Once a Ranger, Always a Ranger
Wow, it's been a while since I've watched something that I actually wanted to write about.
On NFLX, I finished 'Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always'. And... it was good. I really enjoyed it.
The film does rely on one's nostalgia especially if you're a '90s kid. So in that sense, it's cheesy, campy, with corny dialogue, and lots of action. But what do you expect, Emmy performances? To put it bluntly, this is a kids' show and this MMPR Special does not forget its roots. It honors them. Even with minor things, ie. the recreation of the set, Angel Grove Juice Bar, and Ernie (the guy who runs the Juice Bar) is briefly mentioned. Small stuff like that matters.
But the film doesn't go too overboard with the homages. And it also gives the original Power Rangers an updated modern look, especially with its costumes - but it still respects the MMPR lore. So that's a tough balance to achieve.
The CGI MegaZord was cool to see, but it kinda makes you miss the old school/practical effects from the '90s as corny as they were. Still, it's not that big of a deal.
It was nice having David and Walter as Billy and Zack, respectively. (You can't help but feel happy for David since he doesn't have to put up with shabby BTS treatment from production crew for being gay.) Ofc, you wish that you could have the rest of the original cast back, but for one reason or another, they didn't/couldn't be in this Special. And I think Amy caught on more flak than she deserves for turning down the Special - not that she deserves any b/c her choice should still be respected in any case. Imagine .... if JDF didn't tragically pass away recently, would he also face that sort of flak? Because he declined to be in the Special too. Makes one wonder.
Anyways, back to the film's cast... I recognized some of the other Power Rangers characters. But in all honesty, once 3 out of the 5 original Rangers (Jason, Zack, & Trini) left the series way back when, I pretty much lost all interest in it. (Jason, the Red Ranger, was my favorite back then.) I feel that this is somewhat unfair to the subsequent MMPR actors/actresses, and to a lesser extent the subsequent spin-offs & 2017 film. Because they probably know they'll always operate under the shadow of the original MMPR, but they do their best anyways. Even though I haven't watched any of them, I give them all props.
In addition, it was cool having the original voice of Rita Repulsa, Barbara Goodson, back in the Special. Rita is actually a robot in the film because the original actress Machiko Soga, passed away in 2006. So kudos to the filmmakers on that bit of artistic creativity there. Glad Barbara is still around to voice Robo-Rita.
Speaking of artistic creativity, since only Billy and Zack of the original MMPR were back, the filmmakers had to find a way to incorporate the rest of the original Rangers into the film, but without actually showing their faces or giving them any dialogue. They were played by costumed stunt actors with brief voice clips... really, just action grunts while fighting (and the Red Ranger's didn't really sound like the original actor Austin). Soonafter, the Red, Pink, & Green Rangers were captured for the rest of the film, so their roles are minimal. But nevertheless, it was cool to hear their archived voice clips/action grunts.... and for Trini the Yellow Ranger, I think that was actually Thuy Trang's voice especially when she yelled, "Billy!!!" before sacrificing herself for him in the film.
And that leads me to the biggest thing that stands out for me about the Special - Thuy Trang.
(Source)
It still saddens me (and many others) that Thuy tragically lost her life in a car accident way back in 2001. It happened not long before 9/11, so her passing was overshadowed by historical world's events. Even now, not a lot of MMPR fans even know of Thuy's passing, but thanks to this Special, probably more of them do now.
And the Special finds a way to honor Thuy. Indeed, that is the emotional core of the film; some might say that it's "too serious" for a kids' film but whatever. The Special doesn't overdo it in terms of seriousness. I'm really happy about the tribute to Thuy (and to JDF at the end, as well). It hit you right in the feels and is very very bittersweet. Nevertheless, it's so cool how they pass on the mantle of the Yellow Ranger to Trini's daughter Minh, played by Charlie Kersh. You can tell that Charlie, as young as she is, is very mature and puts in her all to honor Thuy. And it was nice to see Minh's relationship with Zack & Billy grow throughout the Special.
I hope that Thuy's family realizes how much her fans love & miss her because they probably still do (even more so) 20+ years after she died and may want nothing to do with the Power Rangers franchise.
But anyways... the tribute to Thuy and JDF at the end really gets to me and countless other MMPR fans. Sigh, I wish they were still with us today.
