[Locke]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matrixbeast

Why do you bring up bad CGI as a point against Double when, quite literally, you've brought up bad CGI every time you talk about KR?

Implementation.

Bad CGI sucks but when bad CGI is used for things that could be done just as easily, and probably cheaper, practically then it doesn't sit well with me.

From what I remember, and you have to remember I saw only maybe 15 episodes, there was more CGI than there was actually anything physical. Ranging from poorly animated CGI stunts, to completely animated vehicles to special attacks.

And yes I'm a contradictory douche because I don't mind shitty rubber costumes but I don't like bad CGI but I dunno, something about those rubber suits actually being there adds a sense of genuine...ness to it that poorly added CGI over the frame doesn't do for me.

[ryan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPLIT LIP

And W doesn't even use bad CGI that much after the first few episodes where it's trying to sell the gimmick and stuff. I mean, sometimes you'll have W hop on the flight-enabled Hardboilder, but outside of Revolgarry and Accel's bike form I can't think of a heck of a lot of CGI used regularly. (and Revolgarry never looked that bad to me, and Accel used his bike form, like, three times)

Was it even three times? I know it's in the opening when they add Accel to it, but I'm not even sure I saw it happen in the show, myself.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Locke

Should I watch the first W movie and jump in at episode 16 then? I saw enough for the main villain with his huge hat to be introduced so it isn't like I'd be jumping in blind.

I'm not sure. I think you could. I'll check an episode listing, there may have been an important story arc you should see before that, but if you saw the Sweets arc, that may be good enough.
Speaking of, I loved the first time we saw Terror transform, I thought it was awesome.

[Locke]

I think Terror's introduction would be more impressive if it wasn't for the massive hat with a cape.

[ryan]

If you last saw the Sweets arc, next up is Virus, which I think is a good story, but I don't recall if there's anything necessary in it. But if I recall there are some good character moments for Shotaro. And I love Shotaro, so they are worth watching to me.

Then the Question arc, which gives you more insight into the Sonozaki family, so you definitely need that one - that's episodes 13 and 14.
After that watch the movie, just the Begins Night portion though, skip the Decade shit (which is first), and though it will make little sense, the last 10 minutes where the two stories join, it's got good stuff for Shotaro.
Then the next several arcs are really strong, in my opinion. Fang, Nasca, are important for the overall story, and Ice Age introduces Accel.

So, you're done with the rough stuff, I'd say. From here on out, it's all pretty strong.

[Locke]

I guess when I'm done with Fourze and OOO, it's back onto W again!

[SPLIT LIP]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Locke

Should I watch the first W movie and jump in at episode 16 then? I saw enough for the main villain with his huge hat to be introduced so it isn't like I'd be jumping in blind.

Honestly I'd say give it a shot.

The only thing that you need to know is that the movie addresses the growing guilt and tension around Shotaro's boss being killed from the first episode. But the movie establishes that so I don't think you need to worry.

Also, just an aside note, but it's a crossover movie with Decade, and the first of the "movie war" movies. So the actual W portion doesn't start until about halfway into the movie. (since the first half is D-D-D-DICKADE)

EDIT: Also yeah, after the movie is the Virus arc, which is really cool/creepy. I deffinitely think that's where the show gets way, way better.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Locke

Implementation.

Bad CGI sucks but when bad CGI is used for things that could be done just as easily, and probably cheaper, practically then it doesn't sit well with me.

While I agree completely, I can't remember any time this was really done in W.

W only used CGI for stuff that they couldn't use for practical effects like giant inhuman monsters. (and would intermitantly cut to practical effects for closeups like the big ridiculous T-rex head)

Which again, these stopped being used very quickly. Also, it's worth pointing out, but the CGI actually gets better. I remember thinking the Queztelpretzel-thing dopant looked not too bad.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryan

Was it even three times? I know it's in the opening when they add Accel to it, but I'm not even sure I saw it happen in the show, myself.

He used it in his debut, but now that you mention it, I think he only used it in finishers and with his tank thing that showed up, like, once. Also it showed up in A to Z, again for a finisher, where it looked pretty good. (then agin A to Z had a budget)

Quote:

Speaking of, I loved the first time we saw Terror transform, I thought it was awesome.

I'm not gonna lie, I also thought Terror was an underwhelming villain design.

Until, that is, it was revealed what his big silly hat actually does.

[ryan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Locke

I think Terror's introduction would be more impressive if it wasn't for the massive hat with a cape.

Okay, I'll say one more thing. Yeah, the costume is kinda silly. But it's not about the look, it's about the mood, and because the tone of the show grabbed me, the sincerity of Shotaro wanting to wipe away the tears of the city was real to me, I can believe that when Terror transforms, feeling of terror accompanies that.

Sure, the fear-goop is not a great effect, especially that first time, if I recall. And I actually HATE that toku characters can suddenly jump hundreds of feet up or forward out of nowhere when the plot requires it and never again - at least they justified it on Kuuga and gave him a whole new form for it - but I'm sold on the mood the show is trying to convey.

I know I'm not a very critical viewer, I tend to just take what I see at face value, and not really try to judge it. But there's a difference between me not being bothered by what I see, and feeling and accepting what I'm seeing, and W and OOO and Fourze, in particular, I feel were really good at establishing emotional connections with me, so that I can easily overlook things like poor CGI, or silly/stupid designs, because the characters are real to me.

I firmly believe that somewhere in Japan is a city called Fuuto that has that windmill tower, and that if I got there, I might run into Shotaro, or Teriu. Or that there's an AWHS that Gentaro and his friends graduated from, and I might could run into them some place.

And THAT's why I want to visit Japan. And also to visit a Mandarake store in person and buy everything they have.

[Locke]

Split Lip who have you become telling me it gets better later, you've become one of them!

But okay, okay, I will give W another go in the future!

[SPLIT LIP]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Locke

Split Lip who have you become telling me it gets better later, you've become one of them!

The difference is, "later" in this case is "well you're basically there, just watch the movie."

I mean, for everything you pick apart in W I can find three times as many giant flaws in literally any given show.

Also, while this has little to do with storytelling, I do recall someone once telling me that W had a smaller budget than the series before it, Decade, because Decade was this big anniversary celebration.

I still think the bad CGI complaint is silly when nowadays we have Wizard which basically makes it's money off of terrible, unnecessary effects like his bike/dragon thing. (I never got how he used his bike to give the dragon wings when shouldn't it already have wings?) Or how Hurricane Dragon has silly CGI wings to let it fly, even though regular hurricane can already do that.

[ryan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPLIT LIP

The difference is, "later" in this case is "well you're basically there, just watch the movie."

I mean, for everything you pick apart in W I can find three times as many giant flaws in literally any given show.

Also, while this has little to do with storytelling, I do recall someone once telling me that W had a smaller budget than the series before it, Decade, because Decade was this big anniversary celebration.

I still think the bad CGI complaint is silly when nowadays we have Wizard which basically makes it's money off of terrible, unnecessary effects like his bike/dragon thing. (I never got how he used his bike to give the dragon wings when shouldn't it already have wings?) Or how Hurricane Dragon has silly CGI wings to let it fly, even though regular hurricane can already do that.