POWER MOVE
Bringing Rangers into the 21st century a challenge for all involved
Fans who know a Putty from a Zord are waiting anxiously for the new Power Rangers movie. The blockbuster is based on the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers TV series which first aired in Canada and the U. S. more than 25 years ago.
The show, loosely based on the cornball 1970s Japanese TV series Super Sentai, went on to become one of the most watched children’s programs ever and was syndicated in more than 150 countries.
Directed by Dean Israelite, the latest film version is part origins story and part slam-bam battle sequences, all filmed in and around Vancouver and Kamloops.
In the beginning, the movie tells the story of five teens from the small fictional town of Angel Grove. They have things in common besides rocky relationships. The five are loners and chosen by destiny to become Power Rangers.
Their mission is to confront the evil witchlike alien Rita Repulsa (Elizabeth Banks) and her Putty foot soldiers. Able assistance arrives with the Rangers’ Zords.
Showing up, too, are Zordon (voiced by Bryan Cranston), the Power Rangers’ mentor, and Alpha 5 (Bill Hader), who is Zordon’s robot assistant during training sessions.
Saving the planet are Red Ranger Jason (Dacre Montgomery), Blue Ranger Billy (RJ Cyler), Black Ranger Zack (Ludi Lin), Pink Ranger Kimberly (Naomi Scott) and Yellow Ranger Trini (Becky G).
It seems straightforward but the young actors — some of them making their major movie debuts — had lots of pre-shoot workouts to complete. And that included Lin, a martial arts expert who was born in China and graduated from the University of British Columbia with a degree in dietetics and medicine.
“I did learn that sometimes I overtrain,” says Lin with his castmates at a Beverly Hills hotel. “The first day on set, we did camera tests, and they had some problems with my man arms.”
The other four had to focus hard on training so they’d look convincing during multiple fight sequences.
“I trained at 87Eleven with Becky G,” says Cyler referring to the L.A. stunt company that coordinated the John Wick films’ combat sequences.
The actors weren’t necessarily trying to become accomplished scrappers but they were learning “how to respect distances and how to know that your partner in the scene is your partner, and that safety is important.”
Adds Becky G, best known as a rapper and singer based in Los Angeles: “I grew up in Inglewood, so the concept of fighting’s very natural to me.”
On set, it was all about the choreography with the stunt team and understanding the complications of performing on sound stages with special effects screens.
It wasn’t completely physical, though. In fact, each of the actors were encouraged to investigate the backstories of their characters, who have separate issues.
“I’m a newcomer, so what do I know, but I think it was fortunate and we were lucky to have our own opportunity to put our own spice into the roles,” Montgomery says.
A few had specific problems to understand and even research.
“It was exciting to play a character on the spectrum,” says Cyler of Billy who is brilliant, but has symptoms of an autism behavioural disorder.
“Mostly, it challenged me to learn about something that I had no idea about. It was like starting school over.”
Becky G relates. She has a younger brother diagnosed with a type of autism. She also appreciates the film’s attempt to update the narrative for a 21st century audience.
“First of all, the colours of our skin and where we come from is very different, and that isn’t even mentioned in the movie because it doesn’t matter,” she says. “And then, as far as my Trini and her identity issues, and figuring out who she is, I think that’s something very relevant and current to our generation.”
Cyber bullying and living up to unattainable expectations figure into the story mix too, along with the explosions and confrontations.
“The most important message I want (audiences) to get from this is that it’s OK to be yourself,” says Lin of a Power Rangers’ theme. “Your imperfections are the things that make you unique and make you stand out.”