DVD Review for RPM Volume 2: Race For Corinth

Power Rangers RPM Volume 2: Race For Corinth is currently for sale on at most retail stores and at online stores. . The DVD contains some of the stronger episodes of the series and is a valuable part of any fans collection.

The episodes themelves give us unique incite into the back stories of many of the Rangers. Using flashbacks to weave these backstories together. The episodes are some of the finer character episodes of the whole season. The seriousness of these backstories are balenced by the comdic one liners that would probably even make parents laugh. The action footage is some of the strongest for the series in a long time.

The one major disapointment here is some of the zord battles. They are often to quick and the footage isn't always on par with the epic scope that we see in the rest of the DVD.. It isn't as strong as the ground battles. But at the same time it does provide for some quick action. And doesn't bring down the episodes much at all.

Power Rangers RPM is set in the future where the Venjix Virus has taking over the world and decimated 90 percent of the World's population. Only the domed city Corinth is left to protect whats left of humanity. . The Power Rangers RPM are charged with protecting the city and battling Venjix's robots. The focus of the series is somewhat darker then recent Power Rangers Seasons. But at the same time maintains the humor that I alluded to above. The series has plenty of fun to it and is not just some dark film noir. Race To Corinth is the second DVD in the RPM series. It chroniciles episodes; "Ranger Green", "Ranger Red", Ranger Yellow Part 1, Ranger Yellow Part 2, and "Ranger Blue"..

"Ranger Green" delves into Ziggy's backstory, after he has just become the new Green Ranger on accident. While Ziggy seems like pure comic relief and somewhat shady character, we learn that there is much more to him . The scenes betwen Doctor K and Ziggy make for some laughs. As Ziggy's annoying personality is a good foil to Doctor K's no nonsense aproach. K is visible repulsed by Ziggy and resents having to work with him. K steals the show here with some of her one liners.

A failed test of his new powers prompts Ziggy to think about his past. Which shows his early dealings as a recruit for Sideshow' Bob's mob faction. We flash foward to the present as Ziggy jions the Ranger in a battle. A malfuction with his new teleportation powers lands him in a bank with money. Where he is later detained and suspended until his name can be cleared. As his past with Sideshow Bob makes him look bad.

Ziggy doesn't have much to say but continues to flashback to his early days in Corinth. . Where he collected he collected money from local business/insititutions, as part of Sideshow Bob's faction.. A trip to the orphange shows Ziggy;s big heart. The Rangers learn that Ziggy took a shupment that was meant for the mob, which is why all the factions are after hum. There is a twist here at the end that makes us see the Ziggy character in a whole new light.

"Ranger Red" gives us a splotlight on Scott Trueman. As well as his issues with his father. The episode is really about a man trying to live up to a bother (Marcus) and get the respect in his father's eyese. The Rangers test out a new zord and find out that they need a new power source. Which forces Scott to confront his past in the air force under his father and in a squadron commanded by his older brother. These flashback's go through the Battle of Venjix. Scott finds out that they need a special engine that his brother used. Which forces him to venture out into the Wasteland to where his brother crashed.

There is some nice humor to balence it out the seriousness in the beginning. Which features Ziggy and his attempt to find good one liners. Which plays out throughout many of the action scenes of the episode. There is a delightful unmorphed battle with the grunts in the beginning. Which utilizes a playground. Although played for laughs it is probably one of the better unmrophed battles the show has had in years. There is a nice scene at the end where we learn just who Marcus was going to choose to be his wingman, which plays into what we see in Scott's flashbacks.

"Ranger Yellow Part 1" focues on Summer Landsdown. We learn that she was once a much different person . We learn that Summer was once a spoiled rich girl desparate for her parent's attention. The Venjix's Attack changed her life forever. Summer's parents come to visit her in the present, which seems to leave her less then thrilled. Venjix sends Teneya 7 on a quest for the Lansdowne Diamond, a diamond that belongs to the Landsdown family.

This one has some good humor but Summer's backstory does have a serious edge. There scenes with spoiled Summer are good for a laugh though. There is also a good scene with the Ranger's answering questions for the children. Which has plenty of jokes that will even have parent's laughing. There is a well putt together fight at the end between Summer and Tenaya 7. Summer's parent's come off a bit annoying and cliche. But it serves the purpose of the episode.

"Ranger Yellow Part 2" picks things up as Summer finds out that her parent's want her to complete a marriage that was arranged when she was a child. It seems tha Landsdown have lost all their money and need this marriage to work to get more. Summer has almost no choice as her parent's won't give her the Landsdown diamons ( which the Ranger's need to protect from Venjix) unless she marries Chaz.

"Ranger Blue" focuses on Flynn. As he a malfunction in his suit forces him out of commision. Which leads to him flashback to his childhood. Where he always dreamed of growing up to be a hero. Unfortunately, most of his attempts all went horribly wrong. These flashback make for some humorous scenes. As whyen we see do gooder Flynn trying to fight the system. Early in the flashbacks, we learn how Flynn's father didn't approve of Flynn's love of comics and desire to be a hero.The flashback's continue on and show us just how Flynn got to Corinth . Where he was funally thrust into doing an heroic act that makes him seen as the hero he truely is. And allow is father to see this as well.

Flynn's solutioon to his malfunction is interesting and seemingly puts Doctor K in her place, for acting like the problem was above Flynn's understanding earlier. There is a charming scene between Flynn and his dad at the end. That really closes the episode well.All in all a good episode that gives us a look into who Flynn really is.

Power Rangers RPM Volume 2: Race For Corinth is a must have DVD for Power Rangers fans. The strong character archs make these some of the most compelling episodes of the season. The episodes also feature the strong fight scenes that have always made Power Rangers a hit. Parents and kids should be able to enjoy this together. Although the concept is a bit darker. It still is treated lighhearted enough for young minds ( "Ranger Red" and "Ranger Yellow Part does deal with death though , so parent's should keep that in mind.) . But doesn't talk down to kids either. Its recommended that you buy RPM Volume one first however.