My kids don’t realize how good they have it. Since their dad does DVD reviews, I have an overwhelming DVD collection. Many of these DVDs are kids films, and for the past two years, they have had the pleasure of getting the complete DVD sets of “Power Rangers Dino Thunder” and “Power Rangers S.P.D.”

Since they have many other DVDs to watch, they haven’t watched either Power Rangers series in a while. However, when we got this new one, “Power Rangers Mystic Force,” they immediately fell in love with it again. From the moment I turned the show on, they started running around the room, kicking and punching at invisible “bad guys,” yelling their best kung fu yells. As a parent, this is actually more entertaining to watch than anything I’d find on the DVD.

This new incarnation of the Power Rangers introduces us to some new blood. However, instead of settling into science fiction, this new show has adapted to the popular series of today. With “Lord of the Rings,” “Harry Potter” and “The Chronicles of Narnia” surpassing popularity of science fiction and action, it only seemed like a matter of time before the Power Rangers got in on the deal.

“Power Rangers Mystic Force” takes place in this world and a parallel dimension. The other dimension is ruled by magic, and an ancient force has been keeping evil in the underworld for generations. However, the evil has found some ways to start resurfacing, and warriors need to be called up to fight it.

These warriors are found in a group of friends who work in a record shop. They are sucked into this alternate world, led by Udonna (Pete Rutter), a teacher of magic. She bestows upon the kids magic wands. However, because the Rangers aren’t to go anywhere without them, she turns the wands into cell phones to make them blend into the real world better.

I have to hand it to the writers of these Power Rangers series. Things are becoming more complicated, and the stories and characters have more going on. I thought “Power Rangers Ninja Storm” was incomprehensible – kind of like an episode of the Pokemon television show. Then “Power Rangers Dino Thunder” showed up. While these kids were good, the storylines deteriorated into repetative fights with the White Ranger.

Then “Power Rangers S.P.D.” came along, and they seemed to be able to balance some stories. With the extended universe, there was plenty to draw from outside characters. “Power Rangers Myster Force” seems to have the same breadth of characters. We’ll just have to see how the next few discs turn out.

The DVD doesn’t have anything in terms of special features. There is a bonus episode, which isn’t really that much of a bonus considering the first disc in the series always has only three regular episodes to it. Plus, this is the same bonus episode tacked onto the last two discs of “Power Rangers S.P.D.” It has a team-up between the S.P.D. Rangers and the Dino Rangers from the past. At least it’s a fun episode.

So far, I like these new rangers. We have Nick (Firass Dirani) as the reluctant leader, the ever powerful Red Ranger. He’s a little bit stereotypical tough for the show. But I’m sure he’ll smooth out soon enough. It worked with Jack from S.P.D.

The first two episodes provide the origin of the Rangers in the two-part “Broken Spell.” The third episode shows some bonding with the Rangers as they learn to do heroic deeds and earn new coded spells. The characters are consistently simple, but remember they’re written for a younger audience. Overall, I like the new start of these Power Rangers. Hopefully, they can keep it up.



Specifications: Dolby Digital Surround Sound. Fullscreen (1.33:1). English language subtitles for the hearing impaired.