LEGEND OF THE WHITE DRAGON -- Power Rangers Fan Film

Review by Steve Barton II

If you grew up in the wacky, vibrant world of the 1990s, you were certainly aware of Power Rangers and the grip it had on children of the era. Kids were stunned and hypnotized by the bright colors, creepy practical monsters and hand-to-hand combat with a killer soundtrack. While many parents complained about the show making their children violent and wild, the show powered through and created several spin-offs and movies that are still produced almost 40 years later. As many actors and actresses have worn the colorful costumes, Jason David Frank always stayed close to his Green Ranger outfit. Jason loved his time as the original Green Ranger so much that he was trying hard to make his own movie with the character as an adult years later. While unfortunately he couldn’t get the rights to do so, he did gather a talented group of filmmakers and crowd-funding to make Legend of the White Dragon. Legend of the White Dragon follows Erik Reed (Frank) after he’s lost the crystal that makes him the White Dragon and in turn the city has succumbed to the criminal activity. After being blamed for events out of his control, Erik sets out to clear his name and find his crystal.

Legend of the White Dragon is clearly a passion project from everyone involved, but especially Jason David Frank and first time directors Sean and Aaron Schoenke. With Jason’s unfortunate passing in 2022, he wasn’t able to see his idea materialized, but his vision and passion is all over this film. If Jason’s end goal was to make a Power Rangers fan film inspired by the old school action and effects, they nailed it. Unfortunately, that doesn’t make for a large scale theatrical movie. The digital effects don’t look great, but they fit into this 90s inspired action flick. The fight choreography is its strongest component with several trained martial artists that made those sequences alone elevate the entire experience. When Jason faces off with a legend like Mark Dacascos and they show off their skills, you forget you're watching a movie about a crystal powered hero.

The main plot of Legend of the White Dragon is thin and familiar tasting, but you stay for the cast of characters. Jason David Frank as Erik Reed is a fun action leading man when it comes to fighting, but his acting wasn’t completely convincing. When he’s called on to show sadness or emotion, it struggles to break through on screen. While he’s fighting or delivering the “intense action man” dialogue, the charm and charisma peaks through. The rest of the cast is filled with several Power Ranger actors over several of the spin-offs and a few familiar faces. Accompanying Jason as former Rangers are Jason Faunt as his buddy Connor, Ciara Hanna as Vanessa and Cerina Vincent as Erik’s wife. While they are all still working actors, it was surely nice for them to have a reunion of sorts and play in a familiar feeling for a while. Rounding out the cast with David Ramsey from Arrow, Vine star King Bach and the legendary Michael Madsen made Legend of the White Dragon feel larger scale then it truly is. Although seeing Jason and Michael go back and forth in the jail scene does tug at your heart strings because both men have since left us, but they did so leaving a nice piece of work to remember them by.

In the end, Legend of the White Dragon is a fine film that pays homage to the Power Rangers franchise and fans while also showing that Jason David Frank was an adventurous and bold artist. Jason had a goal to make something that honored his career defining role and this surely does that. It isn’t going to be the next blockbuster hit or an independent darling like Obsession, but this certainly has an audience. As first time directors, Sean and Aaron show promise that they know how to shoot action and make a compelling story. With some stronger character development and a deeper, more impactful plot, this movie could’ve been next level fun. While it’s far from the most impressive film of 2026, Legend of the White Dragon knows what it is and was made for the fans.

Legend of the White Dragon will explode its way into theaters starting August 28th!

Rating: 2.5/5