LEGEND OF THE WHITE DRAGON
Directed by Aaron Schoenke
Starring Jason David Frank, Jason Faunt, Cerina Vincent, Ciara Hanna, Mark Dacascos, Michael Madsen, Aaron Schoenke, Rachele Brooke Smith, Andrew Bachelor & David Ramsey
Debuts on Digital September 22
4K Ultra HD/Blu-ray™ Combo Pack & DVD October 20
Includes Bonus Content
From Well Go USA Entertainment
In the spirit of the classic Power Rangers franchise, but with a grittier and more mature take on the genre, LEGEND OF THE WHITE DRAGON is a sci-fi action adventure that follows the White Dragon as he returns to fight the vengeful Dragon Prime after a catastrophic event.
Successfully crowdfunded via Kickstarter, LEGEND OF THE WHITE DRAGON is the first feature film by Aaron Schoenke and is the final performance and a fitting tribute to fan-favourite icon Jason David Frank. The film also stars fellow Power Rangers alumni Jason Faunt, Cerina Vincent and Ciara Hanna, along with Aaron Schoenke, Rachele Brooke Smith, Michael Madsen (Kill Bill, The Hateful Eight), Andrew Bachelor, David Ramsey (Arrow), and Mark Dacascos (John Wick: Chapter 3).
Synopsis
Three years after hiding his White Dragon alias, Erik Reed (Jason David Frank) emerges from the shadows to reclaim his stolen identity and clear his name. But as he seeks to reunite with his secret family, a mysterious villain known as Dragon Prime rises with a relentless vendetta to see the White Dragon fall for good.
Review
LEGEND OF THE WHITE DRAGON is one of those films that has so much potential, but the final product is a little flawed due to many circumstances out of the control of the production company and director. It is a could-have-been rather than an amazing film. That all being said, it’s still worth viewing.
Jason David Frank, in his final role, is what audiences want in heroes. He’s flawed, he’s vulnerable, and he’s relatable. I personally hate that he is no longer with us, but LEGEND OF THE WHITE DRAGON is a pretty good send-off to remember him by.
Make no mistake about it: this is Jason David Frank’s film. He’s the one who elevates the material and carries the story. If you watch the credits roll at the end, you can see just how ingrained he was in making it fun and making people feel important and at ease.
Director Aaron Schoenke does an admirable job of trying to create a cohesive story, which sometimes wavers but never falters from its redemption plot. This isn’t a typical Power Rangers movie; in fact, it is far from it. There’s blood, guts, and even some adult language. It is a science fiction action movie with heart, and it has an uphill battle for views with a barrage of superhero films on the market.
The CGI is passable, but again, this was funded by Kickstarter and had limitations, made even more difficult by the death of its star.
The film has some outstanding scenes between Mark Dacascos and Jason David Frank. The two work so well together, and everything flows naturally. If the movie had more of that chemistry with all the other stars, it would be a not-to-miss film.
Some scenes are hard to get through without tearing up. One such scene is between Michael Madsen, who plays Max Reed, the father of Erik Reed/White Dragon, and Frank, who plays Erik Reed/White Dragon. There’s a heartfelt dialogue back and forth which really hits the heartstrings, especially since both actors are no longer with us.
LEGEND OF THE WHITE DRAGON is a hard movie to review considering the issues surrounding the death of Jason David Frank. It’s the final memory of a man and his art. That all aside, it’s a fun watch, with some great performances and scenes.
The story could be a little more cohesive, but what it lacks in that department, it makes up for in heart and tenacity.
Rest in Peace, Jason David Frank and Michael Madsen.
