Shin Gojira became my favorite version of Godzilla to my surprise. So when Shin Kamen Rider was announced I had really high expectations. I don’t know exactly how it merits the name shin to be part of the shin franchise or what exacly is the Shin connection but nevertheless the name carries a certain level of expectations with it. Overall I th8ink Shin Kamen Rider is able to both fulfil and disappoint those expectations in different ways.
Let’s start with obervations… There already was a Kamen Rider Shin movie in the 90s, which in a way is a similar take to what Shin Godzilla did; A more realistic adult interpretation of the originl concept of Masked Rider. Not one of my favorite interpretations but I can’t deny the similarities. They have also already made a more adult remake of the original Kamen Rider show in the 2000s with Kamen Rider The First. But hey if Godzilla has had many interpretations to his origin why not Kamen Rider.
The movie in general lacks the emotion or flow of a real film, it ends up feeling more like a love letter to the original show by remaking very specific scenes with a higher budget. Not caring if that alone makes a good movie by itself or not. It still feels low budgeet in a way, the cg is awful for starters. The movie also feels more childish than the other takes previously mentioned even if still better than other adult Kamen Rider takes. I think I prefer kamen rider the first honestly though it’s definitely better than the original Shin Masked Rider movie. small grasshopper
You can definitely see how it’s adapting key episodes. I love it for that but it’s not as engaging. And while indeed lowbudget, it feels higher budget in that sense when compared to the original show. Not only that but using that comparison better written, even if not a solid story overall. I mean adapting episodes kind of breaks the movie into segments..It’s kind of like say Scott Pilgrim going from ex to ex here with shocker riders. The first might have a more straight forward story but it misses that feeling of progress.
It’s kamen rider like you’ve never seen it before, none of the edgy dialog and violence of the other adult takes, and yet doesn’t feel like it’s for kids. It’s a more mature version sure there’s blood but not a lot. A Kamen Rider movie or show is nothing without its henshin and the transformation meets expectations. The movie is intelligently done movie that feels for all audiences kids and adults. That is its greatest strength and weakness.
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Pacing as mentioned can feel off since it feels like quick recaps of different episodes. I’m glad it’s not super edgy like Amazons or Black Sun. Kamen Rider 2 is handled well and I didn’t expect him there, but it makes sense for him to be there as he was there early in the original show as well. I do ish they had said Rider Punch or Rider Kicka t lest once, unsure why they thought it was necessary for them not to do this. I do think Rider 2 should’ve taken out at least one other Shocker villain himself. Shin feels like a miniseries in movie form instead of a movie of the show like The First. I don’t love it but I enjoyd it greatly. I’m not sure if it was needed and sad to see Kamen Rider 1 go but it had a good ending. I only wish it had left that feeling the original shin godzilla did but they’re different things.