Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Blu-ray Review

Shout! Factory brings "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie" to Blu-ray for the first time with an MPEG-4 AVC-encoded BD-50, maintaining the original aspect ratio of 1.85:1. Sourced from a new 4K scan, the 1080p HD transfer works impressively well for a 25-year-old film. A light but consistent layer of grain adds a film-like texture to the viewing experience, while colors are vibrant and well-rendered. The Power Rangers' costumes (blue, green, red, pink) remain vivid under varying lighting conditions, with the villains' greens and purples showcasing similarly rich visual fidelity. Skin tones appear natural throughout, and black levels are commendable, retaining considerable depth without significant loss of detail in shadowy scenes.

The level of detail and clarity is strikingly high, pulling out textures in the suits and makeup effects. Facial features, wounds, and intricate stitching in wardrobes are sharply defined, adding a palpable sense of realism. The CGI elements don't fare as well, displaying notable blur and lower resolution indicative of 1990s-era limitations. However, practical effects and real-life textures shine, offering sustained sharpness and depth. Background sets with neon lighting also stand out clearly, contributing to the overall high-quality visual presentation.

Despite minor issues such as occasional dirt and debris on the print and some compression artifacts in darker scenes, the overall technical performance of the disc is solid. With an average video bitrate of 33434 kbps and a mean total bitrate of 39.97 Mbps, the transfer operates efficiently. Motion is smooth without distortion, enriching the cinematic experience. While contrast may fall short in delivering deep shadows—likely an intentional choice for the target audience—the colors retain their zest without compromising accuracy. Shout! Factory's effort brings new life to this nostalgic classic with a highly effective Blu-ray release.

The audio presentation of the "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers" Blu-ray by Shout! Factory comes with two robust lossless audio options, both in DTS-HD Master Audio: a 5.1 Surround track and a 2.0 Stereo downmix. The 5.1 Surround track is particularly noteworthy, featuring a bitrate of 2531 kbps at 24-bit, providing a richer and more immersive experience through discrete separation, especially in the front channels. This is vividly illustrated in action-packed sequences such as the Rangers' skydive or rollerblading scenes, where the use of different surrounds provides smooth and engaging fly-by sound effects. Dialogue clarity remains consistently high across both the action-packed and quieter scenes, ensuring that heroics and villainous speeches alike are intelligibly delivered.

Sound design for the film exhibits a commendable use of each available channel. Scenes featuring flying Tengu and intense combat maintain activity across the soundstage, delivering an enveloping auditory experience. There is, however, a noted discrepancy in the low-frequency extension; while giant robot stomps produce noticeable rumbles, these lack tightness and sound somewhat hollow. The explosions and other low-end effects similarly do not reach the bombastic levels one might expect from contemporary mixes. Nevertheless, the directional audio during combat scenes and the giant Zord attack at the film's climax show strong motion fidelity front to back and side to side.

Graeme Revell's dynamic score and eleven additional pop songs integrate well and enhance the film's energy without overpowering dialogue or sound effects. While some may miss the original TV series' version of the "Go Go Power Rangers" theme, the re-orchestration for the big screen holds its own. Optional English SDH subtitles are accessible, adding further versatility to this robust audio package. Overall, Shout! provides a satisfying auditory experience that, despite minor shortcomings in low-frequency effects, delivers clear dialogue and engaging, well-directed soundscapes.

The Blu-ray extras for "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie" are a rich and engaging collection, offering an in-depth look at the making of the film. The standout feature is a new 44-minute documentary titled "The Mighty Leap to the Silver Screen," which delves into the film's script origins, casting, and Australian locations, and includes detailed segments on Ivan Ooze's makeup, stunts, armored suits, and more. The documentary contains interviews with key figures like director Bryan Spicer and stars Jason David Frank and Johnny Yong Bosch. Complementing this is a vintage promotional featurette that provides brief snippets of cast interviews and the original theatrical trailer, both upscaled to 1080i. Together, these features provide a comprehensive look behind the scenes that will delight any fan of the franchise.

Extras included in this disc:

• The Mighty Leap to the Silver Screen: In-depth documentary on making the film.
• Original Featurette: Brief promotional piece with cast interviews.
• Theatrical Trailer: Official trailer for the movie.

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie takes fans on a nostalgic trip back to the '90s, capturing the essence of the original TV series while introducing new elements and challenges for the Rangers. Featuring characters like Billy Cranston (Blue Ranger), Tommy Oliver (White Ranger), and Kim Hart (Pink Ranger), the film retains familiar faces while missing key actors due to contract disputes. This cast shift slightly diminishes the dynamic that fans grew to love on the small screen. The plot centers around the evil sorcerer Ivan Ooze (Paul Freeman), who, after being freed from a 6,000-year imprisonment, strips the Rangers of their powers. Consequently, they journey to the planet Phaedos to regain their abilities and save their mentor Zordon.

While the movie attempts to offer high-stakes action with modern effects, it often falls short compared to the charm of its TV counterpart. The budget allows for more elaborate sequences and CGI-animated robots, yet these enhancements often feel artificial and devoid of the creativity seen in the original series’ practical effects. Ivan Ooze, although a new and interesting villain, lacks the depth and creativity that fans appreciated from antagonists like Rita Repulsa and Lord Zedd. The storyline, filled with predictable arcs and cheesy dialogue, serves more as a cash-grab rather than a genuinely engaging narrative.

Despite its shortcomings, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie delivers moments of fun, notably through its nostalgic references and distinctive '90s flair. Ivan Ooze stands out with his over-the-top performance, bringing much-needed energy to an otherwise flat cast. While some scenes such as skydiving and rollerblading seem forced, they add to the quirky charm that has endeared the franchise to many viewers. Overall, the film is a mixed bag; a flawed yet nostalgic artifact that may bring back fond memories for longtime fans while leaving new viewers questioning its appeal.

"Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie" on Blu-ray is a dichotomy of nostalgic allure and cinematic shortcomings. As a mid-90s cultural artifact, the film captivates with its high-energy action sequences, vibrant costumes, and competent production design that far exceeds the television series. However, despite its larger budget and robust visual execution, the story and character development fail to capture the ingenuous charm and cohesive narrative of the original series. Notably, critical characters like Rita and Zedd are significantly underutilized, and the attempt to inject freshness with Ivan Ooze falls flat due to a convoluted script.

Shout! Factory’s Blu-ray release delivers an unparalleled technical presentation. The 1080p HD transfer is stunning, bringing unprecedented clarity and vividness to the visual elements. The DTS-HD 5.1 audio mix is superb, providing an immersive sound experience that breathes new life into the action scenes. Additionally, the retrospective documentary included as a bonus feature offers thorough insights into the film's production, making it an invaluable resource for enthusiasts and collectors alike.

In conclusion, while "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie" may not hold up against today's storytelling standards or even its recent big-screen adaptation, its Blu-ray edition is a commendable package for fans. The technical excellence of the transfer and the quality of the bonus content make it a noteworthy addition to any collection. However, given the film’s narrative drawbacks, it is advisable for series fans to consider a rental first before committing to a purchase.