[AkibaSilver]

What I learned from RealXTime is that online Gamers are one step away from trying to blow up the world. The most believable thing Kamen Rider ever did.

But yeah, I'm glad I'm not the only one thinking of the Ex-Aid summer movie, because this is just that, but like, a lot better? Esu doesn't have much too him, but it's still more meat (both in characterisation *and* plan) that he's probably still among top 5 movie villains in that regard. The Sentai team of non-Hiden Riders all get good stuff, whether it be solo action scenes, cute little character moments (Jin calling Fuwa "Gorilla" was worth the runtime alone), or literally everything Horobi does. He 100% benefits from this being post-series, meaning we're freed from any "Oh we're just working with you humans because we also don't wanna die" that might have otherwise have to be invoked, and we get to see him in his new role as defender of life.

As for Aruto and Izu, it sure is funny how often one of the friendliest, most openly compassionate main Riders constantly gets himself evil forms, huh? I don't mean that as a criticism - it's almost a point of Aruto's character by now that his primary tactic is to let himself get whaled on while trying to redeem somone, and using a beserker form means he can let his driver punish him while he fights, it's genius! But yeah, he doesn't have much of an arc hee, but he puts the plot together, and he saves the day by opening his heart to someone. That's how you know it's Aruto. As for Izu, I see people's problems, but I think that middle scene is open to interpretation? I think the final scene makes clear that Izu2 might have a little more of Izu1's memories, but not the understanding, the depth behind them. She's not quite the old Izu we knew, but the soul is still there. Idk, maybe I'm being charitable because that final 01/02 fight was amazing.

As others have said, the film looks amazing, and while it's not exactly pefect (Lucifer is exactly the mindless villain we could have got with Esu, I had to check on the wiki who he was because I'd forgotten which general was which by the end), and the in-media-res aspect probably lends the film better to a second watch than a first, so you spend less time trying to piece it together and can appreciate the art putting it together, I think I've talked myself into rating it pretty well.