MOVIE REPORT CARD: POWER RANGERS

DATE: 3/24/17
TITLE: POWER RANGERS
DIRECTOR: DAN ISRAELITE
STARRING: DACRE MONTONGOMERY, NAOMI SCOTT, RJ CYLER, BECKY G., LUDI LIN, ELIZABETH BANKS, BRYAN CRANSTON

GRADES

ACTING: 75
DIRECTING: 80
SCREENPLAY: 65
EDITING: 70
CINEMATOGRAPHY: 80

​FINAL: 74/C+

COMMENTS

When the credits roll, Power Rangers ultimately gets the job done. However, as a whole, Power Rangers feels conflicted about its own existence. The first half of the film, tries way too hard to distance itself from the goofiness of the show. Which is unfortunate because what really works in Power Rangers, is its goofiness. When the film is embracing that tone, it works best. Once we get a taste of Rita (played wonderfully loony by Elizabeth Banks), the entire film shifts dramatically. What started out as a downtrodden, moody, angst-teen-film, suddenly becomes the 90's cheese of the show. Anyone who grew up watching said show (like myself), can't help but get revved-up, once that classic theme suddenly kicks in. The cast, are all fine for the most part, and are really trying to make something from nothing with these characters. It's their chemistry, that really hold the film together, especially during the first half. Bryan Cranston adds a good dosing of gravitas, and Bill Hader's Alpha 5, is actually quite delightful. While the last 45 minutes, are quite fun (I adore Banks in this film), it's a shame how dull the first half is. Power Rangers, gets lost trying too hard to be too serious, instead of having fun. And when the Power Rangers finally "Go Go", it's a tad too late.