Majin Planet

Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie (1997)

Power Rangers was one of those things that hit at the right time and basically became a world wide phenomena in 1993. A little background about Power Rangers in case you don’t know and have been living under a rock the last 10 or so years. Power Rangers is base off a Japanese live action TV show called Super Sentai. Power Rangers uses stock footage for the Ranger suits and some of the other scenes like monsters, etc. The rest is pure new footage film for Power Rangers. Turbo A Power Rangers movie is 100% American. There is no stock footage from Carranger in it (which is what everything from the suits, zords and villains are base off of).

This movie was made to fill a hole between the ending of Power Rangers Zeo and the start of Power Rangers Turbo TV shows. While nothing is explain in terms of what happen to the the Zeo Powers and only one time do we see a half morph scene with the Pink Ranger (played by Catherine Sutherland). Alright lets get into the plot.

The story beings much the same way the first movie did (Power Rangers the Movie 1995) with a opening credit roll of the story (also seen in Star Wars). We begin on a strange world where a funny looking (not even believable) character is running for his life. He then leaves and heads to earth. In a scene that the opening roll told us all of this makes it seem a bit of a question on what this movie is going to take.

This is Power Rangers, its silly and not even a serious of a show. So for the most part it can get away with loads of stuff other movies can’t. OK so we met up with the Power Rangers gang living their lives, if you wanted Zeo you would know that there aren’t any bad guys (yet). In the first 20 or so minutes of the film we already know that we are getting a new Ranger because of the injury of the Blue Ranger and the new character Blake Foster (Justin) who is waiting Blue. Soon Zordon summons the Ranger to help search for Lerigot so Tommy (Jason David Frank) and Kat (Catherine Sutherland) head off to find them. In the mean time Justin discovers who the Power Rangers are as he overheard them talking to Zordon and saw them teleport away.

It is with in these time that Tommy and Kat are searching for Lerigot when Kat falls off the side of a Cliff and tries to morph but fails when she hits the water below (the only time the movie hits to they have their Zeo Powers). Soon Tommy jumps in after her and saves her. They find Lerigot and return only to learn that Lerigot family has been take by the new bad girl on the block, Divatox (Hilary Shepard Turner).

Divatox’s plan is to marry the fire monster Maligore so that they can create an intergalactic reign of terror together. In order to do so, she needs the key held by the wizard Lerigot that will free Maligore from where he is imprisoned on the island of Maranthius. In order to get the wizard Divatox takes the former Power Rangers Kimberly (Amy Jo Johnston) and Jason (Austin St John) prisoner. The Rangers are tricked and they lose both the key and their friends as Divatox heads to the Nemesis Triangle to pass over to find here love.

The Rangers have no choice, as Zordon tells them that their Zeo Zords and power will be no match for Maligore so they are to create new powers, the Turbo powers. The Rangers take on their new powers and leave with their new Turbo Zords (cars) to the Ghost Galleon which along with their new Turbo Keys will allow them save passage threw the Nemesis Triangle. They head off with out Rocky (Steve Cardenas). As soon as the Rangers reach the Ghost Galleon the Blue Turbo Zord shows up to reveal to them that Justin is the new Blue Ranger.

So the quest begins and most of the movie is full of silly fights and scenes. There is even a short scene where Divatox calls Zed and Rita Roseola and ask them how to beat the Power Rangers. Rita responds with “If I knew that, do you think I be listening to this?” Putting the phone next to a snoring Zed. When the Rangers finally reach the island and finally morph into their new Turbo Ranger suits, the run off to save their friends and to stop Divatox. Which they fail as Divatox wakes Maligore and both Kimberly and Jason become evil and fight the Rangers. Thanks to Lerigot both are cure of being evil and the Rangers summon their Turbo Zords and transform into the Turbo Megazord. The battle to come is very short and a little disappointing for a movie. The first movie had a very good Zord Fight even know the CGI was really bad. No CGI this time, it was just like from the show, toys for the transforming itself and then a cross-fade effect into a man in a suit.

The Rangers save the day and stop Divatox while goes home Lerigot (seen in the credits). The Rangers even have time to finish up and win a martial arts match and win money for a homeless shelter they where raising money for (who Justin happens to be in). Overall the movie is fun to watch. There are some funny moments one being when the Rangers are attacked on the boat and when it comes down to one monster against 5 rangers Tommy says “Boo” and the monster jumps off the boat in fear. If your a Power Ranger fan then you should check this out if you haven’t already. The design of the zords and suits are well done, taking in mind they are base (copies) of the Sentai counterparts. This movie is funny, silly and perfect for kids and even us old timers who grew up watching Power Rangers. Well worth a rental or even to own as part of your DVD collection as I’m sure you can find it in a bargain bin for no more then $9 bucks.

Overall rating: 3 stars