Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers (ABC Family)

common sense media says

Cheesy fantasy violence lacks real consequences.


parents & educators say
  • 38% say there are positive messages
  • 38% say they noticed product placement

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this live-action adventure series -- which is marketed to the 5+ set but better suited for kids a year or two older -- is full of fantasy violence and martial arts fighting. The team of five Power Rangers must constantly battle to save the world from their evil nemesis -- and, apparently, the only way to stop evil is to kick and punch your way to peace. ... There's no real educational content, and very few lessons to be learned.

Positive messages: Teamwork is the only positive lesson among all the fantasy violence.
Violence & scariness: Rangers kick, punch, and shoot laser guns to save the world from evil.
Sexy stuff: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Power Rangers and merchandise go hand in hand.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

Families can talk about the difference between fantasy violence and the consequences of violence in real life (using the Power Rangers as an example of how not to resolve real conflicts). How can people express anger with words instead of fists? What are the differences between fantasy violence and real violence? Who should you go to for help if someone threatens to fight you?

What's the story?

What's the story?

Based on the Japanese children's television show Kyoryuu Sentai Zyu, MIGHTY MORPHIN' POWER RANGERS tells the story of five ordinary teens who are hand-picked by alien leader Zordon to become superheroes. Zordon provides the Rangers with the ability to morph into ninja warriors so they can save the universe from the evil Rita Repulsa and her hench-monsters. While there's plenty of hand-to-hand combat, the end of each episode leads to an ultimate showdown in which the Power Rangers head to their dinosaur mecha robot vehicles, combine to form as massive super mecha, and destroy the menace.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Power Rangers is based on that flourishing formula of robots, martial arts, and sci-fi action that children -- especially boys -- find so intoxicating. While it has enjoyed years of success (including a massively profitable line of merchandise and numerous series incarnations), the series is still iffy due to its violent nature. Each episode does reinforce certain positive aspects such as the importance of teamwork and friendship, but these moments are brief, as the show's focus tends to be on action and fighting. Furthermore, the meager positive messages are overshadowed by the fact that this show serves as an outlet for a major marketing effort to sell toys and other Power Rangers merchandise.

Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers isn't altogether bad for kids. But before they watch, young viewers should be old enough to understand the difference between real and fantasy violence. In the end, there are plenty of better TV choices for kids out there -- and even better ways for them to spend their free time.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-Y7
Network: ABC Family
Cast: Amy Jo Johnson, Austin St. John, Walter Jones
Genre: Science Fiction
Where to watch: ABC Family

This review was written by Andrea Graham
 
 

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What parents & educators say

6
Based on 8 parent & educator reviews:
  • 38% say there are positive messages
  • 38% say they noticed product placement

Most useful reviews by all members

phillipreese33 ...
teen, 17 years old
 
This is the first show of power rangers and they a have come long way and yes I enjoy watching the show maybe not all the time but some time I mane power Ranger are Entertaining to watch but not all day one day at a time will do it

Printman
teen, 17 years old
 
how long will be beforer RPM come on XD
Yes I like powerRanger the old and the new but I don,t went to waits for saturday and sunday when is it come out on XD

 
show the classic
I like Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers it a classic I thik you could show the classic

RobotTurkey01
kid, 10 years old
 
Zzz......
More like Mighty Barfin' Power Rangers

KnowWhatGood
teen, 17 years old
 
Good for 7 and up, not for 4-6
As much as I love this show, it does get a little to violent from time to time. I've seen parents of boys who have let them have action figures and DVDs of the spandexed superheroes. Yes, Power Rangers is for boys, but parents, wait till their about 7 to watch the show. When this began, the ratings went through the roof and toy stores were sold out of the junk.

TheUltimateRev ...
kid, 10 years old
 
90's violence a hit with boy tweens/teens, not meant for young kids.
As Mighty Morphin' lacks good messages, it does have good models and Fantasy Violence.Since this was the original series, it's great for boys everywhere and tweens.Of course, it does send iffy messages (Teamwork is the only positive one), but the Rangers do whatever it takes to protect the world from evil.Explosions, kicking, punches, and lasers can be seen and heard, violent, but not too violent.There are Power Rangers merchandise everywhere.Starting at age 7, you need parental guidance up until you're 8.But this is a great show, a true original, violent and consumerism or not, still a great show.

RangerTrekkie
teen, 16 years old
 
A personal favorite of mine.
Now why would any parent deny their kids the right to watch this show? It is the very essence of childhood. Giant robot fights, cheesy action sequences, two dimentional teenagers with attitude, what more can you ask for? That being said, I did not grow up with this show. Rather, I found the show as a teenager and started watching. I was 14 when I disovered Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, and you know what? I love it! In today's world where everything is dark and edgy, it's nice to be able to lose yourself in a world where the biggest worry in the world is not nessisarily the monster attacking the city, but rather if your high school food festival will turn out alright. I love the villians, I love the heros, I love just about everything this show has to offer. Does it have problems? Sure, loads of them. But instead of other children's shows who ignore their lack of production value, Power Rangers embraces it, and it just makes it a ton of fun to watch. The bad acting, laughable dialouge, the cheesy monsters, it's all wonderful.

 
Should have a rating on commercials for a kids network!
In today's society money is the main issue .how to market and make it. at any costs.wrong placement of commercials in wrong time slots to reel in profit. violence isn't the way by no means and shouldn't be taught our young children. after you can see the results on the news every night!how about letting the parents do the teaching instead of the T.V. just a deep thought of a father that loves his little 5 year old boy and doesn't want it to be filled with the wrong ideas of what to have on a commercial during dora the explorer.

Machete
adult
 
its tv y7 for violence but my mom and i dont mind it for the little ones
I know it violent but not 2 violent for a kids show its decent power rangers are for kids. my mom had no problem when i was little so i agree with her

DeleteMan
teen, 16 years old
 
where the Rangers
hey where my all time favorite super heors the power ranges that go for all them when can we see the new show on XD or 189

EtienneBlnd898
teen, 16 years old
 
I tink who every come up is a ganius I love the color super. bad guys it is fun to wich but I do Wish you would show the Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers or the Saban show like my friends I want to see what happn next

KidWhoReviewsStuff
kid, 13 years old
 
Silly fighting kids' show but it sure is funny
Sure it features a lot fighting but it so fake even four year olds will notice that. There's no blood or gore just silly fighting and poor but hilarous one liners.

bigfan100
parent of 14 year old
 
Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers
Look I like Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers as must as the next fan but i also want see the new season of Power Rangers so put it back on XD

DisneyChannelFan
kid, 10 years old
 
Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers
A Must Watch For Power Rangers Fans Like Me!..............Watch Power If You Like Disney Channel,Jetix (Disney Xtreme Digital) Or If You Are A Guy Who Likes Some Nice Action.Any Ages Can Watch.2+.

rebma97
teen, 14 years old
 
The first PR series
It's very cheesy but kind of entertaining. I think that while this show has violence in it, it's not too violent, especially compared to the newer ones. Written on 9.18.11

waqdes
adult
 

FilmReviewerGuy
kid, 13 years old
 
A Great Action Show
It is currently my favourite tv show. Don't be worried about the action as it is never anything graphic and the Power Rangers never destroy their enemies. It is easily the best Power Rangers show out there.

 
My Childhood
to all you people reading this, I grew up with Power Rangers since the age of 3. I have to tell you this show was a huge inspiration on my life and others like me. It was because of this show that i decided to go in and study martial arts. This show was inspirational, funny, and good for kids of all ages. In my opinion, today parents blame the television for teaching bad habits onto their kids, when parents are the ones who are supposed to help and guide their kids on the road of right. Power Rangers is more than just a show about teenagers in spandex, it is a show of how young adults deal with real-life situations that you or your kids have gone through in the past and present. So i said don't be so quick to write it off.

cherrycoke347
teen, 13 years old
 
BORING! Zzz......Zzz.......
This is the worst Power Rangers series I've ever watched. I started watching it on Netflix, but it SUCKS. Jungle Fury is the best Power Rangers series.

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age