The Charge

"You two, stop the volcano at its source!"

The Case

The twelve millionth incarnation of the Power Rangers (long having jettisoned the "Mighty Morphin'" prefix) blasts out a new crew of Zord-driving, spandex-wearing, sword-swinging, massive-explosion-jumping-in-front-of-ing 20-somethings to take on the forces of plastic evil.

This go-round, the Power Rangers are trained and equipped by wealthy industrialist Andrew Hartford (Rod Lousich). While goofing around a volcano, Hartford discovers a magical crown called the Corona Aurora, which sounds like an imported lager but really is the weapon that has the ability to destroy the universe. Turns out there are some jewels that fit into the crown and it gives the possessor limitless power. These jewels were scattered throughout the earth and now the evil douchebag brothers Moltor and Flurious are searching high and low for the jewels.

Hartford enlists the help of hippest, coolest kids to combat this evil and beat the bros to the jewels. And using his limitless resources, he's constructed super armor and weapons, a gene reorganizer that grants special abilities to the Rangers and, of course, some cool new Zords that looks like Dollar Store specials but in fact can form together to make a fearsome mighty robot that has the maneuverability of the Tin Man duct-taped to a Lazyboy.

Volume One kicks off with the two-part series starter and the subsequent four episodes.

• "Kick It Into Overdrive, Parts 1 and 2"
Here's where it all starts. Hartford recruits his team, consisting of a brash movie stunt man, a professional spy, a female race car driver, a nerd and…his son Mack? Dad is reluctant to indulge in Mack's wishes to become the red Power Ranger, but eventually relents when he sees his ability and willpower. So the new team is formed and they are put to the test almost immediately, squaring off with Flurious and Moltor's expendable goons and a giant monster. And so on and so forth.

Valuable Life Lesson Learned: If you want something, then work for it! Also, always give in to the whining of your stupid kids; it will make parenting a lot easier.

• "The Underwater World"
The Rangers track down a signal for a possible jewel location and mount up on their dope Zords to the mysterious "Underwater World." Unfortunately, the Black Ranger, so used to working on his own in his old life, is resistant to the idea of teamwork, but eventually learns…nah, we'll save that one.

Valuable Life Lesson Learned: The Black Ranger, so used to working on his own in his old life, is resistant to the idea of teamwork, but eventually learns that he needs teammates to succeed.

• "Heart of Blue"
Armed with some ancient scrolls that point to the location of the jewels, the Power Ranger jump back into action! The weak link here is the Blue Ranger, who finds himself smitten with a lovely young lady that may or may not be using him for sinister purposes.

Valuable Life Lesson Learned: Being horny puts your team at risk.

• "Weather or Not"
The bad guys have unleashed a weather control machine, causing havoc everywhere. It's up to the Rangers to save the day. But when Mack the Red Ranger starts doubting himself the team will face a possible splintering.

Valuable Life Lesson Learned: Don't give up on yourself!

• "Pirate on Pink"
The Pink Ranger thinks she's so smart and her constant condescension begins to irritate the rest of the squad. But she loosens up when a ghost pirate possesses her. Oh, ghost pirate possession! There's always room for you in a kids show!

Valuable Life Lesson Learned: Nobody likes smart people.

Bottom line: there may be new faces and new Zords and a slightly modified plot, but everything that makes the Power Rangers the Power Rangers is present and accounted for in Operation Overdrive—explosions, frantic martial artistry, screaming, squealing and bizarre, fake-looking monsters. Best viewed when freebasing Lucky Charms.

A fuzzy full frame transfer and a 2.0 stereo audio mix are expected and just about adequate. For extras, you get some Ranger bios and an irritating multiple choice game called "Ranger Reserve Training Course."

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