A cynical look at power rangers

[Redem]

Yes a follow up to the one about Pokemon, what could be a cynical or gritty way to see the Power Rangers

[NomadicSky]

I've only seen the first power ranger team so I don't really know about the rest of them.

Those big things come down and attack angel grove then they get really huge. After they get huge the power rangers call in their zords and always form the mega zord. Then they fight and destroy parts of the city. High civilian casualties probably happen as a result.

[KingIII]

The power Rangers have ruled the Earth with a Multicolored iron fist for years. The freedom fighters on the moon are desperately trying to liberate their homeland but each liberation effort ends in a dismal failure. Perhaps the most horrifying aspect of Power Rangers is the fact that those left on Earth must live with the fact that the Rangers will likely remain in power for all eternity....

[Redem]

Maybe the Power Rangers are in fact manipulated by some superior power in order to fight a rival alien power

[jmberry]

Maybe the Power Rangers are in fact manipulated by some superior power in order to fight a rival alien power
Wasn't that the whole point?

[Mr_ Bondoc]

The most cynical view I could think of is based on an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation "Arsenal of Freedom". The idea is simple, Zordon is an automated weapons system sales device.The Power Rangers weapons are basically the test prototypes. Rita Repulsa and the other assorted villians are actually potential customers who have been told to throw whatever weapons system against the Power Zords with the idea "It takes a licking but keeps on ticking!!" The battles are essentially test-drives whereby the customers are "kicking the tire". As for the selection of the Power Rangers, the idea is to prove that "the weapons system is so simple, even an Earthman can use it!".

[Redem]

The most cynical view I could think of is based on an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation "Arsenal of Freedom". The idea is simple, Zordon is an automated weapons system sales device.The Power Rangers weapons are basically the test prototypes. Rita Repulsa and the other assorted villians are actually potential customers who have been told to throw whatever weapons system against the Power Zords with the idea "It takes a licking but keeps on ticking!!" The battles are essentially test-drives whereby the customers are "kicking the tire". As for the selection of the Power Rangers, the idea is to prove that "the weapons system is so simple, even an Earthman can use it!".

Apprently every Zord got some garantee that that after a said number of episode its bound to get his ass kick :D

[Fenwick]

First off Angel Grove, California seems to be the most dangerous place in the world at the level of destruction and attacks they recive. This must mean something of value is hidden away, or that the great "Power Rangers" are really a government exerpiment.

More importantly Rita is shown as a villian for wanting to control the Universe, yet it is mentioned that she was imprisoned for almost 10,000 years. So it is more like Zordon is attempting his own form of conquest, lower key mind you having power rangers "save the day" and gain a power base, while Rita simply is honest in how she wants to rule.

[Mr Shine]

Bondoc, Your weapon systems idea actually makes some sense, and can mesh with Fenwicks idea of something being hidden. If one takes into account the Ivan Ooze movie, perhaps Rita, Zed and assembled thought that Ivan and his hidden arsenal was an even greater opportunity for a sale (or even a freeby) than Zordon, having heard stories of super-advanced armitures.

Then Ivan, a warlord in his own right, shrinks the small fry, takes over the minions, and smashed the entity that trapped him when Ivan got in the way of the capitalist weapons economy. Of course, than the Kids go and get ancient prototypes of their own, defeat the unknown quantity and restore balance with an even better product to demonstrate for Rita and Zed.

[Mr_ Bondoc]

Another set of details that supports the cynical view is the idea that in 1999, after the evetns of Power Rangers in Space the members of the Power Rangers were forced to reveal their identities to the residents of Angel Grove, California. In 2000, the team moves to Mariner Bay, California and secretly recruits extreme sports athletes Joel Rawlings (a.k.a. "Sky Cowboy") and Kelsey Winslow to boost the team's "Q-rating". By 2001, with Power Rangers: Time Force, the team has been bought out by Mr. A. Collins of Silver Hills, California, who subsequently appoints his son, Wesley Collins, head of the team. These events seem to boost the idea that the Zords and Lord Zordon are just selling a product....