It’s never quite clear how cartoon nostalgia is going to land. For every “Transformers” there’s an underwhelming “G.I. Joe” or worse, a “Jem & The Holograms” (people seem to like “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” enough to justify some sequels, I guess). So how will Lionsgate’s “Power Rangers” perform next year? Considering it’s from a generation after the aforementioned cartoon and comic-book adaptations, it’s a bit of question mark. Perhaps Gen Y’ers or millennials come out in droves, or maybe they don’t.
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Lionsgate surely isn’t banking on stars though and is leaning heavily on the equity of the brand instead, though Elizabeth Banks and Bryan Cranston as Zordon and Rita Repulsa are two big name actors to give the film some cred. Here’s the official synopsis:
Saban’s Power Rangers follows five ordinary high school kids who must become extraordinary when they learn that their small town of Angel Grove – and the world – is on the verge of being obliterated by an alien threat. Chosen by destiny, our heroes quickly discover that they are the only ones who can save the planet. But to do so they will have to overcome their real-life issues and band together as the Power Rangers before it is too late.
The new “Power Rangers” are played by relative unknowns; Dacre Montgomery (“A Few Less Men”) as Jason the Red Ranger, RJ Cyler (“Me and Earl and the Dying Girl”) as Billy the Blue Ranger, Naomi Scott (“The 33”) as Kimberly the Pink Ranger, Becky G (“Empire”) as Trini the Yellow Ranger and Ludi Lin (“Monster Hunt”) as Zack the Black Ranger. Directed by Dean Israelite (“Project Almanac”), the action adventure features a ton of writers credited including; John Gatins (“Kong: Skull Island”), Burk Sharpless and Matt Sazama (“Dracula Untold”), Zack Stentz and Ashley Miller (“X-Men: First Class,” “Thor”), and Max Landis (“Chronicle”).
“Power Rangers” hits theaters on March 24, 2017. Watch the trailer and tell us what you think and/or how much affection you have for the series.
