Reviews: Power Rangers (2017) Movie Review
Genres: Sci-Fi, Action, Fantasy, Adventure
Subgenres:
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Power Rangers (2017), directed by Dean Israelite, is a bold attempt to reboot the beloved 1990s superhero franchise for a modern generation. Blending elements of teen drama, superhero action, and sci-fi spectacle, the film aims to introduce a darker, more grounded version of the iconic team while still embracing the fun, colorful roots of the original. The result is a mixed but earnest reimagining that swings big — and occasionally connects.
Power Rangers (2017) – Morphin’ Into the Modern Age
Plot, Themes, and Character Development
The story centers around five misfit teenagers from the town of Angel Grove who stumble upon mysterious colored coins that grant them superhuman abilities. As they begin to unlock their powers, they are chosen by the ancient being Zordon to become the next generation of Power Rangers, tasked with stopping the villainous Rita Repulsa, who is hellbent on recovering a deadly artifact that could destroy Earth.
What sets this film apart is its focus on character development and emotional depth. Each Ranger is given a distinct backstory, personal struggle, and personality. Jason is a disgraced football star trying to redeem himself. Kimberly is dealing with the fallout of a social media scandal. Billy, the Blue Ranger, stands out with a heartfelt and nuanced portrayal as someone on the autism spectrum. Zack and Trini bring cultural and emotional diversity, with subplots about loss, loyalty, and identity.
The film’s themes include redemption, teamwork, identity, and acceptance, giving the Rangers more emotional grounding than many expected from a franchise known for campy monster fights. It’s less about the suits and more about the people inside them.
Acting and Cinematography
The young cast brings surprising chemistry and sincerity to their roles. Dacre Montgomery, Naomi Scott, RJ Cyler, Becky G, and Ludi Lin inject authenticity and relatability into their performances. RJ Cyler is particularly memorable as Billy, delivering both heart and humor in equal measure.
Elizabeth Banks takes on the role of Rita Repulsa with gleeful menace, chewing scenery with wild abandon. Her performance leans into villainous camp and contrasts sharply with the film’s grounded tone — a choice that works for some but may feel jarring to others.
Visually, the film is sleek and modern. The cinematography mixes small-town grit with high-concept sci-fi action. The color palette is darker than fans may expect, but the visual effects during the Zord battle and morphing sequences are dynamic and well-executed. The final battle feels a bit rushed, but it delivers enough action to satisfy long-time fans.
Directing Style, Strengths, and Weaknesses
Dean Israelite takes a character-first approach, focusing heavily on the Rangers’ personal journeys before delivering on the spectacle. This storytelling decision gives the film heart but may disappoint viewers expecting wall-to-wall action from the start.
One of the film’s strengths is its willingness to modernize the franchise without losing all its charm. There are clever nods to the original series, including cameos, musical cues, and of course, the “It’s Morphin’ Time!” moment. The film tries to balance nostalgia with new energy — and while it doesn’t always land, the effort is clear.
Where the film struggles is in tone. It occasionally shifts too abruptly between heartfelt drama and over-the-top villain antics. Some of the third-act battle scenes feel undercooked compared to the strong first two acts. Additionally, fans hoping for a more traditional “Power Rangers” experience may find the first hour too slow-burning.
Strengths:
Strong cast chemistry and character-driven storytelling
Surprisingly heartfelt exploration of teen struggles
Visually engaging action sequences and Zord designs
Modernized tone with respectful callbacks to the original
RJ Cyler delivers a standout performance as Billy
Weaknesses:
Uneven tone between grounded drama and comic-book villainy
Slow pacing in the first half may test action-focused viewers
Final battle feels rushed and lacks emotional payoff
Minimal use of the Rangers in full costume until late in the film
Rita’s portrayal may feel too exaggerated for some audiences
Final Verdict & Score: 6/10
Power Rangers (2017) is a solid, if uneven, attempt to reboot a beloved franchise with modern storytelling sensibilities. It succeeds in building emotional investment in its characters and offers some exciting moments of action and nostalgia, but struggles to balance its tones and fully deliver on its epic potential. Still, for fans both new and old, there’s something refreshing in seeing the Rangers evolve with the times — and the film leaves the door open for more.
Sources Used to Shape This Review
Insights in this review are drawn from director interviews, fan commentary, production notes, and long-form breakdowns across genre-specific platforms. Content is written uniquely and reviewed for accuracy.
- Power Rangers Rating Scores
- Our Score: 6/10
- Overall Score: 5.44/10
- IMDB: 5.9/10
- MetaCritic: 4.4/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 5.1/10
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