While Power Rangers struggled in terms of box office, it certainly did not lack in terms of fan service.
Videos by ComicBook.com
The film was chock full of easter eggs and cool homages to several eras of Power Rangers, including series like Lightpeed Rescue, Zeo, and of course Mighty Morphin. Now that the film is on Blu-ray and DVD, the task of finding all of those fan goodies is made that much easier.
Now, these aren’t going to be all of the easter eggs hidden in the film of course, as assuredly there are those yet to be discovered. Still, we’ve collected all the ones spotted thus far, which were found by JLSProblemDog.
Power Rangers writer Sohn Gatins actually some advice to fans who are hunting for hidden references, and keyed in on one set of locations in particular.
“I think when [Trini] comes in her room, there’s like… you have to be able, when you have the movie on DVD you’ll be able to stop and look at the dressing and the set dressing in the rooms of the kids. You can see things, which I always really appreciate… You’ve gotta kinda look, because we had great designers and everyone was very aware of trying to put certain things and evidence. So there’s just things that, like, you’ll smile more and more.”
Director Dean Israelite admits there are some that may never be caught, but loves that they’re in the film.
“As we were just talking about in the press conference, there are a lot of easter eggs, and I think some of those are going to go over people’s heads but it doesn’t matter because whatever they are it will feel really germane to what’s going on, so it just feels part of the scene, and if you have the added knowledge of the brand it means a little bit more and if you don’t it’s still working in the moment, and that’s sort of how we approach servicing all of these things.”
Hit the next slide to get started!
Lord Zedd’s Serpentera
This first one flies in during the film’s opening moments, which shows Zordon during his Red Ranger days battling the forces of the Green Ranger. The Green Ranger, of course, is Rita Repulsa, who betrayed the team to work for an unknown entity.
That entity though is thought to be Lord Zedd, and if so it would make sense, as the ship that flies over Zordon’s head looks similar in design to Serpentera. Serpentera is Lord Zedd’s insanely powerful Zord, which can, not kidding mind you, destroy planets.
Director Dean Israelite has said in interviews that Zedd is the next logical choice for the possible sequel. If that happens perhaps Serpentera won’t be too far behind.
Megazord Rises
This one also occurs in the opening sequence, but this time the focus is back on the heroes.
Specifically on their powerful Dinozords, which are all given redesigns in the film. That includes the Megazord, which gets a complete overhaul. Still, there are those who will always prefer the original design, so they might have noticed a subtle reference to the original Megazord’s helmet.
As the opening scene is winding down, there’s a rock formation shown with a flash of light. If you look closely it actually appears to be similar in design to the Megazord’s helmet, with the light forming the middle horn.
Subtle yes, but again goes towards showing how far the Rangers have fallen at the hands of the Green Ranger’s betrayal.
The Gold Ranger
Jason Scott undergoes quite the journey from the beginning of the film to the movie’s end, but there is a nice reference to his even bolder future.
Earlier in the film, there is a scene between Jason and his Father in the kitchen. This takes place after the cow stealing incident which led to Jason injuring his leg and not being able to play football. As he approaches the fridge he sees a clipping his dad hung up that refers to him as “Angel Grove’s Golden Boy”.
For those who aren’t aware, Jason will eventually transition from being a Power Rangers, transferring the power to someone else. He eventually returns, however, thanks to the efforts of Tommy, who asks him to take on the Gold Ranger Power during the Power Rangers Zeo series.
Squatt And Finster’s Big Screen Debut
Israelite did say to focus on the Power Rangers rooms, and he wasn’t lying. Take for instance Billy’s house, which Jason goes to after Billy promises him he can switch off his ankle bracelet.
As Billy is talking to Jason, the camera pans out a bit so you can see his desk and shelves, filled with clocks and assorted tools. On the shelf behind him though you can also see two recognizable figures from Mighty Morphin, namely the lovable dolt Squatt and the monster maker Finster.
Neither had a role in the reboot, but then again this Rita didn’t exactly need their help. Squatt was supposed to be around for muscle, but as many have pointed out rarely actually got into a fight during the show’s run.
As for Finster, he was in charge of sculpting and essentially baking Rita’s monsters, all of his design.
The only piece that is missing here is Baboo, who often accompanies these two at the Moon Palace. Maybe he’ll get a shout out in the sequel.
A Zeo Moment
Many are familiar with the traditional command center in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, but that has seen various forms over the years, including in Power Rangers Zeo.
In the Power Rangers reboot, the Rangers discover Zordon’s ship underwater. Here Billy reaches out to touch an anomaly, with his hand passing through. The camera zooms in on his hand reaching through the invisible barrier, and some may have recognized this from a previous season of the show.
It very closely mirrors the sequence in Power Rangers Zeo. After finding the power crystal amidst the rubble of the surface command center, the Rangers discover a portal that takes them to a new Power Chamber.
Again, subtle, but a cool nod to the fans nonetheless.
Scorpina Is That You?
Rita did perfectly fine by her lonesome against the Rangers, at least for the most part. Despite having no one else to call on, a past ally was acknowledged in Alpha 5’s training center.
Referred to as the Pit, it’s here that Alpha 5 attempts to train the Rangers in the realm of combat. During one of the Pit sequences, the camera pans away from the core action and a Scorpion can be seen crawling across a rock.
That is, of course, a reference to the lethal Assassin Scorpina, who joins Goldar and Rita during the later seasons of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. She didn’t appear in the reboot but would make a worthy adversary in the sequel.
Putty Patrol!
Similar to the Zords, Rita Repulsa, and the costumes, Rita’s Putty army also got redesigns. It resulted in a more threatening look for the henchmen, but Power Rangers didn’t forget about the design that started it all.
That’s why in the dinner sequence in Trini’s home you can spot a small Putty figure on the table behind her. It’s one of those blink and you’ll miss it references, but it wouldn’t be Power Rangers without Puttys!
The Putty designs this time around are more substantial in stature and in strength. One Putty can take on several Rangers, a far cry from the original’s 5 Putties to one Ranger dynamic.
A Peek Into The Future
While the Zords themselves are still based on the Dinosaur versions from the original Mighty Morphin series, there’s less emphasis on that aspect of them.
Sure they’re still called the Mastodon and Triceratops Zords, but not much else regarding that Dinosaur DNA is really mentioned. That’s why it was a nice aside for the team to include a small Sabertooth Tiger reference in Trini’s room.
Trini wakes up in her room during one scene in the film, giving you a close-up look at her window. It sports a stain glass theme but also a design of a Sabertooth Tiger, Trini’s Dinozord.
It’s a small thing, but since there isn’t very much of the Dinozord’s prehistoric origins in this movie, it’s a take what you can get situation.
A Yellow Ranger Tribute
Becky G took up the mantle of Trini the Yellow Ranger in Power Rangers, but the studio managed to give a tribute to the original Trini before film’s end.
Actress Thuy Trang originally played Trini in Mighty Morphin, but tragically died in a car accident in 2001. In the movie, Trini can be seen wearing a shirt with the number 1973 on it. That is actually Thuy Trang’s birthday year, who was born on December 14th, 1973.
To this day there are many who call Trang’s Trini their favorite Yellow Ranger, and it was wonderful to see Saban reference the popular actress in the film.
Calling Lightspeed Rescue and Dino Thunder
While not as popular as Mighty Morphin, Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue and Dino Thunder are still enjoyed by plenty of fans. Saban managed to sneak in subtle references in both before the reboot’s credits rolled.
Sam Scott, the father of Jason, is driving in his truck to try and find his son amidst the carnage that Goldar is causing in Angel Grove. He’s on the phone while he’s driving and refers to two locations, Mariner Bay and Reefside.
Some might recognize Mariner Bay as the starring location in Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue. The second location, Reefside, is the main stomping grounds of the Dino Thunder Rangers.
This one is incredibly easy to miss, but kudos to those who caught it!
I’m Burning Up
While this is the most modern update, this isn’t the first time the Power Ranges have graced the big screen. That honor goes to Power Rangers The Movie, and he newest iteration featured a nice callout to its predecessor.
When the Zords are dispatched to fight Goldar, each Ranger is shown inside the cockpits as they attempt to bring down Rita’s creation. This sequence is old hat for Power Rangers fans, featured in pretty much every episode of the show.
What isn’t normal is for Kimberly to say “I’m Burning Up” when her Zord takes damage. That’s the line she says in the original movie, and Kimberly this time around takes damage and says a familiar sounding “I’m Burning!” as the Zords are falling into a chasm.
Not a great situation mind you, but a cool throwback.
Super Sentai Beginnings
Most know that the Power Rangers stateside shows use lots of footage from their Sentai brethren, especially when it comes to in costume work and their Zords. Saban highlighted that in a sly sequence towards the end of Power Rangers.
Trini is painting and plastering her room (thanks to Rita’s surprising appearance) as her brothers play with Power Rangers figures on the floor. The boys end up referring to the Yellow Ranger, specifically if she is male or female.
In the original Sentai series, the Yellow Ranger is actually played by a male, but the American series switched it up, casting Thuy Trang in the role. This, of course, is what they are referring to.
Everyone Loves Circuit
Saban and Lionsgate decided to throw in one more easter egg for fans in that same Trini bedroom scene, this time going for the future based Rangers Time Force.
The camera ends up pulling back a bit so you can see more of the room. In addition to all of the other stuff hanging on her walls, there is a picture handing of a red owl. Thing is, he looks very similar (especially in the style he’s drawn in ) to the Power Rangers Time Force mentor Circuit.
Circuit is to the Time Force Power Rangers what Alpha 5 is to the Mighty Morphin Rangers. He acts as a mentor, guide, and comic relief, only Circuit ha the ability to fold up into a backpack if he really wants to.
Sorry Alpha 5, you’re just not that portable!
Before You Go
“Saban’s Power Rangers follows five ordinary high school kids 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 that they are the only ones who can save the planet. But to do so they will have to overcome their real-life issues and band together as the Power Rangers before it is too late.”
As part of the 24-year-old global phenomenon and based on the five Rangers from the original TV series, “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers,”, the reimagined movie features a modern generation of Rangers including Dacre Montgomery (TV’s “Stranger Things”) as Jason the Red Ranger, Naomi Scott (The 33) as Kimberly the Pink Ranger, RJ Cyler (Me and Earl and the Dying Girl) as Billy the Blue Ranger, Ludi Lin (Monster Hunt) as Zack the Black Ranger, and Becky G. (Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising) as Trini the Yellow Ranger, as they attempt to stop the evil and unpredictable Rita Repulsa (played by Elizabeth Banks, The Hunger Games Franchise) from destroying their city…and ultimately the world. Bryan Cranston (“Breaking Bad”) as Zordon, and Bill Hader (Finding Dory) as Alpha 5 train the Rangers to morph and master their powers as a united team.
The Saban’s Power Rangers DVD will include exclusive audio commentary with director Dean Israelite and writer John Gatins, and deleted/alternate/extended scenes and outtakes. Saban’s Power Rangers will be available on 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack, Blu-ray Combo Pack, and DVD for the suggested retail price of $42.99, $39.99, and $29.95, respectively
Power Rangers is in stores now.
MORE POWER RANGERS: Ninja Steel Episode 9 Drops Early, Spoilers Inbound / Ninja Steel Fall Opening Revealed / The Power Rangers Help Give Young Cancer Patient A Shopping Spree
