Movie Info:
Writer: Various
Director: Various
Cast: Jason Smith, Anna Hutchison, Aljin Abella, David de Lautour, Holly Shanahan, Bede Skinner
Rating: G
Studio: Walt Disney Home Entertainment
Release Info:
Theatrical Release:
DVD Release Date: December 16, 2008
Online Availability: Amazon for $13.99
December is the month of the Power Rangers. Disney has released two DVDs, this month, both from the Power Rangers: Jungle Fury television series, which aired on ABC Kids/Toon Disney between February and November of 2008. The first DVD is Power Rangers: Jungle Fury – Into the Jungle (Vol. 1). This is the DVD I’ll be reviewing in this review. The second is Power Rangers: Jungle Fury – Way of the Master (Vol. 2). Together, these DVDs cover the first 12 episodes of the show.
Power Rangers: Jungle Fury – Into the Jungle (Vol. 1) offers episodes 1-6 of the series. This is the beginning and in it, you’ll learn about the primary rangers as they battle the evil Dai Shi. While I’m not a fan of the Power Rangers and I don’t let my kids watch this series, I know a lot of kids who do love the show. Ultimately, as a parent, you will have to decide if the Power Rangers is too violent for your kids or not. Either way, Power Rangers: Jungle Fury – Into the Jungle (Vol. 1) offers a lot of butt kicking as the good Rangers try to defeat the forces of evil.
Power Rangers is one of those shows everyone has heard of, but not everyone has watched. By now, you’ll know if your child is receptive to this type of programming. If your child is easily influenced by what they see, causing them to want to act out the action they see on their television sets, then Power Rangers: Jungle Fury – Into the Jungle (Vol. 1) might not be right for them. If your child can enjoy a high energy show like Power Rangers: Jungle Fury without taking the Kung Fu too far, then this might be right up their alley.
As far as Power Rangers shows go, Power Rangers: Jungle Fury seems to be fairly popular with Ranger fans of any age. The show is geared towards kids, primarily, but adults can enjoy the Rangers, Based off a Japanese Super Sensai series, Power Rangers: Jungle Fury deviates from other series, in the number of primary Rangers, and other small changes. Still, the mighty morphin action is a sure symbol of the type of series fans of the show are bound to know and love.
The Power Rangers: Jungle Fury – Into the Jungle Plot
Power Rangers: Jungle Fury – Into the Jungle (Vol. 1) starts off by explaining the purpose of the Jungle Fury series. The story revolves around a group of teens studying at the secret temple at Pai Zhua. These teens are destined to become the next Power Rangers. Not knowing their true mission in training, Master Mao studies the students who live and train at the temple.
Choosing promising students Lily, Theo and Jarrod, Master Mao summons them to the Forbidden Room. Before they can come, Jarrod is caught harassing another student. He is subsequently banned from Pai Zhua, but not before a newbie student, Casey, unleashes some wicked Tiger Spirit on him, to protect the student. Casey is sent in Jarrod’s place to Mao, and the three descend into the room to learn their destiny.
What the trio learns is life changing. They have been chosen to guard the casket of Dai Shi, an evil spirit that tried to rid the world of humans 10,000 years ago. The casket is being given to the three, who are to keep the trapped Dai Shi spirit from leaving, when an upset Jarrod comes in and attacks Master Mao.
Releasing Dai Shi means that Mao is dead, and the three must go to find a new teacher. They find their new master in the owner of a pizzeria, who is also a far out surfer guy named R.J. He morphs the information they need into their DNA to turn them into the Power Rangers, Jungle Fury style, since all of them can conjure animal spirits.
Here is a list of the episodes included on the Power Rangers: Jungle Fury – Into the Jungle DVD:
1.1 – “Welcome to the Jungle I” – At the Pai Zhua Academy (Order of the Claw) Theo, Lily and Casey learn their destiny, to guard the casket of Dai Shi, an evil spirit who tried to rid the world of humans some 10,000 years ago. When Jarrod attacks Master Mao, he releases Dai Shi, and is possessed by him. Before Mao can die, he sends them to Ocean Bluff, California to train with their new master, surfer guy R.J. He also happens to own the Jungle Karma Pizzeria. As Dai Shi sets out to rid the world of humans, the three turn into Power Rangers!
1.2 – “Welcome to the Jungle II” – The follow up to episode one, Mantor is wreaking havoc on the city and the Power Rangers must stop him. They want to learn to harness their ability, but R.J. won’t teach them until they learn how to use weapons. As Casey struggles with this, Theo and Lily must help him, so they can learn to create the Jungle Pride Megazord.
1.3 – “Sigh of the Tiger” – Casey wants to train extra with R.J. He instead, is given housework to do. Camille brings to life the Buffalord, the ancient spirit of the Buffalo, which she plans to use for nefarious purposes. In the meantime, the pizzeria is about to get hit by a child’s birthday party!
1.4 – “A Taste of Poison” – Jarrod shows up, and when the Rangers learn Dai Shi has possessed his body they are stunned. Dai Shi tries to use the five poisons to kill the Rangers, but is unsuccessful. Lily has a bad dream that Casey is attacked by Jarrod, so she tries to put herself ahead of the group to save him.
1.5 – “Can’t Win Them All” – When Theo falters for the first time, when battling Gakko, the most adept pupil of R.J’s has a fall in his confidence level. He decides to give up, but Lily and Casey are unable to hold off Gekko without Theo by their side.
1.6 – “Dance the Night Away” – Theo faces more struggles, when it comes to his best friend, Lily, and the inclusion of Casey, in their group. This creates a lot of tension between him and Casey. In the meantime, Camille has Stingerella and Toady working together, by using Toady and his love for Stingerella against him. She sends them off to get rid of the Rangers. With the two male Rangers feuding, they are unable to use the Claw Canon. It’s up to Lily to bring the two of them together again, so they can work together and beat the baddies.
Storyline/Plot: 
Replayability:
Acting:
Directing:
Audio/Visual:
The video for Power Rangers Jungle Fury Into the Jungle was far from perfect from an adult point of view. There were issues with the picture not being clearly defined. Interlacing was an annoyance from an adult standpoint, as well. However, if you’re a child or you’re buying this for one, the 1.33:1 aspect ratio is going to do you just fine. The colors are bright and cartoony, so most kids will be more than happy with this. If you’re buying it for an adult however, they might not be so enthralled.
The audio is also somewhat disappointing. Dolby Digital 2.0 is pretty standard amongst cartoons, but Disney usually tries to go out more for their viewers. It’s not horrible, but it is standard and it’s not very dynamic. Kids probably won’t mind it, but it’s not very pleasing to the ear of an adult. With an action series, a better track could do so much more. Subtitles are also included.
Visual: 
Audio:
Bonus Features:
There is not so much as one bonus feature included with Power Rangers Jungle Fury: Into the Jungle.
Bonus Features:
Bottom Line:
Despite not being a Power Rangers fan, the Power Rangers: Jungle Fury – Into the Jungle DVD wasn’t as bad as I thought. Kids who love the Power Rangers will love this series. While it would have been nice if this DVD and Vol. 2 had been released together in one set, it’s recommended you get the two DVDs together, so you can watch them together, and learn about this interesting Power Rangers series.
Overall Rating:
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Written by Ashtyn Evans – Visit Website
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Ashtyn is in her early 30s. She is a mother, writer, college student, and music lover. Ashtyn has had a successful career as a writer since 2003. She turned to blogging in 2005. Ashtyn attends Wright State where she is getting a degree in Psychology. She has extensive knowledge in SEO and Social Media Development.
