Emma LahanaPower Rangers: Dino Thunder: The Complete Series

“Power Rangers: Dino Thunder” collects all 38 episodes of the franchises’ twelfth season. Where most seasons after “Lost Galaxy” function as standalone seasons – with the exception of “Trakeena’s Revenge” during “Lightspeed Rescue,” “Time for Lightspeed” during “Time Force,” and two episodes during “Wilde Force” prior to this season – “Dino Thunder” sees the regular return of Jason David Frank to the franchise in a recurring role since “Power Rangers: Turbo.” Unlike the 10th anniversary special “Forever Red,” here Tommy Oliver serves as a regular mentor to a new generation of Rangers, teaching them the lore they’ve inherited in their new roles while also introducing the latest threat that the Rangers must face to protect the Earth.New Rangers Conner McKnight (James Napier), Ethan James (Kevin Duhaney), and Kira Ford (Emma Lahana) don the red, blue and yellow costumes representing the Tyrannosaurus, Triceratops, and Pterodactyl Zords, respectively. They primarily defend Reefside, California, a town not too distant from Angel Grove from the original “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.” Further connections to prior series include Conner mentioning that his twin brother Eric attended the Wind Ninja Academy as the actor briefly appeared in the series finale. Each Ranger has their special interest: soccer with Conner, computers with Ethan, and music with Kira. Early in the five-episode introduction, Tommy gains the power of the Black Dino Ranger, a brachiosaurus-themed power. The Rangers are also aided by Hayley Ziktor (Ismay Johnston), the owner of a cybercafé, and Trent Fernandez-Mercer (Jeffrey Parazzo), the son of Tommy’s missing research partner Dr. Anton Mercer (Latham Gaines), who becomes the White Dino Ranger. Interestingly, the Rangers can use their powers even when they are not morphed. The show explains this as due to their power gems integrating with their DNA, but Conner kicks a soccer ball hard enough to create a visible shockwave in his first on-screen appearance before he ever gained his powers. Villains include Mesogog (Latham Gaines), a human-dinosaur hybrid; Elsa (Miriama Smith), who also masquerades as the principal at the Rangers’ school; and Zeltrax (James Gaylyn). They seek the power gems that were embedded in the asteroid that caused the dinosaurs’ extinction 65,000,000 years ago. Within the mythology of the show, the new Dino-Zords hatch from eggs. They are effectively wild upon hatching and can be tamed either by the Rangers or their enemies.The series follows the standard Power Rangers formula of blending action footage from Super Sentai with original footage, in this case largely filmed in New Zealand. Action scenes, particularly those involving Zords or special weapons, feature a great deal of CGI which has not always aged well. This series is the second of four to feature dinosaur themes after “Mighty Morphin” and prior to “Dino Charge” and “Dino Fury.” It also featured the 500th episode of Power Rangers, in which the main characters watch a video explaining the Power Rangers’ history following Mesogog’s abduction of Tommy Oliver. While most of the series only include passing references to their preceding franchise entries, this one is firmly grounded in its history. It also repeats Ranger history as the White Dino Ranger goes through a story resembling Tommy’s conflict with his inner darkness; Ethan, the Blue Dino Ranger, uses a triceratops Zord and is the resident computer expert; Kira uses the pterodactyl Zord and is a singer; and Conner uses a tyrannosaurus Zord and is athletic. Tommy fills the Zordon role as the mentor, but he takes a more active role alternating between the Rangers’ school as their science teacher and a fellow Ranger. His connection to Anton Mercer and Trent’s conflict adds a further layer of nuance to the series’ central drama. Tommy also developed some of the technology that the Rangers use, evoking Billy from the Zordon Era.Like the original Power Rangers, this series has everything that will appeal to kids: brightly-costumed heroes, archetypical characters they can easily identify with, and dinosaurs. Adults who grew up with the original series will enjoy watching this with their kids as it is the most nostalgic series in the franchise until the recent “Cosmic Fury.”

Having mainly seen Mighty Morphin and a little of Turbo, I was eager to check out the anticipated return of a Dino Themed Rangers season as an adult and couldn't have been happier with Dino Thunder.By cutting the Rangers down to 3 main ones with additional ones on the way, it allows the series to develop them more as characters. Sure, they start out a bit tropey with the jock, nerd, and artsy archetype, but they eventually evolve into actual characters instead of interchangeable "nice people" like the majority of Rangers in other seasons.There are plenty of unmorphed fight sequences, Sentai footage fights, as well as newly filmed American fights too. The Megazord fights are pretty short, but are a lot of fun as well.Without a doubt the biggest draw in the series is the return of Jason David Frank. He plays their mentor and eventual ranger. He shines in the role and there is a certain episode in particular that honors his incredible legacy to the series.The episodes are quite watchable and aren't entirely aimed at children which is nice. I also enjoyed that the "Bulk and Skull" duo of the series is much less annoying and become endeering characters of their own later on.In short, the show is more than worth your time if your a fan of the originals and a great series if you'd like a more modern Dino Themed Rangers season (that isn't as kid focused as Dino Fury on Netflix)Great stuff!

About this for my grandson and he seems to be very pleased with it so therefore I am pleased

Great quality fun for kids

I absolutely loved this set. The Picture quality was good although a bit grainy probably due to the source tape. It has good quality sound . an all around good set. I'm sure glad I bought this one :)

This series of power rangers dino thunder is best season and to remember of jdf: legend ranger miss you 💚🤍❤️🖤

Although one of the DVD slots were cracked. The DVDs play really well

My kids love power rangers so they enjoy these dvds. We gave almost all of them.