Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

Without a doubt in my mind, everybody watched at least one time the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: series when he was young. And when the movie was released, I couldn't help but feel young (actually I was young too) and immediately noticed the stunning special effects, rather entertaining level of adventure, supported through good music. Yet until now, I simply went for the album and I will not regret this for the rest of my life since this score is basically the best coming of Revell in like forever. A totally different sounding score like we would accustom to someone like Revell, its a stunning palette of orchestral and choral music that takes you by surprise but more, leaves you gasping for air because of its excellent orchestral music. This is not pure complex music but music that takes the breath away from you because of its power and energy. And for that, this score is an outstanding surprise. Still, to this day I feel somewhat that this score doesn't totally fit with the movie but then in a good way since you weren't expecting a thing from either movie or composer. And Mighty Morphin Power Rangers presents the goods on all levels. From its themes to the great action music to the stunning choral beauty to the energy of the second part of the score, leaving you more then once without a breath of fresh air. Graeme Revell delivered movie music that takes even the big devoted fan by surprise and his collection of just 36 minutes is orchestrally ripping and big, adventurously big.

The score has several themes, there is the mystery main theme that works on all levels and appears when the Power Rangers are with Zordon or simply together, opening 'The Great Power' with its whirling strings and choir. There is also the baddy theme, somewhat a menacing kiddie version but fitting for Ooze's character nonetheless, opening the second part after choral moments in 'Ivan Ooze' and in the begin of 'Metamorphicons Confront the Rangers' setting its mark firmly good. But the best theme is the theme for the power and magic of the Ninjetti, exploding with absolute divvying choral beauty in 'Summoning the Ninjetti' and take it from me, the choral scope is brilliant. But there are other great tracks, 'Dulcea to the Rescue' is a 1 minute rollercoaster ride with first an over an top adventurous theme for Dulcea (in Warriors of Virtue like fashion) before the Ninjetti theme explodes briefly later with orchestral momentum. Or the action music which is as enjoyable as we have heard it from Revell, 'Battle with the Gatekeepers' is stunning in the way it uses orchestral rhythm with tension like movements, watch out for the Horner fanfares on 1.55 and a closing tension like orchestral movement that takes its intelligence right out the book of the track 'Belly of the Steal Beast' final tension movement of Last of the Crusade. But the heroic statements are also good, like the first minute in 'The Megazord Battle' before orchestral tension music takes your breath away, literally because of the powerful music.

The choral impending doom march in '"Leap to our Doom"' opens it wonderfully before the heroic music takes over again, once more leaving you gasping for air. The Dulcea heroic theme takes its best side in 'Power Rangers Triumph' and is orchestral all the way. The main theme with whirling strings signals the final track 'Zordon is Saved' but then, when you heard it all, the choir supports its one final time and the effect is even stunning then before, signaling of a brilliant ride. The second time I heard this score, I was gasping for air all the way, simply because I wanted to sing the entire tracks from start to bottom, which means that Revell's score is top notch entertainment. Sure it feels somewhat kiddie like but the effect is that its being enjoyed by young as adult. Mighty Morphin Power Rangers is a thrilling orchestral ride, covering the best moments I heard of Revell in a long time, with amazing Abyss like choral support (the begin track has choral music so reminiscent to Silvestri's favorite), and the score above all has a palette of themes that sound not too complex but entertaining anyway you want it or not. I knew I liked the music in the movie when I was a kid but this sure takes you by surprise. If you want orchestral complexity try Warriors of Virtue but a little less complex but a orchestral top more of deployment surely leads you to Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, an adventure score full of surprises, great to listen to themes, orchestral supported all the way (even the tension music) and proves once and for all that Revell has what it takes to shake us with orchestral amazement if he wants too. If Tomb Raider got what this score only exhibits of orchestral potential, he would be what Howard Shore now is for many fans.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Prologue (0.58)

2. Ivan Ooze (2.07)

3. The Great Power (2.16)

4. The Tengu's Attack (1.35)

5. Zordon Is Dying (1.50)

6. The Rangers On Phaedos (1.17)

7. Dulcea To The Rescue (0.58) Excellent Track

8. Journey To The Plateau (1.25)

9. Summoning The Ninjetti (3.26) Excellent Track

10. Jurassic Ride (2.56)

11. The Monolith (1.26)

12. Battle With The Gatekeepers (3.45)

13. Metamorphicons Confront The Rangers (2.22)

14. The Megazord Battle (2.12)

15. "Leap To Our Doom" (1.46)

16. Power Rangers Triumph (1.27) Excellent Track

17. Freddy To The Rescue (0.58)

18. Zordon Is Saved (2.36) Excellent Track

Total Length: 35.33

The use of artwork or photos is posted for non profitable reasons

=== Link to Composer Site: Graeme Revell ===