 | ON: Content is age-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. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Power Rangers Dino Thunder
- Toon Disney
- Genre: Science Fiction
Common Sense Media says
Cheesy violence is still too strong for littlest viewers.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that brute force is name of the game for the Power Rangers, who use martial arts skills to kick and punch their way out of skirmishes with their enemies. Though the show is clearly rooted in fantasy and there’s never any bloodshed, the sheer volume of the violence is sure to make an impression on kids. The Power Rangers franchise -- which is marketed at the 5+ set but is better suited for kids a little older -- inevitably acts as its own advertiser for an extensive line of merchandise. This mindless show has little to offer in the way of constructive content, and concepts like compromise and peaceful conflict resolution are nonexistent.
What's the story?
In POWER RANGERS DINO THUNDER, Rangers veteran/paleontology professor Tommy Oliver (Jason David Frank) enlists the help of three teens to battle a mutant villain named Mesogog (Latham Gaines) who’s trying to destroy the human race and resurrect dinosaurs’ reign on the planet. When Conner (James Napier), Ethan (Kevin Duhaney), and Kira (Emma Lahana) unearth Dino Gems, they gain superpowers and the abilities of Dinozords, which help them tackle Mesogog’s powerful minions. In time, the team is joined by Trent (Jeffrey Parazzo), who’s also the adopted son of Mesogog’s alter ego, Anton Mercer.
Is it any good?
Most kids are already at least somewhat familiar with the Power Rangers (there are close to 20 different installments of the show, after all), but if they're newcomers, don’t be surprised if Dino Thunder has them kung-fu fighting all over the house in a short time. The show’s glaring absence of substantial content means that there’s little for kids to take away from it besides the extensive martial arts violence, which is rooted in fantasy but still packs an impressionable punch.
Dino Thunder really isn’t suited for the young kids to whom it’s marketed, since the villains -- including head honcho Mesogog -- often pose as trustworthy adult figures in the teens’ lives, blurring the line between fantasy and reality in a way that might frighten little viewers. The content is more age-appropriate for grade-schoolers, but tweens will be turned off by the cheesy acting and predictable plot.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about violence on TV. Kids: What messages do shows like this one send to kids about violence? Do you think people’s actions are influenced by what they see on TV? How does the violence in this show compare to others you’ve seen?
Kids: How do advertisers influence the products you want? Are you more inclined to want certain things because they’re tied to shows you like? What are your favorite shows? Do you have any toys or games related to the characters in those shows?
Do you like the Power Rangers shows? Why or why not? Why do you think they’ve been successful for so long? Have you seen any of the other Power Rangers series? How does Dino Thunder stack up?
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Kid, 9 years old
October 26, 2010
AGE
Power Rangers Dino Thunder
Antother Operation OVERdrive.I Capizalized Over On Purpose.But Its Also A Bit Better.For Older People Like 7 And Up.Good For 3+.
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Teen, 13 years old
June 28, 2010
AGE
Okay series
I think PR: DN is cheesy (like the rest of the PR series), but I find it entertaining. But I think that they focus too much on the fighting rather than the plot. Violence: Lots of violence, including sword fights, hand-to-hand combat, etc. None of it is bloody, though. Parents: If your kids intimidate what they see on TV, then you might want to skip this title. But some episodes teach good lessons to kids.
What other families should know:
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Teen, 15 years old
March 6, 2011
AGE
One of my favorite Power Rangers shows.
Another favorite Power Rangers show of mine. Once agian, I'm not riding on a wave of nostalgia here, I only discovered this installment of the show a few months ago, and I finished it very soon after. Not because the show was short; it's 38 episodes, around the average lenth of a Power Rangers show. No, I got done with it because I enjoyed it so much. I watched all the episodes over a marathon, and I had an absolute blast. I started watching the show because of Jason David Frank, my favorite former Power Ranger. I stayed around because of the great villians, the wonderful dynamic the teenagers had, and of course, I greatly enjoyed the fight scenes. If your a Power Rangers fan, you definatly want to see this show. If your not; this is one of the best ways to start out!
What other families should know:
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Teen, 17 years old
February 13, 2011
AGE
Great show...LAY OFF, CSM!
This is probably the best in the series and has everything: plot, characters, suspense, mystery, drama, humor, acting. First of all, CSM, please stop calling Power Rangers "cheesy" because, well, I find it offending. I grew up with this show. It's become a part of me and seeing you guys bash it annoys me. Sure, I admit it's cheesy and melodramatic at times, but I think it actually makes a heck of a good show. The role-models are good and, even though they may have struggled in the beginning, they learned what's really important. Ignore CommonSense this time, they're really off.
What other families should know:
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Teen, 16 years old
May 31, 2012
AGE
I agree with Blue-Bunny!
The Power Rangers are "cheesey"? BWAHAHAHAHAHA! This show is COOL! So quit being so overprotective guys! Man,I bet the parents on Common Sense Media treats their kids as if they're chicken eggs!
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Teen, 16 years old
August 27, 2012
AGE
dino thunder is good
really good series the acting and the writing are excellent
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| Topics: | dinosaurs, magic and fantasy, superheroes, adventures, space and aliens |
| TV rating: | TV-Y |
| Network: | Toon Disney |
| Cast: | James Napier, Jason David Frank, Kevin Duhaney |
| Genre: | Science Fiction |
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