Common Sense Media Review
By Sandie Angulo Chen
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Violent, more mature Rangers reboot is overly angst-filled.
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Why Age 12+?
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Power Rangers
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 31 parent reviews
Based on 49 kid reviews
Kids say the movie has an angsty and serious tone compared to its predecessor, making it more suitable for tweens and teens rather than young children. While some reviews praise it for its character development and entertaining moments, many express concern over the strong language, violence, and adult themes throughout the film, suggesting that the rating may not align with the original intent of the franchise.
- serious tone
- appropriate for teens
- strong language
- character focus
- mixed reviews
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
POWER RANGERS opens 65 million years ago, with Red Ranger Zordon (Bryan Cranston) sacrificing himself to ensure that villain Rita Repulsa (Elizabeth Banks) can't take hold of Earth's Zeo Crystal. Zordon also releases the five Power Coins to find those "who are worthy" to be the next five Power Rangers crew. Fast forward to the present, when Angel Grove High's former golden-boy quarterback Jason Scott (Dacre Montgomery) has to go to Saturday detention for his entire senior year due to a team prank gone wrong. There, he meets tech-savvy Billy (RJ Cyler) and angry ex-cheerleader Kimberly (Naomi Scott). The trio ends up at a mine, where Billy uncovers brightly colored crystal coins. Two other teens -- Trini (Becky G.) and Zack (Ludi Lin) -- are also present for the discovery, and, as each kid takes one coin as their own, they team up and attempt to avoid police pursuit. The next morning, the team of misfit teens realizes that instead of dying in a car accident, they're alive and healed, with inexplicable super-strength. After returning to the site of their discovery, they find an underwater space ship where an android, Alpha 5 (voiced by Bill Hader), and the trapped spirit of Zordon explain that they must train to become the Power Rangers -- but first they must morph. If they can't morph, they won't be able to fight Rita, who's come back to life and plans to find the Zeo Crystal and destroy Earth in the process.
Is It Any Good?
Except for a couple of standout performances, this reboot takes itself too seriously and is too unevenly executed for a property that originally delighted in campy silliness. The goofy cornball antics that might have worked for a seemingly never-ending after-school show weren't going to cut it, but the story goes too far in the other direction, offering audiences four angst-filled, troubled teens and one sweet tech genius who happens to be on the autism spectrum. Kudos to the director for casting a diverse lot to play the Rangers (even Alpha 5 jokes: "different colors, different kids, different-colored kids" when they meet him for the first time). But unfortunately, it's a toss-up from scene to scene whether the acting and screenwriting will be heartfelt, decent, or downright cringe-worthy.
As Billy, the Blue Ranger, Cyler is the team's heart -- earnest, logical, and incapable of sarcasm or artifice. Looking like a cross between a young Zac Efron and Channing Tatum, Montgomery is a natural fit as the QB-turned team leader. The other three teens have less to do, with Trini's backstory being both confusing and insufficient (what teen isn't somewhat misunderstood by their parents?). At least Banks is hilariously campy as Rita (who could even take that name seriously?). The movie aims for a Breakfast Club-meets-superhero origin story, but in the end it might be too long and too much for even nostalgic fans.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in Power Rangers. Do you think it was necessary for the movie to be so violent/mature? How does that affect its appropriateness for the franchise's younger fans? How much scary stuff can young kids handle?
Which of the characters are role models, and why? How do the Rangers each grow and change throughout the story? How do they exhibit teamwork and courage? Why are those important character strengths?
What's the difference between fantasy violence and the consequences of violence in real life? How can people express anger in other ways?
How does this version compare to previous takes on the Power Rangers? What's changed? Do you like the updates? Why or why not?
Would you like the new Power Rangers franchise to continue? If so, what original villain(s) should they fight next?
Movie Details
- In theaters : March 24, 2017
- On DVD or streaming : June 27, 2017
- Cast : Bryan Cranston , Elizabeth Banks , Dacre Montgomery , RJ Cyler
- Director : Dean Israelite
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studios : Lionsgate , Saban Films
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Topics : Superheroes
- Run time : 124 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : sequences of sci-fi violence, action and destruction, language, and for some crude humor
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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