Movielogr

Rating: 6.5 stars

Tags

Japan tku-tv sequel tokusatsu superhero motorcycle teacher idol plastic surgery brother sister student suicide

All movies seen on 04/09/2020

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Kamen Rider: The Next (2007)

Directed by Ryuta Tasaki

Science Fiction | Action | Mystery

Overview

Bent on the destruction of the human race, the secret underground organization Shocker secretly planned to plunge the world into chaos. But they didn’t count on the revolt of both of their experimentally “reconstructed” human beings, the Kamen Riders. Two years after their first battle with Shocker, a 3rd Rider arises to confront them, known only as “Version 3.” The arrival of the third Kamen Rider will hurl the heroes into their most terrible battle yet and the fate of the world hangs in the balance.

Length 93 minutes

Actors

Masaya Kikawada | Hassei Takano | Kazuki Kato | Miku Ishida | Erika Mori | Rie Mashiko | Tomorowo Taguchi | Shinji Rokkaku | Kyusaku Shimada | Yosuke Saito

Viewing History (seen 4 times)

Viewing Notes

This is the direct sequel to KAMEN RIDER THE FIRST, which was a feature film remake of the KR origin story. This picks up 2 years after those events. KR1 Hongo is now a high school teacher (??). I think this is a high school tho some of the students including the young woman KR1 partners with seems more like a college student. If she’s a HS student than there’s a really weird dynamic between them. But it’s not clear. Definitely looks like a HS classroom.

KR2 Ichimonji has turned into a playboy frequenting Hostess clubs and fighting w/the Shocker blood in his system that’s trying to control him. He’s turned his back on being a hero and wants no part of KR1, even tho KR1 still considers him his “best friend” which is hilarious considering how little time they spend together in the previous film.

The main story is about an idol singer and the mysterious deaths of those who listen to her music. This is more of a horror story with some action sprinkled in. Also because of all the moving parts and characters, this is more convoluted than the previous film and suffers from it including how a character seems entirely unfazed by a gruesome, bloody death. Oh there’s nudity in this movie, too! One of the woman that gets transformed into a cyborg is naked when she accepts the process. So bizarre, this movie.

So it becomes a mystery investigation. Why are these people dying? What’s up with this idol singer and who is killing her fans? Turns out her brother is KR3 and one of the Shocker’s big bad villains. But he does have the distinct uniform colors of V3.

Overall this movie is a mess and lacks the heart of the previous film. That said, it is still entertaining to see the KR vs KR battles along with more evil villains (the female villain is pretty cool tho mostly useless). I would like to own this movie on Blu if one exists.

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