That was kind of a mess.

The story is another past group resurrected, with a tag along kid thrown in, for a movie about Hesei vs Showa the conflict feels tacked on, the excuse is flimsy, and for the biggest part the fights against Badan are the main obstacles.

On the other hand, the returning actors are fairly good, Shotaro is over the top but as likeable as ever, Takeshi is made of hotblood, Tsukasa... is himself, but Jin and Takumi steal the spotlight, I don't know how accurate their portrayal is since I haven't watched the original shows, but those two steal the show, their arc is the coolest one and the one that ties better into the death motif, it was easily the best part of the movie.

But the rest feels slow, disjointed and incoherent, sure, Rider team-ups are cool, but if that isn't pakcaged with a good story it comes across as pointless and dissapointing.

Also, the heck was with that ending!?
The alternative didn't sound any better either.

I enjoyed every moment of Shotaro and him being as Joker while it lasted.... Also... Nothing was explained as to where Philp went... da heck...? I read on the wiki that he died by the showa riders but I guess that was pure speculation?

Also watching this really wants me to go watch Faiz now. Another thing I have a gripe about is that 15 lack of other rider arms... I know it must've been a budget reason but... the only different rider arm that we didn't get to see from the Gaim vs Wizard movie was Decade and Gaim himself... which guess was ok for Gaim to against himself... again....... Seriously would've love to see Kiva Arms or Den O arms just for kicks.

Given that at the end there was a W Lock, and W requires both of em, I guess him being defeated early on is plausible.

Budget! Respect the budget!
Yeah, newer ones would have been cool.

The idea of Phillip geting defeated by the Showas (no need to spoiler tag something that never happens) makes no sense. If Phillip was taken out before we see Shotaro, there is absolutly no way Shotaro would refuse to help Decade figure out their deal to look for some lost pets. And if they are already in the big fight, why would they fight as the weaker Joker and Cyclone (which isn't even canon as far as being on screen goes) forms when they are much stronger as Double?

What's stopped Fukushi from reprising the role even as a VA?

i new Faiz was my fave hessei rider for a reason even though i havent seen his season i loved the motif and i loved what i saw in decade AU. seeing the original Faiz for the first time made me think he was awesome and bad ass so i got me to go to TV nihon and download the first 18 ep batch subbed so i can finally watch them.

Something I forgot to mention in my big reaction post: this movie did more cool tricks with the Gaim armor in 98 minutes than the series has in 40 episodes.

You mean like how Kouta used Orange arms as a spinning shield before transforming?

Yeah. Or using the unfurled fruit to block attacks or kicking them at people.

I laughed when he went all baby and nibbled off on 15head before Ichigo arms unfolded.