Alternative Culture: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once and Always - Theological review

The long-awaited reunion? Sort of...

Early this year, I managed to catch the long-awaited 30th anniversary reunion film of the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. I remembered watching the series in my childhood, and enjoyed the cheesy and action scenes.

Thus I leapt at the chance to see my childhood heroes again. And of course, a theological review follows.

Synopsis
The 2023 movie starts with the resurrection of a classic villain, Rita Repulsa. This time, she is partially mechanical and is thus dubbed "Robo-Rita". She caps off her return by killing the Yellow Ranger Trini, leading to her daughter Minh being an orphan. The Black Ranger Zach and the Blue Ranger Billy then step up raise Minh. 

A year later, the Rangers are ambushed at Trini's death anniversary but are ambushed by Rita. She captures the Pink Ranger Kimberly, the Green Ranger Tommy and the Red Ranger Jason. The remaining heroes retreat, and call in the reserve Rangers for help. Rocky and Kat come in as the replacements for the Red and Pink Ranger respectively.

After a heart-to-heart talk with Minh, the Rangers induct Minh as the new Yellow Ranger. Together they defeat Rita and free the captured Rangers.

What the film does well
The film captures the feel of the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers in its cheesy dialogue and action scenes. The film also takes into account continuity, noting that Kat and Tommy were in a relationship prior to the movie and that Rocky finally managed to pull of a difficult action move (that he originally failed in the TV series).

The film also handles the death of Trini respectful (original actress Thuy Trang died in a car accident in 2001) and her replacement by her onscreen daughter Minh (Charlize "Charlie" Kersh).

It was also good to see the reserve Rangers come back. In addition to Rocky and Kat, Aisha and Adam (who were the second Yellow and Black Rangers respectively) made an appearance.

Minh receives news of her mother's death

What the film does poorly
As we all expect from reunion films, some were done a little too late. Some of the actors and actress were not able to maintain a reasonable physique for an action role. Others were unavailable to return for various reasons.

Amy Jo Johnson who was the original Pink Ranger Kimberly felt that she was out of the acting game for too long and did not return.
Jason David Frank (who was the original Green Ranger Tommy) rejected the return citing "broken promises" and "lies". He committed suicide in November 2022 just as filming wrapped up.
Austin St John (who was the original Red Ranger Jason) was indicted in 2022, and was thus not allowed to leave Texas for filming.

That left only two of the original six Rangers available for the reunion.

Actors Walter Jones (Black Ranger) and David Yost (Blue Ranger) are the only original Rangers to return

 The other issue was the mixed messaging given by the movie. For instance, Billy warns Minh in a scene against taking the lives of their enemies and living for revenge. Yet late in the movie, the Power Rangers literally perform lethal moves in front of her. 

Furthermore, Zack and Billy regularly reminds Minh of their  responsibilities of adults and her guardians, but the issue of them finding Minh's father (or addressing his absence) is never addressed.

What can Christians learn from reunion films?
First off, it is blatantly obvious that our time on earth is finite. We should not delay in doing the stuff we ought to do, whether it is reuniting with friends or making peace with past grudges.

What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not; those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away. - 1 Corinthians 7: 29 -31

Thus, in the light of this, it is important to prepare our successors well before we leave. This may include the deliberate mentoring or training our successors, or having children to continue our legacy.

When the time drew near for David to die, he gave a charge to Solomon his son.

“I am about to go the way of all the earth,” he said. “So be strong, act like a man, and observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses. Do this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go and that the Lord may keep his promise to me: ‘If your descendants watch how they live, and if they walk faithfully before me with all their heart and soul, you will never fail to have a successor on the throne of Israel.’ - 1 Kings 2: 1- 3

Lastly for the Christians, our final reunion is not on earth, but in heaven. God has promised that we will all meet each other again in the final age.

After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. - 1 Thessalonians 4:17