"Do you believe in Magic?!?!?!" No, I did not believe in magic!!!

xgray-03873

SPOILER ALERT!!!!!

Well, after a year of one incredibly awesome Power Rangers series in the Disney-era set in not-too-distant future, we finally return to the present-day where this time the protectors of Earth are now the protectors both worlds; the Mystic Realm and the city of Briarwood. Power Rangers Mystic Force, the 14th installment of the Power Rangers franchise and man, this was a very divisive series and I can totally see why. It's not really a Power Rangers series that is focused on the mythology of magical arts and mysticism. But, rather a fantasy kids' show that just happens to have Power Rangers in it. And, that's kind of very sad for most die-hard Power Rangers fans such as myself.

Pros:

-The setting and background of the show is very reminiscent to more of the Hobbit/Lord of the Rings and Dungeons and Dragons than it is on Harry Potter. -The characters of Xander, Chip, Claire, Phineas, Toby, and Leelee are very watchable. -Episodes such as "Strangers Within", the "Gatekeeper" and "Dark Wish" are by far some of the absolute best episodes that the show has to offer. -The Rangers' suits look pretty awesome and very flashy in their own ways.

Cons:

-This is yet another "Red Ranger"-centric series. But, unfortunately...the character of Nick Russell is very bland, arrogant, and not that interesting at all. He's always the first to call it quits for no reason and he doesn't really do anything useful for his character arc. And is always acting like such a jerk to everybody around him who wants to be his friend. -The forced romance between Nick and Maddie was just completely pointless and didn't really amount to anything. -Udonna's character as a mentor is okay, but the fact that she just blew off everyone else just to chase after the ghost of her "dead" husband just really made me mad. Not to mentioned that she's always putting herself in peril and is constantly getting kidnapped all the time. -The show is also more focused on the side-prevalence characters and less on the main Mystic Rangers themselves. It's just like the Smurfs movies and the Michael Bay Transformers movies all over again. -The villains aren't really that interesting of characters and they are all completely wasted and terrible. -The theme song isn't really fitting for the tone and motif of this series. -The finale felt too rushed to reach towards a resolution what-so- ever.

If you're looking for a show that focuses more on the side characters and less on the main heroes, themselves or if you're a huge fanatic to Harry Potter or the Lord of the Rings, you might actually like this series. But, if you're looking for an actual fantasy that focuses more on the actual aspects of magic and mysticism, but at the same time focus on the five main Power Rangers, themselves...you're not gonna get that with this season.

Overall, Power Rangers Mystic Force is not a very balanced season to me. It's got some good ideas, but it's lacking actual concentration on who should be the main focus characters.

score 6/10

xgray-03873 5 September 2015

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw3311275/