Common Sense Media Review
By Brian Costello, based on child development research. How do we rate?
age 9+
Bland '90s Power Rangers film has lots of violence, peril.
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Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie is a 1997 movie in which there is frequent fantasy-style violence. Characters are constantly doing battle with fists, feet, and crossbows. There also are moments of peril; for example, one of the Power Rangers is nearly choked by a large snake, and after she escapes she hangs from a branch high over raging rapids. Aside from this, the primary antagonist is dressed in an outfit in which her breasts look like they're going to pop out at any time. This same protagonist eats a fly on her leg and makes a big production of chewing it. In another instance, one of the characters makes a joke about passing gas. All in all, the bad costumes, dated special effects, and subpar acting make this installment of the Power Rangers best for the biggest fans of the enterprise only.
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Violence & Scariness
some
Frequent fantasy-style fighting; characters frequently punch and kick their way through their enemies. Frequent peril: A snake nearly chokes one of the Power Rangers, who escapes it but then hangs from a branch high over raging rapids. Characters use crossbows for fighting. A ship blows up and is engulfed in massive computer-animated flames. Characters dangle precariously over a river of lava; one character is thrown into it by the main antagonist.
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Products & Purchases
a little
The Power Rangers also are a collection of toy action figures and toy accessories still available for purchase in toy and department stores.
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Sex, Romance & Nudity
very little
The main antagonist wears a very revealing outfit.
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Language
very little
One of the Power Rangers proclaims, "Hells bells!"
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Positive Messages
very little
An argument could be made that the Power Rangers employ teamwork and cooperation through talk and example when standing up to their enemies.
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Positive Role Models
very little
As the Power Rangers or as seemingly ordinary teens, the Power Rangers look out for one another and do their best to protect their friends from dangers great and small.
Where to Watch
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Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie
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What's the Story?
At the start of TURBO: A POWER RANGERS MOVIE, the wizard Lerigot has landed on Earth to escape pirate aliens led by the evil Divatox, who will stop at nothing to capture Lerigot's key so she can unleash the Maligor, a terrible being that has the power to destroy the Earth. When the Power Rangers learn that Lerigot is somewhere on the planet, they need to track him down before he's captured. But Divatox throws a wrench into the plan when she captures Lerigot's family and holds them for ransom. It's up to the Power Rangers to join forces and use their superpowers -- individually and collectively -- to stop Divatox and rescue Lerigot and the Earth before it's too late.
Is It Any Good?
This feature length Power Rangers film is almost campy with its cheesy '90s special effects, ridiculously bad costumes, and subpar acting. Perhaps that's part of the fun for diehard fans of the enterprise, but overall, Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie feels needlessly complicated, and -- despite all the action sequences, the fighting, the peril, and the explosions -- somewhat boring. Side stories aren't fleshed out, the main story is overly intricate, and the overall effect is the feeling of being pointlessly overwhelmed. Dedicated fans may still give it a chance, but even they might be disappointed. All the bombast happening in this movie can't cover up the weak story line.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the Power Rangers also are a line of toy products. Why are movies like Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie based on toy products?
Do you think the fighting and violence in the movie was necessary? Why, or why not?
What similarities and differences do you see between this and other action-fantasy-superhero movies?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : September 2, 2003
- Cast : Jason David Frank, Catherine Sutherland, Jon Simanton
- Director : Shuki Levy
- Studio : Twentieth Century Fox
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Magic and Fantasy, Superheroes, Adventures, Space and Aliens
- Run time : 99 minutes
- MPAA rating : PG
- MPAA explanation : Nonstop fantasy action/violence.
- Last updated : June 10, 2024
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Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie
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