Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Cheesy anniversary special has fantasy violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers: Once & Always
What's the Story?
MIGHTY MORPHIN' POWER RANGERS: ONCE AND AGAIN is an hour long streaming special featuring Power Rangers from the entire Mighty Morphin' era. It's 2022, and after a search for Zordon inadvertently frees Rita Repulsa, who returns as Robo Rita (voiced by Barbara Goodson), Billy (David Yost) summons his Power Rangers team to help him recapture her. But when tragedy strikes, Zack (Walter Emanuel Jones) steps in to take charge of teenager Minh Kwan (Charlie Kersh), who is eager to fight along side them. But Robo Rita is seeking revenge for being imprisoned for so long, and with the help of Minotaur, Snizzard, and the Putty Patrollers, is capturing Power Rangers from all over the world to use their energy to fuel a dangerous machine.
Is It Any Good?
This lively, contemporary chapter of Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers stars an ensemble of characters from previous TV and movie installments of the Mighty Morphin' franchise. Despite some casting changes, fans will recognize original (albeit older) team member Billy (David Yost) and Zack (Walter Emanuel Jones), as well as some "second" Power Rangers like Kat (Catherine Sutherland), Rocky (Steve Cardenas), and Karan (Aisha Campbell) attempting to keep evil at bay. The story also brings back one of the Mighty Morphin's' worst enemies, albeit in a new robot form, which keeps it connected to the original 1993 series. The result is a semi-nostalgic narrative that glosses over weighty themes like death and loss to keep the action moving. This, combined with scenes of the franchise's trademark cheesy live-action sequences showing the Power Rangers transforming into their color-coded uniforms and fighting off the planet's enemies using martial arts-style moves, laser guns, and dinosaur powers is what keeps Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers: Once & Always fun for long-time enthusiasts. It isn't as sophisticated as other kids' action shows, and there isn't anything new or innovative enough to make it particularly inspiring for a whole new audience. But some kids may like it, and fans looking for some Mighty Morphin' fun will enjoy the trip down memory lane.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why the Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers are still popular 30 years afters the series originally aired. What kinds of universal messages do they offer about friendship? Good versus evil? Do you think the franchise will still be popular thirty years from now?
Why are only some of the original cast members featured on Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers: Once & Always? Does this make it less nostalgic? Is it possible that viewers may not notice? Why?
TV Details
- Premiere date : April 19, 2023
- Cast : David Yost , Walter Jones , Charlie Kersh
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Action
- Topics : Superheroes , Friendship
- Character Strengths : Perseverance , Teamwork
- TV rating :
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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