Rating: 4.3/5
Review: "Power Rangers film review" (124 minutes)

"Forget what you know in your childhood, the satisfying PG13 reboot does a decent job in introducing the world of Power Rangers to the new generation." 

The classic Power Rangers is my childhood memories. But its cheesiness is not something a big-budget film strives to be. Nowadays a film has to look and be serious and gritty. Some of the recent examples are Fantastic Four and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle. Power Rangers 2017, made for the younger generation, is the next in the line that received a serious make-over. It is not necessary a bad thing as the plot and character's development are definitely more relatable to the generation now. The latest incarnation of Power Rangers may not be as fast-paced or light-hearted as its original but it is able to stand on its own without comparison.

The story: The opening scene sets up in a PG13 fashion. Grim and dark, the dying rangers swear their last breath after passing on their Power coins. The scene is the only chance to have a good look at the Power rangers suit before the film grounds and sets up the five characters for the next one and half hours. This is Dean Israelite's second film and he does a decent job transiting from a low-budget film to a blockbuster. Of course, he may not handle it as skillfully as other seasoned blockbuster directors. Instead of fumbling with big-budget high octane action scenes, he turns his direction to focus on his characters. It may take a long time before the suits are shown in action but Dean makes his characters relatable and somehow likeable that I didn't mind seeing them develop through. Given that it has only two hours, the third act has to be rushed to tie into the big climatic battle (which is probably where most of the budget go to). After two acts of character's development, it is satisfying to see them finally transform into the titular heroes. Acting by the relatively newcomers is decent. They are believable in their roles. Brian Tyler's score fits nicely into Dean's vision though it reminds me of composer Steve Jablonsky.

Overall: It may put people off that it takes a long time before the Power Rangers are seen in action. But if you are patient enough, you may be rewarded with a satisfying climatic battle that sees destruction on a small town. It is not perfect by any means but Dean directs it with heart and it is hard to fault him in his direction. I hope this will do well in box office to warrant a sequel (there is a mid post-credit scene) that will justify all the character's development in this film. This is a decent start for the franchise. Fans will be divided by the new vision but it does its job introducing the world of Power Rangers to the new generation.