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.