Madame Odius is still alive and more determined than ever to steal the Ninja Nexus Prism for her nefarious purposes! Now it’s up to the Rangers, with some unexpected help from new friends, to use the power of teamwork to defeat Odius and save the world!
You know how sometimes, as you look back at your favorite childhood shows and films, you realize you only loved them because your developing brain wasn’t yet able to differentiate between “good” and “bad” entertainment? Perhaps amused by the visuals, or excited by the non-stop assault of action, you couldn’t care less about the obvious gaps in plot or horrendous dialogue or atrocious acting. That happened to me when I watched “Howard the Duck,” for example. I loved it as a kid, petrified by its freaky visuals and enamored by its lead fowl. I hated it as an adult, petrified by its allusions to bestiality, while admittedly still enamored by its creepy-as-hell lead fowl.
The same sinking feeling washed over me while I was watching episodes from the latest “Power Rangers Super Ninja Steel” season. As a child, I’d wake up every morning and run to the TV, getting dressed and brushing my teeth with eyes glued to the screen, where teens in colorful clothes morphed into super-beings in colorful suits, battling it out in giant mecha-beasts. Perhaps I need to re-watch those original series, for this new iteration, “Super Ninja Steel,” made me lose all faith in my own nostalgia. On second thought, I am all powered out, the ranger in me now seeking any kind of brain stimulation – so perhaps this revisiting can wait.
The borderline-incomprehensible plot in a (super ninja steel) nutshell: The Power Rangers face off against their enemy, Madame Odius, who is still trying to steal the Ninja Nexus Prism. Our heroes hop between dimensions, discovering the titular Super Ninja Steel – even stronger than Ninja Steel! – which Odius steals and proceeds to attack Earth, along with her team, which now includes a character called Smellephant. Her plans fail, our colorful protagonists reclaim the SNS, alliances are formed, there are battles and brainwashing (!) aplenty, and it all ends with Santa Claus paying the Rangers a special Christmas visit. Yes, it’s as nonsensical as it sounds.
Were the earlier episodes as stoopid as “PRSNS”? I’m not sure. I do remember feeling inspired, going to school believing I was a hero, ready to tackle any obstacle – so at least, in its own cheesy way, it helped prime me for life’s hardships. Will the new season have the same impact on kids in 2019? I highly doubt it. It’s soulless and brainless, dull and confusing, crude (those fart jokes!) and cheap, with some racism and moral ambiguity thrown in for good measure. I wouldn’t want this to be a part of my childhood. You don’t have to be an adult to recognize the slew of shortcomings in “PRSNS.” Maybe it’s time to let the series peacefully decay.
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