It’s here folks! The moment we’ve all been waiting for! Power Rangers Dino Charge finally premiered on US Television and thus here is my first review! I watched this episode as many did a week before on Nick’s Website and immediately fell in love. Not only is the writing style and character development vastly improved over the previous seasons, but the characters are instantly likeable upon introduction!
This episode used ZERO Sentai footage which of course does not include footage used in the theme song but WOW! We got the first half of the show in Villain focus which was amazing! Seeing the Kyoryuger elements in a new and creative way was fantastic and a welcome change! I’m not a fan of copying the Sentai, but I do like to see some necessary elements sprinkled in!
I haven’t been wowed like this in a Power Rangers premiere in a very very long time and for the first time in years it felt good to be a Power Ranger fan again! This episode will go down as historic not only because of its Dino roots, but because I have seriously never seen such an overwhelm of happiness and love from the Ranger Nation after this episode released! What a time to be alive!
Sledge: A US original villain is introduced as an intergalactic bounty hunter traveling the universe in search of the Legendary Energems, random Asteroids and the bounty for the Monsters he’s brought in. Sledge is already so cool to look at and even has a blaster attached to his arm! What I loved the most about him is how he caters to Poisandra, his fiance. Not only because you can tell she rules over him, meaning she’s the real boss, but because you can tell just by the few scenes that he actually loves Poisandra. Who doesn’t want a guy to shot a foot soldier out of the way as you try to perform?
I do want to find out more about the rivalry between Sledge and the Keeper!
Poisandra: How can we not love her already!? I was so afraid that we wouldn’t see this villain because of her goofiness but the writers actually knew of a good place to put her; at Sledge’s side as his apparent betrothed! I loved this move on the part of the writers because it created a Rita/Zedd dynamic which is why I immediately loved the interactions between them! Especially when Poisandra asserted that they were indeed getting married!
I am very happy with her voice actress, Jackie Clarke, because she embodies exactly what I imagined the US version of Candelira would sound like. Flirty and Cutesy but able to turn into vicious and wicked at the drop of a hat! Brilliant! I’m also loving how her character sings (so does her voice actress) so I am hoping for some Candelira spell casting with her voice!
Fury: Again, very happy with voice actor Paul Harrop! I have to say that he is rather ominous when he stalked the Keeper or bowed to Sledge. I am very interested to see what they do with his story-line and if they decide to use the Gold Ranger connection from the Sentai. Either way I am sure I’ll be happy!
Wrench: I was so intrigued by how Aigaron was used in the premiere! His name is Wrench and appears to be the ship’s mechanic and lowly subject of Sledge! I love that his voice sounds a little like Baboo from MMPR! Interested to see if he will keep his Sentai Counterpart’s tear wipe!
Cell Blocks: Sledge is a bounty hunter right? So it makes sense that he would have the captured aboard his ship! This leads to one of the coolest things in Dino Charge. The cells are filled with the monsters that Sledge has collected for bounty. I have to say that this scene is rather breathtaking and a genius idea! Plus I love the random Monkeywi connection on the wanted poster!
Keeper & the Energems: At first I, and I am sure many of you, were wary of Keeper when you first see him. However, after watching the episode a good ten times over I have grown a like for him! The costume design is pretty epic looking even though we all make the Lerigot connection at times. The voice acting doesn’t help that connection but is totally appropriate for the character! I am loving the story with the Energems and how he entrusted them to the Mightiest Creatures on Earth!
Even though he inadvertently caused the extinction of those very same creatures, but still!
Tyler Navarro: Brennan Mejia has an infectious smile and when he talks I get the tone of youth, goofiness and confidence which are all parts of a Red Ranger that I love. Tyler was one of the two main focus Rangers during this episode and we learn a lot about him just from our short time with him. We learn he’s into Dinosaurs and Cave Digs, super tight shirts and what not searching for clues about his missing Father’s whereabouts.
His comedic moments are by far the best when he pulls out random objects when looking for his shovel. Bananas and Boxers. LOL.
Shelby Watkins: What can be said about Shelby? I absolutely love her and it only took a few moments. Camille Hyde is perfect in this role and gives off the vibe that Shelby shouldn’t be crossed even though she still looks like a sweet girl into Triceratops. In mere moments Shelby immediately puts the girls of the Neo Saban Era to shame by just simply being well written and acted. (Camille’s mannerisms and facial expressions win here!)
Shelby is a waitress in the Dino Bite Cafe and has a great love for the Triceratops. All she wants is to go on a real dig with her friends who also work at the museum. Shelby uses her resourcefulness and hides inside of the dig’s truck but finds herself in another situation as she arrives.
She chases a monster on her own that’s stolen something from the truck and runs into Tyler who have amazing chemistry together! We do know that romance is blossoming between them but how will it go down?
I must say that Shelby had an fantastic intro with her historic debut, on her own, which can never be said for Emma & Mia.
Chase Randall: Chase only got a few moments to shine during this episode but they were enough to put an impression on me. James Davies is just simply adorable and the accent doesn’t help! Chase works at the museum and hilariously gets Shelby’s name wrong. But what was the best was his interaction with some girls at the museum! *Ouch* poor Chase. It may be unpopular but I ate it up when he said “Cut to the Chase” because it totally works for him!
Chase only had a few moments but they left me wanting more!
Koda: I wish we had seen more of Koda because he too was simply adorable. Yoshi Sudarso seriously captured the lust for the burger and the cute way he didn’t understand what Shelby was talking about. I can say that I am happy with the fact they didn’t mention he was a Cave Man this episode because it simply isn’t needed yet. Like Chase, I can’t wait to see more of Koda!
Kendall Morgan: Kendall seems very stern and professional, sticking by the book when she wouldn’t allow Shelby on the dig.
Spoiler Alert, but I love how they are setting her up to be the Purple Ranger with subtle hints like her purple glasses!
What I want to know is if her name is intentional or not. Perhaps you remember a Female Ranger of the Past who just so happens to also have the surname Morgan. Her first name also begins with a K. Either we are being trolled hardcore or perhaps we may get a Lost Galaxy connection. Probably not.
Iceage: Again, not much was seen of the monster but his fight with Tyler and Shelby but we do know that he was inside of Sledge’s prison in the beginning of the episode. He survived the episode as Gabutyra, I mean the T-Rex Zord, snapped him up and flung him. We do know that this monster was an important part of Kyoryuger so let’s see where this goes!
Dad’s Journal: I love that they introduced this idea. First, we get to see what Tyler’s Father looks like (meaning he is not Jason or a former Ranger) and a badass drawing of Fury, who has been left for dead on Earth for millions of years. I’d be pissed too.
Final Thoughts
I cannot tell you how hopeful and satisfied I was after viewing this episode over and over! The intense feeling of joy that the problems of the last four years are being wiped away and this series could finally be regaining it’s glory. The last four years felt exhausting, watching subpar seasons with subpar writing and head scratching moments that should offend anyone who has even watched previous seasons with their lazy and irresponsible connections to the Ranger Legacy. This first episode seemed to erase all that and remind us all why we are fans of this show. It shows that it is possible to put on a show like Power Rangers and do it right! All Hail Judd “Chip” Lynn!
How long had it been since we saw an episode with ZERO Sentai Footage in it? 6 Loveable Characters! Cute lines and jokes that aren’t annoying puns! Good acting! A solid Pink Ranger with focus that doesn’t suck!
I applaud the new writing style, new direction and of course the new leadership which we have to thank for this wonderful upcoming season!
I for one am crazy looking forward to what this series is going to bring us as fans!
Story: 10/10
Action: 10/10
Writing: 10/10
All Together: 10/10
