Power Rangers  (2017)

PG-13 2 hours 4 minutes

(Extra scene midway through credits no extras at conclusion of credits)

                        

I enjoyed this movie. It held my attention. The acting from all principal players was surprisingly good. Elizabeth Banks (as Rita Repulsa) was a somewhat over the top, but that was in line with her character in that Rita has no arc just a colorful cartoonish mania. The 5 rangers along with Zordon all were character-driven. Although Alpha 5 was a truly cartoonish robot (well-voiced by Bill Hader) he was not as omnipresent or cloying in a Jar Jar Binks way.

I went into this movie with only a surface knowledge of the Power Rangers-universe. However there is a 5 -8 minute backstory at the beginning of this movie, which gives the viewer some background. For a smoother entry into the lore of this movie, I would advise a quick Wikipedia read through.

I have heard that this movie has been compared to a combination of the films Chronicle and The Breakfast Club.  I would agree with that comparison, with the addition of the fun, exciting and colorful Transformer battle scenes.

There is a certain commercial entity, which has the best (and possibly the largest) product placement that I have ever seen.  Usually product placement annoys me, but each time that this place was mentioned, I laughed.

Like the television series, this is basically a live action cartoon, but with much better acting, CGI effects and character development than the 20^th century series. Those who come looking for robots smacking each other around will not be disappointed. And for the rest of us who like some plot and character development with our CGI that also is available in enough quantity to feel entertained and enlightened.