[The following is a review of the first episode. this does not affect the overall product. Subject to opinion.]
[This is an adaptation of original work. The source material takes precedence over adapted work. no possible mistranslations are allowed if any.]
Feel old yet? Well you should. For me personally, I was about seven or eight years old when Saban brought in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. In 1993, Saban Brands bought the rights to the 16th entry in the long lived Super Sentai Series: Dinosaur Force Zyuranger(1992). Combining footage from the Japanese children's show with their original story and set pieces. Somehow, this became a huge commercial sucess in less than a year; so much so, that they asked Toei Japan make new footage for the second season [Voltron Much?]
But yeah, lets talk about the new kid on the block, Power Rangers Megaforce. This is the twentieth iteration in the franchise; commemorating the 20th anniversary of the series. The footage used comes from the 34th Sentai kids show, Celestial Cloth Force Goseiger(2010) and clips from the Great Legend War from Gokaiger(2011).
[Ranger Fans: "took y'all long enough...]
The first episode begins with a war between the Sentai... I mean Power Rangers and some random aliens, [Zangyack's Gormin foot soldiers]. We later find out that it's a dream from our new Red Ranger, Troy. We're introduced to him and four other teenagers who stand out more than even the extras in the classroom. Moving along, a new threat plagues the earth, seeking to do the usual invasion and enslaving, and or killing of humans. In response to this, "Gosei" [I'm not making this up], the new "Zordon" with Alpha 5.... I mean Tensou (I'm noticing a pattern here) transport the five teens to their chamber of command; giving them the power to become the titular Gosei...I mean Power Rangers of this season.
[It's Morphin Time.... for the 20th time]
Megaforce's first episode was essentially this generation's "Day of the Dumpster" but with it's own spin. Some people would find this take unoriginal and somewhat of a shame to the franchise. To be fair, this series isn't as preachy as it's predecessor, Samurai (more on that later). The story was surprisingly straight to the point and simplistic, although some development was sacrifice. Then again, this is the first episode, and setting the stage for the story is paramount compared to developing a character which takes precedence later on.
Saban Brands has been almost on the lazy side with editing; the entire arsenal of cards have been heavily borrowed from Gosiger, even the mecha and names of the weapons can be spotted a mile away. Then there's the intro with scenes of Alata[Gosei Red] using his Tensouder[Gosei Morpher], and that is just crazy.
The fight scenes seem to be a bit less than average despite them illustrating the character's first time fighting aliens. There are a few interesting bits, but they barely help to get you into the action, of course I'm referring to them as civilians. As Rangers, it's an entirely different story, even though half of it is Goseiger footage.
With this 24 minute commercial to take into consideration, I have to ultimately say that it may not be the best start to the series, but it is a vast imporvement from the last show. Samurai is almost identical to Shinkenger, which I have no problem with, but was focused too much on forcefully preaching to it's demographic about morals; not a good way to announce that Saban has the power again after eight years. Their initial approach after such time has passed was completely arbitrary if not pretentious. In the end, Saban, from what I have seen lately, has minimalized this in favor of more of a story driven show. I hope to see that they remain consistent with this. Thus I'm willing to forgive their theme song and lackluster use of the Sentai footage for now.
Power Rangers Megaforce airs every Saturday on the Nickelodeon kids network.
