Mighty Morphin Power Rangers – Once and Always review

Today is the release of the 30th Anniversary 1-hour special called Once and Always and it stars the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. The group is a mix of members from all of its 3 seasons and they are Billy, Zack, Rocky, Kat, and Minh, who is the daughter of the original Yellow Ranger Trini. This special was a way to honor the memory of the late Thuy Trang, who passed in 2001. Unfortunately Green and White Ranger Jason David Frank passed away last year right after this special was finished filming. Jason David Frank and Amy Jo Johnson both declined to be in it for different reasons. Original Red Ranger Austin St. John would’ve definitely been in it, but couldn’t because of legal issues from last year. Zordon, Bulk, and Skull are also not in it either.

The main characters in the special are Billy, Zack, and Minh as this was about family and passing the legacy of the group to the next generation. They started with flashbacks of the original Power Rangers of Jason, Zack, Trini, Billy, Kimberly, and Tommy that ended in tragedy when Rita Repulsa’s robot duplicated existed and killed Trini that caused her daughter Minh to want revenge, something that both Billy and Zack as they were raising her. What is good about this is that we get to find out what these characters were up to since we last saw from either the original run or the anniversary reunions. They were not trying to be what they were in the 90’s when they were young. There were lots of nods throughout the special. Lots of continuities for the characters as they never missed details.

Upon viewing the special, it felt as if the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers never left the air and that these other new Rangers never existed. The 90’s flavor is still there with modern sensibilities. They were not trying to be something they’re not, hence why the 2017 movie bombed. The CGI of Megazord looks awesome and the fights with lots of energy are still there as well. A fitting tribute to both Thuy Trang and Jason David Frank at the end. Here’s a trivia fact – both Thuy Trang and Jason David Frank were the last two to join the cast before it first went on the air.

While I don’t expect a full-fledged TV series, I want a series of specials instead with this lineup. If Austin St John clears up his legal issues, I want Jason in it perhaps to be the new White Ranger just as he did as Zeo Gold Ranger. A great anniversary special. If this doesn’t get more specials, then I’m find with this being the endgame for the Power Rangers as we know it. Happy 30th Anniversary to the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. My teen hood is preserved through you and thanks.