Events + Movies: Krispy Kreme Screens Power Rangers

If you've already seen the new Power Rangers flick then you probably already know what all the buzz is about with Krispy Kreme and the movie. 

I was pleasantly surprised myself when I was watching the movie and there was all this reference to the yummy Doughnut chain. I knew that Krispy Kreme had a new product in line with the movie, I got a chance to try it a few weeks before and I loved the Power Rangers Donuts! Its basically a chocolate glazed donut, with silver sprinkles, Power Rangers thunderbolts with the five Ranger colors. Its also vanilla filled!   

They have an awesome deal for these donuts where you can buy 6 Power Ranger donuts and 6 Original glazed donuts for only P299! Hurry though because its only up until April 7! 

So going back to Krispy Kreme in the Rangers movie it was (in my opinion) product placement done right. The film's writers just went for it, literally just went for the jugular and the kill. No, I know that product placement in movies is really tricky, there have been many who been burned by it but the 2017 Power Rangers does it right by just going for it and even incorporating it into the story. They made into a joke that works, one where the audiences can genuinely just laugh and enjoy. Some may not be fans of the product placement but you know it will really boil down to how you decide to leave the cinema with it. 

I decided to like it and just wanted more donuts! If I could get these Ranger donuts from it then not bad eh? 

We were fortunate enough to have been invited to the Krispy Kreme screening of "Power Rangers" at the Central Square Mall in Bonifacio High Street (Dolby Surround!). When we got there there were Rangers in costume, cute kids having their pictures taken, a super cute booth and of course the Power Rangers donuts! 

Thank you so much Krispy Kreme for having us! We had a great time! <3 It was an awesome #KrispyKremeMoment 

Now to get myself those donuts (again). 

You can check out my review on the 2017 Power Rangers up in the blog! Just click here! 

#PowerRangers #ItsMorphinTime 

Movie Review: Power Rangers (2017)

Back in the 90's every kid knew what it was like to catch the latest episode of "Power Rangers" every Friday night on TV. Every one had their favorite Ranger that they identified with. Children playing outside the house (yes kids, once upon a time we went outside to play and did not rely on gadgets for entertainment) would be shouting "It's morphin time!" with matching hand gestures. 

Of course, before the "Power Rangers" there were also the Super Sentai series from Japan like "Bioman" and "Jetman" to which we 90's kids also grew up watching. So this Sentai/Ranger culture has always been a way for kids to escape and play and be someone they admired and now decades later a new team of "Power Rangers" steps onto the big screen to become the unexpected heroes to a whole new generation and to also be a source of nostalgia to the then children who once pretended to be Rangers and are now tax-paying adults.   

In an age of remakes, reboots and super hero movies, 2017's "Power Rangers" knew what they wanted for the movie and went for it with as much guts as these new angsty Teenagers. 

Writing the movie with a Young Adult audience in mind, director Dean Israelite wanted a contemporary film which was real and grounded on today's teenagers and this is what this new team of Power Rangers is. A band of social outsiders and misfits, Jason (Dacre Montgomery), Kimberly (Naomi Scott), Billy (RJ Cylder), Zack (Ludi Lin) and Trini (Becky G)- each carrying their own problems who accidentally come together one fateful night in a quarry and discover "power coins" of different colors. They then discover a change in their physical strength and return to investigate. 

What they find is an alien spaceship where they discover that millions of years ago (specifically, the Cenozoic era) a team of alien "Power Rangers" led by Bryan Cranston (Zordon) as the Red Ranger defended the Earth's Zeo Crystal. (Each planet has their own respective Zeo Crystal, which is the source of all life). Audiences then confirm an early fan theory that Elizabeth Banks (originally cast as villain Rita Repulsa) was also the Green Ranger and betrayed the team for her own gains. Cranston's Red Ranger calls on the meteor that hits the earth, killing the dinosaurs and in turn him and throws Rita into the sea. Now trapped into the ship's matrix, Cranston calls on the five teenagers to become the new Power Rangers.        

With the return of the power coins aboard the spaceship and what could possibly be a new team of Rangers, the evil that is Rita Repulsa rises from the sea and is intent on continuing where she left off, which is destroying the Earth by taking its Zeo crystal. 

Now the new Rangers must begin training to prepare to battle Rita Repulsa, unfortunately for them "morphin" into the Power Rangers isn't so easy as they have to 'think about each other' and when five teenagers with unknown baggage just get together- there is a lot on the plate. 

So while after school specials include physical training, care of Alpha 5 in "the pit" and the team is no closer to "morphin" into their Ranger armor and everyone is getting frustrated and upset and all the while Rita Repulsa is slowly getting her plan in motion. 

With probably a multi movie arc in mind, this origin movie takes a long  time to get to the action and to 90's kids, that could be a little frustrating. You see, there are risks to writing a story which devotes more time to character development (like about 3/4 of the month) and just spending about 1/4 with the actually fighting. For one, you have a solid character development, this one I think is more for the young adult audience (as I mentioned earlier) and for another you risk disappointing older fans who are used to the action. So it really boils down to what the viewer takes home. I myself wan't too happy with the design of the Zords and the Megazord. Baddie Goldar wasn't to my liking as well. 

Props to featuring a very diverse set of rangers (aside from race), we  have a socially awkward Billy Cranston (Blue Ranger) - he's kind of like Sheldon in the Big Bang Theory. That has OCD and can't get jokes and sarcasm. We also have Trini (Yellow Ranger) who is struggling with her family as she deals with her own sexuality; or as Zach (Black Ranger) puts it "Girlfriend problems". Representation is important and I think that is something which this batch of Rangers definitely have. Would definitely have to commend the performance of RJ Clyder as Bill/Blue Ranger, I've seen him in "Me and Earl and the Dying Girl" and I'm really impressed with his acting. Especially since his character is not teenager angst and that sets him apart from his team mates. Elizabeth Banks also gets a nod for her Rita Repulsa take.        

6/10  "Power Rangers" can be nostalgia for an older generation and a discovery for a new one. Whatever it is and wherever you fit in, its still a good ride in the cinema, probably not on one of those Zords though. Oh! And stay after the movie! There's a mid-credits scene you might want to stick around for!  

Movies: Strength Of Selfless Teens Ignite In “Power Rangers” Movie

Based on the unendingly popular legend of the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers comes the rollicking, action-packed modern chronicle of how the famed color-coded crew of teen warriors first transformed from a band of small-town outcasts into a united team of mighty superheroes in the new “Power Rangers” movie.

The re-imagined story of Saban’s “Power Rangers” comes to the screen on a thrilling scale that amps up the, action, effects and creative design. A fresh young cast from around the world joins with Bill Hader, Bryan Cranston and Elizabeth Banks in a non-stop adventure that puts ordinary teens to the test in the most extraordinary situation imaginable: transcending a 21st Century pressure cooker of cyber-bullying, alienation, peer pressures and family issues to become nothing less than the world’s only chance to survive.

"Recent research shows that most of us are born with what is termed as a 'selfless gene'," says Matt Suzana, co-writer of the Power Rangers movie. "Daily selfless acts include donating blood, helping blind people cross the street, giving alms, and the list goes on." he continues. "These selfless people share a common gene variation that is linked to the receptor for Oxytocin, often referred to as the 'love hormone.' Oxytocin plays a vital role in the formulation of social bonds and relationships, impacting a person's capacity for empathy.”

MOVIES: NEW “POWER RANGERS” MOVIE OPENS MARCH 22 IN PHIL. CINEMAS

From the team of  filmmakers who introduced cool young adult blockbuster franchises such as “The Twilight Saga,” “The Fault in Our Stars” and “The Maze Runner,”  producers Wyck Godfrey and Marty Bowen along with Haim Saban and Brian Casentini bring the latest young adult movie franchise to watch out for – the new “Power Rangers” movie.

The latest “Power Rangers” movie follows five ordinary teens who must become something extraordinary when they learn that their small town of Angel Grove — and the world — is on the verge of being obliterated by an alien threat. Chosen by destiny, our heroes quickly discover they are the only ones who can save the planet. But to do so, they will have to overcome their real-life issues and before it’s too late, band together as the Power Rangers.

Directed by Dean Israelite (“Project Almanac”), Saban’s Power Rangers stars Dacre Montgomery, Naomi Scott, RJ Cyler, Becky G, Ludi Lin, featuring Bill Hader, with Bryan Cranston and Elizabeth Banks. The screenplay is by John Gatins (“Kong: Skull Island,” “Real Steel”) from a story by Matt Sazama & Burk Sharpless (“Dracula Untold”) and Michele Mulroney & Kieran Mulroney.