Power Stone - Battle Training! (Vol 2)
from Adv Films
This 1999 TV series careens along in the second quartet of episodes. Heir and "fighter-in-training" Falcon travels to Wood Land (a thinly disguised China), followed by samurai Ryoma--plus fortuneteller Rouge, the circus acrobat-ninja troupe, and pirates Octo and Pus. Falcon befriends chef and martial artist Wang Tang, who transforms into a blond warrior via the third Power Stone. Ryoma and Falcon join Wang Tang at a temple-dojo headed by a monk who offers fortune cookie pronouncements in a voice reminiscent of old Charlie Chan movies. This martial arts comedy is aimed at a younger audience than the game it's based on, and the battles have been reduced to brief slapstick encounters that lack excitement. The situations aren't much sillier than Ranma 1/2, but the characters lack depth, so there's little reason to care about them. Unrated; suitable for ages 9 and up: Cartoon violence, ethnic stereotypes. --Charles Solomon
As the search for the mysterious power stones continues, young adventurer Edward Falcon finds himself in serious girl trouble with the beautiful Cassie. But is she after Falcon's heart—or his powerstone? Then, when Falcon's father sends him another stone with a surprising power, it leads to an exciting battle with the warrior Wang Tang. Falcon then sets off for the mysterious Mt. Min-min to steal a magical eagle's egg. And if you think that's training for battle, just wait until the unsuspecting heroes meet up with a giant black octopus and the metal-clawed, skeleton-faced pirate, Kraken!
Power Stone - Dangerous Journeys (Vol. 3)
from Adv Films
Young adventurer Edward Falcon's dangerous quest to locate more of the mysterious power stones heats up as he journeys to Fire Land. Accompanied by Ryoma and the beautiful fortune teller Rouge, Falcon is forced to make his way through the treacherous volcanic terrain to find another of these powerful magic rocks. But soon it's out of the frying pan and into an ice storm as Falcon travels to Cold Land to find his father, Pride Falcon. To make matters worse, Falcon finds himself buried in an avalanche of trouble when he arrives at Mystery Mountain.
Power Stone - Mystery of the Stones (Vol. 1)
from Adv Films
The first four episodes of the TV series based on the popular video game are set in a vaguely turn-of-the-century London. The son of a wealthy archeologist, Falcon dreams of becoming the champion "fighter" of the world. When the whiny old family retainer brings him a mysterious gem, Falcon plunges into a conflict involving such curious characters as Rouge the fortuneteller, Ryoma the samurai, a living mummy, a troupe of ninja spies disguised as circus acrobats (including a transvestite star), and Octo and Pus, the Team Rocket of the series. Although Falcon remains ignorant of the stone's true power, it enables him to transform into a scarlet mecha version of himself. In either form, he comes across as a supercilious and not particularly likable hero. Power Stone is a fighting game, but the action in the animated version is minimal and cartoony. Rated 12 Up: Cartoon violence. --Charles Solomon
Power Stone - Friends & Enemies (Vol. 5)
from Adv Films
The filmmakers seem to lose track of the plot in the penultimate collection of the 1999 series based on a popular video game. With the help of Garuda the Indian brave, Falcon, Ryoga, Rouge, and Ayame unmask the schemes of a crooked sheriff in Soil Land. They proceed to Aqua Land where they defeat Octo, Pus, and Kraken at Fort Skull--then allow the villains they've been fighting for 20 episodes to escape. Later, Rogue's Power Stone is stolen by a two-headed version of Cerberus that attacks with its icy breath. The monster is linked to Valgas, the fighter who is Falcon's hero, but episode 21 seems rather late to be introducing a new villain. The pseudo-French and -British accents and the stereotypic depiction of the Indians may offend some viewers. Rated 12 Up: Cartoon violence, ethnic stereotypes, tobacco use, minor risqué humor. --Charles Solomon
Power Stone - The Search Continues (Vol. 4)
from Adv Films
As this game-based adventure continues, Kraken somehow uses his Power Stone to focus the sun's rays, causing a heat wave and drought in Moonland. When Edward Falcon and Ryoga fight Kraken, his Stone flies to Ayami of the ninja circus troop and becomes hers. Mummy-like Jack Winslow returns after an absence of several episodes to disturb the gang's voyage to Soil Land. In this strange place, which resembles the Old West, they encounter an Indian brave who possesses a Power Stone. The filmmakers seem to be assembling a warrior team along the lines of the Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers, but they're building the team out of former enemies: Ayami switches from would-be thief to comrade a little too casually. Some viewers may find the accents in the English dub and the designs of the ethnic characters offensive. Rated 12 Up: Cartoon violence, ethnic stereotypes, and minor risqué humor. --Charles Solomon
As the quest for the enigmatic Power Stones continues, young adventurer Edward Falcon arrives in the castle town of Moon Land, only to find the once flowering city ravaged by drought. The drought isn't natural, however--it's supernatural--and caused by a very dangerous enemy! Then, Falcon and his comrades-in-arms--Ryoma, Rouge, Ayame, and Mitsue--must conquer a giant glacier as they continue their search for Edward's father in Soil Land. Things look pretty grim for our heroes! So grim, in fact, it seems even Power Stones might not be enough to save them from impending doom!
Power Stone - The Last Battlefield (Vol. 6)
from Adv Films
This game-based comedy-adventure reaches a rather protracted conclusion with the reappearance of Octo, Pus, and the mummylike Jack, and the introduction of two additional Power Stones. After a great deal of agonizing, Falcon concedes that his hero Valgas is responsible for the theft of the Stones belonging to Rouge, Ryoma, and Wang Tang. The team proceeds to the unknown island of Dark Land, where they defeat Valgas and his henchmen in a brief and visually unimpressive battle. Bringing the Stones together is supposed to grant any wish the possessor makes, but neither Falcon nor anyone else in the group asks for anything. The Stones scatter like the Dragon Balls, presumably until someone else reassembles them, and the characters return to their prior occupations and duties. The animation is the most limited in recent memory. Rated 12 Up: Cartoon violence, ethnic stereotypes, tobacco use, brief nudity, and minor risqué humor. --Charles Solomon
Power Stone (5 Pack) Volume 1 - 5
Volume 1: Mystery of the Stones - 100 Min Volume 2: Battle Training! - 100 Min Volume 3: Dangerous Journeys - 125 Min Volume 4: The Search Continues - 100 Min Volume 5: Friends & Enemies - 100 Min
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