Tag Archives: Billy

Ranger Command Power Hour Episode 222

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Originally recorded on September 25th, 2023.

It’s time to Ranger Up with your hosts as they talk all things Power Rangers on the Four Eyed Radio Network with RANGER COMMAND POWER HOUR!

Eric is joined by Chris (@GeekWithChris), Chris Long (@clong83) and Josh (@LivingRangerKey) of Lightning Aftermath (@LightningFigPR) to review Power Rangers Cosmic Fury episodes 1-5.

Lightning Strikes in the new year because this podcast is not Beyond Repair. We were Off Grid for awhile, but thanks to Team Work we were able to Rock Out!

We also discuss some news including reactions to Hasbro Pulse Con 2023 products like the Omega Ranger Lightning Collection figures, Tommy’s Master Morpher and the comics.

Four months? Part two…

Listen now: Ranger Command Power Hour Episode 222 – “Rangers Review Cosmic Fury Episodes 1-5”

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Timestamps:

  • 0:00:00 – Intro
  • 0:02:45 – Hasbro Pulse Con 2023 Power Rangers Reactions
  • 0:26:55 – Comics Solicitations
  • 0:28:51 – Power Rangers Cosmic Fury Episode 1 – “Lightning Strikes”
  • 1:06:08 – Power Rangers Cosmic Fury Episode 2 – “Beyond Repair”
  • 1:25:47 – Power Rangers Cosmic Fury Episode 3 – “Off Grid”
  • 1:39:04 – Power Rangers Cosmic Fury Episode 4 – “Team Work”
  • 1:50:38 – Power Rangers Cosmic Fury Episode 5 – “Rock Out”
  • 2:05:18 – Social Media Plugs and Outro

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REVIEW: Power Rangers Cosmic Fury – Spoiler Free Review

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REVIEW: Power Rangers Cosmic Fury

“Cosmic Fury is a concentrated blast of everything you loved about Dino Fury, while stripping away some of the things that bogged the previous two seasons.”

It’s been over thirteen months since Hasbro first officially announced Power Rangers Cosmic Fury on National Power Rangers Day 2022. Who could forget the infamous accidental 1:00am tweet during the last Power Morphicon before the cast left to film in New Zealand again?

Since then, a fervent anticipation for this season has gripped the fanbase, ready to pounce on every scrap of behind the scenes information, tweets from executive producer Simon Bennett, trickles of official information from Hasbro press or unofficial leaks.

Now that Cosmic Fury is here, does it live up to the hype? For me, the answer is yes… mostly.

Overall, I enjoyed Power Rangers Dino Fury Seasons 1 and 2. The main characters were all very endearing, even secondary characters like Jane, J-Borg, Tarrick and Pop Pop, among others. All of that was possible thanks to the hard work of the creative team; writers and actors whose comrade and passion shined a little more than past seasons.

Both Dino Fury seasons also included past season cameos (like Kelson Henderson’s Mick Kanic, Campbell Cooley’s Scrozzle or Lord Zedd in Dino Fury season two), easter eggs and references (J-Borg is a Hartford Robotics android, a nod to Operation Overdrive) for long time fans. Cosmic Fury is a concentrated blast of everything you loved about Dino Fury, while stripping away some of the things that bogged the previous two seasons.

CAST (Left to Right): Jordon Fite (Aiyon); Tessa Rao (Izzy Garcia); Kai Moya (Ollie Akana); Hunter Deno (Amelia Jones); Russell Curry (Zayto); and Chance Perez (Javi Garcia). Not pictured: Jacqueline Joe (Fern) and David Yost (Mighty Morphin Blue Ranger/Billy Cranston).

This third season only works based on the solid foundation built on the shoulders of the previous two. Since all of the main cast has been established over the past forty-four episodes, this leaves room to introduce new villains of the season Bajillia Naire and her daughter Squillia Shar Livia Naire of Squid Ink, Inc. Bajillia and Squillia are very fun characters that are a not-so-subtle commentary on contemporary corporate and influencer culture and are the perfect villains to scheme alongside Lord Zedd.

From the various trailers, press releases and articles, Mick Kanic (Ninja Steel, Dino Fury) and Billy Cranston do indeed return for this season. Without spoiling anything, both have many great moments throughout the season. Especially Billy, who feels like a better representation of the character than in MMPR: Once & Always. Granted, Billy was in a stressful situation after the loss of Trini and obsession to pursue Robo Rita for a year. However, in Cosmic Fury, Billy feels like the natural 30-year extension from the genius we knew from Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and Zeo.

Stripped away from the previous two seasons, and the past ten years frankly, are the more heavy handed “lesson of the week” morals and are replaced with multi-episode conflicts that build and resolve naturally for many characters and pairings to varying degrees of success. Conversations and resolutions are fleshed out and the dialogue feels less stilted. Also gone are the wacky hi-jinks B-plots from characters like Jane and J-Borg… mostly. They are still in the show, and funny as ever, but only as much as the story allows in the season-long crisis. And the crisis is about as universe ending in Power Rangers as it gets, It might sound dire as a final(?) season of the current status quo… but there are still empowering, funny and heartwarming moments throughout Cosmic Fury.

From Power Rangers Cosmic Fury Episode 3 “Off Grid”. Hunter Deno as Amelia in Power Rangers Cosmic Fury. Cr. NETFLIX © 2023

The first three episodes of Cosmic Fury are the perfect beginning to the season, with the first episode (“Lightning Strikes”) starting literally moments after season two’s cliffhanger ending. The Netflix bingeing format works for Cosmic Fury, as the season has a clear beginning (Episodes 1-3), middle (Episodes 4-6) and end (Episodes 7-10). My advice would be to skip the intros in your first watchthrough if you want to go in as spoiler-free as possible to capture the excitement of the surprises and twists in store (if that’s even possible at this point…). Also, watch in those previously listed blocks if you need a break between arcs this weekend.

By the end, Cosmic Fury actually made me wish for just a couple more episodes to spend with this team. Or at the very least, some extended scenes, like a full team roll call in the style of the one seen in Episode 4 “Team Work”. This is just a small gripe after four complete watchthroughs of the season over the course of the month. When watching Cosmic Fury for my first time… I was hooked. It made me feel as excited as I was thirty years ago watching Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.

From Power Rangers Cosmic Fury Episode 4 “Team Work”. (L-R) Tessa Rao as Izzy, Jordon Fite as Aiyon, Hunter Deno as Amelia, and Chance Perez as Javi in Power Rangers Cosmic Fury. Cr. NETFLIX © 2023

With Power Rangers officially ending production in New Zealand after twenty years, I want to thank all of the cast and crew who kept the power going throughout that time. Power Rangers Cosmic Fury is the culmination of writing, direction, cinematography, stunts, prop, costume and set design when the restrictions of network television feel like they are gone (or at least… previous corporate mandates).

Overall, Cosmic Fury is a tight ten-episode series that cuts the fat from a traditional Power Rangers season, but still keeps the charm, action and wild production history unique to the franchise as a whole and is a fitting end(?) to this thirty-year saga.

I give Power Rangers Cosmic Fury an 8/10.

A huge thank you to the team at Hasbro, eOne and Netflix for providing RCPH with a press screener earlier this month. Power Rangers: Cosmic Fury premieres globally on Netflix this Friday, September 29th. Stay tuned for our upcoming (spoiler full) podcast reviews for the first and second halves of the series.

Ranger Command Power Hour Episode 219

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Originally recorded on August 24th, 2023.

It’s time to Ranger Up with your hosts as they talk all things Power Rangers on the Four Eyed Radio Network with RANGER COMMAND POWER HOUR!

On this episode, Eric is joined by Chris Long (@clong83), Dr. Ben (@doctorbenMD), Five (@SentaiFive) and towards the end of the show, Ro (@RoliverQueen_) from the Comics Code UH-thority Podcast (@ComicsUhthority) to discuss the news for Power Rangers: Cosmic Fury before its worldwide release on September 29th on Netflix.

We also catch up on the news including the writer’s strike, comics news, sentai DVDs, Pooki comments and more!

Happy Power Rangers Day? Whoops…

Listen now: Ranger Command Power Hour Episode 219 – “Ranger Roundtable: Power Rangers Cosmic Fury News”

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Timestamps:

  • 0:00:00 – Intro and Writer’s Strike disclaimer
  • 0:07:04 – Comics News
  • 0:11:01 – More Sentai DVDs?
  • 0:13:13 – Power Rangers Cosmic Fury News – press release
  • 0:29:23 – Netflix “What’s Next” clip
  • 0:36:38 – Netflix Media Center Promotional Images and the suits
  • 0:51:07 – Spoilers for a new Ranger
  • 0:55:35 – Hype-level check
  • 0:58:36 – Simon Bennett Behind the Scenes comments
  • 1:02:42 – Ro enters the podcast
  • 1:06:06 – The absence of Zayto
  • 1:10:50 – No Power Rangers Day stream and final thoughts
  • 1:19:13 – Plugs and Outro

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Ranger Command Power Hour Extra Episode 092

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It’s time to Ranger Up with @trekkieb47, @secretrangerfan & @ZachLaVoy as they talk all things Power Rangers on the Four Eyed Radio Network with RANGER COMMAND POWER HOUR!

In newest Extra Episode, brought to you by our supporters on Patreon, the hosts are joined by Chris (@TokuChris), Mason (@Masonmerrell), and Tyler MC (@stormbreakerer) of the Dads Are Dorks Podcast (@DadsAreDorks), Mere (@nightmere10) of The Power Scoop (@thepowerscoop), Chris Long (@clong83), Hassan Ahmed (@HassanAhmed120), and Josh (@KentuckyJAM) of The Ranger Reader to watch Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always with a live reaction commentary. Then we decompress and discuss what we just watched!

This is a commentary episode, meant to serve as an episode commentary like what you would find on a DVD or a Riff track. For maximum enjoyment please watch along with us. We are watching Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always 30th Anniversary Special, available exclusively on Netflix.

Go, Go Power Rangers!

Listen now: Ranger Command Power Hour Extra Episode 092 – “Rangers React: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always”

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Timestamps:

  • 0:00:00 – Intro
  • 0:03:12 – Once and Always Commentary Track and Live Reaction
  • 0:58:30 – Discussion
  • 1:36:09 – Social Media Plugs and Outro

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Ranger Command Power Hour Episode 215

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It’s time to Ranger Up with @trekkieb47, @secretrangerfan & @ZachLaVoy as they talk all things Power Rangers on the Four Eyed Radio Network with RANGER COMMAND POWER HOUR!

Eric, A.P. and Zach are here with a SPOILER-FREE review of the Power Rangers 30th Anniversary Special – Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always.

A huge thanks to Hasbro, eOne and Netflix for providing us with a Press Screener.

Here is Zach’s review:

I love how this special jumps right into the action and we’re quickly introduced to the new character Minh, played by Charlie Kersh. She fits right in with the cast and you feel the emotion behind every line she says.

The special moves at Lightning pace to tell a comprehensive story that lays out exactly what happened to the team, and the hurdles they must overcome in order to come out on top. Lots of great fight scenes, tons of heart, and a love for the original MMPR team tempered with fun easter eggs for the long time franchise fans. And while not every single plot hole is explained away, only the most hardcore lore hounds will notice. When in doubt, just remember the MST3K mantra “It’s just a show, I should really just relax.”

The updated effects look fantastic for what they were able to achieve with their budget. Seeing the updated morph sequence is a visual and nostalgic delight. As seen in the trailers, there’s a putty fight in the Juice Bar that absolutely blew my mind with how faithfully the original Juice Bar set has been recreated. Major kudos to the set designers and builders for making this set piece so faithful to the original.

The fight scenes are wonderfully scored thanks to the legend, Ron Wasserman. He managed to recreate the FEEL of the original series’ score while updating it. His work is absolutely worth watching certain scenes over and over to enjoy his score.

The climax of the special is an emotional rollercoaster that will have you cheering, laughing, and absolutely shedding a few tears. This special is everything I hoped for and surprised me at every turn. My only gripes are minor nitpicks that honestly have been talked about to death, so I won’t mention them here.

This special is fantastic and that’s why I’m giving Power Rangers: Once and Always an easy 9/10.

Morphenominal!

Listen now: Ranger Command Power Hour Episode 215 – “Rangers Review Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always”

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NEWS – Sneak Peek Clip of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always

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Yesterday, eOne and Power Rangers revealed the first sneak peek at the upcoming Netflix special Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always!

The clip shows Rocky and Kat receiving Proxy Power coins that Billy and Alpha have created together. Zack has some concerns about duplicating powers, echoing Zordon’s past warnings. Kat doesn’t care about too much Pink energy being dangerous if it means saving lives.

Finally, an explanation of her using the Pterodactyl Power Coin!

You can view the sneak peek clip HERE.

The clip builds anticipation for the Rangers Morphin Sequence and features:

  • David Yost (Blue Ranger / Billy Cranston (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, 1993-1996)
  • Walter E. Jones (Walter E. Jones (Black Ranger / Zack Taylor (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, 1993-1994)
  • Catherine Sutherland (Pink Ranger / Kat Hillard (Mighty Morphin Powers Rangers 1995-1996; Power Rangers Zeo 1996; Power Rangers Turbo 1997)
  • Steve Cardenas (Red Ranger / Rocky DeSantos (Mighty Morphin Powers Rangers 1994-1996; Power Rangers Zeo 1996; Power Rangers Turbo 1997))
  • Richard Horvitz as the voice of Alpha.

Tune in on April 19 for the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always special, exclusively on Netflix.

NEWS – Hasbro’s Power Rangers Lightning Collection – Toy Fair 2020 Reveal

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Yesterday, Hasbro officially revealed the newest additions to the Lightning Collection! Click the galleries below for the full size press shots from Hasbro.

POWER RANGERS LIGHTNING COLLECTION MIGHTY MORPHIN DRAGON DAGGER
(Ages 18 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $59.99/Available: Fall 2020)

Hasbro’s premium LIGHTNING COLLECTION is going beyond its premium line of figures with role play products like the POWER RANGERS LIGHTNING COLLECTION MIGHTY MORPHIN DRAGON DAGGER, the world’s most memorable trumpet knife, aka flute sword! Tommy Oliver used the Dragon Dagger to call the powerful Dragonzord from the sea, and he never even had to move his mouth! With this MIGHTY MORPHIN DRAGON DAGGER collectible, fans can play some sweet synth tunes, mix up the music in remix mode, or display this epic piece of POWER RANGERS history on their shelves. Ever imagined putting a trumpet knife up to your metallic helmet lips, pressing some buttons, and calling an ancient and powerful zord from the depths of the ocean? Well now you can… still imagine it, but while holding a screen-inspired replica of the iconic flute sword itself, the Dragon Dagger! Inspired by the weapon/instrument from MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS, this collectible features lights and sounds with premium paint and decorative details inspired by the show, along with button-activated light and sound effects including the classic Dragonzord call. Go Go Power Rangers! Look for more collectibles in the LIGHTNING COLLECTION. Each sold separately. Available for pre-order on HasbroPulse.com and at most major toy retailers nationwide in fall 2020.

 

POWER RANGERS LIGHTNING COLLECTION 6” MIGHTY MORPHIN BLUE RANGER Figure
(Ages 4 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $19.99/Available: Summer 2020)

It’s Morphin Time! Introducing a new era of POWER RANGERS collectibles with Hasbro’s POWER RANGERS LIGHTNING COLLECTION 6” Figures! The LIGHTNING COLLECTION features over two decades of iconic characters from this storied franchise, and Hasbro is excited to bring its own take to this premium line. The LIGHTNING COLLECTION’s highly-articulated, 6-inch figures will have best-in-class detailing and design, and will feature Photo Real technology for realistic actor likenesses. Billy Cranston is the brains of the team, inventing helpful gadgets as the Triceratops-powered Blue Ranger! The MIGHTY MORPHIN BLUE RANGER Figure features premium paint and decorative details inspired by the show. It includes over 20 points of articulation for high poseability, swappable heads of the Ranger with and without his helmet, 4 character-inspired accessories including the Blue Ranger’s power lance and an extra pair of hands for more ways to play or display. Look for other collectible figures in this series, including the ZEO GOLD RANGER Figure, MIGHTY MORPHIN RANGER SLAYER Figure and TIME FORCE RED RANGER Figure. Each sold separately. Available for pre-order on HasbroPulse.com and at most major toy retailers nationwide in summer 2020.

 

POWER RANGERS LIGHTNING COLLECTION 6” ZEO GOLD RANGER Figure
(Ages 4 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $19.99/Available: Summer 2020)

Trey of Triforia arrives on Earth to help the ZEO POWER RANGERS battle the Machine Empire! The ZEO GOLD RANGER Figure features premium paint and decorative details inspired by the show. It includes over 20 points of articulation for high poseability, swappable heads of the Ranger with and without his helmet, 2 character-inspired accessories including the Gold Ranger’s power staff and an extra pair of hands for more ways to play or display.

 

POWER RANGERS LIGHTNING COLLECTION 6” MIGHTY MORPHIN RANGER SLAYER Figure
(Ages 4 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $19.99/Available: Summer 2020)

In an alternate reality, the former MIGHTY MORPHIN PINK RANGER Kimberly Hart is brainwashed by LORD DRAKKON and becomes the RANGER SLAYER! The MIGHTY MORPHIN RANGER SLAYER Figure features premium paint and decorative details inspired by the show. It includes over 20 points of articulation for high poseability, swappable heads of the Ranger with and without his helmet, 5 character-inspired accessories including the Bow of Darkness, along with a blast effect piece for more ways to play or display.

 

POWER RANGERS LIGHTNING COLLECTION 6” TIME FORCE RED RANGER Figure
(Ages 4 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $19.99/Available: Summer 2020)

The easygoing Wesley Collins enjoys his life of luxury but joins the TIME FORCE as the Red Ranger when they need him most. The TIME FORCE RED RANGER Figure features premium paint and decorative details inspired by the show. It includes over 20 points of articulation for high poseability, swappable heads of the Ranger with and without his helmet, 3 character-inspired accessories including the Chrono Saber and Chrono Blaster accessories, along with a blast effect piece for more ways to play or display.

Ranger Command Power Hour Episode 097

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Rangers of Two Worlds

It’s time to Ranger Up with your hosts as they talk all things Power Rangers on the Four Eyed Radio Network with RANGER COMMAND POWER HOUR!

We continue our Ranger Commentary Month with guest co-host Chris (@TokuChris) from TokuNation as we comment on Power Rangers Zeo “Rangers of Two Worlds Parts 1&2”. These episodes of Power Rangers feature the departure of actor David Yost (Billy) from the series.

This is a commentary episode, meant to serve as an episode commentary like what you would find on a DVD or a Riff track. For maximum enjoyment please watch along with us. We are watching Power Rangers Zeo, Episodes 47 & 48, “Rangers of Two Worlds” on Netflix. At the time of this recording, this episode was available on Netflix and DVD.

Bye, Billy…

Listen now: Ranger Command Power Hour Episode 097 – “Rangers Commentary: Rangers of Two Worlds Parts 1&2”

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Rangers of Two Worlds

Ranger Command Power Hour Episode 087

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It’s time to Ranger Up with your hosts as they talk all things Power Rangers on the Four Eyed Radio Network with RANGER COMMAND POWER HOUR!

In this episode we continue our Boom Studios Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers comics review with special guest co-host, Jeremy Treece. Jeremy is a Freelance comic book illustrator living in Detroit, Michigan. You can find The Art of Jeremy Treece at www.jeremytreece.com

We dive right into issues six through eleven and talk all about The Black Dragon arc and the standalone issue ten that focuses on Billy Cranston. The twists and turns are epic! Spoilers ahoy as we fire our finger cannons to the moon!

Missed Part 1 of our Boom Studios review? Listen here.

Listen now: Ranger Command Power Hour Episode 087 – Ranger Merch Review – Boom Studios Power Rangers Comics Part 2 – Issues 6-11

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Like our review? MIGHTY MORPHIN’ POWER RANGERS VOL. 2 (collecting issues #5-8) will be released March 14, 2017 in comic book stores and bookstores.

The Power Rangers face their most powerful threat yet.

As Rita enacts her plans for world domination, the Rangers are left powerless and without Zordon to call on. This is the greatest threat they have ever faced and the world hangs in the balance. Enter the age of the Black Dragon from writer Kyle Higgins (Nightwing, Batman Beyond 2.0) and artist Hendry Prasetya (Power Girl).

Continue the adventure with the untold origin of the Green Ranger illustrated by guest artist Thony Silas (Batman Beyond 2.0), and the ongoing hijinks of Bulk and Skull from writer Steve Orlando (Supergirl) and artist Corin Howell (Bat-Mite).

Pre-order now at your local comic book store. Fans can find their nearest comic book store by using http://findacomicshop.com or http://comicshoplocator.com.

Also available wherever books are sold, including Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Ranger Command Power Hour Episode 025

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RCPH WEBSITE Episode Header 025

It’s time to Ranger Up with @trekkieb47 @secretrangerfan & @TheCinemaSlob as they talk all things Power Rangers on the Four Eyed Radio Network with RANGER COMMAND POWER HOUR!

In our 25th episode, “Ranger Nation Interview: The Cast of Teenagers with Attitude” we welcome the cast of “Teenagers with Attitude”, the fan film created by Cisco Davis, Jr.

“Teenagers With Attitude” is a fan film that features a re-imagined cast of the original five teens before they meet Zordon and become the Power Rangers.

Kelvin Drama is an actor from Baltimore that plays Jason.
Sophia Reaves is a young actress and singer from the Baltimore-Washington area that plays Kimberly.
Hayden Livesay plays Zack and is a dedicated actor from the Baltimore-Washington region who now resides in LA.
Jennifer Ortiz is a talented actress from Pennsylvania that plays Trini.
James R. Ling is an actor from Pennsylvania who plays Billy.

Cisco Davis Jr., is the creator, director, writer, producer and visual effects maker of the Power Ranger fan film projects Zordon of Eltar and Teenagers with Attitude.

Listen now: RCPH Episode 25: “Ranger Nation Interview: The Cast of ‘Teenagers with Attitude’”

Teenagers with Attitude was released last month and is available on YouTube.

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