“Power Rangers: Once & Always” Misses the Mark with Campy Nostalgia It must be acknowledged that the Power Rangers TV series is not known for its intricate storyline or exceptional performances. This is acceptable since the show targets children and young adolescents.Power Rangers: Once & Always” relies on nostalgia to appeal to adult viewers.. You’d think they would at least make the special’s elements more intense for such viewers. You’d be mistaken.
The plot revolves around Billy Cranston/Blue Ranger (David Yost) and Zack Taylor/Black Ranger (Walter Jones). Who reunite other seasoned Rangers when Robo Rita (Barbara Goodson) returns to Angel Grove. The Power Rangers: Once & Always special follows the original show and pays tribute to its spin-offs. Billy and Zack recruit Rocky and Kat to save their captured friends.
Power Rangers: Once & Always Falls Short in Honoring Legacy and Tackling Serious Themes
Once & Always is not ignorant of older audiences, far from it. Particularly when it comes to the death of the Yellow Ranger on a mission. The episode does attempt to raise some important subjects for debate. Her relationship with her guardian, and her healing are all parts of a story arc that are simple to predict from the beginning. When you consider how much better and with unexpectedly more stakes. Power Rangers: Lost Galaxy handled a Ranger’s death, the arc seems even more insignificant.
In comparison to Lost Galaxy, Power Rangers: Once & Always also doesn’t appear to understand how to respect the series’ legacy. The special chooses to present a story that encompasses every Power Ranger who has ever existed. Which is extremely ambitious and raises the possibility that the narrative would follow a similar path to the enduring episode “Forever Red.” The problem is that, aside from the initial five Rangers, none of the other dozens return in the special. Action figures are used to commemorate the other Rangers onscreen, just like millennials have action figures on their collections.
Netflix’s Power Rangers: Once & Always lacks character development, but still offers enjoyable moments
Unfortunately, the Netflix special Once & Always fails to provide significant character development for the five main Rangers. Although the special briefly touches upon some personal details of the characters, such as Billy’s company or Kat’s child, it doesn’t delve deeper into their backgrounds.
In fact, the most that can be said about Rocky is that he’s concerned about his snack, and Zack is only shown break-dancing. The fight sequences, which are few in number and sometimes poorly choreographed, become the main attraction for fans. The special does feature improved production values, such as the impressive design of Robo Rita and the better-looking monster villain suits. The camerawork is also more ambitious than what was possible during the original show due to budget constraints.
Power Rangers: Once & Always succeeds in providing enjoyable moments when it embraces its silly side. For instance, Rita’s transformation of the Rangers into toy models or the explosive Megazord battle in space with impressive sound effects. However, the special doesn’t commit entirely to its campy tone and ends up feeling like a subpar regular series episode.
The script by Becca Barnes and Alwyn Dale contains cringe-worthy lines and moments. Including the poorly executed rescue of a same-sex couple that appears to be a half-hearted attempt at representation.
Time-traveling element in Power Rangers: Once & Always contradicts its own dramatic core
Power Rangers: Once & Always sort of contradicts its own dramatic core. It’s fair that the focus of the special is on preserving Thuy Trang’s memories. But the remaining Rangers never even consider the option of saving the Yellow Ranger and. You know, returning a teenage girl’s mother. There is only so much you can accomplish within a single, 55-minute event. But there was more than enough time to improve this arc.
Power Rangers: Once & Always avoids the flaw that the 2017 motion picture Power Rangers did. Which was to take itself way too seriously when it wasn’t necessary. However, the special seems too conscious of the need to be a little serious, which hinders viewers from enjoying the genuine campy moments. Which, while they are few, light up the screen when they do occur.
