FIF#200-Power Rangers: Cosmic Fury

After decades in exile, the sinister Lord Zedd has returned and he has secured powerful new allies to aid in his conquest of the galaxy.  But Zedd has his sights fixed on one planet where he has unfinished business: Earth.  Standing in his way is the newest team of Power Rangers, the Dino Fury Rangers.  Against a foe from the past who’s stronger than ever, the Rangers will need the ultimate upgrade to face him, as well as some assistance from old friends who have faced Zedd in the past and stopped him.  The ultimate battle for the universe has begun.

 
The year was 1993 when an extradimensional being selected five “teenagers with attitude” to become a spandex clad fighting force capable of defending the Earth from Alien invaders.  Since then, Power Rangers has continued to thrive in the pop culture zeitgeist with new generations getting introduced to the saga with each new series over the last 30 years.  And now the 30^th Season of the long running franchise has begun.  Since I’ve been spotlighting Power Rangers throughout 2023 in various Top 5’s and First Impressions of their Sentai source material, it only makes sense to cap off my Ranger coverage for 2023 by dedicating my landmark 200^th First Impression Friday to the first episode of Power Rangers: Cosmic Fury.  Is it everything that’s been hyped and promised for over a year now?
 
Cosmic Fury wastes no time throwing viewers into the action.  There’s a very quick recap of the events of Dino Fury (which Cosmic Fury picks up directly after) courtesy of fan favorite Pink Ranger Amelia.  Other than that, its easy to get lost without deeper context as to who the Dino Fury team is or how they’ve suddenly found themselves fighting alongside legendary Blue Ranger Billy Cranston.  Yes, David Yost is part of a Power Rangers series again after making a triumphant return earlier in 2023 with the 30^th Anniversary Special, Once and Always.  Being intelligent and wise beyond his years in his Mighty Morphin days, Billy is a logical choice to become a mentor to a group of Rangers, even if they’ve been active for an entire series of their own.  Seeing him kick ass is also a pleasure, especially his brief throwdown with Lord Zedd, who is also back as the big bad of Cosmic Fury. 
 
While there’s definite attempts to lure in older fans with the return of Billy and Zedd (and the promise of a generational crossover later on I’m sure), the Dino Fury Rangers aren’t ignored in the slightest.  In fact, they don’t even get a full upgrade to Cosmic Fury in the first episode.  They gain new Zords but their spiffy new outfits haven’t arrived yet and I’m really curious to find out how Amelia gets promoted from Pink to Red Ranger (though there is some set up for it in the premiere).  I watched a little bit of Dino Fury so I know some stuff about the Rangers.  You can tell these guys have been at this for a while with experience and nice coordination in taking on a small army together.  I’m not too sold on their new Megazord though.  It’s pretty bulky and moves slower than most I’ve seen in the past.  I did like that it can switch out Zords when one takes too much damage, that was neat.
 
While new villains are introduced in the form of an intergalactic Weapons Dealer and her Social Media obsessed daughter, there’s little doubt who’s the true guy in charge.  Lord Zedd has always been one of, if not the biggest bad in the Power Rangers franchise.  Sure his presence was reduced significantly after Mighty Morphin but this guy was still scary and Cosmic Fury is bringing that back out in droves.  As I said, he gets to throw down with Billy and briefly square off with the Dino Fury team and he wipes the floor with them.  It’s good to see the big man being a true and proper menace again.  Speaking of menace, the Rangers are in a tough position by the end of the first episode with one team member missing, one brainwashed and one losing a freaking arm, yikes this is kind of intense.  That last part isn’t as graphic as you might think but I like that the franchise is taking a few more chances probably because it’s airing on Netflix first rather than a Disney or Nickelodeon network.
 
As far as first episodes go, you’re likely to be a little lost without some knowledge of the preceding Dino Fury series.  That said, those looking for fun action and a teaser of nostalgia from old favorites might be game for Power Rangers: Cosmic Fury.  The season clocks in at a record short 10 episodes but who knows if that is going to be all of if more will be released in time.  Might be worth looking into.  All in all, it’s a decent follow up to Once A Ranger and sets the stage for the biggest intergalactic adventure for the Power Rangers since Lost Galaxy.  May the Power Protect it.

And with that, we've reached the conclusion of our most recent season of First Impression Friday.  Will it reach 300 in the next couple of years?  We'll find out when FIF returns to the Gundam Anime Corner sometime in 2024, see ya then everyone.