It’s the return of an iconic all-ages action franchise, but the Power Rangers’ new trailer for its 2017 reboot feels more like a super-powered Breakfast Club…
Power Rangers is one of those productions that’s been on the outer rim of the action cinema radar for a while – the kind that every so often seems to drop an image or a promo but no-one knows when it’s due or quite what to expect.
Well, here’s a round-up of what we know so far and the latest released information. The film, set to be rolled out from March next year, is the reinvention and rebooting of the iconic eastern action series that took on an extended life of its own with American reworkings during the 1980s and 1990s. The likes of top stunt-woman Sophia Crawford donned one of the rainbow-attired heroes (she was the ‘Pink Ranger’) and ever since the concept has hovered between genuine fans and cultural nostalgia. Once again, the upcoming film tells the story of five ordinary teens who must become something extraordinary when they are granted cosmic powers and primary-coloured costumes to defend the world. This time the disenfranchised teens learn that their small town of Angel Grove — and the world — is on the verge of being obliterated by an alien threat. If they are to save the world as the new Power Rangers., they will have to overcome their real-life issues and before it’s too late…
R J Cyler is Billy (The Blue Ranger), Naomi Scott is Kimberly Hart (The Pink Ranger), Ludi Lun is Zack Taylor (The Black Ranger), Becky G is Trini (The Yellow Ranger) and Dacre Montgomery is Jason Lee Scott (The Red Ranger). Breaking Bad‘s Bryan Cranston will be Zordan. their mentor and Bill Hader will be the voice of Alpha 5. Elizabeth Banks will feature as the main thereat: Rita Repulsa.
Project Almanac‘s director Dean Isrealite is the man at the helm for what promises to be a feature that will need to balance the long legacy of the franchise while appealing to a new, savvy audience.
To that extent the new trailer appears to downplay some of the more kitsch elements in favour of almost Breakfast Club-meets-the-Avengers angst… essentially telling the story of how a group of detention-bound teens get the ultimate upgrade and lesson in responsibility. We only get to see brief images of the more vivid imagery in this teaser – ao hopefully more will be apparent in later trailers and the final result.
