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
I’m not a fan of the Power Rangers. I didn’t watch then when they first appeared on the scene. The Power Rangers were big when my son was young, but I didn’t let him watch them. I believe that it’s easier for kids to distinguish between cartoons and reality, so cartoon violence isn’t going to affect a child in the same way that actual kids (or teens in this case) who are doing violent fight moves will.
Letting your kids watch Power Rangers and other shows like it is an individual choice. I know I have my views, but other parents think this kind of show is fine and that’s their choice. With this in mind, I will try to be as non-biased when writing a review of Power Rangers: Jungle Fury – Way of the Master (Vol. 2). The folks over at Disney/Buena Vista have released this Vol. 2 DVD along with Power Rangers: Jungle Fury – Into the Jungle (Vol. 1). Power Ranger fans of any age will be able to get a double dose of kick butt action.
This is episodes 7-12 in the Power Rangers: Jungle Fury series. The show ended just last month, so fans of this series have been looking forward to this release, so they can relive their favorite episodes. The series aired on Toon Disney/ABC Kids and is the latest series of Power Rangers to date. Fans really seemed to get into this series. As far as Rangers stories go, the plot for the show was decent, and it was as action packed as you could imagine, with a relatively likable cast.
Expect some kicking, fighting, and the action level is always up when the Rangers of Jungle Fury are fighting the powers of evil. The action is so jam packed because Power Rangers Jungle Fury is based on Juken Sentai Gekiranger, a Japanese series similar to the Power Rangers. If you’re familiar with this Super Sentai series, you’ll recognize the nearly identical fight scenes and styles.
I can see why adults and even teenagers get into the Power Rangers. While I wouldn’t want my own kids mimicking the action moves of the Power Rangers, I can see why this appeals to a wide audience. As far as violence goes, this isn’t too bad, and it does help that the Power Rangers are clearly on the side of good, fighting the powers of evil. So, most parents who are familiar with the Power Rangers should know that as far as these shows go, this one is fairly tame.
The Power Rangers Jungle Fury: Way of the Master Plot
The Power Rangers: Jungle Fury series follows the story of three teenagers, Lily Chilman (Anna Hutchison), Casey Rhodes (Jason Smith) and Theo Martin (Aljin Abella). Their job is to stop Dai Shi. This ancient evil spirit needs to be stopped or the world is in grave danger. Lily and Theo have been training at Pai Zhua in the secret temple, where they are learning the Order of the Claw.
Master Mao (Nathaniel Lees) initially chooses Lily and Theo along with a jerky student named Jarrod (Bede Skinner), but Jarrod isn’t really ready to take on all that being a Power Ranger entails, so he is replaced by Casey. The three are supposed to enter the Forbidden Room, where they will learn why they’ve been training and what animal spirits they possess. Casey is the least experienced in the group, but upon defending a student from Jarrod, his Tiger Spirit is revealed, so Master Mao sees obvious potential.
Once the three know what their purpose is, to defeat Dai Shi, it is up to them to learn why they must defeat such a dastardly evil force. Dai Shi is a 10,000 year old spirit. Evil in all ways, Dai Shi wanted to rid the world of humans, letting the world fall to the animals. The Pai Zhua, amongst others, defeated Dai Shi, and the spirit was trapped in a casket.
Mao holds that casket, and he plans to give it to the three who are told they must guard it with their life. If Dai Shi escapes, it’s their duty to save the world from this spirit. Before they can take the casket, Jarrod returns to fight Master Mao, and Dai Shi is released, killing the Master, in the process.
Master Mao lives long enough to tell the trio about their new master’s location. When they meet him, they’re surprised to learn that the surfer guy/pizzeria owner, R.J. James (David de Lautour), is a master, at all. Of course, he morphs the Power Ranger information into their DNA and the three, along with R.J. are ready to kick Dai Shi’s butt!
There are six episodes on the Power Rangers: Jungle Fury – Way of the Master, Volume 2 DVD. They are episodes 7-12 in the series. Here is a list of the episodes included.
1.7 – “Pizza Slice of Life” – Casey is left in charge of the pizzeria that R.J. owns, but things go awry when his go with the flow attitudes leads to everyone doing what they want. Dai Shi’s loyalist Camille finds out about a traitor in Dai Shi’s ranks, Naja. Camille will risk herself to make sure Dai Shi is protected.
1.8 – “Way of the Master” – With Camille sending Pangolin to attack the city, Lily stubbornly tries to get Master Phant to teach her to use the Jungle Mace. This is the only way that Pangolin can be defeated, as it will break through Pangolin’s armor. Pangolin’s attack on the city just happens to coincide with the resurrection of the Sky Overlord, Carnisoar, by Dai Shi/Jarrod.
1.9 – “Good Karma, Bad Karma” – As Casey tries to use a red kite, to get rid of slime on Slickgon, something preventing the Rangers from destroying him, Jarrod and Carnisoar return to Jarrod’s past. In it, Carnisoar hopes to remove good deeds Jarrod has done.
1.10 – “Blind Leading the Blind” – A blind master, Master Swoop is sent to teach the Rangers. If he can help them learn how to summon the bat spirit, they can defeat Bai Li and Carden, but Theo can’t seem to learn to levitate with or without Master Swoop’s help.
1.11 – “Pushed to the Edge” – Camille summons a new, evil master for Jarrod/Dai Shi. The master is the Sea Overlord, Jellica, who Camille believes can replace the harsh Carnisoar. The only problem is that summoning Jellica is worse than Camille anticipated.
1.12 – “One Master Too Many” – Casey decides he wants a new master because R.J. is too laid back. He ends up turning to Master Finn, who not only can teach him how to summon the shark spirit, he also happens to be R.J.’s estranged father.
Storyline/Plot: 
Replayability:
Acting:
Directing:
Audio/Visual:
The video for Power Rangers: Jungle Fury – Way of the Master is pretty much identical to the Into the Jungle DVD that was also released. It seems that Disney could have saved everyone some time and just released them in a box set. This video was rather plain from an adult point of view. The 1.33:1 aspect ratio and the colorful video did the job it was meant to do, but offers little in the way of cinematic excellence. Kids will like it and that’s the point, but anyone else might want to look the other way.
Again, you aren’t going to find anything new when it comes to the audio. Dolby Digital 2.0 is what is at work here, and that’s fine, if not a little boring. There are no major screw-ups in the audio department, but if you’re expecting to be wowed you’d better look somewhere else because you will be disappointed here.
Visual: 
Audio:
Bonus Features:
Just like with Power Rangers:Jungle Fury – Into the Jungle, Way of the Master does not contain a single real bonus feature.
Bonus Features:
Bottom Line:
Though I’m not a fan of the Power Rangers, if you are, or you have kids who like them, then you should definitely consider purchasing this DVD. You’ll probably want to purchase this with the Jungle Fury Vol. 1 DVD, Into the Jungle, which was released the same day as this DVD, especially if you’ve never seen this series. As far as Power Rangers DVDs go, this one is recommended.
Overall Rating:
Technorati Tags: DVD, Cartoon, Power Rangers, Jungle Fury, Way of the Master, DVD Review
Written by Ashtyn Evans - Visit Website
---
Ashtyn lives in her home state of Michigan with her life partner, Dominick, her 14 year old son, and her baby, the Shih-Tzu, Oliver Twist. Ashtyn is in college, going for a degree in Criminal Justice. She eventually plans to intern with the FBI, if she can. Ashtyn is an experienced and talented chef. She also excels at writing and has worked as a professional writer for the past five years. Ashtyn enjoys spending time with her son and four year old nephew, watching movies, listening to music, and writing works of fiction.
