| 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. |
Parents need to know that this version of the long-running children's franchise offers up plenty of big, fiery explosions, armies of hostile robots, martial arts, and more -- but the action delivers a lot more noise than danger. The fact that nobody seems to get hurt is appropriate for a show aimed at kids, but it also diminishes the consequences of violence. And, while the Power Rangers are heavily marketed to the 5+ set, they're better suited for kids a year or two older, as the youngest viewers might find some of the villains too scary. On the up side, the Rangers do work well together as a team.
The evil supercomputer Venjix has taken over Earth's electronics and is out to destroy humanity. The last people have taken refuge in the domed city of Corinth, and only the Power Rangers can fend off the repeated attacks from Venjix's armies of robot soldiers. Can the multi-colored heroes -- led by the brilliant but mysterious Dr. K (Olivia Tennet) -- defeat the seemingly never-ending hordes of automated attackers?
The long-running Power Rangers franchise has been through many incarnations over the years, but the basic nature of the show has changed little: Athletic and appealing young people are transformed into superheroes, creating a nearly unstoppable team. The primary difference between each character is the color of their uniform, and the brightly colored costumes -- especially the bulky helmets with their opaque visors -- make the individuals seem almost interchangeable. One Red Ranger (Eka Darville, in this series) is much like another.
The show's simple structure and very basic storylines make it easy for kids to follow (an episode's plot typically goes like this: The Power Rangers encounter robots; fisticuffs and explosions follow; the Power Rangers emerge victorious), but the show is loud and action packed, which makes it a bit intense for the youngest viewers. Still, there's never much doubt about how the battles will end, and the Rangers trade witty quips during their fights, so even they seem to know there isn't much conflict in their conflicts. Bottom line? The show will entertain young viewers but not tax them and will probably spur many requests for Power Ranger toys.
Families can talk about teamwork. The Rangers, more than most superhero squads, work best together. Kids: Does watching them inspire you to cooperate with your peers?
Are lessons about teamwork presented differently here than in other superhero shows that focus more on individual adventures?
The Rangers have been through many changes over the years. How does this version differ from earlier series? How is it the same?
| Topics: | magic and fantasy, superheroes, adventures, space and aliens |
| TV rating: | TV-Y7 |
| Network: | ABC |
| Cast: | Ari Boyland, Eka Darville, Rose McIver |
| Genre: | Science Fiction |