[Kiwami]

Yeah so this was definitely a Rider movie.

- Alternate universe with alternate characters

- Bad guy is bad because bad

- Weird next main Rider cameo

- No consequences, no character development or lasting tie-in to the actual show

Granted, the last one makes sense, not everyone can see the movie just in time for the changes established in it to make sense. But it has been done better in the past so I still criticize it.

Had some slightly higher hopes for this than usual because Gavv is awesome but this is just the well-known forgettable movie formula after all.

The alternate universe thing sucks most, what outstanding strengths Gavv has, its great character chemistry, are tossed aside. That being said, the one scene I did find awesome was the Stomach Family backing up Shouma. That was kinda cool and definitely impossible to achieve otherwise.

Also, I found the clone experiments with the ripped-off Gavv’ a bit too gruesome. That’s quite graphic for the intended audience IMO. I mean they have skin and blood attached to them still. Blue coloring or not, kids get the idea. The freakin’ surgery room looked like something Hannibal Lecter would come up with, quite disgusting.

What saves this movie somewhat, but can’t stand on its own without proper story and character support: The action scenes were phenomenal, super well done and lots of fun to watch. But Gavv the show already does that, with a better structure underneath to tie it all together.

On the "so ridiculous its funny"-scale, this movie is actually a secret must-watch for every Rider-fan just to see (and hear) an official Driver whose form announcement is "Horror! Ouchie!"