Should Power Rangers be considered Geek Worthy?

[NinjaJack]

Almost 15 years since Day Of The Dumpster, by the time they announce Mystic force in a week or two officially, the folks behind the scenes will be already hard at work in the pre-production for PR07.

The fandom is still warm and fuzzy all over after a convention meeting with the executive producer, actors and staff. Theres a convention coming up in 07. Better DVDs. A new standard of PR forged with SPD.

Isn`t it about time that PR came out of the kiddie closet and sat foot in the Legend room? You know where Optimus Prime, Duke and Lionel all hit on April O`Neil. Where it`s okay to fight with a lightsaber as long you finish off a Robeast in a the process.

PR is just as good if not better than some of the shows we grew up with. How many here realize the feats PR goes to just to create a scene? Force From The Future`s opening fight between Alex and Ranzik was a thing a utter beauty. Watching Tommy face off the Tyranodromes in DOTD pt1 was astonishing, considering that over budgeted hour long syndicated series can`t pull a single fight off without looking sloppy.

PR since the begining, has been setup like a comic book, a progresively good comic book. If you look at it Bruce saw this and enhanced it to a new level.
I`ve been reading around the net and reading reactions to SPD outside of the fandom. People seem to love it. So why can`t people respect a show that at times can be just as jaw droping as a Marvel hero flick?

Maybe because they`re afraid of liking it?
One of the guys behind ToyFare once said in a RTM interview that he`d never pick up a PR figure, that was in 97.

[Zero-V]

One of the guys behind ToyFare once said in a RTM interview that he`d never pick up a PR figure, that was in 97.
Naturally, that's when everybody jumped off the bandwagon, now, with the exposure Jason David Franks' return gave the series when he returned for Dinothunder, people are seeing how P.R has progressed, S.P.D is maintaining this evolution, even if it IS slightly overated

[Behonkiss]

The shows mentioned in the first posts are up there because of nostalgia from grown-up 80s kids. Wait for 90s kids to get into the world before PR is considered widely nostalgia-worthy (And even then, most would only remember MMPR).

[DisneyBoy]

I definately think Power Rangers, as a franchise is kiddy and geeky for adults to follow. I see it as being about as clever and intelligent as NBC's psycho-soap "Passions".

But I was only a fan for a brief time, and really have no right to judge. Besides, I've seen P.R. stuff right next to Batman stuff at conventions. It's all in the same basket now.

[Mek]

Ahem, I happen to like BOTH MMPR and Passions, thank you very much. =|

Aniwho, yeah... considering the fan following it has these days, I'd say its geek worthy. =]

[Scythemantis]

I love kid's shows, I love monsters, and I love guys in rubber suits beating eachother up, but I really don't where it gets this adult "fandom" from. Yes, it has matured quite a bit, but it just comes off as pretentious melodrama to me. Mighty Morphin Power Rangers is cheesily fun and worthy of a little nostalgia. Every other series takes itself far too seriously.

[Wounded_Dragon]

Power Rangers needs another 10 years to pull in the nostalgia crowd. And even then, it may not do it since there's a possibility it may still be running. How can you be nostalgic for a show that's never left?

[Zero-V]

I love kid's shows, I love monsters, and I love guys in rubber suits beating eachother up, but I really don't where it gets this adult "fandom" from. Yes, it has matured quite a bit, but it just comes off as pretentious melodrama to me..
And? Who are you to judge what P.R should be to it's audience? P.R is the only show worth a damn on any Disney channel barring Jake Long and the classic reruns of Duck Tales, Chip'N'Dale etc

[AF$]

And? Who are you to judge what P.R should be to it's audience? P.R is the only show worth a damn on any Disney channel barring Jake Long and the classic reruns of Duck Tales, Chip'N'Dale etcWho are you trivialize his opinion? I don't believe he did anything other than state what his perception of the show was; he certainly didn't try to dictate what PR "should be to it's audience." He posed a pretty valid question: where does P.R. get it's adult fandom from? I agree with him, I could see where children would like the show, but I really don't understand how anyone past a teenager would be into it.

[Zero-V]

I really don't understand how anyone past a teenager would be into it.
The same applies to people who can't grasp why twenty three or thirty year olds still watch animated cartoons, you can't seriously ask that question without making a hypocrite out of yourself, or this entire site.

[AF$]

The same applies to people who can't grasp why twenty three or thirty year olds still watch animated cartoons, you can't seriously ask that question without making a hypocrite out of yourself, or this entire site.
That's interesting since I've never posted anywhere but the Entertainment forums, and never in any thread that was cartoon related. The point is, instead of hacking down on the guy (or me) for not agreeing with you, why don't you provide some constructive points the contrary? That's all we are asking for.

[Storm Eagle]

I definately think Power Rangers, as a franchise is kiddy and geeky for adults to follow. I see it as being about as clever and intelligent as NBC's psycho-soap "Passions".

But I was only a fan for a brief time, and really have no right to judge. Besides, I've seen P.R. stuff right next to Batman stuff at conventions. It's all in the same basket now.
What conventions have you been too, and saw PR things next to Batman things? That's interesting.

[NinjaJack]

Who are you trivialize his opinion? I don't believe he did anything other than state what his perception of the show was; he certainly didn't try to dictate what PR "should be to it's audience." He posed a pretty valid question: where does P.R. get it's adult fandom from? I agree with him, I could see where children would like the show, but I really don't understand how anyone past a teenager would be into it.Theres alot of teens into it.
PR really has alot of merits in GREAT action and pyrotechnics. The stories have been lately exciting and dramatic. Tell me what was the last season you saw?

[Chad Bonin]

I agree with him, I could see where children would like the show, but I really don't understand how anyone past a teenager would be into it.Giant robots, freaking awesome battles, a little bit of drama and tension.

Look at today's episode, "Dismissed". Commander Crugger and Emperor Gruumm have a score to settle from years ago, with Gruumm being responsible for the disappearance of Anubis' wife, and Anubis' having broken Gruumm's horn.

Years later, the battle's escalated to motorcycles, ATVs, and swords on Earth.

[AF$]

Giant robots, freaking awesome battles, a little bit of drama and tension.

Look at today's episode, "Dismissed". Commander Crugger and Emperor Gruumm have a score to settle from years ago, with Gruumm being responsible for the disappearance of Anubis' wife, and Anubis' having broken Gruumm's horn.

Years later, the battle's escalated to motorcycles, ATVs, and swords on Earth.


PR really has alot of merits in GREAT action and pyrotechnics. The stories have been lately exciting and dramatic. Tell me what was the last season you saw?
Thank you for supporting your opinions, that's all I was looking for. I personally haven't watched it, outside of seeing my little brother watch it when it first came out (Mighty Morphin?). Again, I get where he would like it, but the look just seemed so "cheap", that with all of the other shows available, why it would have an appeal to someone older. I just don't get it, which is fine, but I'm glad some of you do and can explain why.

[Chad Bonin]

Thank you for supporting your opinions, that's all I was looking for. I personally haven't watched it, outside of seeing my little brother watch it when it first came out (Mighty Morphin?). Again, I get where he would like it, but the look just seemed so "cheap", that with all of the other shows available, why it would have an appeal to someone older. I just don't get it, which is fine, but I'm glad some of you do and can explain why.The look WAS cheap back in the day. Since they moved production to New Zealand, they can do more with less and really beefed up the original footage. For example, the final three episodes of SPD supposedly have three times the explosions that were seen in the last three YEARS of PR.

Admittedly, "Dismissed" had some bad CG (Commander Birdie's ship, Shadow jumping back on his ATV), but yeah, ya gonna have some bad shots.

EDIT-
And I keep forgetting this one cool scene from today. Slow zoom in on Supreme Commander Birdie...
"Crugger couldn't defeat Gruumm back on Sirius, his Power Rangers couldn't defeat him today... looks like if you want to get a job done, you have to do it yourself..."

[NinjaJack]

Thank you for supporting your opinions, that's all I was looking for. I personally haven't watched it, outside of seeing my little brother watch it when it first came out (Mighty Morphin?). Again, I get where he would like it, but the look just seemed so "cheap", that with all of the other shows available, why it would have an appeal to someone older. I just don't get it, which is fine, but I'm glad some of you do and can explain why.
Well a thanks goes back to you for not being a "PoWFER Rangers SUX" poster, goes along way in the respect department in our fandom.
PR`s production really has outgrown the whole MMPR style.
And I`d like to think that whatever Drew Struzan (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v321/NinjaJackGKA/SPD009.jpg)is willing to draw is worthy of some viewership

[Parallax]

I used to like Power Rangers when I was younger. I can't really say I like it now. The action isn't good and neither are the stories. Just because something is good for it's "budget" or it's "main audience" doesn't mean its good.

[NinjaJack]

I used to like Power Rangers when I was younger. I can't really say I like it now. The action isn't good and neither are the stories. Just because something is good for it's "budget" or it's "main audience" doesn't mean its good.The action isn`t good? Good grief, what episode could you have been watching?

[Zero-V]

The action isn't good and neither are the stories.
You either take a great deal of crack, or your expectations range from "tame" to "tamer" to attack P.R in that fashon without good reason or examples

[Chad Bonin]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v321/NinjaJackGKA/SPD009.jpg
I MUST HAVE THIS. I'm betting you right now, this'll be one of the most collectible pieces of PR memorabilia, next to actual props.


The action isn't good Wha-huh? No matter how many complaints there may be regarding plot and maturity and all, the action has been easily a constant strength for the series, ESPECIALLY the original footage.

[Mek]

HOLY CRAP. That is RIGHTEOUS!!!

On a side note, I'd like to thank TZ for getting me back into PR when Dino Thunder started. XD

I'm *really* looking forward to the MagiRanger series at some point. I've watched a couple episodes of the original Japanese version, and I'm very curious to see how the American adaptation will be. =]

[Natey]

really i watched some PR yesterday and i thought that was the most geeky stupid dumb thing on television. I have no idea how the schmell people can say the show is good. i thought it was cool when i was 5 but so many years later i watch it and say *GASP*

~Nate~

[Zero-V]

really i watched some PR yesterday and i thought that was the most geeky stupid dumb thing on television. I have no idea how the schmell people can say the show is good.
Well for one thing, thier volcabulary owns yours.

And I could easily ask what the hell you see in cartoons, but then, I know better than some shmucks and can understand why.

[Chad Bonin]

On a side note, I'd like to thank TZ for getting me back into PR when Dino Thunder started. XDYou're welcome ;)

[Parallax]

You mean the great action like when the fireworks explode behind them and they all stumble back?

Or the great stories that strive to be major science fiction but are nothing more than cheesey and melodramatic?

[Zero-V]

For the benefit of less heated conversation, I'm just going to ignore the ignorant trolls and comment on Knucks' Post

...Wow, usually artwork like that is reserved for comics based on telivision series, that's the closest we'll ever get to a high profile art rendering for P.R

[Chad Bonin]

You mean the great action like when the fireworks explode behind them and they all stumble back?Let's take this year's Shadow Part 2. I would have covered Dismissed, but that's not readily available at the moment.

"Last Time..." recap covers Anubis' battle, along with other Sirian forces, fighting Gruumm's Troobian forces in the battle that would inevitably destroy Sirius.
Anubis, as the Shadow Ranger, takes down 100 Krybots individually with a variety of sword strikes, backflips, physical attacks, etc. He thusly takes on General Benaag, deflecting one laser blast with his sword (to blow off the antimatter belt on his trapped aide).
During all this, the Megazord takes on a giant robot; after losing initially, the Rangers pool their strength and beat it.

[Parallax]

Just an example.

I don't like "kung-fu". It doesn't feel real. Never in live-action. In animation its fine, the fights can be exaggerated and stretched. But in live action, it looks more like a dance than a real fight scene.

And I'm not trolling. Just presenting my opinion.

[Chris Wood]

I don't think it's ever been in question that Power Rangers was a geeky show.

[Supernovametalstar]

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers is cheesily fun and worthy of a little nostalgia. Every other series takes itself far too seriously.
Two words: Ninja Storm

I don't think PR is ready for U.S. geek fandom like a Star Trek or Star Wars, or even a Buffy. The japanese counterparts, yes, because you can claim you're watching the "original" versions. And since they're from a foreign country, some people will accept it.

[Conan-san]

To knux, that's probably the most badass thing I've seen since the Boxart for Gatchaman's new release.

In anycase, (rampit flaming aside), Jetix (UK) has seen fit to show a "Best of PR" type sereis in the form of "Power Rangers: Generations", i'm not too sure of the format (random or what) but it seems to be fine anyway.

This is good, it allows the kids to see the heratage of PR without the nasty part about having to wait till 12am to watch it. (However they have now droped Shaman King from the shedule, damn thier hinys to hell).

[Zero-V]

Shaman King is'nt HALF of it, those twerps have yet to air season two of V.R Troopers, or Beetleborgs Metallix

[Conan-san]

Shaman King is'nt HALF of it, those twerps have yet to air season two of V.R Troopers, or Beetleborgs Metallix true, I do suppose they did air all of 'king anyway...

Still sucks they moved it in favour of Megaman Nt Warrior.

Anyway, I don't think we're going to end up with teh gult of Rangers you guys got but still, this is some progress.

[purplehairedwonder]

I grew up with MMPR and loved it. Then I went through the phase as you get older where it's cool to hate PR. But recently, I found MMPR on TV, so out of mild curiosity, I turned it. And I fell back in love with it. At my age now I know it's cheesy, but that just makes it that much more fun. I caught most of Dino Thunder (though I still haven't seen the last few episodes) and liked that. Didn't much like SPD, but I've fallen back in love with MMPR. Sure it's a "geeky" show, but it's just fun.

[Scythemantis]

Seriously where did I imply in any way that there was anything wrong with adults liking Power Rangers? I just said I have some difficulty comprehending how some people are fans of it in such a dead serious context.

I have a bunch of MMPR monster toys...some of which I bought as recently as last year off ebay. Eyeguy is probably one of my favorite action figures, ever. I love eyeball monsters almost more than insect monsters. I do wish I could find more big vinyl japanese figures though, surely they exist for far more monsters than the few that were released in the states (I have the big Guitardo and Goofish)

[Chad Bonin]

I gave some thought to this recently... would PR be more well accepted if it didn't have the morph segments?

Think about it. Everyone hates stock footage, it's a rarity to see it in live-action (outside of establishing shots), and yet every episode has at least five notable seconds of stock footage.

The original morph started off a catchphrase ("It's Morphin' Time!") that's still with the fandom.

The series seems to acknowledge how cornball the morphs are at times. Take note...

Deleted Scene from Ninja Storm's Premiere-
Shane- Are you guys ready?
Tori/Dustin- Ready.
Shane- Ninja Storm, Ranger Form. Ranger Form. That's what we say, right? "Ranger Form"?
Tori- Yeah. It's "Ranger Form".
Shane- "Ranger Form".
Dustin- Dude, you've gotta put a little energy behind it. NINJA STORM, RANGER FORM!

Some scenes just look awkward when morphing conventions are invalidated. Every group morph in DinoThunder, for example, started with "Are you guys ready? Ready!". When, for example, Trent morphed solo in "Strange Relations", he had to do this awkward "Ready! White Ranger, Dino Power!".

And I don't think I need to bring up how the "Ha!" is just extreme at times. "Ninja Storm/Thunder Storm/Samurai Storm, Ranger Form! HA!". Look at the DinoThunder/Ninja Storm crossover. They give two sets of "Ha!"s. Admittedly it's the same shot from different angles, but next to each other it just looks funny.

Now, think about how drastically different SPD would seem at times. Instead of the alarm going off, Rangers run to the Command Center, get briefed, yell "SPD Emergency!", do a backflip through energy to suit up, do a pose, and yell "SPD Red Ranger!" or whatever...

Alarm goes off. Rangers run to the Command Center, get briefed. Now they run to their lockers, suit up into their SPD SWAT uniforms, and helmet up.

Slightly less silly.

Don't take this as me not liking the morphs. I love the things. I'm one of the guys who can't wait to see if Sam will have a morph into the Omega Ranger, or just go from ball of light to Ranger form.

Slightly related to morphing, the other cool scenes, which we have to get at least once a year, is the helmetless scene. It's at these moments you realize it's not superheroes running into battle, it's a soccer player, or a fireman, or a ninja student running to fight. The only thing that makes them an autonomous fighting unit is the helmet. These scenes are no real different than, say, seeing Batman take off the cowl.