I saw the 2-parter "Test of a Leader"/"Jayden's Challenge" today, though I saw it in reverse order, since I missed part 1 last week on Nickelodeon and had to catch it tonight on Nicktoons. (I could've sworn Zap2It said there was no new episode last week.) Anyway, interesting story, and it's really easy to tell that they're adapting the Japanese storyline beat for beat. Well, almost. I gather that in
Shinkenger, Shinken Red is a nobleman and the other Rangers are his retainers or something, but here, the Rangers' duty to protect Jayden comes from their understanding that he's uniquely able to seal Xandred away. Still, the whole story feels very Japanese.
Action-wise, the 3-way fight in part 1 between Jayden, Deker, and the monster was a highlight. Mixed feelings about the Megazord action in part 2, though. The aerial action is a nice addition to the giant-robot-battle formula, handled very dynamically. But the designs of the Zords and the Megazord's various configurations this year are just ridiculous. Way too overcomplicated.
I did notice something interesting about the spin swords and the power discs. I realized that the sword/disc combination functions as a
zoetrope -- the disc has a series of frames showing the silhouette of the associated Zord going through a motion cycle, and when it's placed on the sword and spun, the mirrored facets of the hilt reflect the frames as an animated motion. That's really very clever, and I assume they're sold as a toy in Japan. And it explains why they use "spin swords" and discs at all.
Some decent use of Bulk and Spike here, as they actually try to get in on the action. I liked the comic timing as they ran out of frame toward the monsters, then silence, then we saw them running back the other way --
twice. And Spike is getting marginally less annoying. Felix Ryan seems to have modified his vocal performance into something a little less creaking and kind of like Shaggy from
Scooby-Doo.
