In 1993, the world was introduced to the Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers for the first time. The cries of “Mastodon, Pterodactyl, Triceratops, Saber-Tooth Tiger, Tyrannosaurus” could be heard in every school playground at break time, everyone wanted to command the Tyrannosaurus and Pink Ranger Kimberly (Amy Jo Johnson) was the love of every young boy.
Now, 22 years after they first appeared in Cinemas (and several subsequent straight to DVD movies), the Power Rangers are returning to the big screen in 2017.
Earlier this year we were given our first glimpse of our new Rangers. As first trailers go, it’s seems pretty standard. Not giving too much away but at the same time giving us just enough to wet our appetites. As it appears right now, it looks like The Breakfast Club meets Chronicle.
Obviously the look the Power Rangers had in the 90s needed to be updated for the modern audience. The classic look of the power coins has been replaced with what look like gems encased in amber and the Power Rangers outfits are more like suits of armour than their counterparts in the 1995 Power Rangers movie and the silk onesies from their 1993 TV series.
Even Rita Repulsa has been given a serious make-over. Bye bye to Machiko Soga’s baggy brown dress and massive horned hair-do and hello to Elizabeth Bank’s close fitting, almost reptilian looking green armour. The 2017 Rita Repulsa also already comes with fan theories: could she also be playing an evil Green Ranger? Based on images of her new staff, the gem in the middle of it does bare a striking resemblance to the new look Power Coins.
We also got a small glimpse of the Command Centre but are yet to see what Brian Cranston’s Zordon will look like, but it is probably a safe bet that a floating head will be involved.
We have however been given our first look at Zordon’s faithful robotic assistant Alpha 5, voiced by Bill Hader. The flying saucer looking head has been kept and made more bug eyed but the lightning bolt emblazoned body of Alpha has been replaced with what can only be described as that of lazy male Orangutan.
With Hader’s background, it seems likely that Alpha could well be playing the comic-relief in this particular feature, hopefully doing so with Alpha’s signature catchphrase “Ay-yi-yi-yi-yi”. However, with no footage of Alpha forthcoming, concept art and speculation is all we have at the moment
With a release date early next year, maybe a new trailer is due to land in the near future and with it, maybe our first glimpse at Zordon and Alpha 5 in action and if we’re really lucky, maybe some Megazord awesomeness.
Until then, head down to the Angel Grove Youth Center, grab yourself a drink at Ernie’s Juice bar and enjoy the morphenominal first trailer for Power Rangers and may the power protect you.
Power Rangers in Cinemas 24th March 2017
chuckievision.com 