(Opening begins at the 0:36-end mark from the theme from the final season of American Gladiators
original run play the camera pulls back to see James and everyone else on top
of a slab with the words “The Last Of The Americans” on it before cutting to James in his office)
TLOTA:
I'm James Faraci The Last Of The Americans and the views that I'm about to express are that of my own and some of yours. Can you believe that 25 years ago on August 28th 1993 I saw that preview episode that changed the way Superhero teams and Superhero shows could be done? (Cut to 25 years worth of Power Rangers as James does a voice over)
I'm James Faraci The Last Of The Americans and the views that I'm about to express are that of my own and some of yours. Can you believe that 25 years ago on August 28th 1993 I saw that preview episode that changed the way Superhero teams and Superhero shows could be done? (Cut to 25 years worth of Power Rangers as James does a voice over)
TLOTA (Voiceover):
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers mixed Sentai Footage and fresh American Footage of teens and young adults portraying the multi-colored morph suited superheroes incognito. The seasons varied in quality of the series between production teams from the heights of the Saban Era post the Mighty Morphin era with "Power Rangers Zeo" all the way through "Power Rangers Time Force" to the bipolarity of the Disney Era when the best seasons they had were "Power Rangers Dino Thunder", "Power Rangers SPD", "Power Rangers Mystic Force" & "Power Rangers: RPM" and the worst being "Power Rangers Operation Overdrive" and to lesser extents "Power Rangers: Wild Force" & "Power Rangers: Jungle Fury" to the way too out there of the short lived Neo-Saban Era which included "Power Rangers Samurai/Super Samurai", "Power Rangers Megaforce/Super Megaforce", "Power Rangers Dino Charge/Dino Supercharge" and it's last series "Power Rangers Ninja Steel/Super Ninja Steel" which has me wondering what will happen in the Hasbro era. (Cut to James physically)
TLOTA:And even crazier in quality of the few anniversary crossovers. (Cut to clips of "Forever Red", "Once A Ranger" & "Legendary Battle" as James does voiceovers)
TLOTA (Voiceover):
"Forever Red" is considered the pinnacle of these crossovers not because of the action. That was just a small part of it. The episode promised us all the Red Rangers with the only two red ranger actors not being in there was Steve Cardenas who I met at the Hudson Valley Comic-Con back in April of this year who was in the middle of moving to a new place and didn't apprise the higher-ups of his new address and phone number and David Bacon the actor for the Red Alien Ranger Aurico. What made the episode awesome was a sense of all these Red Rangers coming together to stop a remnant threat that had it not been stopped then and there would've been a threat though the ending of it being Cole putting the Kibosh on Serpentera and the fact that writer Amit Bhaumik used his fan-fic "Scorpion Reign" as a part of canonicity which took a friend of mine out of enjoying it. Then there is "Once A Ranger" This one just sucked. Between the veteran team and the non existent time between them and the Operation Overdrive Rangers, though admittedly the less time around Dax and the other Operation Overdrive Rangers may have kept the Veterans from killing the Operation Overdrive Rangers and taking the Operation Overdrive powers from them. Then there's "Legendary Battle" and this was the main reaction that the fans had when they looked at it (Cut to Clip of Tom Servo, Joel Robinson and Crow in the MST3K episode "Attack Of The Eye Creatures" as they shout "THEY JUST DIDN'T CARE!" before cutting to James)
TLOTA:
And now as the 25th anniversary has come now we find ourselves with a special that just... you know it's been a month and I still don't know what to think of it! (Cut to title of "Power Rangers Super Ninja Steel: Dimensions In Danger" before cutting to clips of the episode as James does a voiceover)
TLOTA (Voiceover):
Dimensions In Danger is arguably the most properly set up special that works itself into the series. (Cut to James physically)
TLOTA:
Okay Backstory on the Ninja Steel/Super Ninja Steel.
(Cut to clips of Ninja Steel and Super Ninja Steel as James does a voiceover)
TLOTA (Voiceover):
So approximately 10 years ago the Romero family which happens to be a family of Ninja Blacksmiths found the Ninja Nexus Prism and the Ninja Nexus Star encased in some material called Ninja Steel when a monster known as Galvanax forced the head of the Romero Family to sacrifice himself and the younger of the Romero Brothers to be kidnapped as the elder one disappeared. Ten years later Galvanax came back to earth. Brody steals the Nexus along with Redbot and Mick played by Power Rangers New Zealand regular Kelson Henderson and soon The Ninja Nexus Prism chooses Brody and four others to be the Ninja Steel Power Rangers. The sixth star and it's bearer kidnapped by Madame Odius until the mid season of Ninja Steel who happens to be a country star named Levi who after attacking a robot that force fed information revealing that Levi is in fact the Red Ranger's brother. Galvanax is defeated as Mick dons a special Red Ranger Morph Suit and it's revealed that the elder Romero survived and he's in another Red Ranger Morph Suit and Madame Odius fooled both Galvanax and helped destroy him as well. But at a price for both, The Ninja Nexus Prism and The Ship Galvanax had are damaged reducing the Ninja Steel to dust. Then in the premiere of Super Ninja Steel it's revealed there is an element stronger than regular Ninja Steel, Super Ninja Steel which revives the Rangers Powers and Zords until the mid season finale which has the Rangers Zord Stars Damaged and powerless that is until the Nexus Prism shows them new Zords in which three people hidden in Cloaks tell the Super Ninja Steel Rangers that they have to earn the Zords and how do they do that? By helping out people as themselves and with that they get new Zords and a new Megazord configuration that uses the Rangers as the final projectiles. Seems rather risky and dangerous but whatever they defeat Madame Odius' Zord Weapon leading us to this point. (Cut to James physically)
TLOTA:
And now if you're ready, let's take a look at the 25th Power Rangers Anniversary Special "Dimensions In Danger" (Cut to the special as James does a voiceover)
TLOTA:
Okay, they're still going with the whole Different Dimensions? I think it's a bad idea but that's me.
We soon see Kudabots, Madame Odius and the leader of the Anti-verse Lord Draven who is hellbent in destroying the dimensional barriers and his robot duplication of Tommy Oliver. So it's up to all of them to go to The Anti-Verse! We soon see The other Rangers that were captured were Antonio From "Samurai/Super Samurai", T.J. from "Turbo" and "In Space", Catherine from "MMPR Season 3" all the way up to "Turbo", Rocky from "MMPR Season 2 all the way through "Zeo", Trent from "Dino Thunder", Gia from "Megaforce/Super Megaforce" as we see a WHOLE MESS OF ROBOTIC CLONE RANGERS. Meanwhile the others prepare an all out assault of Draven's Fortress when from out of nowhere an invisible warrior takes down the Kudabots and it just so happens to be Tommy as the others discover Draven's plans to not only tear down the barriers but to conquer all of the Ranger Dimensions. They Split up into three teams one going in to save the Veteran Rangers, Stop Draven and get the arrows before Draven can further destroy the barriers.The Super Ninja Steel Rangers attack Draven to no avail and split up as well to find the Arrows just as Tommy saves the captured Rangers and takes on his dark Robotic doppleganger (Cut to James physically)
"Forever Red" is considered the pinnacle of these crossovers not because of the action. That was just a small part of it. The episode promised us all the Red Rangers with the only two red ranger actors not being in there was Steve Cardenas who I met at the Hudson Valley Comic-Con back in April of this year who was in the middle of moving to a new place and didn't apprise the higher-ups of his new address and phone number and David Bacon the actor for the Red Alien Ranger Aurico. What made the episode awesome was a sense of all these Red Rangers coming together to stop a remnant threat that had it not been stopped then and there would've been a threat though the ending of it being Cole putting the Kibosh on Serpentera and the fact that writer Amit Bhaumik used his fan-fic "Scorpion Reign" as a part of canonicity which took a friend of mine out of enjoying it. Then there is "Once A Ranger" This one just sucked. Between the veteran team and the non existent time between them and the Operation Overdrive Rangers, though admittedly the less time around Dax and the other Operation Overdrive Rangers may have kept the Veterans from killing the Operation Overdrive Rangers and taking the Operation Overdrive powers from them. Then there's "Legendary Battle" and this was the main reaction that the fans had when they looked at it (Cut to Clip of Tom Servo, Joel Robinson and Crow in the MST3K episode "Attack Of The Eye Creatures" as they shout "THEY JUST DIDN'T CARE!" before cutting to James)
TLOTA:
And now as the 25th anniversary has come now we find ourselves with a special that just... you know it's been a month and I still don't know what to think of it! (Cut to title of "Power Rangers Super Ninja Steel: Dimensions In Danger" before cutting to clips of the episode as James does a voiceover)
TLOTA (Voiceover):
Dimensions In Danger is arguably the most properly set up special that works itself into the series. (Cut to James physically)
TLOTA:
Okay Backstory on the Ninja Steel/Super Ninja Steel.
(Cut to clips of Ninja Steel and Super Ninja Steel as James does a voiceover)
TLOTA (Voiceover):
So approximately 10 years ago the Romero family which happens to be a family of Ninja Blacksmiths found the Ninja Nexus Prism and the Ninja Nexus Star encased in some material called Ninja Steel when a monster known as Galvanax forced the head of the Romero Family to sacrifice himself and the younger of the Romero Brothers to be kidnapped as the elder one disappeared. Ten years later Galvanax came back to earth. Brody steals the Nexus along with Redbot and Mick played by Power Rangers New Zealand regular Kelson Henderson and soon The Ninja Nexus Prism chooses Brody and four others to be the Ninja Steel Power Rangers. The sixth star and it's bearer kidnapped by Madame Odius until the mid season of Ninja Steel who happens to be a country star named Levi who after attacking a robot that force fed information revealing that Levi is in fact the Red Ranger's brother. Galvanax is defeated as Mick dons a special Red Ranger Morph Suit and it's revealed that the elder Romero survived and he's in another Red Ranger Morph Suit and Madame Odius fooled both Galvanax and helped destroy him as well. But at a price for both, The Ninja Nexus Prism and The Ship Galvanax had are damaged reducing the Ninja Steel to dust. Then in the premiere of Super Ninja Steel it's revealed there is an element stronger than regular Ninja Steel, Super Ninja Steel which revives the Rangers Powers and Zords until the mid season finale which has the Rangers Zord Stars Damaged and powerless that is until the Nexus Prism shows them new Zords in which three people hidden in Cloaks tell the Super Ninja Steel Rangers that they have to earn the Zords and how do they do that? By helping out people as themselves and with that they get new Zords and a new Megazord configuration that uses the Rangers as the final projectiles. Seems rather risky and dangerous but whatever they defeat Madame Odius' Zord Weapon leading us to this point. (Cut to James physically)
TLOTA:
And now if you're ready, let's take a look at the 25th Power Rangers Anniversary Special "Dimensions In Danger" (Cut to the special as James does a voiceover)
TLOTA (Voiceover):
So after what I just said happened though in less explanation, We discover Tommy in Reefside taking care of his kid and getting kidnapped and we soon meet up with the Ninja Steel Rangers as they meet Wes from Time Force, Gemma from RPM and Koda from Dino Charge and told that they're from Different Dimensions and that they are starting to become unstable. (Cut to James physically)TLOTA:
Okay, they're still going with the whole Different Dimensions? I think it's a bad idea but that's me.
(Cut to the special as James does a voiceover)
TLOTA (Voiceover):
TLOTA:
Okay I've got a few problems with this premise so far. First, HOW DO THE SUPER NINJA STEEL RANGERS KNOW ABOUT THE LEGENDARY RANGERS? If there is some sort of multiversal type of deal with Power Rangers then there the Power Rangers shouldn't be any knowledge on The Super Ninja Steel Rangers or the Super Ninja Steel Rangers knowing about The Legendary Rangers. (Cut to a clip of Wes talking about a Dimensional Jumper device before cutting to James physically)
Welp, That shut me up about that plot hole! But what about Tommy having his Dino Thunder powers even though in the finale of "Power Rangers Dino Thunder" The powers of the Dino Thunder Rangers were gone and how did Tommy activate his Dino Thunder Power, Morph and use his Civilian Power with it. (Cut to clip of Tommy Talking about a "Master Morpher" before cutting to James physically.) I might as well not talk about the obvious nitpicks and problems I have with this until the end.
Okay I've got a few problems with this premise so far. First, HOW DO THE SUPER NINJA STEEL RANGERS KNOW ABOUT THE LEGENDARY RANGERS? If there is some sort of multiversal type of deal with Power Rangers then there the Power Rangers shouldn't be any knowledge on The Super Ninja Steel Rangers or the Super Ninja Steel Rangers knowing about The Legendary Rangers. (Cut to a clip of Wes talking about a Dimensional Jumper device before cutting to James physically)
Welp, That shut me up about that plot hole! But what about Tommy having his Dino Thunder powers even though in the finale of "Power Rangers Dino Thunder" The powers of the Dino Thunder Rangers were gone and how did Tommy activate his Dino Thunder Power, Morph and use his Civilian Power with it. (Cut to clip of Tommy Talking about a "Master Morpher" before cutting to James physically.) I might as well not talk about the obvious nitpicks and problems I have with this until the end.
(Cut to the special as James does a voiceover)
TLOTA (Voiceover):
So the fight between the two to fight is awesome and differentiate between the two the Robot uses the Dino Thunder Powers and Tommy calls upon all his other morphed forms. Meanwhile Draven takes on the Pink and Red Super Ninja Steel Rangers and find the Mega Arrows and get the hell out of there. They try to go through the barrier but Draven isn't having any of that as The Robo-Ranger Army of Draven looks to end it all. But of Course IT IS TIME! (Show clip of the Rangers Morphing)With his Robo Ranger Army and the barrier starting to falter the Classic Rangers and Super Ninja Steel Rangers start to fight the Robot Duplicates and wow the fight is better than the "Legendary Battle" which isn't saying much as they defeat the Robo Rangers leaving only Draven, Tommy summoning the Falconzord to catch the final Mega Arrow and uses it to vanquish Draven once and for all and with that everyone goes back to their dimensions and the legendary rangers let the Super Ninja Steel Rangers they're awesome and the special ends with everyone returns home and the Super Ninja Steel Rangers ready to continue their battle with Odius. (Cut to James physically)
TLOTA:
And that was "Dimensions In Danger" the 25th Anniversary Power Rangers Special. Was it as bad as "Legendary Battle" & "Once A Ranger" or as good as "Forever Red"? Let's look at the Pros and Cons and see which one is stronger and where should it be. (Cut to "Dimensions In Danger" as James does a voiceover)
TLOTA (Voiceover):
One in the pro column is the fact there is actual Ranger interaction between Classic Rangers and New Rangers. Granted the Con is that they share about a fifth of the actual time subtracting the opening and end credits and commercials together. An unexpected Pro without a con is the fact that as it was mentioned earlier Steve Cardenas was unavailable for "Forever Red" due to the fact he didn't forward his new address and Phone Number to the higher ups and I think it was a good thing that he missed out on "Always A Ranger" & "Legendary Battle" because I don't think they could done anything less with Rocky. So I'm glad he was able to rectify missing out on the past Reunion Specials. Another Pro is the fact that we see the old Rangers that we haven't seen but the con is that they take the backseat for a Tommy on Evil Robo-Tommy. Haven't we seen that already a Tommy vs Tommy battle? Anyway let's move on to the Deus Ex Machina of the "Master Morpher". I like the fact it taps into former rangers powers through the Morphing Grid that's the pro. The Con appears to be that the Morpher limited to the former Rangers Powers that the Rangers had. Which means we probably wouldn't see Katherine become the Pterra Yellow Dino Thunder Ranger anytime soon. Also I understand the series is meant to sell toys and this is okay for old school fans like me and possibly newer fans. The only other thing that I need to talk about is Tommy's Marital Status. He has a son named J.J. who we never see and we're left to believe that Tommy and Kat got married but knowing the Rangers can have normal lives after being Rangers gives schlubs like myself and Rowdy hope that we can get there ourselves. (Cut to James physically)
TLOTA:
So After going through the plot, the pros and cons is it the best one? I'll say this, it's better than the last two big anniversary team ups but is second only to "Forever Red"
Victor:
Excuse me but what about the one big glaring omission from this episode! Me! And to a lesser extent Monty!
Monty:
Yeah, We could've been useful. (Cut to James as he presses a button and the opening of Toccata & Fugue play as it cuts to Victor continuing to Drone as Lightning crashes scaring Victor and Monty as they turn and we cut to see Father Bulkmeier played by Nick Yaun, Rabbi Skullovitch Played by Paulo Fonseca and Sister Kimberly Played by Brenda Fonseca before cutting to Victor and Monty)
Victor:
Is there anything you want Monty to do while I supervise. (Cut to Father Bulkmeier and Sister Kimberly begin to chant in Latin and Rabbi Skullovitch in Hebrew as we cut to Victor and Monty and the earth shaking around them and cracking as it looks like the depths of Hell open up before cutting to Victor and Monty as they scream and fall into the crack before it closes up again then cut to James)
TLOTA:
Thanks! (Cut to Father Bulkmeier, Rabbi Skullovitch and Sister Kimberly as they say "It's alright!" as they walk away before cutting to James) I'm James Faraci The Last Of The Americans (Audio of the Devil welcoming Victor and Monty into the same level of hell with the Operation Overdrive Power Rangers and Victor and Monty screaming NO!) and That's My Opinion!
TLOTA:
And that was "Dimensions In Danger" the 25th Anniversary Power Rangers Special. Was it as bad as "Legendary Battle" & "Once A Ranger" or as good as "Forever Red"? Let's look at the Pros and Cons and see which one is stronger and where should it be. (Cut to "Dimensions In Danger" as James does a voiceover)
TLOTA (Voiceover):
One in the pro column is the fact there is actual Ranger interaction between Classic Rangers and New Rangers. Granted the Con is that they share about a fifth of the actual time subtracting the opening and end credits and commercials together. An unexpected Pro without a con is the fact that as it was mentioned earlier Steve Cardenas was unavailable for "Forever Red" due to the fact he didn't forward his new address and Phone Number to the higher ups and I think it was a good thing that he missed out on "Always A Ranger" & "Legendary Battle" because I don't think they could done anything less with Rocky. So I'm glad he was able to rectify missing out on the past Reunion Specials. Another Pro is the fact that we see the old Rangers that we haven't seen but the con is that they take the backseat for a Tommy on Evil Robo-Tommy. Haven't we seen that already a Tommy vs Tommy battle? Anyway let's move on to the Deus Ex Machina of the "Master Morpher". I like the fact it taps into former rangers powers through the Morphing Grid that's the pro. The Con appears to be that the Morpher limited to the former Rangers Powers that the Rangers had. Which means we probably wouldn't see Katherine become the Pterra Yellow Dino Thunder Ranger anytime soon. Also I understand the series is meant to sell toys and this is okay for old school fans like me and possibly newer fans. The only other thing that I need to talk about is Tommy's Marital Status. He has a son named J.J. who we never see and we're left to believe that Tommy and Kat got married but knowing the Rangers can have normal lives after being Rangers gives schlubs like myself and Rowdy hope that we can get there ourselves. (Cut to James physically)
TLOTA:
So After going through the plot, the pros and cons is it the best one? I'll say this, it's better than the last two big anniversary team ups but is second only to "Forever Red"
(Cut to "Dimensions In Danger" as James does a voiceover)
TLOTA (Voiceover):
It's not that bad as "Always A Ranger" or "Legendary Battle" but I think nothing will ever top "Forever Red" and this time there is no shame in being behind "Forever Red" outside of how amazing it can be. But standing on it's own it's an awesome special showing as many Rangers as their budget would allow. The story was contained enough on it's own to be standalone special as much as it would be a great episode to be a part of the series. The action is well choreographed, the story is good even if it feels shorter than a normal episode even if there is a longer Director's cut of the episode that adds more. If it gets a DVD release then get it and enjoy it. Because despite the ups and downs this franchise has had, the series, the movies and this special is truly Morphinominal! (Cut to James physically as an annoying cough is heard before cutting to Victor from Ninja Steel played by Chris Reid and Monty from Ninja Steel played by Caleb Bendit standing outside the door of James' office)Victor:
Excuse me but what about the one big glaring omission from this episode! Me! And to a lesser extent Monty!
Monty:
Yeah, We could've been useful. (Cut to James as he presses a button and the opening of Toccata & Fugue play as it cuts to Victor continuing to Drone as Lightning crashes scaring Victor and Monty as they turn and we cut to see Father Bulkmeier played by Nick Yaun, Rabbi Skullovitch Played by Paulo Fonseca and Sister Kimberly Played by Brenda Fonseca before cutting to Victor and Monty)
Victor:
Is there anything you want Monty to do while I supervise. (Cut to Father Bulkmeier and Sister Kimberly begin to chant in Latin and Rabbi Skullovitch in Hebrew as we cut to Victor and Monty and the earth shaking around them and cracking as it looks like the depths of Hell open up before cutting to Victor and Monty as they scream and fall into the crack before it closes up again then cut to James)
TLOTA:
Thanks! (Cut to Father Bulkmeier, Rabbi Skullovitch and Sister Kimberly as they say "It's alright!" as they walk away before cutting to James) I'm James Faraci The Last Of The Americans (Audio of the Devil welcoming Victor and Monty into the same level of hell with the Operation Overdrive Power Rangers and Victor and Monty screaming NO!) and That's My Opinion!
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