Power Rangers (2017) Review

Courtesy: Lionsgate/Saban Capital Group




Starring Dacre Montgomery, Naomi Scott, RJ Cyler, Becky G and Ludi Lin with Bryan Cranston, Bill Hader and Elizabeth Banks
Directed by Dean Israelite (Based on characters created by Haim Saban and Toei Company Limited)
 Rated PG-13
My Rating: ****/5

After 20 years of being absent from theater screens, a reboot of the "Power Rangers" franchise has arrived. It is the third film adaptation of the hit TV series after "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie" in 1995 and "Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie" in 1997. While the film may not be in the same league as other recent superhero blockbusters, it serves as a strong update to the series that combines realistic effects-driven action with a self-aware rendition of the ludicrous nature of the concept.

The premise is a re-imagining of the original "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers" series that ran from 1993 to 1995. In the Cenozoic era, an alien being known as Zordon was engaged in battle with the evil sorceress Rita Repulsa. During their final battle, Zordon used the last of his strength to hide the Power Coins from Rita and send them both into hibernation. In the present day city of Angel Grove, Rita awakens and seeks an ancient artifact known as the Zeo crystal to amplify her powers and destroy the world. So, it falls to Zordon and his robotic assistant Alpha 5 to recruit five young teenagers to take up the mantle of the Power Rangers and defend the world against Rita and her army of alien monsters.

 

While the story is familiar to those who are fans of the series, Dean Israelite's take on the the popular action show presents the plot and characters in a darker context. The red ranger, Jason is a former star athlete whose promising future was ruined by trouble with the law and a leg injury from a car accident. The blue ranger, Billy has to deal with losing his father as a child as well as the difficulties of being on the autism spectrum. The yellow ranger, Trini is an outcast with "girlfriend problems" and had to change schools more than once as a result. The black ranger, Zack has to deal with the absence of his father as well as take cake of his terminally ill mother. Even the normally happy-go-lucky pink ranger, Kimberly is bullied by other members of her social circle for her appearance. Still, this is one of many versions of the long-running franchise that never forgets its roots as a colorful action franchise; and balances its darker storyline and edgier characters with slick action and colorful special effects. Over the film's 124-minute run time, the Rangers learn to overcome their differences and master their powers in a snazzy relaunch of the series that borrows heavily but swiftly from other franchises such as "The Dark Knight Saga" and the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Boasting a reported $120 million budget, the film also manages to combine the admitted silliness of its source material (itself an adaptation of Japan's long-running "Super Sentai" series) with more than 20 years of advances in special effects since the first film adaptation of the series in 1995. While the Rangers' costumes may be more elaborate than the original spandex suits from the Japanese series "Kyoryu Sentai Zyuranger," they still retain the kaleidoscope of colors from the TV show. Zordon and Alpha go from a head in a tube and a costumed actor to a CGI rendition of Bryan Cranston's face and a lanky Roomba with headlights that wouldn't be out of place in "Star Wars." Most of all, the climactic Megazord battle that takes up most of the film's final act combines the more over-the-top action of the live-action "Transformers" films with the more realistic battles of the Jaegers in "Pacific Rim."

Some flaws with the film include the fact that some of the attempts to "Nolanize" the story can get heavy-handed at times, and recall a controversial but popular fan film that was uploaded to YouTube in 2015 while this film was still in production. Also, the pacing can be a bit slow at points; and some of the more "adult" jokes are a bit shaky. A scene where Trini's parents want to test her urine after she explains her plight to them is understandable, but cringe-worthy. Even so, the film's darker and edgier rendition of its premise is balanced with plenty of sly gags toward the franchise's lineage and the idea of rebooting beloved children's properties with darker plots in general. Bill Hader's Alpha makes great use of the comedic talents Hader honed in other films as well as on "Saturday Night Live." Elizabeth Banks' Rita follows in the footsteps of Barbra Goodson as well as the late Machiko Soga; devouring everything in her path to accomplish her goals, ranging from the scenery to gold from a jewelry store to form the monster Goldar and even a fresh donut at Krispy Kreme before she tries to unearth the Zeo Crystal from under the floorboards of the shop. Overall, the film can be easily taken as the daydreams of a generation of Saturday morning TV viewers merged with an increasing obsession with '90s nostalgia (watch for cameos from original cast members Amy Jo Johnson and Jason David Frank during the final battle between Goldar and the Megazord).

If the film is able to resonate with general audiences as much as Lionsgate and Saban hope, the film will be the first in a planned series. For now, though, this version of "Power Rangers" is a delightfully snazzy reboot that delivers on Dean Israelite's promise to make an adaptation that's "mature but playful" and "grounded but fun." It's a film that's "morphinomenal" in every sense of the word. May the power live on forever.

Review: Pokémon: Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel

Courtesy: Disney XD/The Pokémon Company

Starring the Voices of Sarah Natochenny, Haven Paschall, Michael Liscio Jr., Alyson Leigh Rosenfeld and Ikue Ohtani
Directed by Kunihiko Yuyuama (Based on Characters created by Satoshi Tajiri)
Available on Disney XD on Demand (Coming to DVD and Blu-Ray March 21)
Rated TV-Y7-FV
My Rating: ****/5

After 10 years on Cartoon Network, the "Pokémon" anime made its move to Disney XD this past November, beginning with the 19th film installment: "Pokémon: Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel". Airing alongside the first two episodes of the anime adaptation of "Pokémon Sun and Moon," this movie provides a flawed but fun addition to the series' canon and a solid end to the "XY" series films.

Many years ago, an ancient Pokémon known as Magearna was created as a guardian to the Azoth kingdom. The massive steam Pokémon Volcanion was also its closest companion until they were driven into hiding by people that wanted to hunt them down.

In the present day, Volcanion and Magearna awaken and must form a reluctant alliance with Ash, Pikachu, Serena, Clemont and Bonnie in order to elude a group of bounty hunters hired by the evil Chancellor Alva (voice of Billy Bob Thompson).

Complicating matters is Volcanion being attached to Ash with electromagnetic clamps for a portion of the film, as well as technology known as a "Mega Wave" that forces Pokémon to Mega Evolve against their will.

While the film may not be the best entry in the long-running adaptation of the hit anime and video game series, it still manages to be an entertaining take on the "Pokémon" franchise that helps introduce two powerful legendary Pokémon to the series. As an animated film, it also does a better job at embracing the outlandish scenarios the games often present than infamous live-action bombs such as the 1993 "Super Mario Bros." movie. Magearna's design resembles a Poké Ball crossed with BB-8 from "Star Wars: Episode VII-The Force Awakens." The Azoth kingdom combines medieval cogs and clockwork with modern technology cribbed from an Apple store, and Volcanion's relationship with Ash plays like a PG-rated version of "Mad Max: Fury Road."

The animation is also a delight to behold, full of stunning environments and beautiful colors. The film's final battle takes place atop a massive airship as "Ash-Greninja" and the Complete Form of the mysterious Zygarde clash with Chancellor Alva and his team of Pokémon under control of the Mega Wave.

One noted flaw is the pacing of the film. At a brisk 93 minutes, the film can feel a bit overstuffed at times. Many of the battles with Alva's mercenaries play like a round of one of the video games on a large amount of Mountain Dew and M&Ms. Also, Volcanion's disdain for humanity can get a tad heavy-handed. Thankfully, the animation remains a delight throughout, and Volcanion does get better as the movie goes.

While not in the same wheelhouse as some of the darker films in the series, "Pokémon: Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel" is a solid entry into the long-running saga and a good start to the "Pokémon" series' run on Disney XD. With the promise of more episodes of the "Sun and Moon" series and a 20th film on track for this July in Japan, the "Pokémon" series will continue to delight children and the young at heart for years to come.

Review: Yo-Kai Watch: The Movie

Courtesy: Disney XD/Level-5

Starring the voices of Johnny Yong Bosch, Joey D'Auria, Brent Pendergrass, Alicyn Packard, Melissa Hutchison, Paul Greenberg, Meyer DeeLeuw, and Jenn Wong
Directed by Shigeharu Takahashi and Shinji Ushiro (Based on characters created by Akihiro Hino)
Avaiable on Netflix and Disney XD on Demand
Rated TV-Y7
My Rating: */5

"Yo-Kai Watch: The Movie" is an adaptation of the Japanese video game from Level-5 and the anime series of the same name. While the concept of the series admittedly has potential; the film never takes advantage of what it can do and ultimately ends up as a total mess that embodies the worst of children's filmmaking and English dubs of anime.

The film follows Nathan Adams as he travels back in time 60 years to help preserve the creation of the Yo-Kai Watch with the help of his late grandfather Nathaniel. With the aid of yokai (mythological Japanese creatures) companions Whisper and Jibanyan, they aim to stop the villainess Dame Dedtime from bringing chaos to the world. Even if the setup of the movie is familiar; it lacks the story and characterization of better anime films such as Hayao Miyazaki's classic "My Neighbor Totoro."

Many characters in children's anime have had unique personalities and characteristics that distinguish them amongst one another. In this film, virtually no character goes outside a single dimension. When Nathan's most defining trait is being "average" by his own admission, it does not work in favor for the audience to connect with him. The voice acting of the principal cast doesn't help either, as it's more wooden than the lumberyard at Home Depot. The normally lively Johnny Yong Bosch lacks direction as Nathan, which a shame because he's usually an exceptional anime voice actor. Here, his performance conveys less emotion than his role as Adam Park in earlier seasons of "Power Rangers."

In fact, the characters come off less like characters and more like glorified merchandise. In its native Japan, "Yo-Kai Watch" has amassed a multimedia empire of toys, video games and other merchandise; and the film broke Japanese box office records during its original release in 2014. Here, however, the movie was only given a single night of theatrical showings before being put on Netflix and Disney XD; and the series has had more mixed success. Despite the industry hyping the franchise as "the next Pokémon," the Western world and a large number of Pokémon fans do not share that sentiment.

The film's English dub was tied into the release of "Yo-Kai Watch 2: Bony Spirits and Fleshy Souls" in the US, and the film loosely adapts the games' story in a meandering and doddering 96-minute runtime that steals character and story elements from better films such as "Back to the Future" and "Star Wars." 

One of the few positive things the movie has is the animation. The artwork is full of bright colors and smooth movements, and the environments in the past timeline of the film are full of great details that almost make it look like an old photograph.

Yet, the artwork of the film is nowhere near enough to save it. Despite Nathaniel being hailed as a genius in the film's world, he constantly insults Nate and is unwilling to accept others' help in his quest. Dame Dedtime lacks compelling motivation as a villain, especially when held to the standards set by villains in films such as "Spirited Away." The setting, which in the Japanese version of the film is the fictional town of Kemamoto (based on the real-life area of Kumamoto, Japan); is also changed to the fictional town of Harrisville, Idaho despite the obviously Japanese elements in play. Least of all, the film's final act devolves into a hot mess of incoherent CGI action straight out of the video games the film are trying to advertise.

Furthering the disappointment with this film is the fact that when promoting "Bony Spirits and Fleshy Souls" at E3 in 2016, series creator Akihiro Hino expressed hope that the series would "bloom like a flower" by this year. So far, it hasn't. The games have only sold a combined 150,000 copies as of this writing; and they were met with a mixed reception among critics (though many who have played them said they were an improvement over the original "Yo-Kai Watch"). Even with a third season of the anime and a potential US release of "Yo-Kai Watch 3" being teased at Toy Fair, it just might be that "Yo-Kai Watch" was a success in Japan that simply doesn't resonate with audiences in the United States. While the series has had some mild success in Europe, it hasn't become "the next Pokémon" that it was hyped as. Despite the breathing room that "Bony Spirits and Fleshy Souls" had between the release of "Pokémon Sun and Moon," the latter games retained their fandom over 20 years, selling over 14 million copies as of this writing. Despite Level-5 and Hino's best efforts, the series has largely failed to crossover with general audiences and has been mostly ignored if not outright dismissed by longtime "Pokémon" fans. Even with heavy marketing, Nathan Adams, Jibanyan and Whisper haven't made the same impact Ash Ketchum, Pikachu and Professor Oak have. While the "Pokémon" films have often taken a darker tone than the anime they're based on, "Yo-Kai Watch: The Movie" is little more than the same kind of flickering lights and toys offered by the TV series at feature length. It has less in common with a Studio Ghibli film and more in common with infamous kiddie schlock like "The Oogieloves in the Big Balloon Adventure." It may entertain a small child, but with a host of better options available on Netflix and Disney XD; it's not recommended for much of anything or anyone else.

Video Game Review: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Wii U)

Courtesy: Nintendo

Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo EPD
Platform: Wii U (Also Available on Nintendo Switch)
ESRB Rating: E10+
My Rating: *****/5

After years in the making, the latest installment of “The Legend of Zelda” series has arrived with “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.” Arriving just in time for the 30th anniversary of the series, Nintendo has crafted a highly immersive entry in one of their biggest series and an experience that honors the lineage of the series while also marking an ideal game for newcomers to enjoy.

The game opens with Link awakening from a slumber of 100 years. In that time, an ancient being known as Calamity Ganon has taken over the land of Hyrule. It falls to Link to explore the land and save it from disaster as Ganon once again threatens to consume the kingdom in darkness.

While the premise is familiar to anyone who’s played any of the prior installments, the execution is where the real draw of the game comes in. The dungeons of the main quest can be played in any order the player desires, and the land of Hyrule is the most massive depiction in any of the games to date. There are no boundaries or load screens to hold the player back from exploring the land, and the challenge of the game comes from how the player overcomes whatever obstacles from exploring the land. Whether you’re a new player or a longtime fan of the series, your abilities will be tested as you are on your quest to save Hyrule.

The game is also filled with all sorts of great little touches. When Link tries to kick open a chest to retrieve his clothes for his adventure, he actually holds his leg in pain. Certain foods possess different benefits in your adventure. While eating a hot pepper can help you keep warm in cold climates, cooking random ingredients together will produce a dish that can heal you; but Link is visibly disgusted when he tries to eat it on your item screen. The graphics are also full of vibrant colors and a visual style that pushes the Wii U to its limits. The land of Hyrule and its inhabitants are almost like a painting in the way they’re rendered and how they move, blending the more realistic style in entries such as “Twilight Princess” and the cel-shaded; Studio Ghibli-infused style of games such as “The Wind Waker.”

While there is a learning curve compared to previous entries in the series, there is a great sense of satisfaction from finding out how accomplish certain tasks. The trials you complete grant you mystical powers to help you solve puzzles, and there is a wide variety of weapons and items to use in your quest. Even if some of them are rare or break after repeated use, you continue to acquire better weapons throughout your journey.

Even though Eiji Aonuma has admitted to never beating the original “Legend of Zelda” on NES, he has succeeded tremendously in recreating that experience for “Breath of the Wild.” As the last major first-party release on Wii U and one of the first major ones on the Nintendo Switch, it’s an ideal game to celebrate 30 years of “The Legend of Zelda” and easily the best entry in the series since “The Ocarina of Time” on Nintendo 64. It’s well worth playing for both newcomers and true belivers alike. Nintendo had a lot to live up to when the title began development, and “Breath of the Wild” has exceeded every expectation possible and delivered one of the best games in recent memory. It is highly recommended on Wii U and Switch.

Movie Review-Logan (2017)

Courtesy: Fox/Marvel

Starring Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Richard E. Grant, Dafne Keen, Stephen Merchant and Boyd Holbrook
Directed by James Mangold
Rated R
My Rating: *****/5

The third and final standalone “Wolverine” film has arrived with “Logan.” As the final time Hugh Jackman will play the title character, director James Mangold has pulled out all the stops to make the film a spectacular action blockbuster and a moving drama worthy of a role honed for 17 years since he appeared in the first “X-Men” film in 2000.

The year is 2029. Mutants are a dying breed, and Logan (Jackman) is helping take care of an infirm Charles Xavier (Stewart) along with the terminally ill mutant Caliban (Merchant) on the border between the United States and Mexico. Logan also acts as a limo driver to try and make money needed to take refuge on the seas and away from groups trying to hunt down what’s left of the mutants.

One day, a young girl known as Laura (Keen) comes along possessing similar abilities to Logan.

As a genetic experiment known as “X-23,” Logan reluctantly agrees to escort her to a safe haven in North Dakota while trying to elude a group of mercenaries known as “Reavers” and their leader Pierce (Holbrook). What follows is a moving and intense 137-minute epic that serves as an ideal send-off to the character of Logan that’s easily the best of the single-hero films to feature the character.

The film definitely earns its R rating, largely attributed to the success of last year’s “Deadpool” (which also has a teaser for the planned sequel near the beginning of the film). The opening scene has Logan brutally slice apart a group of gangsters who try to steal his hubcaps; and the film keeps a bleak atmosphere throughout that also lends itself to highly timely social commentary. The script, which Mangold co-wrote alongside Scott Frank and Michael Green is heavily influenced by the key comic story “Old Man Logan” by Mark Millar; and Mangold has cited anime and Western films as influences on the movie’s distinctive visual style. On a $97 million budget, CGI takes a backseat to practical special effects as the film becomes a spectacular post-apocalyptic road trip and one of the best films about a young woman fighting alongside an unlikely father figure since Luc Besson’s “Leon: The Professional.”

With the film setting a new box-office record as of this writing, “Logan” is a grand send-off to Hugh Jackman’s run as Wolverine. With Patrick Stewart also retiring as Xavier and the film setting up more installments from stunning newcomer Dafne Keen as X-23 (under the civilian name “Laura”), it’s a fitting and bittersweet swan song to one of Marvel’s biggest names. It is highly recommended for fans of the series and any moviegoer in this day and age.