Go, go, Power Rangers! It’s time to dive back into Angel Grove. The new live-action version of Saban’s Power Rangers has officially hit theaters. Despite several harsh reviews from critics, the film has been generally well-received by fans—millennials and non-millennials alike. Whether you grew up with the 1993 Mighty Morphin Power Rangers series or not, this is a fun-filled, action packed reboot that’s perfect for fans of all generations. Following the story of five teenagers with attitude, the coming-of-age tale introduces a group of unlikely teens who are tasked with saving the entire universe as we know it. Cashing in on the childhood franchise, the Power Rangers reboot is a fun and breezy roller coaster ride of nostalgia.

While we won’t delve deep into heavy spoiler territory, we’ll take a brief look at the film and what’s next in store for the franchise. The film kicks off with a flashback sequence, taking us back to a desolate wasteland during the dinosaur era. We’re shown Zordon, struggling for his last breath and surrounded by the dying members of his team. Next, we’re transported to what we can assume is a modern day Angel Grove. First up, we’re introduced to newcomer Dacre Montgomery, who plays Jason Scott. Also known as the Red Ranger, Montgomery resembles a younger Zac Efron, and performs fairly well as the lead role. If you’re a nineties baby, be prepared to set your bar a little lower—he’s a far cry from the tough, butt-kicking Jason Scott from the original series. That being said, it’s refreshing to see a newcomer on the scene, along with a fresh roster of new talent for the Power Rangers reboot. RJ Cyler, who plays young Billy Cranston as the Blue Ranger, is the undeniable heart of the film. A blerd through and through, Cyler steals every scene he’s in with his charismatic presence on screen.

The film has been widely praised for its diverse casting choices, along with paving the way by introducing the Blue Ranger as the first autistic superhero and the Yellow Ranger as the first LGBT superhero on screen. "What was important to us was that we represented characters and gave voices to characters that are not usually represented in superhero movies," director Dean Israelite told The Hollywood Reporter at the film’s premiere. "Something John Gatins [who wrote the screenplay] and I spoke about from the very beginning was, how has the world changed from the first moment the very first episode aired until today? How do we make this feel relatable and relevant to teenagers today and the things that they go to?"

The film certainly explores the complexities of teenage angst—actress Naomi Scott as the Pink Ranger tackled cyberbullying, while Becky G as the Yellow Ranger deftly handled feelings of being misunderstood. Chinese-Canadian actor Ludi Lin shined as the Black Ranger, where he struggles to balance his role as a caretaker for his ailing mother and his academic responsibilities. In an interview with the Vancouver Sun, Lin said, “I think the Asian roles in Western Cinema have a very high incidence of stereotype and caricature. Immediately when the audience sees an Asian person step on screen it’s ‘that’s the geek or that’s the crime boss or that’s the Kung Fu master. ’I find that to be quite boring watching a film like that. For Zack I wanted something more complete, so Zack is a wild guy, wild character. He loves adventures.” In a delightfully unexpected way, Ludi Lin was able to show dualities with his role, from bold moments to ones with a heavy and emotional tint. The cast has an undeniable sense of chemistry with each other, and each one was able to successfully deliver a vulnerable performance that was felt from the heart.

For those that grew up with the series, the live action film delivers a serious dose of fanservice in the best way. From the cleverly placed classic theme song to cameos from the original cast, there is plenty for diehard fans to enjoy. That being said, the film does leave some room for improvements. Editing can feel a little rough at some points, creating a slightly choppy feel while the teens get used to their powers and struggle to be able to morph. Little moments, like shameless Krispy Kreme product placement, and using a Kanye West song while Angel Grove gets destroyed, seem to justify an eye roll or too, but everything else seemed to flow pretty well throughout. 

Seeing as how the series relies heavily on the nostalgia factor, the question still remains—can the rebooted franchise continue to with survive five additional movies? According to Box Office Mojo, Power Rangers opened with $3.6 million from Thursday night screenings and has steadily risen higher than general expectations. As of today, The Hollywood Reporter announced that the film has generated $40.5 million from 3,693 North American theaters since its initial release. Next up, Saban has announced plans to move forward with additional movies, fulfilling a larger plan of a six film story arc. In the mid-credits scene, fans were given a teaser hinting at the highly-anticipated introduction of the Green Ranger. While we keep our fingers crossed for more news, be sure to stay tuned for more Power Rangers updates on our blog. Saban's Power Rangers is officially in theaters now.

Written by Jade Nicolette

Twitter: @nicolette_style