Television Review: Power Rangers Ninja Storm

Super Sentai Equivalent: Ninpuu Sentai Huricanger (Enduring Wind Team Hurricane-ger, with Ninpuu also being a play on Ninpo, or "Ninja Magic")


In a world where nobody remembers what Power Rangers are but ninjas are basically all over the place, evil space ninja Lothor returns from exile to make the Earth's ninjas pay for banishing him. He draws all the world's ninjas up into his spaceship, leaving behind only three young ninja cadets who will don magic suits to become Wind Ninja Power Rangers! ...what, you thought they were going to be called Ninja Storm Rangers? Ha!

Ninja Storm was Disney's second stumbling step into the franchise. Alright, alright, I will start by admitting there was some good - the action scenes were pretty good, and that's not just because of Huricanger either. There were some really well choreographed fight scenes done using the western actors out of costume too.

That said, the story just took a nosedive. How should I put this... it's at least one step above Alien Rangers? Sure, that works. We're talking some of the worst parts of MMPR camp here. The Rangers are entertaining to watch and are generally likeable but they're never really compelling. There are actually two "sixth ranger" storylines here - one involving the Thunder Ninjas who have been brainwashed to serve the evil Lothor, and one involving the sensei's son Cam coming into his own as the Green Samurai Ranger. They're also both way too rushed and don't take the time to build up any suspense.

Oh, and the villains... the villains are the worst. There is nothing interesting about them. They're mostly just obnoxious and screamy. I feel like they were trying to evoke memories of Rita Repulsa and Lord Zedd, but... first off, we've come to expect more from the series at this point than just watching the villain scream about how he or she has a headache, and second, Lothor is no Rita Repulsa.

Let me say this to any aspiring writers out there - there is a huge difference between telling jokes and being a joke. And no, before you say it, I'm not just someone who hates fun. I love parody. But like I said, and I'll say it again just so everyone is absolutely clear - THERE IS A HUGE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TELLING JOKES AND BEING A JOKE.


MEDIOCRE

PROS:	CONS:
+ Solid action scenes and fight choreography.	- Doesn't take its time with the story.
+ The rangers are generally likeable.	- The villains are a big pathetic joke.
+ It isn't Alien Rangers.	- Except the joke isn't even funny.
	- Seriously, they suck.