Digest

This podcast episode offers a deep dive into the 1995 "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers" movie, dissecting its plot, characters, and underlying themes through an intersectional feminist perspective. The hosts, joined by guest Carlos Camacho, explore the film's nostalgic appeal, its reliance on Japanese footage, and its merchandising strategies. A significant portion of the discussion focuses on the franchise's problematic history, including a labor dispute that led to the replacement of original actors, Haim Saban's business practices, and the impact of non-union labor on actor safety. The analysis extends to racial representation, highlighting criticisms of casting decisions and the portrayal of Black and Asian characters. Gender roles and stereotypes are also scrutinized, with particular attention paid to the unequal screen time and character development of female Rangers like Kimberly and Aisha. The episode critiques the movie's plot holes, character depth, and adherence to 90s gender tropes, ultimately assessing it using the "Bechtelcast Nipples Scale" to evaluate its feminist merits. The discussion also touches on the villain Ivan Ooze, the character of Zordon, and the lasting impact of the franchise's representation.

Outlines

00:00:00

Introduction and Podcast Overview

The podcast begins with hosts Carissa Thompson and Erin introducing themselves and the podcast's focus on analyzing movies through an intersectional feminist lens. They welcome their guest, Carlos Camacho, a returning guest with a PhD in sociology and host of "The Horror Agenda" podcast.

00:05:37

Personal Histories with Power Rangers

The hosts and guest share their personal histories and nostalgic connections to the Power Rangers franchise, recalling childhood memories and experiences with merchandise.

00:09:09

Favorite Characters and Early Impressions of Power Rangers

The discussion covers favorite characters like Bulk and Skull, and Alpha 5, along with initial impressions of the Power Rangers. Jamie shares her early, limited exposure and association with WWE.

00:11:54

The "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers" Movie: Initial Thoughts and Adaptation

The hosts begin discussing the "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers" movie, noting its iconic moments and low-budget charm. They explain the show's origin as a licensed adaptation of the Japanese "Super Sentai" series and the use of Japanese footage.

00:17:19

Movie Discussion: Plot, Lines, and Merchandising

The podcast returns to the Power Rangers movie, focusing on its plot, iconic lines, character design, and its strong connection to merchandising. The lack of parental involvement and character dynamics are also explored.

00:19:35

Movie Recap and Non-Canonical Elements

A recap of the movie's plot is provided, highlighting its action focus and minimal narrative. The hosts discuss the opening exposition and its non-canonical status compared to the TV series.

00:24:04

Merchandising, Zords, and Character Introductions

The hosts analyze the Power Rangers' character design and its link to merchandising, noting limitations in personality development. They discuss the Zords and introduce the main characters and their colors.

00:25:51

Ivan Ooze's Introduction and Impact

The villain Ivan Ooze is introduced, a new character to the Power Rangers canon. The hosts praise Paul Freeman's performance as Ivan Ooze, considering it a standout element of the movie.

00:30:34

Production, Ivan Ooze's Plan, and Minions

The discussion touches on the movie being shot in Australia, pointing out production flaws. Ivan Ooze's plan to create minions and brainwash parents is detailed, with parallels drawn to the Jonestown massacre.

00:44:17

Journey to Phaedos and New Powers

On Planet Phaedos, the Power Rangers encounter rock monsters and receive new suits and Zords from a monolith, enabling their return to Earth to fight Ivan Ooze's giant robots.

00:46:44

Ivan Ooze's Defeat and Zordon's Fate

Ivan Ooze is lured into space and destroyed by a comet. The Power Rangers return to find Zordon dead, but later revive him using their animal spirit powers, leading to a celebration.

00:51:59

Soundtrack, 90s Vibe, and Female Ranger Representation

The hosts discuss the movie's soundtrack and its 90s feel. A deeper discussion begins on how female Power Rangers, Aisha and Kimberly, are often disadvantaged in fights and their character stereotypes.

00:54:01

Labor Dispute and Original Cast Departure

The absence of original Power Rangers from the movie due to a labor dispute with Haim Saban is detailed. The discussion covers the departure of actors of color and the franchise's handling of diversity.

00:56:41

Haim Saban's Business Practices and Actor Safety

Haim Saban's business practices are criticized, focusing on alleged exploitation of actors and unsafe working conditions for non-union actors, including Amy Jo Johnson's near-electrocution.

01:00:09

Casting Debates and Stereotypes

The hosts discuss the introduction of new characters, the racial component of casting, and debates surrounding the original casting of Black and Asian actors. Head writer Tony Oliver's comments about casting being a "mistake" are shared.

01:04:40

Actor Responses and Value of Representation

Walter Emanuel Jones' response to the "mistake" comment is shared, emphasizing the milestone of his role. The hosts discuss the significant value of representation provided by characters like Trini and Zach.

01:07:13

Original Ranger Departures and Homophobia

The anticlimactic departure of original Rangers is discussed, along with David Yost's (Billy Cranston) departure due to homophobic harassment from producers.

01:10:46

Actor's Experiences and Career Paths

Behind-the-scenes clips reveal an actor facing homophobic harassment, leading to his departure. Amy Jo Johnson's regrets about not supporting fired cast members and her current career as an indie film director are discussed.

01:12:19

Intersectionality of Gender and Race in Portrayals

The intersection of gender and race is analyzed, noting Kimberly's greater focus and screen time compared to Aisha. The portrayal of Black women and femininity is discussed, with Kimberly being more sexualized and Aisha neglected.

01:15:40

Character Arcs and Gendered Tropes in Action

Amy Jo Johnson's refusal to return for a new movie is discussed due to a negligible role. Gendered tropes extend to Zord sequences and fight scenes, where female Rangers are often in distress and require rescue.

01:20:46

Plot Issues, Parent Involvement, and Fred's Subplot

The discussion critiques plot inconsistencies, the Rangers' lack of urgency, and disregard for parents' safety. Fred's subplot and its effectiveness are questioned, with comparisons to Super Sentai's darker themes.

01:26:22

Memorable Lines and Pacing Discrepancies

Memorable lines from the movie are shared, and the pacing is critiqued, noting a discrepancy between stated urgency and the Rangers' slow actions on Planet Phaedos.

01:29:03

Ninja Powers, Canon, and Merchandise Franchises

The transition to ninja powers is discussed, comparing the movie's canon to the TV show. The franchise is placed in the context of merchandise-heavy international franchises and the US-Japan cultural exchange.

01:32:11

Rita Repulsa's Role and Ivan Ooze's Character

The limited role of Rita Repulsa is criticized, with a desire for her to join Ivan Ooze. Ivan Ooze is praised as a compelling character, while Rita's silencing is seen as problematic.

01:33:13

Bulk and Skull's Role and Fat Phobia

The characters Bulk and Skull are discussed, with criticism of their minimal role and the casual fat phobia present in their dialogue and portrayal.

01:35:50

Rita Repulsa's Origin and Zordon's Character Critiques

Rita Repulsa's origin story and motivation are detailed. Zordon is criticized for being a passive, creepy figure who exploits young people without compensation.

01:37:24

Zordon's Fate and CGI Aging

The differing fates of Zordon in the movie versus later TV seasons are discussed. The aging CGI in the movie is noted, with practical effects holding up better, but the movie still offers a fun, nostalgic experience.

01:40:42

Bechtel Test, Character Definition, and Female Interaction

The movie's passing of the Bechtel test is discussed, but the lack of distinct character definition for female Rangers is criticized. The absence of meaningful interaction between Kimberly and Aisha is highlighted.

01:42:42

Roger Ebert's Review and Overall Assessment

Roger Ebert's negative review is shared, criticizing the movie's lack of substance. The Bechtelcast Nipples Scale is applied, with the movie receiving low ratings due to gendered tropes, racial stereotypes, and fat phobia.

01:48:36

Bechtelcast Nipples Scale: Final Ratings and Justifications

Final ratings are given, with justifications including the damseling of female characters and the questionable powers of characters like Dulcia. Nipples are allocated to Aisha and Kimberly for their interactions and mutual rescues.

01:56:00

Guest's Podcast and Future Discussions

The guest plugs their podcast, "The Horror Agenda," and mentions a Reddit thread about "Slime, Sludge, and Goo in movies," suggesting future discussion topics.

01:57:43

Podcast Production and Credits

The podcast's production team, hosts, producers, editor, logo designer, theme song composer, and special thanks are listed, along with information on how to find more about the podcast.

Keywords

Q&A

• What is the origin of the Power Rangers franchise?

  The Power Rangers franchise originated as a licensed adaptation of the Japanese Super Sentai series, with the American adaptation, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, debuting in 1993.

• Why were some original Power Rangers actors replaced?

  Some original Power Rangers actors were replaced due to a labor dispute where actors sought a share of merchandising profits and union representation, which producers refused.

• What is the significance of "intersectional feminism" in the context of the podcast?

  Intersectional feminism is used to analyze how gender and race intersect within the Power Rangers narrative, examining representation, stereotypes, and power dynamics.

• What was the main criticism regarding the casting of the original Power Rangers?

  A significant criticism was the removal of the original Black and Yellow Rangers, played by Black and Asian actors, linked to a labor dispute and raising concerns about racial representation.

• Who is Ivan Ooze and what is his role in the movie?

  Ivan Ooze is a new villain in the 1995 "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers" movie, released from an egg to destroy Zordon and conquer Earth.

• What kind of harassment did an actor face on the Power Rangers set?

  An actor faced homophobic harassment, including being called "gay" by a crew member, which significantly impacted his experience with the franchise.

• How does the Power Rangers movie portray the intersection of gender and race?

  The movie gives more focus and screen time to the white character, Kimberly, compared to the Black character, Aisha, with Kimberly also having a love interest and more sexualized costuming.

• What are some of the gendered tropes present in the Power Rangers movie?

  Female Rangers are often depicted as damsels in distress needing rescue, screaming more frequently, and having stereotypical Zord sequences, reinforcing traditional gender roles.

• How is Zordon characterized and criticized in the discussion?

  Zordon is criticized for being a passive, creepy figure who exploits young people without compensation, and his past actions, like imprisoning Rita Repulsa, are questioned.

• What is the Bechtelcast Nipples Scale and how did the Power Rangers movie fare?

  The Bechtelcast Nipples Scale rates media on feminist merits. The Power Rangers movie received low ratings due to gendered tropes and stereotypes, though Rita Repulsa and Aisha received individual "nipples" for their presence.

Show Notes