MMPR 2010 logo.

Different Drum

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:

Billy falls on to a towel cart and rolls off-screen to our near left.

Reversion: A comic-style “KLUTZ” flies in from our right to land on the cart and then bounce off to our left, with each letter separating from the others and rotating slightly.

POV shot from on top of Billy as he flails arms about as the cart continues rolling forward and then turns nearly 180 degrees to its left

Reversion: Ends seventeen frames early.

Zack steps back and leans on the Juice Bar, feeling accomplished, as Bulk talks and then steps forward, doing two spins and then spreading legs wide and touching fist to the floor as the spectators all react as he splits his jeans.

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

Zack steps forward to camera center, motions with one finger to Bulk and Skull, then laughs to girl in foreground while pointing with thumb at Bulk behind him, then turns around and jumps and performs a hand-stand on the juice bar, then bounds off, making an “after you” motion to Bulk.

Reversion: A comic-style “FLIP!” in green-outlined brown lettering flips up from the bottom of the screen as Zack jumps up and flips back down as Zack jumps down.

Bulk steps forward as Zack again motions for Bulk to duplicate the move. Bulk turns around, readies himself, then rushes forward and plants both hands on the Juice Bar, then slides over and onto the floor out of view.

Reversion: A comic-style “BOOM!” in yellow lettering falls in from above and bounces slightly elastically as Bulk hits the ground off-screen.

As camera pans up, Gnarly Gnome comes into view, leading hypnotized girls down the hill while playing concertina.

Original: Gnarly Gnome and hypnotized girls are surrounded by a slightly-white cloud effect.

Reversion: Gnarly Gnome and hypnotized girls are surrounded by a noticeable reddish-orange cloud effect.

Three Putties stand guard near the cave entrance. The first jumps wildly than begins to run toward the entrance, followed shortly thereafter by the second and third.

Reversion: Ends 134 frames early, just as the second Putty turns and prepares to run toward the entrance.

Close on Gnarly Gnome leading the hypnotized girls while playing concertina, all walking off-screen to the left as Melissa is revealed following behind, crouching low.

Original: Gnarly Gnome and hypnotized girls are surrounded by a slightly-white cloud effect.

Reversion: Gnarly Gnome and hypnotized girls are surrounded by a noticeable reddish-orange cloud effect. Ends five frames early.

POV from within the cave facing the entrance, Gnary Gnome enters leading the hypnotized girls while playing concertina, all surrounded by a slightly-white cloud effect. As they proceed into the cave and off-camera to the left, Melissa appears at the entrance of the cave and looks up as the camera zooms in and a large cargo net drops down, obstructing the entrance.

Original: Shot of Melissa looking up at where the cargo net dropped from slows as camera fades to black in to commercial break.

Reversion: Camera zooms out from shot of Melissa looking up at where the cargo net dropped from, with frame outlined as if part of an old-fashioned storybook. As camera zooms out, next frame is revealed to the right recapping Gnary Gnome jumping off a ledge and going invisible before landing outside the Youth Center entrance. Camera continues panning to next frame, showing the girls freshly hypnotized with Melissa trying to prevent them from leaving. Camera continues panning to next frame, recapping Gnarly Gnome leading the hypnotized girls down the hill. Camera continues panning to next frame, showing Gnarly Gnome in cave frantically sitting down and pulling on boot, vanishing with a slightly-white cloud effect as camera zooms in on frame. Frame then turns like a page to transition to commerical. Twenty-nine frames prior to the commercial are cut.

Melissa grabs pen and paper from Ernie and begins frantically writing as he and Jason watch. Jason, reading aloud what is being written, realizes the situation, stands up and grabs his coat, before grabbing Melissa’s arm to leave. Right-to-left vertical swipe scene transition to a slow pan across in cave to area where Gnarly Gnome sits at table, playing his concertina, while Putties dance around it.

Reversion: Scene transition begins 24 frames earlier to remove Jason grabbing Melissa’s arm. First 26 frames of second shot partially cut during scene transition. Another four frames are lost to re-sync with audio track.

Hypnotized girls dance around in a circle in the cave. Close on Beth as she and hypnotized girls dance around in a circle in the cave.

Original: Hypnotized girls are surrounded by a slightly-white cloud effect.

Reversion: Hypnotized girls are surrounded by bright, sparkly effects.

Hypnotized girls dance around in a circle in the cave as a Putty dances in from our right, spinning, before joining the others. Close on the Putty joining the hypnotized girls dancing around in a circle.

Original: Hypnotized girls are surrounded by a slightly-white cloud effect.

Reversion: Hypnotized girls are surrounded by bright, sparkly effects.

Gnarly Gnome gestures arms then sits down, adjusting left boot, pulling it, before turning entirely invisible, moving the chair.

Original: Gnarly Gnome fades out to invisible.

Reversion: Gnarly Gnome is enveloped in a white tornado effect and then vanishes with a white flash.

Gnarly Gnome invisibly moves chair, then turns visible while adjusting left boot, pulling it before standing back up and gesturing arms.

Original: Gnarly Gnome fades in from invisible.

Reversion: A white flash occurs and then Gnarly Gnome appears enveloped in a white tornado effect.

Chef Baboo ceases pointing and flees to our right, Squatt following, Putties run by the other way as Gnarly Gnome just comes into frame. Melissa and the teens walk down the hill.

Original: First scene transitions to second with a right-to-left vertical swipe.

Reversion: Additional commercial break inserted - once transition begins, camera fades to black in to commercial break. After transition ends, camera fades from black out of commercial break.

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 followed by zoom out sharply from Red as all five Rangers pose with Power Weapons. Pink Ranger is oddly gray.

Reversion: After posing, scene freezes and Pink Ranger’s color is corrected, sky is colored dark gray as black skid mark pattern rushes left-to-right, followed by multiple horizontal white lines underlining the Rangers right-to-left as another skid mark runs top-to-bottom in the sky as it turns a light gray, all as Rangers in the foreground zoom in slightly. Runs 54 frames longer.

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

Rapid intercut of two frames of Gnarly Gnome charging up rake and static shots of the netted cave entrance. Gnarly Gnome twirls around rake, charging it up, then fires off surge of energy and sparkles as shot zooms out sharply.

Original: The two frames of Gnarly Gnome charging up his rake are a frame in an uncharged state and a frame in a charged state with a bright flash

Reversion: The two frames of Gnarly Gnome charging up his rake are both the frame in an uncharged state.

Five Rangers are pelted by four sparkily bursts of smoke, which disperse their assembly. Pink Ranger is oddly gray.

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

Pink and Yellow Rangers roll to the side, hold up their weapons, then leap skyward together. Pink and Yellow Rangers leap forth in a side shot, firing arrow and throwing dagger, respectively.

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

Blue and Black Rangers leap at screen with Power Lance and Power Axe prepped to strike, zoom in on Black.

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

Red Ranger readies Power Sword, holding it up and slashing.

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

Red Ranger leaps up and swings Power Sword outward as camera zooms in.

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

Blue and Black Rangers again leap at screen with Power Lance and Power Axe prepped to strike, zoom in on Black.

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

Red Ranger again leaps up and swings Power Sword outward as camera zooms in.

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

Pink and Yellow Rangers again leap forth in a side shot, firing arrow and throwing dagger, respectively.

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

Zoom out as Red Ranger lands in the middle, other Rangers rushing in and posing with Power Weapons.

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

Zoom out from helmet, as Black Ranger shifts Power Axe into blaster mode before throwing it. Power Axe floats up and hovers in the air.

Original: Last frame is a blended frame of the last frame of this shot and the first frame of the next shot.

Reversion: Stylized black-and-yellow Mastodon Power Coin appears in upper right background. Last frame is a duplicate of second-to-last frame.

Zoom out from helmet, as Pink Ranger crosses Power Bow to her side then flings it upward. Power Bow materializes in a blue flash of energy, connected across the barrel of the Power Axe blaster.

Original: Last frame is a blended frame of the last frame of this shot and the first frame of the next shot.

Reversion: Stylized black-and-yellow Pterodactyl Power Coin appears in upper right background. Last frame is a duplicate of second-to-last frame.

Zoom out from helmet, as Yellow Ranger twirls Power Daggers, crosses arms, then throws them upward.

Reversion: Stylized black-and-yellow Sabertooth Tiger Power Coin appears in upper right background.

Zoom out from helmet, as Blue Ranger holds both ends of Power Lance in the air, then throws them upward.

Reversion: Stylized black-and-yellow Triceratops Power Coin appears in upper left background.

Close up of Red Ranger as he looks up, gestures arms while holding Power Sword, and leaps up. Red Ranger floats up to combined weapons and prepares Power Sword to add to them. Power Sword flashes with red power as it connects with combined weapons, forming the Power Blaster in a flash of blue energy. Red Ranger drops back down from the air with Power Blaster in his hand.

Original: Last frame of third shot is a blended frame of the second-to-last frame of the previous shot and the first frame of the next shot.

Reversion: Saturation of blue background is increased, creating a white halo around Red Ranger. Last frame of third scene is a duplicate of second-to-last frame. Stylized black-and-yellow Tyrannosaurus Power Coin appears in the upper center background as Red Ranger begins to drop back down.

After Red Ranger lands, the other four Rangers join his side, each grabbing onto the Power Blaster or touching another’s shoulders.

Reversion: Saturation of blue background is increased, creating a white halo around Rangers and Power Blaster.

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

Five Rangers remain together as Power Blaster unleashes five beams of power at the screen.

Reversion: Saturation of blue background is increased, creating a white halo around Rangers and Power Blaster.

Red Ranger turns, raises right hand to sky to summon Zord, then lowers it.

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

Tyrannosaurus Dinozord’s head slowly rises from the molten red ground. Close up of Tyrannosaurus Dinozord’s hands as it rises up. Tyrannosaurus Dinozord rises up above flames and smoke, facing us.

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

Mastodon Dinozord surfaces from its icy domain. Mastodon Dinozord exhales its icy breath. Close-on Mastodon Dinozord’s walking feet. Mastodon Dinozord stomps along the snowy surface.

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

Triceratops Dinozord appears within the sands of the desert. Triceratops Dinozord’s wheels pass through the desert sands. Triceratops Dinozord raises its head and opens mouth while driving through the dusty 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. Sabertooth Tiger Dinozord leaps out of the greenery.

Reversion: Comic-style narration box slides in on lower left, reading “Yellow Ranger Sabertooth Tiger!”.

A volcano erupts. Pterodactyl Dinozord soars upwards amid lava lights. Pterodactyl Dinozord flies out of the smoking volcano and disturbs trees as it reaches them.

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

Yellow and Pink Rangers bend their left arms and hold out their right, before leaping up.

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

On palace balcony, Rita turns from the frightfully embracing Squatt & Baboo, Finster cowering in the back, and as camera zooms in, she points at her head, speaking.

Original: Camera fades to black in to commercial break.

Reversion: Freeze on Rita pointing at her head. Purple paint spills and white dotted texture appears in the background as the rest of the background fades out. White geometric shapes rotate on blue background with triceratops head shape in foreground, playing scenes within - Billy rolling atop cart in Youth Center, Billy doing gymnastic and dance moves in the Youth Center, the Blue Ranger fighting some Putties - all while mathematics equations appear and disappear in the background.

Camera tracks right as Ernie walks in with platter of drinks to serve to the teens, with Zack dancing on the right.

Original: Camera fades from black out of commercial break.

Reversion: Establishment shot of some teens walking into the Youth Center as camera zooms in on sign added. First twenty-four frames of Ernie walking up cut.

Kimberly, Trini, Jason, and Beth sit at a table at the Juice Bar with Zack standing, he and Jason moving to the music, all looking toward where Billy is off-camera, Kimberly speaks. Shot of gym area where Melissa, Billy, and others are dancing, Billy performing uncharacteristically complicated moves before striking a pose and everyone clapping

Reversion: End credits run over bottom half of frame during final scenes of the episode, rather than the :30 second outro.

Kimberly continues talking, Zack nodding then claps hands once, before dancing more actively in place. Freeze frame. Fade to black.

Original: After freeze frame, Executive Producers credit fades in over center of frame.

Reversion: Background is cut-out with five teens in foreground and quickly outlined in white, with purple stripe in background and yellow shape on left and blue dotted splat texture on right, all moving somewhat.

Episode Segment Lengths
Airing“Today on Power Rangers”Opening CreditsEpisodeEnding CreditsTotal
Original00:3001:0218:3800:3120:41
Reversion00:3001:0218:5800:0420:35

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