Power Rangers
Genre: Action/Sci-Fi/Superhero
Director: Jake Kasdan
Writer: Diane Esposito
Based on the Power Rangers franchise
Cast: Millie Bobby Brown, Asher Angel, Wyatt Oleff, Niles Fitch, Minnie Mills, Lucy Liu, Giancarlo Esposito (VOICE), Alan Tudyk (VOICE), Clancy Brown (VOICE), Ethan Cutkosky, Aedin Mincks, Jason Isaacs (VOICE CAMEO)
Plot: On a routine moonwalk, two astronauts discover a mysterious, ancient structure buried in the lunar surface. The design is alien and otherworldly, its sigils glowing faintly beneath the dust. When one astronaut accidentally activates a mechanism, the structure shatters, unleashing a swirling, dark energy. The shadowy figure of Rita Repulsa (Lucy Liu emerges, spectral and decayed. Weak from millennia of imprisonment, she absorbs the life force of the two astronauts to partially restore her physical form. Rita conjures her Magic Wand and cackles, commanding her newly formed Putties to search for Zordon and the Zeo Crystal on Earth. With Zordon gone, she vows, nothing will stand in her way.
In Angel Grove, Jason Scott (Asher Angel) reports for court-ordered community service at the Angel Grove Community Center, a hub for local youth programs. Jason, a former school bully, has been sentenced to the community service after a fight gone wrong. He is quickly tasked with replacing a broken punching bag in the gym. Testing it afterward, Jason displays impressive boxing skills. He later scrubs graffiti off a locker he once vandalized. Meanwhile, Billy Cranston (Wyatt Oleff), a nerdy genius, has also been assigned community service after being caught up in Jason's bullying incident, and harbors resentment toward him. Kimberly Hart (Millie Bobby Brown), new to town, practices gymnastics on a mat nearby. Jason watches Kimberly's gymnastics moves, immediately taken by her grace and beauty. Zack Taylor (Niles Fitch) hangs out at the community center as an escape from his tough home life, spending his time playing basketball and practicing mat, charming all the younger kids who look up to him. Trini Kwan (Minnie Mills), has been forced by her parents to volunteer at the center to help pad her college applications to help get a scholarship. When she sees Zack practice martial arts, Trini becomes intrigued and asks him to teach her.
Jason's former friends, school bullies Bulk (Noah Munck) and Skull (Ethan Cutkosky), who up at the community center to get Jason to help them vandalize a nearby business. Looking for Jason, they immediately target Billy, mocking him for getting Jason in trouble in the first place. Jason intervenes, stepping between them. Bulk shoves Jason, but he refrains from fighting back and tells them to leave. Skull accuses Jason of abandoning their friendship to hang out with nerds and little kids.
Rita uses her magic to send a wave of Putties to Angel Grove Beach, where they begin terrorizing civilians. The chaos draws the attention of the teens at the community center. Driven by instinct, all five of them step in to help civilians flee the area. Each teen shows their instincts under pressure: Trini helps guide kids to safety Zack improvises a weapon from a mop handle; Kimberly flips over a bench to grab a frightened childl Billy sets off a sprinkler to confuse the Putties; Jason uses himself as a shield. The teens soon find themselves cornered and overpowered by Putties. The group manages to escape, shaken and confused.
Later that night, while at their respective homes, Jason, Kimberly, Billy, Zack, and Trini are all suddenly transported in beams of colored light to a hidden Command Center buried beneath the hills outside of Angel Grove. Disoriented, they meet Zordon (voiced by Giancarlo Esposito), a sentient AI bound to the Morphing Grid, and his quirky robotic assistant, Alpha 5 (voiced by Alan Tudyk). Zordon explains that Rita Repulsa, an ancient intergalactic sorceress he imprisoned on the Moon 10,000 years ago, has seemingly been freed from her prison and plans to destroy him and conquer the Earth, which she nearly succeeded in doing before he was able to stop her. He further explains that the five teens have been chosen to become the latest incarnation of the Power Rangers, warriors destined to defend Earth. Each of them possesses untapped potential that makes them uniquely suited to the challenge ahead. Overwhelmed and skeptical, the teens reject the responsibility and leave the Command Center. Zordon expresses disbelief to Alpha 5, who decides to chase after them. Alpha 5 convinces them to come back as Angel Grove depends on them.
When the teens return to see Zordon, he introduces them to their Power Coins, which grant them enhanced strength, speed, and agility. He also reveals the Dinozords, biomechanical machines they can summon in great times of need. Training proves difficult, as the group's personal conflicts hinder their progress. Jason struggles to lead the group due to his guilt of being a bully. Kimberly questions her place on the team being new to town. Billy is hesitant to embrace combat, feeling out of his element. Zack is overly confident, but it creates tension in the group, especially with the guarded Trini.
After long hours training at the command center, the teens beam back to the community center. Jason apologizes to Billy for his past actions. Zack begins teaching Trini some basic martial arts. Kimberly still struggles with her place though.
Rita sends a larger wave of Putties to attack downtown Angel Grove, causing mass panic. The teens morph for the first time, donning their respective Power Ranger suits: Jason becomes the Red Ranger, Kimberly becomes the Pink Ranger, Billy becomes the Blue Ranger, Zack becomes the Black Ranger, and Trini becomes the Yellow Ranger. Jason leads the charge against the Putties, wielding his Power Sword, slicing through a Putty while shouting orders to the rest of the team. Kimberly takes to the rooftops, firing energy arrows from her Power Bow. Billy fights cautiously with his Power Lance. Zack dives into the chaos with his Power Axe, scattering foes, but the relentless Putties start to surround him. Trini darts into the fray to help Zack with her Power Daggers, but becomes overwhelmed as well. Jason rallies them, ordering them to put their weapons together. They combine their weapons into the Power Blaster, unleashing a massive energy wave that annihilates the remaining Putties. Exhausted and battered, the Rangers look at each other and realize that they barely won. Their suits are dented, breathing labored, and the silence is heavy with disbelief.
Enraged by her Putties' repeated failures, Rita retreats to her lair and summons her most fearsome creatin: Goldar, her loyal manticore warrior from the ancient war against Zordon. Goldar (voiced by Clancy Brown) is resurrected with Rita's magic, stepping forward in full golden armor, with red eyes and massive wings.
Rita sends Goldar to the outskirts of Angel Grove, testing his power by commanding him to destroy anything in his path. The Rangers intercept him but are quickly outmatched. Goldar towers over them, his massive sword glinting as he strikes with brutal precision. Jason leads a charge, but Goldar take them out one by one, forcing them to retreat. Kimberly is slammed into a car. Billy's lance is knocked from his grip. Trini gets pinned and has to be pulled free by Zack. Goldar taunts them as they flee, telling them let Zordon know the queen will rise again.
Back at the Command Center, the Rangers regroup, demoralized after their defeat. They question their abilities, wondering if they were truly meant to become Power Rangers. Alpha 5 tries to reassure them but they aren't listening until Zordon addresses each of them individually. Zordon tells Jason that he is a true leader forged through failure, driven by a desire to right wrongs. Zordon tells Kimberly that her empathy will ground the team. Zordon tells Billy that he has a brilliant mind capable of seeing solutions others cannot. Zordon tells Trini that her independent thinking and willingness to learn are essential. Zordon tells Zack that he courage and athleticism will inspire the others. Zordon's words inspire the team to embrace their roles. Zordon also tells the team that if they ever find themselves outmatched, they can always call upon their respective Dinozords. When the rest of the Rangers leave, Zordon tells Jason that the Dinozord can be combined into on massive Megazord, but the team needs to work as one in order for it to be effective.
Downtown Angel Grove descends into chaos as Goldar marches through town. Civilians flee as Goldar smashes cars and debris. He calls out for Zordon to send out his Rangers or he'll level the city. Rita watches with glee from her lair. Moments later, the Rangers arrive in a flash of colored light. Jason steps forward with his sword, demanding that Goldar stand down. The Rangers charge in, working together as a team. They land a series of attacks, but despite their coordinated efforts, they are no match for Goldar. He knocks them each to the ground. They struggle to get up as Goldar taunts them.
As the Rangers prepare to charge again, Goldar raises his sword to the sky. From her lair, Rita waves her magic wand. An energy engulfs Goldar, and his form grows to kaiju size. Jason grabs his communicator, telling Zordon they need those Dinozords he told them about. One by one, the Dinozords make their dramatic entrances. The red Tyrannosaurus Dinozord bursts from beneath the earth. The pink Pterodactyl Dinozord streak through the sky toward Angel Grove. The black Mastodon Dinozord thunders out of the forest. The blue Triceratops Dinozord races across the desert. The yellow Sabertooth Dinozord sprints toward the battlefield in downtown Angel Grove. The Rangers all teleport into the cockpits of their respective Dinozords. Jason takes charge from his Dinozord, leading a coordinated attack against the massive Goldar.
The massive Goldar once again being to gain the upperhand. He swats the Pterodactyl out of the sky with a swipe of his sword. The Mastodon Dinozord charges, but is blocked by Goldar's wings. Jason, feeling the team can work as one, initiates the Megazord transformation sequence. All five Dinozords combine into one massive Megazord. Jason tells the others that they need to work as one if they are going to defeat Goldar. They manage to get the Megazord to charge Goldar. The two giants clash. Inside the cockpit of the Megazord, the Rangers struggle to maintain control. Kimberly reminds Jason that Zordon said they all have unique strengths. Remembering Zordon's words, Jason begins to issue commands. He asks Billy to analyze the weak points of Goldar. Billy notices that Goldar's chest armor is damaged, creating a weak spot. Zack, in control of the Megazord's arms, lands a series of attacks on Goldar, while Billy and Trini move the legs, keeping the Megazord upright. The Megazord executes several combo moves - Jason's command triggers a sweeping blade attack while Kimberly maneuvers to dodge Goldar's counter. The Rangers channel all their energy into the Megazord's Power Sword. The Megazord delivers a devastating blow to Goldar's chest. Goldar lets out a final roar before disintegrating into golden dust.
From her lair, Rita watches Goldar's defeat with fury. She slams her staff into the ground, the shockwave, cracking the floor. From behind her, a tall figure emerges. Lord Zedd (Jason Isaacs) emerges, commending Rita on starting off the battle, but the war against the Rangers is far from over.
Back at the Command Center, the Rangers return exhausted but victorious. They stand before Zordon, their helmets off, still processing what they've accomplished. Zordon's voice echoes with pride as he tells them that they faced an enemy greater than themselves and emerged the victors - pointing out once again that they were chosen for a reason. Jason steps forward saying that they could not have done it without working together as a team. Kimberly turns to Zordon, asking what is next for them. Zordon's tone grows serious as he tells them that Rita's threat is far from over - this is only the beginning for the Power Rangers.
The next morning, the Rangers, dressed in their usual civilian clothes, gather in the heart of Angel Grove. The team pitches in, helping clear rubble and comfort those affected by the destruction. Jason sees a young boy looking at the wreckage of his home and offers him words of encouragement. Trini helps an older woman retrieve keepsakes from her damaged house. Zack entertains a group of kids to distract them from the seriousness of the situation. Billy helps construct tents for the relief. Kimberly paints encouraging messages on board being used to patch up broken windows.
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