Martial Arts

Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie

The Power Rangers race to save the planet from evil space aliens.
Genre: Children's Video
Rating: NR
Release Date: 14-DEC-2004
Media Type: DVD

If you're five to eight years old, get with some of your buddies, eat two bowls of Fruity Pebbles, scarf three packets of Pop Rocks, and snap your synapses into Power-Ranger Elysium with Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie. If you're a parent and you don't know a Zord from a Zordon, get ready for one and a half hours (yep, one and a half hours) of enough mass marketing and mindless mayhem to destroy any resistance to the overt "buy this toy" messages contained therein. The evil Divatox, a busty space "piratess," kidnaps two former Power Rangers and it's up to the new Rangers to save their friends from becoming human sacrifices to an evil monster. The Rangers' leader, Zordon (who thinks up these names?), gives the new crew added "turbo" powers and presents them with their new Zords--turbo-powered cars. What's never explained is why there are former Power Rangers: do they get drummed out for not morphing (or morphing too much), or do the Rangers maintain the same policy as the once-famous Latino pop band, Menudo (replacing members once they get too old). There's an inordinate amount of the fake kung-fu kicking that made the TV show popular, and the villains are grotesque; but they're just shrieking punching bags. But the thought that Turbo is basically "the next generation" of Power Rangers is enough send chills up any parent's back. That's why kids love them so. --Keith Simanton

Around the World in 80 Days (Widescreen Edition)

The 2004 version of Around the World in 80 Days is an entertaining hodge-podge of adventure, comedy, and scenery from across the globe. Phileas Fogg (Steve Coogan, 24 Hour Party People), an obsessively precise inventor, bets that he can circumnavigate the planet in 80 days--considered impossible in the Victorian era. In this version, Jackie Chan plays a Chinese peasant who retrieves a stolen idol from the Bank of England, then convinces Fogg to hire him as a French valet so that Chan can get back to his village. Chan supplies numerous spectacular fights against the forces trying to stop Fogg or get the idol, while Coogan is both funny and a surprisingly appealing romantic lead (he flirts with a fetching French painter who joins them). The various episodes--featuring cameos by Arnold Schwarzenegger, John Cleese, Owen Wilson, and Sammo Hung--are uneven, but a goofy good cheer prevails. --Bret Fetzer

Get ready for phenomenal fun, spectacular adventures, and nonstop action as hilarious megastar Jackie Chan (SHANGHAI NOON, SHANGHAI KNIGHTS) dares to do what no one has done before — beat the clock in a race around the world. Traveling the globe by land, sea, air, and even in-line skates, Chan and his buddies are greeted with impossible obstacles at every planned and unplanned stop along the way, making their fantastically speedy voyage more frantic and heart-pounding than ever! Filled with amazing stunts, humor, and the importance of friendship and following your dreams, AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS is one trip the whole family will enjoy taking together.

3 Ninjas Kick Back

Samurai Jack - The Premiere Movie

The graphically inventive feature that introduced the Cartoon Network series owes as much to the cartoons of UPA and Chuck Jones as it does to anime. The title character is a prince whose family has fought the evil demon Aku for control of their fanciful Asian kingdom for ages. During an intense battle, Jack is hurled into a future city ruled by Aku and his henchmen-robots. After aiding some talking dogs, Jack vows to continue his struggle against Aku and return to own time. The angular, minimal visuals are effective and eclectic: Aku's face is modeled on Sri Lankan demon masks, and the characters move in ways that fit their stylized designs. Unfortunately, the writing falls short of the visuals--the talking dogs would feel more at home in a "Ren and Stimpy" cartoon than in this imaginative adventure. Unrated. Suitable for ages 8 and older: cartoon violence. --Charles Solomon

In ancient Japan, a samurai warrior embarks on a mission to defeat the evil wizard Aku. Before completing his task, he is jetisoned thousands of years into the future. Suddenly, he discovers he is in a world where Aku now enjoys complete power over every living thing. Taking on the name Jack, he sets out on a quest to free the future from Aku's grasp and to find a way back to his own time so he can destroy the evil for good.

3 Ninjas Knuckle Up

Warriors of Virtue

Summon your courage, unleash your imagination and prepare for an adventure beyond your wildest dreams. Featuring incredible special effects, thrilling martial-arts action and nonstop adventure, Warriors of Virtue is a dazzling film and "excellent family entertainment" (Paul Wunder, WBAI)! The journey begins when young Ryan (Mario Yedidia), a typical teen, is swept into very unusual circumstances. After an innocent dare goes wrong, Ryan is magically transported to Tao, a beautiful fantasy land whose sole lifespring is defended by the brave, kangaroo-like, kung fu-fighting Warriors of Virtue. But the Warriors may have met their match in an evil warlord named Komodo (Angus MacFadyen) who wants Tao's lifespring for his very own. Can the Warriors stop him before Tao is lost forever? Only if Ryan can find the power within himself to put an end to all the evil.

Around the World in 80 Days (Full Screen Edition)

The 2004 version of Around the World in 80 Days is an entertaining hodge-podge of adventure, comedy, and scenery from across the globe. Phileas Fogg (Steve Coogan, 24 Hour Party People), an obsessively precise inventor, bets that he can circumnavigate the planet in 80 days--considered impossible in the Victorian era. In this version, Jackie Chan plays a Chinese peasant who retrieves a stolen idol from the Bank of England, then convinces Fogg to hire him as a French valet so that Chan can get back to his village. Chan supplies numerous spectacular fights against the forces trying to stop Fogg or get the idol, while Coogan is both funny and a surprisingly appealing romantic lead (he flirts with a fetching French painter who joins them). The various episodes--featuring cameos by Arnold Schwarzenegger, John Cleese, Owen Wilson, and Sammo Hung--are uneven, but a goofy good cheer prevails. --Bret Fetzer

Get ready for phenomenal fun, spectacular adventures, and nonstop action as hilarious megastar Jackie Chan (SHANGHAI NOON, SHANGHAI KNIGHTS) dares to do what no one has done before — beat the clock in a race around the world. Traveling the globe by land, sea, air, and even in-line skates, Chan and his buddies are greeted with impossible obstacles at every planned and unplanned stop along the way, making their fantastically speedy voyage more frantic and heart-pounding than ever! Filled with amazing stunts, humor, and the importance of friendship and following your dreams, AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS is one trip the whole family will enjoy taking together.

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers The Movie / Turbo - A Power Rangers Movie

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