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11-23-2016, 01:26 PM | #1 |
New Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 61
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After having recently seen the finale to Power Rangers Dino Supercharge, it, and the whole Dino Charge series, left me with a feeling of meh.
While both Dino Charge seasons did set up interesting ideas, such as having a time displaced caveman and knight as main rangers, none of these ideas are used to its full potential. There was a really interesting possibility for character development for them in which they deal with homesickness. Give one of them, I don't know, an episode in which he has the possibility to return to his own time, only to realize his responsibility as a ranger is more important. If done well, it would really cement said character as someone who would sacrifice his own desire for the greater good. Another example is Heckyl/Snide. The last few episodes portrayed the Heckyl part of the character as a sympathetic anti-villain, who, in his own words, did everything he did to restore his planet. The problem is that the majority of the series, Heckyl acted no less evil than Snide, feeling just as one-dimensional as an MMPR villain. So yet another bit of wasted potential. While one mediocre season in a while can be expected, the last six years have, in my opinion, all been mediocre to outright bad. None of the Neo Saban seasons got me really invested in their characters and story. And that while Power Rangers is able to tell interesting stories, as we have seen in past seasons. Examples of this are (in my opinion) In Space, Lost Galaxy, Time Force and RPM. (Yes, I know Lost Galaxy is very messy at times in terms of story, but the atmosphere and characters really grabbed me.) To list all my opinions of the Neo-Saban power rangers: (Super)samurai: Being a carbon copy of its original Sentai counterpart, complete with literally translated dialogue, it really feels stilted at best and completely implausible at worst. The Japanese tone they tried to copy just obviously does not fit with the western setting the characters live in. It really broke my immersion when the Rangers, of which only one Ranger was of Asian descent, were discussing wether Antonio deserved to be a considered a "true samurai". To me, it felt like a bunch of western fans of Shinkenger were trying to reenact the scene in which the rangers were discussing wether Genta should be allowed in their team. (Super)megaforce: Everything wrong with this "anniversary" has already been said by a multitude of other people, including a 3 hour long videoreview by Linkara, so no need for me to list said wrongs. Let's just say the laziness of the writers oozes from the final product. Dino (super)charge: Many interesting ideas, but none of which are truly explored to their fullest extent. However, I do think this is the best of the three (6 if you treat the Supers as separate seasons), as it did dare to try out new things if you compare it to the previous 2(/4) seasons. So I am wondering: Is my view of the Neo-Saban seasons tainted by the nostalgia I have for the older seasons? Or is there truly something lacking in these recent seasons that the older Saban and Disney seasons did have? |
11-23-2016, 04:45 PM | #2 |
I'm an agile cat.
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 6,021
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PR hasn't had an edge to lose for a while, but yeah, I'm not seeing much brightness on the horizon. I think it's appeal isn't as broad as before as it alienates older fans more. And no, it's not your nostalgia. The newer seasons are worse, sadly.
I'll say this, I am looking forward to Linkara's HOPR on Dino Charge. |
11-24-2016, 05:15 AM | #3 |
New Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 61
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One of my good friends thinks Saban (or whoever is in charge of the series) is trying to win back the older fans by pandering to the MMPR fanbase, with things like reusing the Go Go Power Rangers song, Bulk's return in Samurai and the setup of (Super)Megaforce, with the mentor in the shape of a talking head, a robot assistant, rangers going to school etc.
The problems is that these callbacks feel really desperate when the show has nothing else to keep older viewers interested. When I was making the original post, I first thought Nickelodeon's stupid "only 20 episodes a year" rule was the culprit of PR's declining quality. But that should not be an excuse, as other series know to tell a good story in just that amount or even less episodes. |
11-24-2016, 10:49 AM | #4 |
TokuKnight89
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Central Louisiana (Cenla)
Posts: 2,556
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A lot of things have lost their edge on television. Certainly, TV has changed in the past 20 something yrs., but where some has gotten "harder", the "old" or "seasoned" elements have dwindled. But one has to remember what once was for PR specifically to understand things:
- MMPR was new and different. It wasn't animated, but the success of animated shows like X-Men and Transformers all had a hand in contributing to its success, and its live-action nature is one of the reasons it became a break-out hit. - As PR started getting older, the kids and parents got the gist of the show and the show started losing its punch. All fads come to an end! Changing the show with the changing Sentai allows Saban to keep it fresh, and he could only keep adding changes to MMPR before it was going to run its course. - Zeo and Turbo were trying and fighting to regain lost ground. They were typical, but still interesting enough. The Turbo Movie garnered some specific attention, but the show itself failed to equal the hype and starting going through the motions. - In Space was like Jetman and the intended "swan song"! Of course, where Jetman helped Sentai, In Space helped PR by reviving the lost punch and making the show more serious and edgy. Remember, PR had been on for years in a consecutive fashion with various reruns and marathons on Fox Kids. I'll always believe Fox did it right, and "cash-cows" are always gonna be rode to achieve the greatest financial success! Look at '80s and slasher movie sequels. Freddy Krueger was popular, and New Line ran him into the ground! Fox was willing to do the same! - By staying on for years, they had a chance to create their own mythology, and a show with its myth creates something special and fun. They "kitschy" and "cheesy" fun of old had begun to run its course and the fans were getting older. In Space was a "kitchen sink" gamble which was meant to signify the last game, but as with Jetman, success means money! It garnered some lost love, and the edgy appeal was worth capitalizing on! Think about it, they "killed" Kendrix both for medical reasons, but it has been argued they could go that far because they already killed Zordon, and therefore crossed a threshold they could surpass. - Lightspeed had a mix of the "new edge" and "old cheese" and Time Force was almost always had an edged corner. Wild Force, in hindsight, looks like a carbon-copy of Gaoranger, which is always a losing direction! - Say what you will about Disney, but they had both the possibility of using edge, cheese, and everything in between. Each of their installments were different in and of themselves! RPM was edgy because like Jetman and In Space, meant to be the endgame! And here we are! Edge needs length of years for kids shows, and Nick is so inconsistent with their airing schedule that an appeal is hard to generate. Saban is trying to make PR "BIG!!!", as big as any of the classic superhero franchises and a worthy competitor. Nick isn't on board, but I feel as if Saban is lost as to where to take it, save for contracts and business negotiations which keep him going back to the "sure thing". Is PR's dwindle the fault of the writers and crew, partly and their efforts or lack thereof cannot be totally ignored, but the business world can restrain everyone and anyone and a writer can be overruled or "restrained" by superiors and deadlines! |
11-24-2016, 10:52 AM | #5 |
Ex-Weather Three leader
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 10,558
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Here is how I see it;
Samurai: Tried to play it "safe" not steering away too far from the source Megaforce/Super Megaforce: Ruined by trying to make pizza out of oatmeal and miso figuratively speaking(if you have an epic recipe for pizza that incorporates the two well more power to ya) Dino Charge: Overall an improvement compared to the previous two attempts If Dino Charge tanked so hard I would have called it quits but given how Dino Charge was overall compared to the previous shows I will say it is slowly honing the craft it abandoned many years ago and I will give them another chance with Ninja Steel.
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Last edited by Sunred; 11-24-2016 at 10:56 AM.. |
11-24-2016, 01:04 PM | #6 |
Tokusatsu Hero
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Maryland
Posts: 6,223
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Dino Charge was pretty good, Samurai was okay and Megaforce was bad. I didn't bother with Super Mega Force.
As bad as some of the new shows are, I do give Saban credit for making Power Rangers more relevant to the public eye again. We got a bigger wave of merchandise and more marketing to the shows. Disney market their shows on the last minute and put them on shitty time slots.
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She/Her |
11-24-2016, 01:30 PM | #7 |
Veteran Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 2,486
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But theres no explanation in Dino Super Charge final episode.
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11-24-2016, 01:53 PM | #8 |
TokuKnight89
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Central Louisiana (Cenla)
Posts: 2,556
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Lynn and Co. will have to explain themselves eventually, but they'll never truly escape it! There are lot of ways they could fix this, but Saban will never put the money into any project which serves as an "explanation"!
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11-24-2016, 03:37 PM | #9 |
Veteran Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 2,486
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Do you guys think that Saban still have respect to the franchise ?
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11-24-2016, 07:06 PM | #10 |
Neon Blade Outlaw
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Californa
Posts: 2,725
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Power Rangers never had an edge to speak off, but yes; they have dropped in quality over the years.
Dino Supercharge is yet another reminder that PR's days of glory have ended. Even Kickback, who's a member of Power Force says liking Power Rangers is akin to being in a abusive relationship. |
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