Power Rangers – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Power Rangers

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2017

58%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Five misfit teens morph into superheroes to save the world—loud, diverse, and packed with explosions that drown out the good stuff.

51%

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Power Rangers

movie

PG-13, 2017

58%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Five misfit teens morph into superheroes to save the world—loud, diverse, and packed with explosions that drown out the good stuff.

51%

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Screenwise Verdict

The 2017 Power Rangers reboot wants to be a heartfelt story about misfits finding their power, but it's buried under so much CGI carnage and crude humor that the good stuff barely surfaces. The diverse cast and themes of acceptance are genuinely solid, but the execution is loud, formulaic, and often exhausting.

Critics were mixed (51% RT), audiences slightly warmer (65%), and the middling scores across the board (5.9 IMDb, 44 Metacritic, 2.5 Letterboxd) tell the real story: it's fine if your 12-year-old is into action spectacle, but it's not a must-watch. The violence is sustained enough that younger kids should sit this one out, and the entertainment value isn't high enough to make it appointment viewing.

If your tween loved the original show or needs a superhero fix, it'll do the job. Just be ready to talk about the battle scenes and the occasional joke that makes you wince.

Age Fit

Common Sense Media and the PG-13 rating both point to 12+ as the sweet spot. Younger kids will be rattled by the violence and language; older tweens and early teens will appreciate the action and themes without being talked down to.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

The film centers on five diverse outcasts learning teamwork, self-acceptance, and responsibility—solid themes. However, it's undercut by crude humor, suggestive jokes, bullying sequences, and a tone that leans heavily on teen angst and detention drama. The diversity is genuine (including a character on the autism spectrum), but the emotional beats are often drowned out by explosions and one-liners.

Imaginative

It's a sci-fi reboot with alien coins, morphing suits, and giant Zords—classic Power Rangers DNA. But the execution is formulaic: standard superhero origin beats, CGI-heavy battles, and not much that feels fresh or invites creative thinking. It's more 'watch stuff blow up' than 'imagine what you'd do with these powers.' Letterboxd's 2.5/5 and Metacritic's 44 suggest even fans found it derivative.

Safe

PG-13 with 'extended sequences of action violence, many deaths, mass destruction, and bullying' per Raising Children. ParentPreviews flags violence (C-), sexual content (B-), profanity (C+), and substance use (C+). Common Sense Media rates it 12+ due to intense battle scenes, occasional crude language, and mild sexual jokes. No graphic gore or nudity, but the violence is sustained and the tone is darker than typical kids' fare—younger viewers will find it unsettling.

Enriching

There are teachable moments about teamwork, embracing differences, and stepping up when the world needs you. The diverse cast and inclusion of a character on the spectrum offer representation. But the film prioritizes spectacle over depth—Roger Ebert calls it 'loud, trashy, sweet and weird,' and that's accurate. It's not brain rot, but it's not exactly enriching either. Entertainment value is middling (5.9 IMDb, 51% RT critics).

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Genuinely diverse cast including a character on the autism spectrum—representation matters
Themes of teamwork, self-acceptance, and stepping up when it counts
Fast-paced action and giant robot battles for kids who love spectacle
A decent gateway to discuss responsibility and embracing differences

⚠

What to Watch For

Sustained action violence with deaths, explosions, and mass destruction—intense for under-12s
Crude humor, mild sexual jokes, and occasional profanity scattered throughout
Bullying sequences and teen angst may hit close to home for sensitive kids
Formulaic plot and loud pacing—it's more 'turn off your brain' than thoughtful viewing

Conversation Starters

"Each Ranger had to deal with their own stuff before they could work together—what would be hardest for you?"
"The team is super diverse. Why do you think that matters when you're trying to save the world?"
"Rita was a former Ranger who went bad. What do you think made her change?"
"If you found one of those power coins, would you tell anyone or keep it secret?"

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