MMPR 2010 logo.

A Pressing Engagement

Revisiting Power Rangers compares, frame-by-frame, the original airings of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (which ran on Fox Kids in 1993) with the reversioned airings (which ran on ABC Kids in 2010), seeking to document any striking visual differences between the two.

For the most part, it is left to the fan to form their own personal opinions on this reversioning.

Watch the complete reversioned versions on YouTube.  (off-site link)

Today on Power Rangers:

Establishment shot of the exterior of the Youth Center. Focus on wall art on Youth Center interior wall as people walk by the camera, pan to Ernie with red drink, sandwich, and oversized napkin tucked in collar, counting.

Original: Establishment shot is a wide shot of the Youth Center entrance showing a woman in pink passing in front of a red car parking behind a truck, a girl in blue walking by and waving at a guy who getting out of the car.

Reversion: Establishment shot starts 147 frames later and is a slow zoom in on Youth Center sign on the building exterior, no sign of anyone around. Shot fades into interior scene which has already started.

Jason continues to do benchpresses, uncrossing his legs, while Ernie takes a bite of his sandwich and Kimberly walks in from our right.

Original: Weight plates are branded “BOLLINGER BARBELL” (Bollinger & Scott Iron Weights was a credited health equipment provider on the show).

Reversion: Weight plates are blurred so branding can’t be read.

Close up of Rita alone near railing, saying “It’s time to finish them, once and for all” before turning to our left and walking off to the workshop. Camera fades to black in to commercial break.

Reversion: As camera fades to black, cut to Finster rubbing chin and pondering. Frame shrinks to reveal blue plaid background, as cartoon thought bubble appears above Finster’s head. Inside thought bubble, King Sphinx turns around to face camera. Pan right to another frame foreshadowing Red Ranger striking King Sphinx with Power Sword, ducking under Sphinx’s staff, then getting struck with it. As Red and Sphinx lock weapons, pan right to another frame foreshadowing stadium seats as Squatt & Baboo fade in, applauding, then fades to black. Transition to Finster starts 19 frames before original fade to black

Close on Bulk’s rear end as he recoils and bends over slightly, splitting his jeans.

Reversion: A comic-style “RIIIIIP!” in pink lettering over a blue starburst covers the split, itself then ripping in half.

Bulk freezes in place, as Jason turns toward him, laughing slightly. Skull chews gum while smiling, seemingly enjoying Bulk’s comeuppance.

Reversion: Second scene is completely cut from the reversion. Seemingly as a result, first scene has last frame cut.

Skull points at Bulk, then quickly runs off-screen to our left. Bulk attempts to pursue, but as he leans into the first step, the jeans wrapped around his ankles cause him to fall to the ground with a thud.

Reversion: Shot appears within a skull-and-crossbones border, with frame shaking as Bulk hits the ground.

Close on Ernie holding a tray with three drinks, asking the teens where they’re going, then shaking his head in disbelief and briefly laughing to himself as he begins to set tray down. Kimberly enters the Youth Center hallway from our left, looking to see if there is anyone around. Jason enters from our left, raises communicator and speaks. Zack enters from our left, listening. Jason lowers wrist as all three listen to Zordon, continuing to look around to make sure no one is around.

Reversion: Additional commercial break inserted - fade to black as Ernie laughs with final four frames cut. Fade from black to inserted shot as camera zooms in on Youth Center exterior sign. 59 frames cut from beginning of hallway shot.

A stylized lightning bolt drops in from the top of the screen, causing lightning to crackle once it hits its final destination.

Original: Lightning bolt is from 1993 MMPR logo.

Reversion: Lightning bolt is from 2010 MMPR logo.

White flash. Red Ranger free falls away from a skyscraper.

Reversion: At conclusion, scene freezes and six red beams emerge from lower right over the screen as a phantom Tyrannosaurus Dinozord rises straight up on the left half of the screen amid smoke. Runs 27 frames longer.

Black Ranger free falls from the sky in city.

Reversion: Near conclusion, scene freezes and five gray beams emerge from lower left over the screen as a phantom Mastodon Dinozord stomps along on the right half of the screen. Runs 28 frames longer.

Pink Ranger free falls near office building.

Reversion: At conclusion, scene freezes as multiple blue beams emerge from center pink hearts behind Pink Ranger and rotate clockwise as a phantom Pterodactyl Dinozord soars downward on the right half of the screen. Runs 30 frames longer.

Rita’s Wand passes through the atmosphere.

Reversion: Scene is removed in its entirety.

Original: Red Ranger, sword in hand, rolls to our right and kinda hides behind a small bit of debris. Camera fades to black in to commercial break.

Reversion: Split Black Mastodon coin logo forms after coming in from left and right sides. Quick fade to black and a crude Mastodon-shape-cutout, showing Zack skateboarding in the Youth Center, then Zack dancing while battling Putties, then the Black Ranger holding a Putty by the head and flipping it as camera zooms in and he points at it. Frame shrinks to center on black background.

Exterior of Billy’s house, blue van passes by. In Bily’s Garage, Billy and Trini are standing together as Zack and Kimberly run in from our left to let them know Jason is in trouble.

Reversion: First scene is completely cut from the reversion. Seemingly as a result, second scene has first frame cut.

Slow zoom in on Red Ranger, as he stands up on cliffside talking and holding four crystals of his teammates out before winding up to pitch them.

Reversion: Saturation of blue background is increased, creating a white halo around Red Ranger.

Tyrannosaurus Dinozord’s head slowly rises from the molten red ground.

Reversion: Alternate cut of source scene which begins 25 frames later and ends 23 frames later. Comic-style narration box slides in on lower left, reading “Red Ranger Tyrannosaurus!”.

Close up of Tyrannosaurus Dinozord’s hands as it rises up.

Reversion: Alternate cut of source scene which ends two frames earlier.

Mastodon Dinozord surfaces from its icy domain.

Reversion: Comic-style narration box slides in on lower left, reading “Black Ranger Mastodon!”.

Triceratops Dinozord appears within the sands of the desert.

Reversion: Comic-style narration box slides in on lower left, reading “Blue Ranger Triceratops!”.

Sabertooth Tiger Dinozord sprints through the jungle. Sabertooth Tiger Dinozord opens its mouth in a close up then leaps out of the greenery.

Reversion: Intial shot is a different, closer angle on the zord and runs five frames shorter. Third shot ends twenty-one frames earlier and inserts additional shot of Sabertooth Tiger roaring.

A volcano erupts.

Reversion: Comic-style narration box slides in on lower left, reading “Pink Ranger Pterodactyl!”.

Red Ranger, looking upward, gestures arm then leaps up.

Reversion: Saturation of blue background is increased, creating a white halo around Red Ranger.

Red Ranger lands on top of Tyrannosaurus Dinozord’s head then drops inside.

Reversion: Saturation of blue background is increased, creating a white halo around Red Ranger, Tyrannosaurus Dinozord, and landscape.

Megazord Tank Mode rumbles forth.

Reversion: Comic-style narration box slides in on lower left, reading “Megazord Tank Mode!”.

In front of King Sphinx, Goldar charges up sword and fires beam of flaming power.

Reversion: Saturation of blue background is increased, creating a white halo around Goldar, King Sphinx, and landscape.

King Sphinx & Goldar get blasted.

Reversion: Saturation of blue background is increased, creating a white halo around Goldar, King Sphinx, and the landscape.

Megazord Tank Mode, in a darkened shot, fires colored energy from each Zord. King Sphinx & Goldar get blasted again, more directly in their chests this time. Repeat of the last shot from a closer angle, sparkily blast flaring out the screen at the end.

Reversion: Saturation of blue background is increased, creating white halos around Megazord Tank Mode, Goldar, King Sphinx, and the landscape.

Goldar raises sword above head and strikes at screen.

Reversion: Saturation of blue background is increased, creating a white halo around Goldar and landscape.

Megazord Tank Mode folds up into body of the standing Megazord.

Reversion: First 23 frames cut. Beginning with fourth-to-last frame, multiple white beams emerge from center behind the now-standing Megazord and rotate clockwise as a static fireball rises from bottom-to-top in front of a yellow, roughly-painted surface. Ends 23 frames later.

Megazord knocks aside King Sphinx’s staff then knocks aside Goldar’s sword, before backhanding him twice sparkily before turning to the lunging King.

Reversion: Saturation of blue background is increased, creating a white halo around Megazord, Goldar, King Sphinx, and landscape.

Goldar bounds back to his feet and swings sword back to the ready.

Reversion: Saturation of blue background is increased, creating a white halo around Goldar and landscape.

Goldar readies sword in right hand and begins to strike.

Reversion: Saturation of blue background is increased, creating a white halo around Goldar and landscape.

Goldar slashes Megazord sparkily a few times, before the giant robot strikes him in the chest, and he prepares to strike back.

Reversion: Saturation of blue background is increased, creating a white halo around Megazord, Goldar, and landscape.

Close up of Goldar, lowering sword and gesturing arms in anger as smoke floats behind him. Megazord Tank Mode drives at camera. Close on Goldar being blasted. Goldar is thrown to the ground, causing a quaking.

Reversion: Saturation of blue background is increased, creating a white halo around Goldar and landscape.

Warning! The video clip above violates the three-flashes-per-second rule and as a result may cause seizures in those with photosensitive epilepsy.

King Sphinx runs over to Goldar’s side as he gets back on his feet, then turns to face enemy. Megazord’s eyes flash and horns surge with power, zoom out as it leans forth and fires beam of red and blue power from horns. King Sphinx and the still-not-yet-fully-back-up Goldar get sparkily blasted, the explosion compounding until screen goes white.

Reversion: Saturation of blue background is increased, creating a white halo around Goldar, King Sphinx, Megazord, and landscape.

Megazord is slowly walking toward green bushes when it looks up and to our left, surprised. King Sphinx leaps up and aims staff down to strike. King Sphinx misses Megazord when landing, then gets his next staff strike blocked, before finally being repeatedly hit before finally getting sparkily punched away. King Sphinx rolls back to his feet and stands undeterred. Megazord puts arms into battle ready position.

Reversion: Saturation of blue background is increased, creating white halos around Megazord, King Sphinx, and the landscape.

Zoom out from Goldar as he attacks Megazord with sword twice but it blocks each blow, only to be struck by a right leg kick.

Reversion: Saturation of blue background is increased, creating a white halo around Megazord, Goldar, and landscape.

Giant King Sphinx begins to flap his wings. Close up of King Sphinx’s right flapping wing. Close up of King Sphinx’s left flapping wing. Giant King Sphinx continues to flap his wings. Close up of Megazord resisting the intense wind-gust being blown at it.

Reversion: Saturation of blue background is increased, creating a white halo around King Sphinx and Megazord.

Giant King Sphinx continues to flap his wings.

Reversion: Saturation of blue background is increased, creating a white halo around King Sphinx.

King Sphinx shudders in fear.

Reversion: Saturation of blue background is increased, creating a white halo around King Sphinx.

King Sphinx shivers and cowers.

Reversion: Saturation of blue background is increased, creating a white halo around King Sphinx. In final frame, the lower parts of King Sphinx’s torso and wings turn yellow.

Zoom out as Goldar gestures left arm, switches sword from right hand to left, then raises right and vanishes completely.

Reversion: Saturation of blue background is increased, creating a white halo around Goldar and landscape.

Jason resumes his benchpresses, in front of Zack, Billy, Kimberly, and other onlookers.

Original: Weight plates are branded “BOLLINGER BARBELL”.

Reversion: Weight plates are blurred so branding is obscured.

Close-on Jason, doing a single benchpress.

Original: An unidentified bystander in the background is wearing Nike shoes, featuring the familiar swoosh.

Reversion: Unidentified bystander’s shoes are blurred to obscure branding.

Jason resumes his benchpresses, in front of Zack, Billy, Kimberly, and other onlookers, Zack signaling with fingers that he has two more to go.

Original: Weight plates are branded “BOLLINGER BARBELL”.

Reversion: Weight plates are blurred so branding is obscured.

Jason completes his benchpresses, in front of Zack, Billy, Kimberly, Trini, and other onlookers, as the crowd reacts in excitement, with Trini and some others jumping.

Original: Weight plates are branded “BOLLINGER BARBELL”.

Reversion: Weight plates are blurred so branding is obscured.

Jason, sitting up slightly, lays back down on weight bench, holding Trini’s hand, Zack grabbing and shaking his other hand, as the bystanders start to disperse.

Original: Weight plates are branded “BOLLINGER BARBELL”.

Reversion: Weight plates are blurred so branding is obscured.

Bulk’s right foot connects with a pile of weights, causing him to begin to trip.

Original: Weight equipment in the background is branded “PRO-FORM”.

Reversion: Weight equipment in the background is erased. As Bulk begins to trip, a comic-style “TRIP!” in blue lettering grows from the point of contact, with the first letter then falling over to the left as Bulk trips. End credits run over bottom half of frame during final scenes of the episode, rather than the :30 second outro.

Bulk stumbles forward, finally falling face and raised arms into a cake.

Reversion: As Bulk hits the cake, a comic-style “SPLAT” in yellow lettering in front of rounded starbust grows and shrinks in the middle of the screen. End credits continue running over bottom half of frame.

Close-on Bulk, slowly raising head out of cake as Skull appears, pointing and laughing. Bulk balls up some of the cake and smashes it into Skull’s face.

Reversion: End credits continue running over bottom half of frame.

Bulk slowly lowers hand, smearing Skull’s face with cake, as Jason and the others laugh in the background. Freeze frame.

Original: After freeze frame, Executive Producers credit fades in over center of frame. Fade to black at end.

Reversion: End credits continue running over bottom half of frame. Scene shatters from the center, revealing main characters cut-out from textured background, yellow skull in upper-left corner. As scene slightly rotates, white splatter dots appear in background as pieces of the shattered picture continue to fall in front. Fade to black starts earlier. Ends 15 frames early.

Episode Segment Lengths
Airing“Today on Power Rangers”Opening CreditsEpisodeEnding CreditsTotal
Original00:3001:0218:4400:3120:47
Reversion00:3001:0218:5700:0420:34

Thanks to SirStack’s Morphylogeny  (off-site link) for the use of some clip descriptions.