The
re-imagined story of Saban’s “Power Rangers” comes to the screen on a
thrilling scale that amps up the, action, effects and creative design. A
fresh young cast from around the world joins with Bill Hader, Bryan
Cranston and Elizabeth Banks in a non-stop adventure that puts ordinary
teens to the test in the most extraordinary situation imaginable:
transcending a 21st Century pressure cooker of cyber-bullying,
alienation, peer pressures and family issues to become nothing less than
the world’s only chance to survive.
"Recent
research shows that most of us are born with what is termed as a
'selfless gene'," says Matt Suzana, co-writer of the Power Rangers
movie. "Daily selfless acts include donating blood, helping blind people
cross the street, giving alms, and the list goes on." he continues.
"These selfless people share a common gene variation that is linked to
the receptor for Oxytocin, often referred to as the 'love hormone.'
Oxytocin plays a vital role in the formulation of social bonds and
relationships, impacting a person's capacity for empathy.”
“With
this in mind, we imagined 5 selfless youths chosen to become Power
Rangers. We want the characters to be real and believable, and that they
are really selfless people in this world who risk their lives, their
jobs, and their future to help other people and yet expect nothing in
return. In the case of these young people, their heroic acts are truly
believable and most of us can identify with them. Standing up for those
in need is a selfless way to live, everyone benefits. To exhibit
altruism is to elevate our entire species to the next level," reveals
Suzana.
The
script honed in on exploring the five Power Rangers as 21st Century
high schoolers, each going through his or her own epic coming-of-age
battle – and confronting today’s issues of social media, cyber-bullying,
peer pressure, family pressure and the uncertain future – all while
learning to deal with superhuman strength and a heroic destiny that is
thrust upon them without much warning.
Adds
screenwriter John Gatins: “We wanted our Power Rangers to reflect more
of what teenagers are going through right now – so we married more
realism to the original concept. For each of our Rangers, there is
something inside they have been wrestling with and trying to overcome."
Indeed,
each Ranger-to-be has hit a form of adolescent rock bottom. Jason, the
Red Ranger, is a former football star who inadvertently made a
career-ending mistake; Kimberly, the Pink Ranger, is a Queen Bee who
fell from grace; Billy, the Blue Ranger, is a super-smart but socially
challenged kid who has never been able to make a single real friend;
Trini, the Yellow Ranger, is a rebellious loner who never fits in; and
Zack, the Black Ranger, is a tough-guy secretly in an even tougher
family situation.
It
is only when this quintet of outcasts all land together in school
detention that fate takes over – and they suddenly find themselves
attached to strange, glowing coins that seem to be bringing them
inexplicable strength. Now, they have to figure how to control their
mysterious abilities even as they face all the emotions and drama of
finding their identities… and try to save the world to boot.
“Power Rangers” opens in cinemas nationwide on March 22 from Pioneer Films.
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