Power Rangers is a 2017 superhero action film directed by Dean Israelite, starring Dacre Montgomery, Naomi Scott, RJ Cyler, Becky G, Ludi Lin, Bill Hader, Bryan Cranston, and Elizabeth Banks.  Based on the team of the same name, the film follows Zordon who recruits five high school students to form a team that must stop an alien threat led by the witch Rita Repulsa.

Plot: The story follows five ordinary teens who discover an alien ship near the city of Angel Grove.  There they learn that they are destined to become the legendary Power Rangers and that the world is in danger of an alien witch known as Rita Repulsa.  The story is typical of a Power Rangers story and although the characters have relatable backstories they aren’t really interesting.  Even the origins of the Power Rangers lacks the intensity that it could’ve had.  Rita’s plan to get the Zeo Crystal is just too simple and should’ve required some type of complexity.  However, the backstory between Zordon and Rita works but should’ve been fleshed out more.  And for as interesting as the story is it is a bit bland.  However, the film does come to a pretty epic climax and the after credits scene works.  (3 out of 5)

Characters:  The characters didn’t seem all of that interesting at first.  But as the film progresses the characters become more pronounced. Jason Scott (Montgomery) is thrown off the football team after a failed prank, Billy Cranston (Cyler) is autistic, Kimberly Hart (Scott) spread a private sexual image of her friend, Zack (Lin) lives in fear that his sick mother will die, and Trini (G) who is questioning her sexual orientation.  The group all live troubled lives, but do evolve as individuals which makes them evolve as a group.  Zordon (Cranston) and Alpha 5 (Hader) actually have personality.  Zordon isn’t this benevolent being who is one hundred percent selfless.  Alpha 5 actually relevant.  But the standout character is Rita Repulsa (Banks).  Sure she has that same cartoony personality like in the series but she is also pretty serious. (3 out of 5)

Cast:  Great performances by the main and supporting cast.  The main cast are Dacre Montgomery, Naomi Scott, RJ Cyler, Becky G, and Ludi Lin. The supporting cast includes Bill Hader, Bryan Cranston, Elizabeth Banks. I fucking loved Banks as Rita. She was badass, sexy, menacing.  The cast includes David Denman, Caroline Cave, Anjali Jay, Patrick Sabongui, Erica Cerra, Sarah Grey, Matt Shively, Garry Chalk, and Fred Tatasciore. Cranston and Banks are great.  (3 out of 5)

Visuals:  If there is one thing that this movie has it’s great visuals.  There are so many different things to appreciate.  First, the alien tech looks awesome.  Zordon and Alpha 5 have a really good look about them.  The ranger armor is straight up badass, looks like a blend of the original rangers’ suits, Iron Man’s Mark IV, and Master Chief’s Mjolnir Powered Assault Armor.  The Rita Repulsa design looks great; she’s dark, twisted, and demonic.  The action sequences are shot really well, especially when it comes to the camera angles of the Zord fights.  The Zord designs look cool, more weaponize than animalistic.  Did not really like the Goldar design, it should’ve been mechanized like the others.  Rita was formerly the Green Ranger so she should’ve had an actual Zord. (5 out of 5)

Score:  The music is pretty damn good though not really memorable.  For all those fans of the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, the theme does make an appearance and it does bring the same feeling of nostalgia. Thumbs up to Brian Tyler. (3 out of 5)

Writing:  Israelite does a great job with the film, building and fleshing out the characters.  There is a good amount of humor, drama, and action.  The training montage is good and an important sequence, showing the development of the characters as individuals and as a group.  Though under the Power Ranger name the dialogue is pretty modern which helps to make it more realistic.  There are some things that could’ve been done better.  There should’ve been a better distribution of the characters and their lives. Another aspect is the fact that all of the teens seemingly have some sort of dysfunction. Rita’s comeback should’ve been more terrifying.  As much as she was doing her presence didn’t feel epic.  Also, the climax is great but it isn’t epic.  Rita’s fate should’ve ended with her being killed, captured, or escaped.  The idea of her being knocked into space wasn’t good. (3 out of 5)

The Verdict:  In the end, Power Rangers is a good film just not a great one. It’s easy to see why this film is so polarizing, yet I can’t help but admit that I enjoyed it. Yeah, there are some things the film could’ve done better. The plot is too simple, some of the humor is unnecessary, messy plot points, and the story slow paced.  The film does have good characters, a good cast, great visuals, a good score, and some great action.  Power Rangers gets 4 out of 5.