Perhaps the “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers” aren’t as popular as they once were, even considering that the infamous group of mighty mites has adopted a leaner-meaner image as exemplified by the shortening of their name simply to the “Power Rangers.” With the advent of the program’s “Ninja Storm” series of full-length feature presentations, the program has also aptly demonstrated that it has grown up into the big leagues – this is not your episodic 20-minute weekly series any longer!

Moreover, the “Ninja Storm” collection of films has allowed the “Power Rangers’” backers (including none other than Buena Vista Home Entertainment and its television heavyweight, ABC) to spread their wings and add technological and special effects wizardry into the mix as they strive to up the ante in the action-adventure genre as created for the younger set.

The “Ninja Storm” set featured the Rangers at their most polished, whether you consider the special effects, the story, or even the acting. In the latter cases, the stories evoke ancient Asian folk-lore, with plenty of strange monsters and supernatural forces, facing off against a group of young actors who have clearly received adequate schooling both in the art of acting and physical martial arts movements.

Each “Ninja Storm” feature runs approximately 80 minutes, features Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround Sound effects, and is chock full of bright, colorful, action-packed fantasy stories. With the advent of the DVD revolution, the original “Power Rangers” movies have achieved even better audio-visual treatment than the shorter “Ninja Storm” epsidoes. Both the original 1995 “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers The Movie” and 1997’s “Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie,” include the fore-mentioned Dolby 2.0 tracks, but also include an exceptional English 5.1 Surround Sound track. Moreover, each of the full-length feature films use anamorphic widescreen presentation, in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio.

Perhaps kids no longer pine to “be” a Power Ranger for Halloween any longer, but no matter, the show keeps getting better. The discerning viewer is well served with this modern brand of action-fantasy. Whether you look to the “Ninja Storm” series or the ultimate DVD versions of the original feature films (or all four releases), this is “Power Rangers” unlike you have ever seen it before!

Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie

It's the Power Rangers to the rescue as they race to save planet Earth from certain destruction at the hands of a ruthless band of evil space aliens. The evil space alien Divatox plans to unleash the dark forces of Maligore, a powerful fiery creature imprisoned inside a volcano on the magical island of Muiranthias. She can reach the island only by traveling through the dangerous Nemesis Triangle, and for that she needs theispecial powers of the magician Lerigot. But Lerigot flees to earth, seeking the only people who can stand against Divatox and her evil plan - the Power Rangers. Along with the new Blue Ranger, their turbo-powered Zords, and the unexpected help of the original Power Rangers, Kimberly and Jason, the Power Rangers set out on their most thrilling and dangerous adventure yet!