February 07, 2011

‘Power Rangers Samurai’ looks for fighting chance with new generation

Posted in: TV

Los Angeles Times television writer Yvonne Villarreal looks at Nickelodeon’s new fight club…

Najee De-Tiege, Alex Heartman, Ct, and Hector David, Jr. (Ricardo DeAratanha)

Eighteen years — and 15 iterations — after they premiered, the Power Rangers are still demonstrating their mighty morphin’ abilities. Now Nickelodeon is introducing a new generation of kids to the long-running franchise of teenage costumed heroes with the prime-time premiere Monday of the live-action series “Power Rangers Samurai.”

“The show has been a point of entry into action adventure, sci-fi and fantasy for young children for so many years,” said Pete Danielsen, executive vice president of programming for Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids and Family Group. “And we hope that remains true as we add it to our lineup.”

In the new edition, shot in New Zealand, five spirited teens battle monsters under the guidance of a samurai mentor to save the world. “There’s no other show for kids that has this kind of action and adventure,” said the newly minted red Ranger Alex Heartman, who as a kid dressed as the original red Power Ranger for a few Halloweens.

As Saban Brands reboots the Japanese import on a global scale, plans are to have the series run over two seasons — about 40 episodes — before rotating in a new edition…

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– Yvonne Villarreal

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