History of Power Rangers: Dino Thunder part 1

I like to stay one series behind Lewis when it comes to HOPR. While I have his permission to post the videos, I’d rather drive traffic to his site. The only reason I do these, if you recall, is because I didn’t have time to do this as an article series way back when (as he can tell you, sitting down and watching every episode takes a long time and he has his regular show, cons, and other projects, and I have two articles a week, a comic strip, and my paying job) so seeing what memories he sparks seems like the way to go.

So if you want to see the latest one in one shot head for his site. If you want to see me ramble over two days, then get ready for the return of fan favorite Tommy as the Power Rangers roar.

http://blip.tv/at4w/hopr-power-rangers-dino-thunder-part-1-5369873

I don’t usually start with the Sentai nod, but Bakuryuu Sentai Abaranger (which I’ve seen translated as both Blastasaur (aka Blast-Dragon) Squadron Rampage Ranger on the Power Ranger Wiki and Blast Dragon Squadron Outburst Ranger at the Super Sentai Time Capsule) tells the origin that the Earth was split into two worlds when the meteor hit the planet all those centuries ago, not killing the dinosaurs but sending them to another dimension, Dino-Earth. Anyone else getting vibes from the Super Mario Brothers movie?

• Here’s a question I’ve never seen answered: why did Tommy suddenly decide to become a paleontologist? I don’t remember Tommy showing any inclination towards it beyond being a Power Ranger where he never drove a dinosaur-based Zord. The closest he came was the Dragonzord and some bird-based Zords (if you believe the current theory that dinosaurs came from birds and not reptiles). Nor did he show a drive towards science. He was a jock in high school who only got the top grades because the writers wanted to make the Rangers good at everything. (Really, even Kimberly went from D’s to one of the top students) and became a race car driver in Turbo. This seems like quite the leap, especially his part in creating the Tyrannodrones.
• I have to agree with Lewis about the civilian powers. It was fine for the ninjas, the Mystic Force Rangers, and the spiritual martial artists of Jungle Fury, but for everyone else it felt wrong. In SPD only Bridge’s powers were of any major use and nobody used those powers in Ranger form because the Japanese footage didn’t use them. They pretty much disappeared (unless you count the Power Symbols in Samurai but they actually get used in both forms) after Operation Overdrive, probably the worse abuser of the concept. (Sadly not their biggest mistake.)
• I also wonder how big Tommy’s secret lab is when the future Rangers fell into it all the way back at the museum. Or does Tommy just live closer to the museum than it looks?
• I’ll get into the characters when Lewis does, in part two tomorrow, but the costume for Mesogog looks pretty cool, even if the mouth isn’t nearly as believable as Doggy Cruger’s in SPD next season.
• I’m of two minds when it comes to the BioMegaZord. On the one hand it looks cool enough, but there is also the inherent flaw in the combination when there’s only three Rangers as it seems hard to decide where to put everyone (see also the Ninja Storm’s default/first MegaZord.) One Zord is of course the body, but one forms the arm while the third just becomes armor. Still it is better than the Storm MegaZord.
• I disagree about the costumes, though. The white areas, resembling bony plates found on certain species of dinosaur (not pterodactyls, mind you) kind of work for me. I like that the teams have individual logos, although it probably works better for the Sentai.
• I do love the intro (spoilers since this is from later in the season). It has a good beat and tells you how cool and crime-fighty the Dino Thunder Rangers are without getting into “worship” levels.

• Seeing that “Lost in Translation” episode makes me wish Cin Wicked and Joshua The Anarchist had continued their comparison of the Sentai and Ranger versions.

Next Time: Tommy battles his past selves, a love triangle you didn’t know existed gets resolved, and the traditional crossover with the past team, as Lothor returns to wreak havoc with both the Ninja Storm and Dino Thunder Rangers. Join us tomorrow.