Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie Blu-ray Review

Shout! Factory's release of "Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie" on Blu-ray utilizes an MPEG-4 AVC-encoded BD-50 with a substantial video bitrate of 35,898 kbps and an overall disc bitrate of 43.33 Mbps. Displayed in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio, this Blu-ray presentation demonstrates a commendable integrity, albeit with some limitations. The image quality is laudable in scenes that prioritize color vibrancy, particularly the Power Rangers' suits which exhibit rich and clean primary colors. Skin tones are preserved in their natural state, avoiding post-processing alterations. Despite these strengths, the transfer reflects noticeable softness and flatness in medium to long shots, with occasional dirty frames, especially evident in Screenshot #17 with the greenery appearing unfocused and muddy.

The disc interpolates detail rather inconsistently, particularly struggling with rendering finer textures in wide shots or dense jungle foliage. Close-up sequences provide minimal improvements in detail resolution. The presence of messy grain, specks of dust, and print damage intermittently distracts from the viewing experience yet speaks to the untouched, authentic nature of the source material. Significant elements like the island's lush greenery and vivid lava sequences demonstrate excellent color saturation and pop against the rest of the frame, enhancing visual storytelling.

Overall, while the video presentation of "Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie" on Blu-ray does deliver strong color fidelity and natural skin tones, it is hampered by occasional softness and unresolved grain. Scene selections are limited to twelve, which is standard for this type of release. This Blu-ray remains a solid offering for enthusiasts seeking a dynamic color representation of this nostalgic film, even if it does not achieve the highest standards of modern HD transfers.

Shout! presents "Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie" with a robust DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 Surround (3472 kbps, 24-bit) and a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Stereo (1580 kbps, 24-bit). The 5.1 track is particularly active, filling every channel effectively with environmental ambiance and sound effects. The separation across channels enables precise directionality, ensuring that action scenes—particularly those involving the Rangers' fight sequences—are immersive with well-spaced sound across the front and surround speakers. While the dialogue remains consistently clear, the theme song, "Power Rangers Turbo, Go," is predominantly placed within the center and front channels, which may not be as dynamically engaging as expected.

The intensity of the soundtrack can be described as both excessive and immersive, consistently engaging the viewer with its aural elements. The rear soundstage is constantly active with ambient noise and environmental sounds, such as bird calls and roaring engines, adding a persistent presence that enriches the viewing experience. Although the low-end frequencies are punchy and pronounced, they lack the depth found in more expensive film productions. Furthermore, while the 5.1 mix excels in creating an intense auditory environment, it doesn't surpass the quality of previous titles like "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers." Optional English subtitles for the main feature are available but do not specify speakers in brackets, except for music and ambient noise cues.

The Blu-ray extras for "Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie" offer an intriguing glimpse behind the scenes, marked by insightful retrospective interviews and nostalgic promotional material. The highlight is an extended 23-minute featurette where Blake Foster, Nakia Burrise, and Catherine Sutherland reflect on their experiences, from auditions to fan interactions at Comic Con. The disc also includes a vintage featurette carried over from the 2003 DVD, presenting behind-the-scenes footage and cast interviews. Complementing these are the theatrical trailer and a TV spot, upscaled to 1080p, although the latter suffers from noticeable banding. These extras collectively enrich the movie's viewing experience, preserving both the technical details and emotional essence of the Power Rangers legacy.

Extras included in this disc:

• NEW Ranger Tales: A look back at Turbo with interviews and movie/TV series scenes.
• Original Featurette: Behind-the-scenes footage and interviews from 2003 DVD.
• Theatrical Trailer: Full-frame trailer originally included on Fox DVDs.
• TV Spot: A short promotional clip with some banding issues.

"Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie" (1997) serves as an energetic yet superficial bridge between the "Power Rangers Zeo" series and "Power Rangers Turbo". Primarily aimed at children aged 4 to 8, the film exhibits a distinctively juvenile tone. The storyline follows the pursuit of Lerigot—a small, furry creature captured by Divatox, an intergalactic villainess—setting in motion her plan to revive the demon Maligore. Despite its intent to drive the narrative forward, the character of Lerigot lacks depth and interaction, reducing his role to nothing more than a plot device. The introduction of 11-year-old Justin Stewart as the new Blue Turbo Ranger feels conveniently forced, significantly affecting the story's credibility.

The technical aspects of the film, such as the Turbo-Zords designed by car customizer George Barris, expand the Power Rangers' aesthetic with vehicles like Red Lightning and Desert Thunder. These custom machines elevate the final battle but unfortunately surface in only limited scenes, losing an opportunity for more extensive action content. The production values fluctuate between cornball TV aesthetics and an ambitious yet poorly realized big-screen adaptation. Special effects often appear underwhelming, especially in key fight sequences where camera techniques attempt to obscure rather than highlight the action.

Performances across the board are varied; Divatox's henchmen offer little more than campy humor, which weakens their menace. Meanwhile, returning characters Kimberly Hart and Jason Lee Scott succeed in injecting a layer of nostalgia and minor suspense. However, the new members and overall lackluster villains detract from what could have been a tightly developed storyline. Hilary Shepard's portrayal of Divatox brings theatrical exuberance that is central to the film's authentic Power Rangers charm. Ultimately, while "Turbo" adheres to its task of entertaining young fans through its high-energy cast and dazzling visuals, it falls short of delivering a meaningful or memorable cinematic experience.

The Blu-ray release of "Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie" offers a mixed bag for fans and casual viewers alike. While the film itself showcases the familiar campy charm of the original show, extending its zany fantastical elements to a larger screen, it falls short in script quality and overall execution. The narrative is weak, often dipping into banality, and the campy portrayal of villains detracts from any semblance of a gripping plot. This sentiment is echoed by critics, such as Marc Horton of the Edmonton Journal, who gave the movie a one-star rating, indicating that not even younger audiences seemed engaged during screenings.

On the technical side, Shout! Factory has ensured that fans at least receive a superior video and audio experience. The Blu-ray presentation features vibrant visuals and a polished, lossless audio track. These high-quality technical specifications enhance the viewing experience to a level that eclipses the film's narrative flaws. Additionally, the inclusion of a new mini-documentary featuring interviews with three cast members provides intriguing insights and adds some value for die-hard fans of the series.

In conclusion, while the returns of original cast members Austin St. John and Amy Jo Johnson add nostalgic appeal, "Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie" remains largely underwhelming. The uninspired script and campy villain performances prevent it from capturing the broader audience's interest. However, Shout! Factory's high standards in Blu-ray presentation make it a worthwhile consideration for passionate fans of the franchise. The decision to purchase should hinge on one's appreciation for the sequel and its place within the Power Rangers universe.