Review: Power Rangers Wild Force

After a chance encounter with the peace keeping Wild Force Power Rangers, a young man named Cole Evans discovers that he is destined to become the Red Wild Force Ranger. Under the tutelage of the powerful Princess Shayla, Cole and the other Rangers are tasked with defeating the ancient Master Org and his horde of heartless creatures before they can destroy the Earth.

Power Rangers Wild Force is the tenth season of the Power Rangers franchise, airing originally during 2002. It stars Ricardo Medina, Jr., Alyson Kiperman, Phillip Jeanmarie, Jessica Rey, Jack Guzman, Phillip Andrew and Ann Marie Crouch.

Without a doubt, Power Rangers Wild Force is one of the most impressive entries into the storied Power Rangers franchise from the Post-Zordon era. It is rich with depth and builds a fascinating mythology around its characters. Taking point from its Super Sentai counterpart Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger, it follows the adventures of five fierce warriors who use the powers of ancient animals to do battle against the evil Master Org. The series explores a variety of themes – such as revenge, morality and issues of environmentalism. It is concisely written and is carefully plotted in order to maximize story arcs, thus minimizing the usage of filler episodes. Wild Force is also notable for its relatively small cast of villains, as well as its tight focus on its protagonists. Unlike many of the preceding Power Rangers series, Wild Force takes its time to develop each member of the main cast and maintains a pace that keeps its audience engaged.

Wild Force is not afraid to make its characters unlikeable at times. Taylor is at times over serious and often acts outwardly aggressive when faced with situations that are outside of her control. Likewise, Merrick is cold and distant, especially towards Princess Shayla. Though this may initially make them seem unworthy of sympathy, their portrayals turn out to be the most multi-dimensional and relatable on the show. Despite her mean streak, Taylor is incredibly competent and is arguably the most dedicated member of the team. In fact, given her experience and overall comportment it’s a little puzzling as to why she didn’t remain as the leader of the team once Cole arrived. With Merrick, we understand his behaviour through the exploration of his past and we come to accept his lone wolf behaviour as endearing. That’s not to say the other characters aren’t interesting. Danny is loveable in an awkward kind of way, calling to mind Raita from Choujin Sentai Jetman. Alyssa, meanwhile, is unapologetically sweet and caring. Her boundless optimism and the emotional support she provides the others make her into the unheralded nucleus of the group. There’s also a rather clever narrative with her character, emphasizing the importance of her education and her pursuit of knowledge. Even Max’s dopiness and insecurities make him memorable as a character. Unfortunately, the curse of the dull Red Ranger syndrome continues with Cole. While his love for animals and ability to communicate with them, as well as his strict moral code, help give him depth, he’s still less interesting than the others on the show.

The biggest surprise for me with this series was its adherence to story arcs, which is something previous seasons were rather stingy with. Where other entries relied heavily on filler episodes, Wild Force packs its 40 episodes with development and plot twists. A notable example of this is the Zen-Aku arc, which begins early on in the season. It helps to introduce the mysterious and powerful Org Zen-Aku, as well as the sixth Ranger Merrick. Wild Force is further supplemented by subplots, such as Cole’s search for the truth about his parents’ fate, and character-centric episodes that see our heroes gain new Zords (often by overcoming their fears or by proving themselves). The abundance of multi-part stories and subplots really helped to add a sense of gravity and direction to the series. For the first time, a Power Rangers season actually built up towards its finale and came to a satisfying climax (complete with a decently executed denouement). With Wild Force, it finally seemed like the writers knew where they were going and weren’t simply wandering around aimlessly until the final few episodes.

Power Rangers Wild Force does have its share of flaws. The acting is still questionable (Toxica – I’m looking at you, girl), the CGI is really dated, there are far too many Zords to keep track of and some cheesy sequences (many involving the syrupy Princess Shayla singing). Despite this, it’s hard not to love Wild Force. From a plotting perspective, it’s quite possibly the strongest entry in the Post-Zordon Era. It was the perfect way to close out this particular era, providing fleshed out characters and more engaging storylines. If that weren’t enough, it features not one, but two, Power Ranger team-ups (the two-part “Reinforcements from the Future” and the anniversary episode “Forever Red”). After the lackluster Lost Galaxy and Lightspeed Rescue, Wild Force and its predecessor Time Force proved that the Power Rangers franchise could move beyond a simple monster-of-the-day formula and instead present a legitimately entertaining season-long narrative.

Review: Power Rangers Time Force

In the 30^th century, an elite squadron known as Time Force is tasked with apprehending mutant criminals. Ransik, the leader of the mutants, escapes his captivity and kills the Red Time Force Ranger Alex before fleeing to the year 2001. Alex’s fiancée Jen and her three comrades in Time Force follow Ransik to the 21^st century in order to re-capture Ransik and get justice for Alex’s death. There they meet one of Alex’s ancestors and together they form the new Time Force Rangers.

Power Rangers Time Force is the ninth entry in the Power Rangers franchise. It stars Jason Faunt, Erin Cahill, Kevin Kleinberg, Deborah Estelle Phillips, Michael Copon, Vernon Wells and Kate Shelton.

Time Force is often regarded as one of the best seasons of Power Rangers and it’s certainly not hard to see why. It is a series with a strong, cohesive message and a cast of distinctive characters that audiences can invest in. It’s lighter on filler as well in comparison to many of its predecessors, which helps to maintain the focus on its central themes. Time Force is largely interested in exploring topics such as fate and independence, the consequences of time travel, the conflicts between classes, and racism. This adds depth to the series and gives it a sense of maturity that most other Power Rangers entries lacked. Though Time Force often deals with its themes implicitly or in a cursory manner, it’s hard to deny their impact or their resonance.

One of my most pressing criticisms of the post-Mighty Morphin seasons has been inconsistent character development – both on the protagonist and antagonist side. Despite the fact that Power Rangers is formulated as an ensemble-style franchise, it isn’t uncommon for many of the Rangers to go undeveloped. For instance, in Time Force’s predecessor Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue, Chad remained a blank canvas throughout the entire season. Miraculously, this criticism is not relevant to Time Force. All five members of the Ranger team are given distinctive personalities and roles within the cast. They have their own quirks as well, which are explored through character-focused episodes or through general interactions between the characters. Jen is the tough leader, Katie is the muscle (who just so happens to love musicals), Trip is the awkward genius, Lucas is the charismatic flirt and Wes is the glue that holds the team together. In fact, when the Lightspeed Rescue Rangers appear for a crossover it was pretty evident just how forgettable they were as a group when compared to the Time Force Rangers.

The cabal of villains in Time Force is kept to a smaller number, which works in the show’s favour. There’s the maniacal Ransik, his vapid daughter Nadira, the bumbling Gluto and the tragic Frax. It’s actually quite refreshing to see a season of Power Rangers where the show isn’t cluttered with generic henchmen. Though they’re still portrayed in a comedic light, Ransik’s group seems far more dangerous than previous villains were and yet are somehow remarkably relatable. Time Force’s engagement with themes of racism and alienation are crucial to the narratives surrounding Ransik. The fear and hate between humans and mutants feels very much like it’s been lifted out of the X-Men, but still manages to get its point across. The three part finale drives this home when Nadira’s views towards humans begin to shift and she questions whether her father’s actions are justified. This was a twist I enjoyed tremendously, especially since it was reminiscent of the tortured Andromeda’s conflicted villainy. However, it was a shift that was abrupt and could have easily been hinted at far earlier in the series. After all, up until that point, Nadira was little more than an annoying spoiled brat. The hypocrisy in Ransik’s treatment towards robots, especially his cruelty towards Frax, further complicates his character.

There are several memorable episodes from Time Force. Episodes like “Jen’s Revenge,” “Future Unknown” and “Uniquely Trip” stand out due to their focus on character development. These episodes help to flesh out the Rangers and give audiences the chance to really understand their motivations. They’re also crucial to emphasizing the tangible chemistry that exists between them. Time Force is even more impressive when it is narrative-driven and works towards its overarching plots. “The Quantum Quest” and the two-part “Clash for Control” are examples of this. This cluster of episodes introduces the Quantum Ranger and explores his pursuit for ultimate power, placing him in direct conflict with not only the mutants but the Time Force Rangers as well. There’s also the playful and incredibly creative two-part “Movie Madness,” which sees the Rangers wearing some rather nifty get-ups while they’re trapped in film dimensions. The best set of episodes though goes to the three-part finale “The End of Time.” It’s fast-paced and packed full of poignant moments. It’s quite possibly one of the best finales there has been in Power Rangers history up until that point.

While it may have its share of issues, Power Rangers Time Force is one of the strongest entries in the Power Rangers franchise. It’s got the right mix of drama and comedy, pushing the boundaries of what it typically regarded as a kid’s program. The Rangers are relatable, the villains are multi-dimensional and the narrative itself allows its characters to grow and learn from their mistakes throughout the season. For those looking for something that matches (and possibly exceeds) the quality of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers or Power Rangers in Space, Time Force is a safe bet.

Review: Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue

When an ancient tomb is disturbed, ancient demons spring forth to wreak havoc on the city of Mariner Bay. To combat this threat, five strangers are assembled under a special program known as Lightspeed. Trained in combat and outfitted with the latest battle technology, it is their mission to prevent the nefarious demonic overlord Queen Bansheera from being resurrected by her recently freed minions.

After the lukewarm Lost Galaxy, Lightspeed Rescue proved to be a much-needed break from the science fiction-tinged space adventures that preceded it. It's darker and more dramatic, weaving in elements of the supernatural with overarching plot lines. In fact, it has quite a bit in common with the beloved Super Sentai series Chōjin Sentai Jetman. Lightspeed features a cast of five strangers from various walks of life who are assembled together under a special project, spearheaded by a military-trained authority figure. The overall tone matches that of Jetman, though its protagonists aren't quite as outlandish and melodramatic.

Many of the characters within Lightspeed are notable for their multi-faceted personalities and their varied motivations, often to an extent never done before within the series. Team leader Carter, for instance, is inspired to become a firefighter after being heroically rescued from a burning building as a child. This informs his character and establishes why he's as driven as he is to do good. Another layer is added when it's revealed that the firefighter who saved him is a character we're all very familiar with. Furthermore, the overarching familial drama of Pink Ranger Dana helps to offer an emotional anchor for the series and gives her further depth as a character.

Unfortunately, Lightspeed falls into many of the same traps as the series that preceded it. Namely, it fails to strike a balance between all five of its protagonists. While Green Ranger Joel and Yellow Ranger Kelsey receive ample screentime, the others are largely relegated to supporting roles. The Blue Ranger is all but forgotten and not much is done to flesh out his character. Dana and Carter fare better, particularly the latter. In fact, Dana's personality and close ties to Lightspeed should have guaranteed her role as the leader of the team. Sadly, that thread wasn't picked up. Truth be told, the lack of development for our protagonists does seem to be due to the heavy focus placed on the older characters (Captain Mitchell and Angela Fairweather). The season-long courtship between Joel and Fairweather takes up far more time than it needs to, as it often completely pulled focus away from the other Rangers. 

Overall, Lightspeed was a return to form for the Power Rangers franchise. It wasn't quite as tedious as Lost Galaxy and its cast proved to be very likeable. The writing is stronger and there's more of a focus on building a series-long arc that leads to some rather frenzied battles towards the end. The lack of development for many of the characters is lamentable and the acting is painful at times (Vypra, I'm looking at you!), but even at its worst it's still not quite as bad as Turbo and it does a better job of reaching its potential than Zeo. 

Review: Power Rangers Lost Galaxy

Favourite Ranger: Kendrix Morgan, The Pink Galaxy Ranger I

Favourite Villain: Villamax

Favourite Episode: "The Power of Pink"

Least Favourite Ranger: Kai Chen, The Blue Galaxy Ranger

Least Favourite Villain: Deviot

Least Favourite Episode: "Stolen Beauty"

When the villainous Scorpius attacks the planet Mirinoi in search of the powerful Quasar Sabers, five young strangers rise up to fight against him. Together they unlock the power of the Sabers and transform into the Galaxy Rangers. With their newfound abilities, they dedicate themselves to stopping Scorpius and his daughter Trakeena.

As the follow-up to Power Rangers in Space, Lost Galaxy had a lot to live up to. It borrows much of what made Space so thrilling, but lacks its depth and heart. Where its predecessor was much more character-driven, Lost Galaxy is more concerned with plot. There are moments of brilliance, particularly when they build upon the mythology of the series. The Quasar Sabers and the prophecies involving the Lost Galaxy are excellent additions, giving some much-needed context to the Rangers' arsenal. The setting of a space colony also works in the series' favour, allowing for some interesting storytelling potential.

Of the five original Galaxy Rangers, Kendrix is by far the most layered. She's smart and sensitive, but also has a fiery side to her. Her friendship with Maya provides an emotional anchor for the series, while her implied romantic feelings for Leo show potential growth. Though she's not a hero, the villainous Trakeena is also developed quite well. Of all the characters in the series, she's the only one who shows the most progression. She starts off as a vapid ditz, but eventually becomes a fierce warrior capable of defeating the Power Rangers.

Unfortunately, not all of the characters are as well written as Kendrix and Trakeena. Kai comes across as stiff and unlikeable, Maya is a bit too much of the jungle girl archetype and little to nothing is done to give Damon a personality. Replacement Ranger Karone is also tragically ignored, with very few attempts made to actually follow-up on her life post-Astronema. The problem was due to there being no time spent on actually developing these characters past one-dimensional caricatures. This is because Lost Galaxy concentrates a little too heavily on its rather bloated rogues gallery. While the series would have been fine sticking with Trakeena and her men, the introduction of Captain Mutiny completely derailed the flow of the series. The extended supporting cast also doesn't help matters. In the end, there are simply too many characters and not enough done with them.

There's quite a bit to like about Lost Galaxy. The mythology is interesting and the overall aesthetic is different. The series' crossover with the Space Rangers and its three-part finale are arguably some of the best episodes thus far in the franchise. Additionally, Kendrix serves as perhaps the most multi-dimensional Pink Ranger since Kimberly from way back in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. Sadly, the lack of character development makes it hard to care for the series' characters. Though not nearly as bad as Power Rangers Turbo, Lost Galaxy could have been much better than it ended up being.

Review: Power Rangers in Space

Favourite Ranger: Ashley Hammond, the Yellow Space Ranger

Favourite Villain: Astronema

Favourite Episode: "Countdown to Destruction" (Parts I & II)

Least Favourite Ranger: Zhane, the Silver Space Ranger

Least Favourite Villain: Darkonda

Least Favourite Episode: "Grandma Matchmaker"

When Zordon is captured by the united forces of the nefarious Dark Specter, the Power Rangers venture off into space in search of their mentor. They quickly join forces with Andros, a rebel who fights against the femme fatale Astronema while searching for his long lost sister. Together, Andros and the other Power Rangers form a new team dedicated to bringing down the universe's most dangerous evil organization.

After the campiness of Turbo, Power Rangers in Space is a refreshing return to action-packed adventure and character-driven narratives. It is cohesive in its tone and focuses on delivering story arcs, making it decidedly one of the more well-written entries into the franchise. Andros' search for his sister grounds this series and provides a reason for viewers to root for the Rangers beyond the "good vs. evil" cliché. This also helps to improve our reception of Andros as a character. Unlike previous Red Rangers, he is flawed and is more of a lone wolf. He's not a natural leader, but he's got a good heart. This makes him one of the more multi-faceted characters in the franchise.

Much like Andros, the villainous Astronema is portrayed as a complex character that we can sympathize with. Previously, the Rangers' antagonists have been fairly one-note and typically don't have much in the way of a backstory. From the overbearing Rita Repulsa to the campy Divatox, the villains have traditionally been evil "just because." Astronema's motivations are much more complicated and she's given a history that is presented to the audience as a puzzle that we must piece together. The mystery of her origins, paired with her affection for the Silver Ranger, make her fascination to watch. She's certainly one of the more vicious villains the franchise has had, but she's also the one we can empathize the most with.

One of the biggest complaints I had towards Turbo was the blandness of the "new" Rangers Cassie, TJ, Carlos and Ashley. Thankfully, they come into their own in Space. We get to see Cassie's feisty personality, TJ's skills as a brilliant strategist and Carlos' headstrong attitude. Most interesting, however, is Ashley's crush on Andros. What starts out as a subtle affection turns into a rather sweet relationship. Unfortunately, it's not handled as well as it could have been. The progress of their relationship inevitably takes a backseat to the conflicts with Dark Specter and Astronema, which prevents the couple from becoming a true rival to the fan-favourite Kimberly and Tommy pairing. Still, it is through Ashley's love for Andros that we see her heart and passion shine through. 

Power Rangers in Space is one of the most addictive entries into the Power Rangers franchise. Its relatively small cast of characters and use of recurring storylines make for one of the tightest narratives the franchise has ever had. It takes risks and presents itself as a bold mix between Star Trek and just about every daytime soap opera. The Rangers are flawed, but likeable, while the villains are much more complex in their characterization. There's really very little to complain about when there were only a couple of stinker episodes out of a 43 episode run.

Review: Power Rangers Turbo

Favourite Ranger: Tanya Sloan, The Yellow Turbo Ranger I

Favourite Villain: Divatox

Favourite Episode: "Chase Into Space," Parts I & II

Least Favourite Ranger: Justin Stewart, The Blue Turbo Ranger

Least Favourite Villain: Crash & The Creeps

Least Favourite Episode: "Trouble by the Slice"

After the fall of the Machine Empire, space pirate Divatox sets her sights on Earth. There's just one problem - the would-be conquerer must contend with the super-powered teen heroes known as the Power Rangers. 

With the assistance of their new mentor Dimitria and a brand-new set of powers, these rainbow-coloured heroes are more than ready to take on Divatox.

Immediately proceeding the events of Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie, this season sees pre-teen Ranger Justin settling into his new role as a superhero and the villainous Divatox regrouping after her humiliating defeat at the hands of the Power Rangers. 

From the onset, there is a notable shift in the tone of the series and it's clear that the producers were looking to cater to younger audiences once more. Unfortunately, this creates a problem as it gives the overall narrative a regressive quality.

Having matured over the course of the past four seasons, Bulk and Skull are returned to the role of bumbling idiots. First, through a subplot where they are turned into chimps and then through a recurring gag about their inability to hold onto a job for more than one episode.

The inclusion of Justin as a Power Ranger is equally as problematic. Though he may be mature for his age, the dynamic he creates throws off the balance amongst the team. He's shoehorned into just about every story, which means that it becomes increasingly more difficult for the writers to provide more sophisticated storytelling. This means that we see a lot of oddly themed episodes, such as one where the Rangers are shrunk and another where they're essentially baked into a giant pizza.

In many ways, Turbo represents a major shift in the Power Rangers franchise. Old characters are written off, while an onslaught of new ones are seemingly introduced in every other episode. Sadly, this isn't always for the better. 

Zordon and Alpha 5 are immediately replaced by Dimitria and Alpha 6, the latter being incredibly irritating due to the odd voice work and dated slang. Mainstays Tommy, Kat, Adam and Tanya are also written out midway through the season, bringing in a crop of younger and less experienced Rangers into the fray.

This near-complete makeover of the Rangers is quite unfortunate since the new batch of actors they hired are nowhere near as good as the old guard. Patricia Ja Lee is particularly difficult to watch at times, as she appears to phone in most of her performances using gestures you'd expect from elementary school kids. 

That said, there's still a lot of untapped potential among the new Rangers. Ashley, the new Yellow Ranger, had the opportunity to be the second coming of Kimberly due to their similar personalities and interests. However, she was swiftly relegated to the background in favour of highlighting Cassie and the boys.

Despite the steep drop in the quality of the series, Turbo isn't all bad. In fact, it would be easy to argue that the season isn't really about the Rangers at all and that the true star is Divatox. This scene-stealing villain outshines just about every bad guy that preceded her and her zany antics create the most memorable moments from the season. This is a true testament to the combined talents of Carol Hoyt and Hilary Shepard, whose turns as the campy femme fatale helped make the season watchable.

What is so disappointing about Power Rangers Turbo isn't how formulaic it is or how poor the acting can be, but rather how much squandered potential there was. The costuming was great, the automotive theme was clear and the producers had a fantastic villain at their disposal, yet they opted to focus most of their energies on disposable filler episodes, introducing new characters and developing the nearly universally despised Blue Turbo Ranger more than the others. Obviously not every season of Power Rangers is going to be great, but the tragedy with Turbo was that it could have been so much better.

Review: Power Rangers Zeo

Favourite Ranger: Tanya Sloan, The Yellow Zeo Ranger

Favourite Villain: Archerina

Favourite Episode: "A Mystery to Me"

Least Favourite Ranger: Rocky DeSantos, The Blue Zeo Ranger

Least Favourite Villain: Prince Sprocket

Least Favourite Episode: "For Cryin' Out Loud"

When a band of robotic conquerers known as the Machine Empire set their sights on Earth, it's up to the Power Rangers to stop them. With their new powers and a new Ranger, they are re-energized and ready to take on their biggest challenge yet.

As iconic as Mighty Morphin Power Rangers was, its follow-up Power Rangers Zeo proved itself to be of a higher quality in both storytelling and tone. Where the original series struggled to find its identity, Zeo finds a happy medium between camp and seriousness. It borrows almost exclusively from Chouriki Sentai Ohranger, which saves it from disconnects with costuming and odd Zord usage. Aside from that, Zeo isn't quite as scattershot as its predecessor and should be applauded for taking its time with its narratives. There are numerous overarching plots in this series, many of which help character development.

Two of the major storylines for this series include the introduction of Tommy's brother David and the mystery of the Gold Zeo Ranger. The latter becomes a recurring plot point that unfolds over the course of several episodes. The decision to keep the identity of the Gold Zeo Ranger secret was brilliant and enabled the writers to include several red herrings. This keeps the audience guessing, although the eventual reveal was a touch underwhelming.

Beyond the improvement in writing, Power Rangers Zeo featured stronger characterization in comparison to the past season and a half of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. Tanya Sloan, Aisha's replacement as the Yellow Ranger, is a standout. She's smart, she's funny and she's a pretty darn good singer. In fact, Tanya's singing talents were utilized in a couple episodes. Similarly, both Kat and Rocky receive more attention than they previously had. Kat is characterized as a perfectionist and athlete who harbours secret feelings for Tommy, while Rocky is seen as much more impetuous and immature. The Zeo line-up may not be quite as distinct as the original five from the first series, but there's a chemistry there that makes them believable as a team and as friends.

Even though the heroes are the stars of the show, the villains prove themselves to be worthy of praise as well. As a whole, the Machine Empire is much more menacing than the more generic Evil Space Aliens led by Rita and Lord Zedd. The designs are a little clunky, but their oppressive regime and distinguishable personalities make up for that. Where Rita and Zedd's bunch were portrayed as bumbling fools, King Mondo and Queen Machina have much more capable help. From the bratty Prince Sprocket to the scheming Prince Gasket, there's much more diversity with the antagonists this time around.

Taken as a whole, Power Rangers Zeo is arguably of a much higher quality than its predecessor. The writing is tighter, the characters are distinctive and the tone is much more cohesive. Broken down, there are several subpar episodes that are questionably written, but the overall aesthetic of the series allows the franchise to take on a more layered way of telling its stories. While it may be often forgotten amongst the other entries in the franchise, Zeo was groundbreaking at the time and it really helped to continue the legacy of the Power Rangers from remaining stagnant. For that, Zeo deserves more love than it gets. 

(As a side note, I think the Zeo/Ohranger costumes are some of the best design-wise. They're pretty snazzy.)

Review: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Season 3

Favourite Ranger: Kimberly Hart, The Pink Power Ranger

Favourite Villain: Lord Zedd

Favourite Episode: "Ninja Quest" (Parts I-IV)

Least Favourite Ranger: Rocky DeSantos, The Red Power Ranger

Least Favourite Villain: Rito Revolto

Least Favourite Episode: "Attack of the 60' Bulk"

With the arrival of Rita Repulsa's brother Rito Revolto, the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers find themselves outmatched. To combat this new threat, they must search out a powerful ally to help them in their quest to defeat their latest enemy.

The first half of the third season of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers features some of the strongest storytelling in the history of the series. The opening three-parter "A Friend in Need" is notable for the crossover with the short-lived Masked Rider series and posits the Rangers in space. The different setting and usage of alternate antagonists is a nice change of pace. Similarly, the "Ninja Quest" saga is equally as satisfying since it changes the status quo of the series. The introduction of new costumes, Zords and enemies reinvigorates the narrative, opening up new possibilities for storytelling. Additionally, Bulk and Skull's transition into becoming police officers is a nice progression for them, showing viewers just how far they've come since their days as the school bullies.

Unfortunately, the season loses steam shortly after the departure of fan-favourite Kimberly Hart. Without her grounding presence on the show, it becomes clear that the team lacks cohesion and the chemistry between the cast members is a little off. While Kat is a surprisingly nice addition, she lacks the bubbly personality that made the Pink Ranger so loveable. Even still, Kat's arc of villain-turned-hero is a nice homage to Tommy's introduction into the show and her character is shown to have more depth than the previous Ranger replacements.

Where the season truly loses its way is during the Alien Rangers miniseries. This poorly conceived storyline sees the main cast being transformed into children and features the introduction of a group of Power Rangers from another planet to pick up the slack. Intended to be aquatic in nature, these new heroes can't survive without hydration. They speak through garbled audio filters and are made up with cheap looking masks. This is in stark contrast to their Ranger identities, which are ninja-inspired. They lack personalities and are altogether quite forgettable. At the same time, it's tragic that they didn't use more of the footage from Ninja Sentai Kakuranger throughout the season. Truthfully, they should have eschewed the Alien Rangers arc and instead used their costumes as alternate looks for the main Rangers.

Overall, the conclusion of the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers era ends rather disappointingly. The Alien Rangers arc is incredibly underwhelming and the misuse of the Ninja Sentai Kakuranger footage proved to be an obvious missed opportunity. Nevertheless, the efforts made to move the series along through the departure of old characters and the introductions of new ones are commendable. Kat's potential and the new direction with which they've taken Bulk and Skull help prevent this season from being a total loss.

Review: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Season 2

Favourite Ranger: Kimberly Hart, The Pink Power Ranger

Favourite Villain: Lord Zedd

Favourite Episode: "White Light" (Parts I-II)

Least Favourite Ranger: Rocky DeSantos, The Red Power Rangers

Least Favourite Villain: Squatt

Least Favourite Episode: "Where There's Smoke, There's Fire"

After Rita Repulsa's continued failure to defeat the Power Rangers, the nefarious Lord Zedd usurps her throne and unleashes his power on Earth. To combat this threat, the Power Rangers get a major power upgrade. However, they must soon contend with the Green Ranger's depleting powers and the departure of three of their teammates. Can the Power Rangers go on without them?

With the introduction of Lord Zedd, the second season goes through a notable shift in tone. The threats are much more serious and Zedd presents himself as a more menacing foe. Additionally, the formulaic issues that plagued the first season are slowly phased out. There are quite a few multi-episode arcs and the writers spend more time developing the characters' relationships. Notably, Zack pursues the affections of his classmate Angela and Trini enjoys a flirtation with Richie, a boy who works at the juice bar. As such, the writing is much tighter and deeper than before. The multi-part storylines enable the writers to deviate from the episodic formula of the previous season, allowing them to expand upon the characters and the action.

The three part opening "The Munity" serves as a brilliant introduction to Lord Zedd, as well as providing some necessary upgrades for both the good and evil sides of the show. "Beauty and the Beast" is another interesting episode, which sees Kimberly play acting as Rita Repulsa's successor. Another Kimberly-centric episode "Forever Friends" has her contending with Aisha's old friend, whose jealousy towards Kimberly creates some major drama. Other standouts include the multi-part "White Light," "Goldar's Vice-Versa" and "The Wedding," which re-introduces Rita Repulsa as Lord Zedd's bride.

The second season is also known for Tommy becoming the White Ranger, a development that places him as the new leader of the team. This evolution helps his character to cut his ties permanently from his villainous origins and to give him greater prominence within the show. Tommy's increased presence on the show is further aided by his relationship with Kimberly. The pair act as an anchor for the season, with most of the episodes focusing on either or both of their characters.

Another major change for season two was the departure of Jason, Trini and Zack, with them being subsequently replaced by Rocky, Aisha and Adam. Truth be told, losing Trini and Zack as characters hindered the show's dynamic. Zack's over-the-top personality and Trini's quiet confidence helped to provide a balance within the group, keeping the show from focusing too much on Kimberly and Tommy. Of the replacements, Adam stands out due to his portrayal as a shy and soft-spoken guy whose insecurity makes him relatable. Unfortunately, neither Rocky or Aisha leave much of an impression. Rocky lacks a personality, while Aisha's seems to be a carbon copy of Kimberly's. Her fondness for shopping and her bubbly attitude fails to establish her as an adequate replacement for Trini.

While the writing is certainly much stronger than it was in the first season, there were still quite a few duds within the show's second season. The writers were to be commended for their usage of multi-part stories, but they often ended up dragging and didn't develop as well as they could have otherwise. Additionally, the writers rely far too heavily on time travel stories that place the Rangers in a different setting. They're taken back to their childhood, travel to the 1700s, end up in a storybook and Kimberly has an adventure in the Wild West. It's admirable to try out these kinds of stories in order to get them out of Angel Grove, but the frequency of them derailed the overall pacing of the season.

There's no denying that the second season of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers proved that the series had substance. The character development was stronger, the episodes were more creative and Lord Zedd upped the ante as the season's primary antagonist. That's not to say there wasn't some room for improvement, as the replacement Rangers were executed poorly and the quality of the episodes varied. Nevertheless, it's not hard to see why this show was such a phenomenon during the '90s. The Rangers face some incredible foes and kicked some major alien butt!

Review: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Season 1

Favourite Ranger: Trini Kwan, The Yellow Power Ranger

Favourite Villain: Goldar

Favourite Episode: "Green With Evil" (Parts I-V)

Least Favourite Ranger: Jason Lee Scott, The Red Power Ranger

Least Favourite Villain: Squatt

Least Favourite Episode: "For Whom The Bell Trolls"

When it comes to the 1990s, very little defines the decade more than the seminal television series Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. This action-oriented show focused on the adventures of five plucky teenagers as they did battle against the nefarious witch Rita Repulsa and her army of outlandish monsters. It jumpstarted a craze and turned the Power Rangers into a veritable franchise. Nearly three decades later, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers stands strong as a fondly regarded piece of nostalgia for many children of the '90s.

Having premiered in 1993, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers is understandably quite dated. The costuming is gag worthy, the acting is over-the-top and the special effects are laughable. While this would largely be regarded as faults to hold against the show, it ends up coming across more as endearing in a fuzzy nostalgic sense. Remarkably, the show's themes and characters have stood the test of time. Its concerns with the environment and the importance of teamwork continue to be relevant in today's society, while the characters are surprisingly well-written and are truly relatable.

The Rangers are the stars of the show and together they form an incredibly well-balanced team. You've got the infallible leader, the spunky valley girl, the brainiac, the kind-hearted activist and the showboating hip-hop dancer. As a kid, I was all about Pink Ranger Kimberly. She's sassy and bubbly, but also a little vapid. As the most traditionally feminine member of the team, this separated her from the others and made an impression on me when I was younger. It certainly also helped that she was the most wise-cracking of the bunch. Now that I'm older, I've come to appreciate Yellow Ranger Trini more and have come to see her as the underdog in the show. She's an incredibly talented martial artist and is a passionate environmental activist with a penchant for collecting dolls. She's much more level-headed than her teammates and her friendship with Blue Ranger Billy is quite endearing. Similarly, Black Ranger Zack is a standout due to his charismatic personality, flashy dance moves and his unrequited love for his classmate Angela (one of the very few recurring plot points to the series).

Sadly, not all Rangers are created equal. Admittedly the team's leader, Red Ranger Jason, is quite bland. He's a martial arts whiz and a football player, but that's about as far as they delve into his character. He's simply not as well defined as his teammates. Tragically, Billy fades into the background due to his mousy personality. This isn't helped by the fact that he receives the fewest episodes focused around his character, no doubt a result of the astronomical popularity of Kimberly and her beau Tommy later in the season.

As far as the writing is concerned, Power Rangers' episodes vary in quality. There's a lot of fluff and filler, with many episodes resulting in zero character or plot development. By and large, the reason for this is due to a lack of story arcs and the vagueness of the villains' motivations. There's no question that the Rangers are written well, but their foes don't receive the same kind of attention. Rita Repulsa and her henchmen may scrape by on their kooky personalities, but they have no depth or motivations. She wants to destroy the Earth and is hellbent on getting rid of the Rangers, yet there's very little psychology behind this. While Goldar and his rivalry with both the Green and Red Rangers help to buoy his character, Rita's henchmen are question marks in terms of their inner workings. Sadly, one of the most underused villains of the season is Scorpina. As such, all of this leads to way too much filler within the first season and this formulaic quality to it makes many episodes quite forgettable. 

That said, there are some truly memorable moments from this season. Episodes focused on Kimberly or Zack tend to be surefire winners, as they tend to perfectly showcase their personality and serve to deepen their characters. Thankfully, these are plentiful. There are also a handful of multi-part episodes that are outstanding. The legendary five part "Green With Evil" saga was responsible for introducing both the Green Ranger and the femme fatale Scorpina, while future Green Ranger-centric episodes such as "The Green Candle" and "Return of an Old Friend" were equally as satisfying.

Odds are that if you didn't grow up in the '90s, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers will be a strange and questionably campy viewing experience. For the rest of us, it is a series that will strike a chord and instantly take us back to our childhood. It's just like spending time with old friends and is recommended for those who don't take life too seriously. If anything, Power Rangers will remind us of simpler times and may perhaps help wipe away some of the cynicism that we were tarred with later in life.