The "Power Rangers" franchise has been going strong for more than 20 years (no joke- the original "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers" first debuted in 1993). The franchise has stood the test of time, and it's gained a little credibility for it. Even if "Power Rangers" still mostly involves cheap and terrible costumes, cheap and terrible monster suits, and a whole lot of cheesy camp value.
Lionsgate's upcoming "Power Rangers" movie reboot is most likely trying to cash in on that 20-year history... and less so with the goofy guys in monster costumes. But is that even possible? Can "Power Rangers" overcome its current reputation to be something that could A: be cool and B: make a ton of money for Lionsgate?
The original series is still a mild success, at least. "Power Rangers" is currently in its 22nd season, now titled "Power Rangers: Dino Charge," where our superpowered teens fight with dinosaur-related powers. The series is doing alright for now (while reviews of the series premiere were outstanding, the second episode's received middling marks- and it's only on episode two for now). But the TV series isn't enough to bring in the kind of audience that would make "Power Rangers" a bona fide hit at the box office.
Critical opinion seems to be against "Power Rangers" as well. Forbes recently opined that the upcoming "Ghostbusters," "King Arthur" and "Power Rangers" reboots, all debuting in the same part of next summer's blockbuster season, are more or less the same kind of reboot- a famous team (in Arthur's case, the Knights of the Round Table) coming together for the first time. And of the three, Forbes seems much less optimistic about "Power Rangers" than anything else.
There's some hope, though. MoviePilot highlighted a piece of concept art that's absolutely fantastic, and gives "Power Rangers" the same kind of giant robot-vs-giant monster goofy-yet-awesome action appeal as "Pacific Rim." "Pacific Rim" went on to be a cult hit, and if "Power Rangers" can do the same, it just might find success.
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