Power Rangers: Rise of Zedd

Lord Zedd was once a Ranger with the responsibility of protecting Galaxy 666 (irony?). Zedd, over time, became bitter. 666 is a relatively calm galaxy that needs little protection (irony again?), which left Lord Zedd and his Rangers with little to do. This eventually led to his revolting against his superiors and killing many Rangers. It was only with the intervention of Zordon (seen here before the credits in his previous, human form) that Zedd was defeated. Zordon, showing sympathy for Zedd (the reason for this will come up later), ignored his order and, instead of executing the renegade, deserted him on the planet of Khal. After all of this, the credits role and then we go to present-day Khal. For nearly a hundred years Lord Zedd has been deserted on Khal. After all of those years, salvation comes in the form of a strange staff that crashes to the planet’s surface (Didn’t read the plot for Emerald Rage? Well, then you may be lost). Zedd uses this staff to escape from Khal and seeks out his enemy, Zordon. Meanwhile, the Rangers on Earth are having difficulty finding replacements for Trini, Zack, and Jason. The “morphers” have been unable to find any new possessors that would be considered “pure” enough. This is mainly a pain for Kimberly and Billy, as Tommy is far away orbiting Mercury in a shuttle. Here, Tommy is going through rigorist training to become worthy of his role as the Rangers’ leader (Tommy is also dealing with a heavy amount of guilt over his actions in the previous film). This is all calm-before-the-storm type stuff, but there is some unknowing danger here; if the three Rangers don’t find three other Rangers, then they’ll be easily defeated when Zedd makes it to Earth. At the same time, the film focuses on the lives of three other young adults. Rocky DeSantos is a hardworking martial arts student that is studying heavily in Japan. Aisha Campbell is a young philanthropist that makes it her one goal in life to protect animals. Adam Park is a rebellious guy that’s been led astray by his choice of friends and the recent loss of his little sister (whose death was caused by Rita’s attack on Earth). These three will eventually become the new red, yellow, and black Rangers. Alpha and Billy make an accidental discovery and realize that the “morphers’” signals aren’t projecting over the whole planet because of damage dealt during the recent battle with Rita (speaking of damage dealt, the “command center” is still in a state of disrepair after Tommy destroyed it in the previous film). Alpha and Billy make the necessary repairs, and the “morphers” immediately travel into the hands of Rocky, Aisha, and Adam. The three are beamed to the “command center” right away and are told of their mission as Rangers. Training for the new Rangers is short; Zedd arrives on Earth no sooner than do the new Rangers receive their “morphers.” Zedd threatens the people of Earth to bring Zordon to him, or he will destroy the entire planet. Zordon realizes the reality of this threat and he sends all of the Rangers out against Zedd (despite the fact that Rocky, Aisha, and Adam have not even completed their training). The five Rangers learn quickly exactly how powerful Zedd is (by wielding the staff, he is made even more powerful). The Rangers stand little chance against this new enemy. Tommy is beamed back to Earth immediately to aid his friends and the new Rangers. Upon seeing Tommy, Zedd mistakes him for his “brother,” which raises questions amongst the Rangers as to whom he is referring. Zedd leaves the battle confused, as do the Rangers, and restates his demands. Upon returning to the “command center” (all badly wounded) the Rangers question Zordon about Zedd. It is at this point that the Rangers learn that Zordon and Zedd are in fact brothers. This revelation leaves the Rangers slightly rocked. Rocky, Aisha, and Adam return to their training while they wait for Zedd to reappear (the other three Rangers speed up the process by giving each rookie a sparring partner). Zedd, having been with Zordon when the “zords” were buried, knows the location of the Rangers’ powerful robots. Zedd, using the staff’s power in ways that Rita would never have imagined, destroys the Rangers’ “zords” and uses the scraps to build himself a base deep below the ground. At the same time, Zedd sets free the monster from the first film (Haven’t read that either? Then check it out.) Without their “zords” to combat the monster, the Rangers are helpless to save Earth. Zordon makes a tough decision and sends the Rangers out into the universe to retrieve new “zords” from the Rangers base in Galaxy 1993. This is a dangerous move because Earth is left truly defenseless. This finally will give the audience a look at the great Sci-Fi aspect of this reboot franchise. When the Rangers arrive at the base, they are greeted by Alpha 701 (a newer model of the Alpha droids). The Rangers are fascinated by this place, but, at the same time, they are very stressed knowing that their world is being destroyed (though, Zordon and Alpha are combating the monster as best they can). Master Toei, the leader of all of the Rangers in the universe, passes onto the Rangers five new “zords,” while giving Tommy the standard-issue “zord” that is used by Lords (if you haven’t figured it out by now, the title of “Lord” is given to the leaders of Rangers). This is not a short moment of the film, but it’s not too long either (this segment will be just long enough to give the audience a good look at this crazy organization). This idea may be scrapped and replaced with something not so extravagant (the Rangers could, instead, fight the monster as best they can while new “zords” are built). However, if the Rangers do go to the Rangers’ base in Galaxy 1993, then there should be recognizable Rangers from other series walking around in the background (Rangers from Zeo, Turbo, In Space, etc.). Getting back to the action, the Rangers return to Earth and destroy the monster with their new “zords.” Unfortunately, while the Rangers are fighting the monster, Zedd locates the “command center” and kills Zordon, as well as destroying Alpha 5. The Rangers confront the now even-more-powerful Zedd and a long battle ensues. In the end, Tommy and Zedd are the only two left in the fight (the other Rangers aren’t dead, but they’re either unconscious or their armor has been greatly damaged). This is how the battle should end; Tommy represents the enemy that Zedd really wanted (Zedd wanted the chance to redeem himself against Zordon at his best, not the floating head that he destroyed). Tommy pulls through the fight and narrowly defeats Zedd. The Rangers are lost without their true leader and they abandon their roles as the galaxy’s protectors. Tommy, however, being redeemed of his past sins with his defeat of Zedd, takes full responsibility with his role as a Lord and remains a Ranger. The film ends this way. This is truly the position that Tommy should be in, considering that Tommy remained throughout the majority of the original seasons. True, Rocky, Aisha, and Adam’s time as Rangers is brief, but, with Zordon gone, no one has to will to continue except Tommy. As always, I realize the ridiculous nature of the original series, but this can be done seriously. My plot needs filled in and needs work to make it flow, but this is the treatment that I’d like to see.

Tommy Oliver - Jared Padelecki