Power Rangers 2017 | Review
Being seven years old when Mighty Morphin Power Rangers first aired in 1993, I walked into the theater hoping this film would recapture a bit of that childhood magic. In many ways, it does. The movie opens with a surprisingly clever twist on Power Rangers lore, adding unexpected emotional weight to the dynamic between Zordon and Rita Repulsa. It’s easily the most compelling narrative surprise the film has to offer.
Elizabeth Banks steals the spotlight as Rita Repulsa. She goes big, leaning fully into the character’s theatricality, and it works. Her performance is both campy and sinister, a perfect match for a franchise built on colorful heroics. The film’s tonal balance between seriousness and camp is surprisingly effective… just when things start to feel too heavy, it embraces its playful roots.
The young cast also delivers. Dacre Montgomery shines as Jason, the Red Ranger, grounding the story with a solid emotional arc and natural leadership presence. Naomi Scott (Kimberly), RJ Cyler (Billy), Becky G (Trini), and Ludi Lin (Zack) round out the team with strong performances, though Cyler’s Billy stands out with a more developed role.
Unfortunately, Zack and Trini don’t get as much screen time, which makes their character arcs feel undercooked. It’s a flaw that future sequels might have addressed.
The film does hit some pacing snags. After an exciting opening, the story slows down during its character introductions.
Additionally, Angel Grove feels more like a small desert town than a bustling city under threat, lowering the stakes of the climactic battle. The film’s weakest elements, however, are the visual designs of the Putties and Goldar.
The Putties look cheap and unthreatening, while Goldar… a faceless mass of molten gold… feels like an uninspired villain reminiscent of Enchantress’ brother from Suicide Squad.
Despite its flaws, this is a fun ride, especially for fans of the original series.
It doesn’t aim to be profound AT ALL… it aims to entertain. And in that regard, it succeeds.
Whether you grew up with Power Rangers or are stepping into this world for the first time, there’s enough energy, nostalgia, and spectacle here to make it worth the watch.
