[Fish Sandwich]

(Fish Sandwich also watched Heisei... Gene... wait a second...

Well I mean, I did *watch* the movie! Several times, even! But uh, I'm pretty sure I never wrote a proper thing for it at any point, so no old posts this time.

I've never been a ~huge~ fan of this one, but I definitely respect what it's going for, and like a lot of Rider movies, I found myself enjoying it way more on repeat viewings. I definitely don't hate the idea of a Kamen Rider movie with this kind of meta plot, and there are certainly some very good ideas in here.

For example, the one thing that always sticks out in mind most about this movie isn't even any of the big fanservice (although it was great seeing Ryoutarou and hearing bits of Sahashi's Kuuga soundtrack in the score), but how perfect it was that Build happened to be the previous Rider, because Sento Kiryuu is already a fictional person in-universe -- a made up identity cast in the role of Kamen Rider -- so he's basically the ideal guy to bounce back from being told he's not real, because it wouldn't be the first time that's happened to him.

It's a movie that's held back by quite a few things too, but you can see the effort put into it shining through, I think. Kinda wish I'd watched it again more recently, so I could actually say something more detailed than that!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Androzani84

Design wise, aside from having no thumbs (something Fish can explain the significance of)

Oh, so Another Kuuga can't do the--! That's hilarious!

Considering the not insignificant role of Rider merchandise in this film, this is maybe as good a spot as any to mention this: I had the thought lately that I really like how basically any figure made of Kuuga is obligated to come with a thumbs-up hand? Like, obviously plenty of Riders have their signature gestures, but a guy like Zi-O just wants to let you know he's based on a clock. It's so perfect for Yuusuke's character that a symbol of positivity and encouragement is considered such a mandatory accessory. Really goes to show how iconic it is, and how much Kuuga strived to be a hero show about more than just fighting.

So yeah, a version of Kuuga that can't do that is definitely quite the corruption of the one we know and love.