie Wire
