Writer: Erny Suzira

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Watch this if you liked: “Power Rangers” or “Super Sentai” series

The Good, the Bad and the Teenagers with Attitude:

20 years has passed since the last "Power Rangers" movie, and now Lionsgate and Haim Saban have come together to create an all new reboot based on the first season of the "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers", featuring the same characters with slightly different personalities from the original.

The movie marks the third entry of the "Power Rangers" movie after "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie" (1995) and "Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie" (1997), and seems to be a mash of various modern superhero flicks like "Avengers", "Transformers", and "Fantastic Four".

What's great about the movie is that, like the original TV series, it features an array of diverse characters from different backgrounds such as an African American, Asian and Latina (a new introduction) characters which back then, although they were somewhat included in the series, it wasn't very common for them to be given as important character-arcs like their Caucasian counterparts.

The movie even introduces its first LGBTQ and autistic superheroes, making it break all the typical hero stereotypes with its new brand of characters.

The feature of course, is not without flaws. There are some pretty cliche moments which can be typically found in the young adult and superhero genres, but they aren't very obvious to the point that it gets annoying. Via this film, they merely function as something to give the movie a bit of a backstory and get the plot going.

The first half of the story can be a bit slow as it delves a lot into the five characters' personal backgrounds, and even though it is slow-paced, it's not that things get any boring, there is just less action. However, the movie quickly dives into action in the second half with plenty of homages and tributes to the original series which only loyal fans of the franchise would notice.

There is a fair share of comical moments in the movie specifically via RJ Cyler and Ludi Lin's characters, but the other main characters are equally as likable as well.

Not much fault can be found in terms of the acting skills, except for Becky G who can be a bit stiff in some scenes which is understandable as she is not a professionally trained actress but is actually a singer, but thankfully, her character is the cool, quiet type that usually shows a stoic face, so it's not very obvious.

High praises should be given to Elizabeth Banks who plays the villainous Rita Repulsa, delivering the role amazingly in a disgusting but brilliant way. Her character is so much different from the original Rita who is comical and stupid at times, as Banks' version of Rita is sinister and creepy which can send chills down your spine.

Overall, the movie might not appeal to everyone who is a hardcore superhero fanatic, but it is entertaining in its own way and can definitely satisfy long-time "Power Rangers" fans with its many nostalgic elements.

Trivia:

• The first Blue Ranger Billy Cranston was named after Bryan Cranston, who now plays Zordon in the 2017 "Power Rangers" movie.

Cinema Online, 23 March 2017