Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue (2000–2001) User Reviews

too much like cardboard

[lisawea · 6/10 · 11 May 2008]

For most of this series the lines are too scripted, too forced and too fake. To my knowledge the rangers almost never fight *anything* un-morphed. These "adults" were chosen for their special skills right? If that were true, then they should be able to fight better than this. One commenter on one of the series said that actors are more and more being chosen for looks and not skill; this season pretty much proves that.

I do like the inter-connectivity of the plots: Just about every episode has something to contribute to the other episodes. Most of the plots/plot lines are actually pretty cool. There is a continuity here that is missing in most of the other power rangers series that I have seen. I like that Carter's hero is hinted at episodes before he is revealed. I think that 3 in every 4 episodes follows the normal flow that I have described here. Those that don't are either *way* better or just plain dumb.

Vipra was way over-acted most of the time. And if you've seen space, you'll know what I mean when I call Diabolico a second Ecliptor. almost 3 of 5 stars.

Not bad, but it could have been better

[Tenchi64589 · 7/10 · 22 January 2007]

Admittedly, I realize that I could be watching something different... of course, it's my job to review shows and movies regardless of who it's aimed towards.

I'll make this short and sweet: this Power Rangers series was actually entertaining, but there were a few episodes that wore on too long. (I'm speaking particularly of the Evil Ryan saga.) The good news is that they got to the point and didn't deprive the viewers of action.

As far as endings and team-ups go, they weren't all bad, but they seemed a little rushed to me.

All in all, this series was actually entertaining.

7/10

A hidden gem among the spandex

[dtm666 · 9/10 · 23 March 2008]

Some people would consider Lightspeed Rescue to be the weaker of the Power Rangers series. It's pretty understandable since it does many things differently from other PR shows, but after having re-watched most of the episodes recently, I found this to be one of the stronger series.

A new team of Power Rangers is commissioned by a Earth-based military organization to protect the city of Mariner Bay from a group of ancient demons looking to reclaim their home. This team of Ranger is comprised not of teenagers, but of young adults with past professions and public identities. It's a different dynamic and an interesting look at how a government-sanctioned Ranger team would function.

Everything about Lightspeed seems to fit. The characters are given ample amount of development and the acting is crisp enough that I actually care about what happens to these characters. The set pieces for the Lightspeed Aquabase are fairly good, even though they're too much like the previous series. The plot flows nicely and every episode seems to contribute something to the overall story... even the insignificant fillers.

Fans of PR shouldn't be disappointed with Lightspeed. It's almost on par with In Space, another PR series that is considered classic - however, Lightspeed can be viewed as a standalone and doesn't require the viewer to watch the older series. If you can catch the show on air, go ahead and give it a go.

how can you argue with this?

[justinweithers · 10/10 · 5 May 2008]

lightspeed rescue was a one of sabans last power rangers, which means its one of the last good seasons, in this one the rangers are recruited by a an underwater science/trainning facility that keeps itself secret until the time comes to bring in the new team of power rangers, each with their own unique talent. they accept their mission and train to defeat the demons. the demons return with the hope of rebuilding their palace for their queen who they intend to revive later as she has been long dormant, only to be haulted by earth greatest heroes. the seasons starts off with the rangers getting use to their new surroundings, building confidence in their team by winning a few battles, then 11 episodes later the fun begins as an old memory returns to haunt one of the rangers. join these new rangers as they search and translate ancient texts in the hope of reimprisoning these demons, trust me , you won't want to miss this season. sure its not the original power rangers, but who is?

Excellent show!

[aliengurl · 12 February 2000]

This is a definite must see show if you're a fan of the Power Rangers (and even if you're not)! The whole show has a different 'feel' to it than all of the past incarnations of Power Rangers. Join the Lightspeed Rangers (Kelsey, Dana, Joel, Chad, and Carter) as they fight to defend the city of Mariner Bay from the evil villian Diabolico.

Awesome!

[adamoconnell · 10/10 · 22 June 2010]

Lightpseed rescue is easily my favourite ranger series

I like the rangers. Sean Cw Johnson is a better actor is a better actor than most people make him out to be. Sasha Craig is absolutely fine as the spunky, extreme sporty yellow ranger, who used to be a man in GoGoV. The always beautiful and talented Allison McInnis is present here as the pretty nurse pink ranger, and the excellent Ron Rogge is superb as Captain Mitchell.

The villains are great. After 7 seasons of space aliens we finally get something different-demons. My biggest gripe is the same for anyone who watched one episode of Lightspeed: Vypra's actress is terrible! But she makes up for it by walking around all day in a very revealing outfit and overall cool design. We also get Diabolico, the third Ecliptor. Diabolico is a fierce warrior, but actually cares somewhat for his comrades and gets a tragic ending, which brings us to our main antagonist, Queen Bansheera, and is one tough b*tch. She is brutal and merciless, seeking only to destroy. She starts out an energy ball, then becomes a horrific beast before finally her body is restored, and boy, is she ugly.

I like the zords. we here get a wide ranger of various zords and megazords, which are called in to take on the beasties when the task gets to big for rangers to handle. the transformations are very cool and like how they form the various megazords.

The score is pretty good. its not as epic as zeo and others like that, but it gets the job done and is kind of catchy.

I love the rangers suits. basic, but very cool overall.

The overall theme here, if you haven't guessed already, is rescuing people. i find the execute this very well and i like the concept of a military organization forming a rescue team to protect one city from demons. its just awesome.

There is, however, some hammy voice acting from the monsters and such, but, hell, its power rangers, so what you gonna do?

Not your average Rangers...

[ZeroG1 · 27 May 2000]

Okay. I have to admit. The last I heard of the Power Rangers was as a source of a joke's punch line. But this team is more crown, more mature, more enabled in talent and fighting, and more closely resemblant to the sentai from which it is based. Even if you're not a fan, you still should watch for the fact that this incarnation has more plot than the rest of the series combined.

My favorite season despite some flaws

[mbh42498 · 9/10 · 1 January 2013]

I remember watching the Curse of the Cobra VCR tape of the Titanium Ranger when I was 7 years old. I'd watch that tape of about 80 minutes total for weeks, so I already had a connection to the show.

To all of those out there who are not fond of the actual morphed scenes, be aware that every American Power Rangers show WAS and still IS taken from the Japanese original version , and just adding the American actors and voices.

The rangers to me are OK. Its not quite the same as the first "group of teenagers with attitude", but they all have some personality. Carter being the real leader of course, chad being the cool and somewhat shy guy, Joel is overconfident in himself and almost obnoxious how self indulged he is, then Kelsy is the fun adventurous daredevil, and then Dana is just, eh. She doesn't really get much notice except for two eps. I myself am disappointed with the Titanium ranger's absence, but if you actually learned why he left, which some people aren't aware of, he left for a good cause. I lasted not seeing him in the team up.

The music is a favorite of mine. Not exactly from the singing, but the instrumental music is just great. It really fits with the military feel of the show with a strong brass, suspended cymbal., timpani and snare in some pieces. You can actually find the full eps on youtube. Just put in, PRLR EP___(ep of your choice). I'd suggest the second episode called Lightspeed Teamwork because it has the most of the season's score used throughout the show in just one episode.

Then there are the whole concept of the show. I know one review said that it didn't have any powers... Of course there were no actual magic super powers. The whole season is based around a military operation made to serve and protect the public, like SWAT or FBI. The morphers and zords aren't made from some wizards, they are actually made from scientists. I'm sorry, but I think it'd be weird for a special forces group to be using giant colored robotic animals to be defending a city in the 21 century. Most of the rangers aren't trained in martial arts or some performing arts, so the whole Lightspeed scientists are constantly making new technology like the V-Lancers and the Battle Boosters. This and SPD are not seasons to be expecting magic.

The demons I do agree with everybody else. Vypra is just so boring of a villain it sounds like me on a Saturday morning. Honesly, why does a demon in kinky,ish attire have a car with a laser machine gun on top? One guy said that two villains are ugly and scary? I'm sorry but that just shows how little intelligence he has of the show. The villains shown are from footage of the original Jap rangers. The only time when footage was "MADE IN America " was when the rangers fought unmorphed, which didn't happen often, or anything including the Titanium Ranger since he wasn't included in Japan. Besides, the monsters are demons... They aren't going to be a transformed version of a pink purse or some kind of pig that gobbles up food... Demons are supposed to make you feel scared. They are more scary and destructive than Pudgy the Pig , who pretty much only ate food. Kids are watching the show because they enjoy the action. If they don't want to see scary monsters, they wont. The ghouls in the team up did scare me for a while, but its supposed to scare me.

The show's powerful plots did have more of an impact, rather than "saving the earth from pollution" in Wildforce. Ryan saving the family from the explosion and him realizing he's good with epic bravery music in the back playing, or the moment Capt. Mitchell seeing his son is the Titanium Ranger and him telling the other rangers that.

Overall, how much I liked the show's pros were more overwhelming than the problems it did have. It brings back memories, since not being born in the MMPR era and this to be the first season I actually saw.

Most dark but epic PR show!

[amiranda-39274 · 10/10 · 12 September 2017]

this was honestly the first power rangers show i ever watched as a kid, i didn't even watch the first season before this.I am fully aware of some of the bad acting and goof ups, but i don't care, i love this season. i only owned 3 VHS tapes of this show as a kid, the first episode, the titanium ranger arc, and the kick butt finale! i finally bought the entire show and i binged watched it all, i now remember why i was hooked on power rangers as a kid. first i just want to say that the Epic, awesome metal guitar theme song, is more of enough reason to give this show 10/10, it always gets me pumped and feeling like i can save the world. next i want to talk about the characters, each one of them is so memorable and unique that i can name them all by name, i will admit i never got why they hired a guy from sea world, but for a kid from San Diego, i loved it, and later i saw he knew good kung fu.The aqua base is breathtaking, it looks so real and good, it oozed with great atmosphere, i especially loved captain Mitchell who was in charge of the underwater military operation, the actor did a great job, i respected him as an authority figure, also the chemistry he had with his kids was so good and heartwarming, it felt like he was actually their father. And lets not forget the seriously hot scientist, Ms. fair weather, who developed all of the rangers weapons and gear, i also love the fact she actually married one of the rangers who had been trying to romance her the entire season,that kept my sisters very interested in the show, and honestly i realized that if there was ever a couple who deserved to be the first to be married in the franchise, it was them, even though Kimberly and Tommy would have been nice too. And if i haven't made it obvious how much i love this show, i really love the designs of the villains, they looked exactly what demons should look like,and they actually had a good reason for attacking only one city. diabolico was an interesting character, starting out as a bad guy and slowly becoming a good guy, and he actually helped the rangers in the finale. Vypra was hot... Next prince Olympus, this guy looks so bad ass! he started the show as a baby, but one spell later and he is a freakin dragon warrior, i will admit his devotion towards his mother was a little mamma's boyish, but dang it, if i don't feel sorry that his mother doesn't care about him at all. The demon queen in this show is got to be the most evil villain I've ever seen, not just in this show but in general, she was super selfish, extremely insane, and she killed most of her own followers i was convinced she was the devil!there are mostly fillers after the titanium ranger arc, which has a cobra tattoo curse that is awesome, but getting towards the finale every episode became more darker and intense until the finale, where the demons enter into the aqua base, take over the rangers megazords,trap most of them underwater,were going to drown for certain, and the demons are going to bring a literal hell to earth, the dread in this finale is thick, you honestly feel that these guys are not going to survive this. and after the final battle you feel these guys have earned their happy ending, and just to end the season with a BOOYEAH, after returning their morphers to the government, they see a building on fire, and actually run towards it without their morphers to still help people in trouble. this is what a power rangers show should be about, fighting monsters is cool, but seeing these heroes realize that being a ranger is not about the power,but helping people in need no matter what. This show had it all, Action, Romance, Comedy,Drama, it even had a guy with a real gun, also it was nice to see that the rangers actually help with natural disasters, and they don't just wait to fight monsters, also i really feel it was more realistic, that the government was backing up the rangers instead of some floating head with magic powers... R.I.P zordon .This show was probably made for an older audience, especially since i just watched recently, but it made me feel more grown up as a kid, it taught me as a kid to be aware of real dangers, and real monsters, and that i don't need a ranger suit to help people.

Awesome weapons, great special effects, good dialogue, likable heroes, deliciously evil villains, and a kick butt song, go watch this.

Has the same problems as Lost Galaxy, but it's still a good season

[gavin-thelordofthefu-48-460297 · 8/10 · 22 January 2013]

As much as I liked MMPR, PRZ, and PRIS, PRT, PRLG had the problems with some of their weakest, but not unwatchable episodes, but while Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue has the same problems with only six episodes being the weakest, it does have a decent beginning and a great two-parter finale (even the crossover between with the Lost Galaxy rangers was great, forgot to mention that in the Lost Galaxy crossover with the Space Rangers). While most of the dialog is pretty weak, the actors did a passable job with their roles here especially the main characters and the rangers. The villains aren't the best in this season, but they weren't that bad. The music, including it's catchy memorable theme song, was pretty good and the morphing sequences and the megazord fight sequences are cool too.

Overall, it does have the same problems as Power Rangers Turbo and Power Rangers Lost Galaxy, but it's marginally an improvement over those two seasons.

Like it

[JE_Karone · 19 June 2002]

I liked this one.

It wasn't their best season but I liked the theme a lot with rescue and all that was very neat. The bad guys weren't all that bad the rangers weren't that bad either so it was okay.

I deffinetly preffer this one over Time Force and Wild Force. But it doesn't quite get up there with in Space and Galaxy I don't think.

Did like the theme. The caracters, their roles could have been a little bit better I think but I think it was good so I give it hmmm a 3 1/2 to a 4 star rating.

Very underrated series!

[reddragonhero17 · 10/10 · 9 September 2015]

I'm not much of a Power Rangers fan, but this series won me over 15 years ago when it first aired on TV. What hooked me was not only the action, but the story, messages, and the realistic scenarios the rangers are when they aren't fighting evil forces. The demons themselves are kind of creepy rather than ridiculous especially Queen Bansheera. The story is very involving as Captain Mitchell has a history with the demons and it plays out nicely with touches of poignancy. The acting ability is much improved, you really feel for the characters and they think of the consequences of their actions. Thankfully unlike earlier seasons (especially the first one) this Power Rangers installment doesn't let the violence stamp out the messages, story and the fun.

LightSpeed Rescue!!

[T-ZER0 · 8/10 · 27 May 2021]

What do you get when you mix Rescue Heroes, Ghostbusters, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Men In Black and put them together? You get LightSpeed Rescue! It's a different take on the Power Rangers franchise, with more focus on rescues rather than large robot battles unlike in the previous seasons. Nonetheless, I like this season of PR. The theme song is awesome, and it's cool to see the rangers working for a top secret organization!

I've already watched a few episodes and I love it so far and especially love the theme song! Can't wait to see the rest of it. Now all we need are some Lightning Collection figures! Hasbro? 😉😉

Good, underrated season

[Writer_Commentary · 9/10 · 13 August 2013]

I'm not sure why people hate this season. I know a lot of people do for reasons unknown to me. This team of rangers might actually be the first team of true and real heroes. The previous teams of rangers may have saved the world, but they lacked the type of heroism that comes with the every man. This team of rangers was arguably more heroic than any team before them and any team since. These teams were actually saving lives on a regular basis and based off of real heroes in life that you should see more. I'll admit that there are some aspects of the series that I didn't like. But for the most part, I'd recommend this season to anyone who loves seeing the real heroes in shows.

Simply Awesome

[andros-3 · 13 February 2000]

The cast very different, good first episode. No more teenagers, they are more like young adults now. Great looking cast. Awesome zords, great morphing sequence, cool villains, lots of adventure, and great costumes. The power rangers are back and they have jobs. They have more responsibility, having jobs, and saving the world in a different city. They also have a cool underwater base to have more secret operations. Although their identities aren't secret this time, the show is great so far.

Lost Galaxy is better but this is still a good show

[FinisherDude · 8/10 · 6 July 2020]

This season is actually pretty good, it has good storytelling but in certain episodes it could be poorly executed, those are my one of my complaints about the season. The acting is good except for Vypra, she's not convincing enough and I totally don't buy her acting but at least we have more villain's though. The writing is alright overall. This season isn't well known compared to Mighty Morphin, Time Force and SPD but it deserve more recognition

Good!

[Op_Prime · 20 May 2000]

Lightspeed Rescue is a good show. Instead of being in space like the last two shows, Lightspeed Rescue is back on Earth in Mariner Bay. The whole premise is more interesting. Rather than conquering the world, the villains are more interested in taking back their home, which happens to be Mariner Bay. The cast is great, along with effects, zords and stories. Thumbs up.

Better then the Old

[Seth_Net · 25 February 2002]

Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue is a real cool shows it beats the original Power Rangers straight on. Using a Train is a cool way to get the Zords to them not that great writing, It's really better than the old Sub Zero one witch last for three show I only saw. Then move on. I did rent old Power Ranger Movie to find out that it was old it was the next level. Waste of Mone. But Power Rangers Lightspeed. I remember the one thing that captain of the Power Rangers Lightspeed, Told Carter that he fail the one of the test. He doubt his boss. But his boss was right.

The young that people young Carter during the fire scence flashback and the young Dana and Ryan doing the car wrek fashback they are good actors. I was think that it was going to be along the same story line. But the writers are doing real great because this show was never boring even to the last episode. I real enjoyed watching this show but too bad it's over and out expact for one guest showing.

The One

[Lho3323370 · 18 July 2001]

My friend Dana loves Power Rangers and so do I. Well a villain tries to attack the Power Rangers she has her trident to destroy stuff. The Blue Ranger loves to swim, The Red One combats the villains, The Yellow one loves roller-blading, and the green one is best pals with the red one. In One episode the blue ranger fell in love with a mermaid.

Oh My God!

[Derek-86 · 25 July 2000]

I thought the show would be better than this. I don't even know if the people that wrote the scripts were from the same people that created "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers" 7 years ago. Either that or they don't have thier heads screwed on right. This is without a doubt the worst of all the series. This has nothing to do with the past series and everythings different. The rangers powers were always magic. Magic coins, magic swords, magic crystals, etc. Now its technology created by scientists. And the monsters were always space aliens. Now they're demons. The zords are just "whack!" Don't even get me started on them. On a scale of 1-10 I give it a 0.

FOX... Call it a day already!

[Honkon · 28 August 2000]

I don't even know why I'm writing this! It's just a waste of time, but most of the people out there will agree with me. The Whole Power Rangers fad is dead! I started watching when the show hit the UK in '94. I thought It was the best thing on TV! (Anyone would at 10 Years of age). The Original show was going great guns until they started writing out the main cast in Droves and changing the whole format of the show. The Power Zords were tolerable then the Ninja ones, but once they started introducing the Shoguns Zords, It hit me: Why bother any more?

This show was once fresh, But two many changes were made. Plus Saban turned it into a cash cow and milked it dry!

Anyone who is still hooked on the show needs to give it a rest!

When will this end?

[Mike-2000 · 18 June 2000]

When will Fox realize Power Rangers isn't popular anymore? Maybe never. If fox makes one more power rangers show, I'll freak out!

Fox, ENOUGH WITH THE POWER RANGERS! This is getting very, very, very annoying!!!