As I’ve said before in previous reviews of Holiday specials, it’s rather hard to review them because most of the episode is full of flashbacks of previous episodes. With this Christmas special the Rangers were placed under a spell by cursed coal to make them evil elves! The footage provided them with memories to help them return to their former selves. In this review, since it is my last for Dino Super Charge and Dino Charge as a whole, I am not going to bother mentioning how time travel makes no sense or how the Dinosaurs make no sense. Instead, I’m just going to discuss the things I enjoyed and didn’t and move on! Enjoy!
Heximas: Heximas was just what I expected from this episode and I was super happy that they used this Kyoryuger monster suit because it was just perfect! It was a pretty interesting plot/plan to curse all of the coal he stole from Santa in order to make the receivers turn into evil elves. Although, doesn’t it seem like such a simple plan to have it take 65 million years for it to come to fruition…..seems a little far fetched if you ask me. I also think it was a little shoe horned to have him push Wrench out of the way to escape the fiery death of the sun. But, what other way could they explain without not actually explaining it?
Also, how badass was that sleigh of his? It had it’s own Magna Beam!
The Boys Evil Elves: The boys’ performances as Evil elves have to be my favorite! Brennan Mejia’s opening scene as the evil elf was hilarious from his evil laugh to when he had to be subdued by the other Rangers. I especially laughed when Tyler tried to bite Ivan! But, Chase and Riley were my favorites whether it was their wicked faces, blowing raspberries or skipping around in the production line! All of the scenes with the 3 tied up were hilarious! I wanted more time with them evil!
Shelby as an Evil Elf: Shelby as Evil Elf was not as funny as the others but I will say that she was quite wicked! She was kept evil until the very end and what surprised me the most was her power! She took on the Rangers and Tyler alone; completely un-morphed! Not only that, but she kicked a morphed Red Ranger and knocked him out of his morph! How many times can you say that has happened! Shelby is pretty damn powerful if you ask me!
Tyler’s Broken Spell: Of course, Tyler’s flashback included scenes of searching and finding his Dad. I actually loved seeing scenes from Dino Charge again, but the scenes from Dino Super Charge only reminded me of how rushed the story was in the reveal of the Aqua Ranger. However, this was the perfect way to knock Tyler out of his spell, to remember the search for his Dad and how much pain it had caused him. Though, it does nothing for James’ character who still looks like a dead-beat Dad in the end of things, especially from the flash-backs.
Chase’s Broken Spell: Chase’s broken spell flashbacks and Ivan’s assistance were by far my favorite in this episode. I’ve said this before that Chase’s character growth is among the best in this season because he did indeed grow a lot. As Ivan called him in the beginning he was a “frustrated casanova” to being a completely devoted boyfriend to Kaylee. His emotions changed, the way he approached the opposite sex changed and therefore his happiness and outlook on life. He completely changed who he was from episode 1 to the Christmas finale. If you watch Chase from the beginning until this episode you can see these changes even in such episodes as “Love at First Fight” when he barely even wanted to be recognized as a casanova!
Riley’s Broken Spell: Riley’s flashback was by far the most disappointing. However, it showed exactly how he grew as a character; he did not. This flashback featured “Forgive & Forget” and the random bully character, Burt. What was even more sad was that the editing of this flashback didn’t even do Riley’s character any justice period. It basically showed Burt calling Riley a braniac and Riley being bothered; then cut to Riley forgiving him. I mean, I guess that means Riley learned to forgive? Is that the lesson? Was that his sole change in character that awoke him from the evil spell; and why show Matt (his brother) at the beginning while sword practicing?
Riley, who barely changed at all during this season and was basically insufferable through most of it with his competitiveness and logical sensitivity learned nothing. A better scene would have been his best episode “Wings of Danger” where he almost redeemed himself with Zenowing! Sadly, Riley’s character was left in the dust along the lines of James & Phillip who barely got any development. Only, Riley had episode to try to make it happen and failed. But, this flashback scene to break an evil spell only twisted the knife into his character’s final scenes.
Shelby’s Broken Spell: Shelby’s broken spell flashbacks really tugged at your heart and it was justifiably so! Tyler had to convince her that she was powerful, smart and fun to be around and all of the scenes showed. Important moments for her included standing up for herself with Ms. Morgan, Singing for the N-Zed boys with Tyler and the “almost kiss” that Koda interrupted. While, I loved the moment that Tyler and Shelby shared performing to join the N-Zed boys I wish they had chosen the moment she created the Spino Charge Megazord instead. That scene would’ve made her come off as a smarter Ranger and balanced off the “almost kiss” scene a little more. Shelby deserved a little more balance of a powerful Ranger appeal because I believe that she too is among the most character developed in this entire season.
One Last Pie in the Face: It had to happen, you knew it was coming. The last episode of Dino Charge would not be complete without one last pie to the face. Merry Christmas!
This episode was full of wacky Christmas moments from Heximas, the evil Ranger Elves and even those cute Vivix with green Santa hats on! I will say that this Christmas special did help a little with the bad taste left in my mouth from the finale’s mess of an ending. It’s almost worth it to call this special the finale of Dino Super Charge; in a world where we put Santa hats on Dinosaurs. It made me feel a little better because at the end of “End of Extinction” it was rather bittersweet that Koda and Ivan were gone and there was a sudden end. This episode had all 10 Rangers and Keeper singing Christmas Carols, happy where they should be; together.
I will say, all together. It has been a pleasure reviewing Dino Charge and Dino Super Charge. There have been ups and downs but all together the series was a great one for me and I will remember it as one of my favorites.
On to Ninja Steel! Let the Games Begin!
See You in January!