[KaijuUltraFan]

I like the First and the Next but I had no preconceived ideas about it going in, actually I they were the very first Kamen Rider things I ever watched.

I did like it more on the second viewing because I didn't spend half the movie wondering wtf was going on. I picked up that Ichimonji/V2 was actually the same guy/fiance where I'd missed that the first time, he'd just been "killed" and then turned by Shocker. I didn't spend a chunk of the movie wondering what the hell the hospital stuff was all about. I picked up that all of that was a flashback.

The love triangle I didn't find annoying as much as in the sequel it's like none of that ever happened and the woman is disappeared. Kind of odd.

And I really loved the Rider costumes, I think the helmets are beautiful looking and really capture the look of the original Showa helmets while being more sleek and refined. The dark blue helmet with pink eyes is (imo) really cool looking. There's something cool and creepy about it.

...pretty much the same thing happened with The Next,...I picked up a lot more the second time I watched it. Especially regarding Chiharus character.

The fighting and action scenes in both movies are really good and at times just downright brutal. (like when the Rider stomps on and snaps that guys back in the big ending fight of The Next.)

They got me into Kamen Rider so maybe I just overlook their flaws. But at this point I've watched v1, Kuuga, Agito, Amazons, W, and am up to date with Build and 1/4th through Ryuki,...so I'm glad that I watched them and they pulled me into the Rider'verse.

..and I actually really want a The First blue replica helmet w/ pink eyes for my collection shelf.