獣拳戦隊ゲキレンジャーＶＳボウケンジャー
Hello hello~
I had thought Toei and V-cinema had lost the touch when it comes to the Super Sentai Versus films, specially after the disappointment that Boukenger VS Super Sentai was for an anniversary special, or even the previous two VS films. Fortunately, they got it right this time.
Juken Sentai Gekiranger VS Boukenger
Toei Company Ltd./V-Cinema 2008
The story revolves around two mytical orbs and Pachakamaku XII, an evil Kempo master from the stars who was defeated in battle by Brusa Ii 4,000 years ago.
The movie opens in the outer space, with the DaiVoyager landing on a distant planet. There, BoukenPink explores the surface on a quest for new treasures, but suddenly the ground shakes and a strange light blinds her, losing contact with Satoru Akashi and the ship.
On Earth, Kaze no Shizuka is running away after stealing a red orb from SCRTC. However, she is quickly surrounded by the Gekiranger and another trio of heroes: the Boukenger. With each team about to fight each other to recover the red orb, the opening sequence takes place.
The special opening sequence resembles the 80's productions, with the frozen shot(?) of each protagonist and the colored background. Nice touch. I have always noticed how Gekiranger, despite of being the most modernized and unique entry in the Super Sentai series, still manages to properly homage the franchise, much more than Boukenger ever did.
Now in the Rinjuden, DaiVoyager violently shows up allowing BoukenPink to steal the second orb from the Palace, but before she can escape, Rio enters the altar room. I thought there was something wrong when I saw Sakura in the Rinjuden Palace, she had a strange Ki which Rio also noticed. At that time I assumed it was maybe the power of the blue orb, but it was something else.
With control over both orbs (the one stolen by Shizuka and taken away by Satoru, and the one in the Rinjuden Palace taken by Sakura), both Boukengers, Rio, Mele and Baka travel to the sanctuary hiding the ultimate power. When the sanctuary door finally opens (the orbs are keys), everything makes sense.
After explaining what happened (Pachakamaku took over Sakura's body back in that planet, and threatened Satoru with killing her if he wasn't brought back to Earth), both super squadrons join forces and fight the Kempo master who had also taken over Rio, Mele and Baka.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
This VS movie takes place after the closing events in the previous series (GoGo Sentai Boukenger), but shares no continuity with the events of Juken Sentai Gekiranger:
- In VS, the Master Triangle, the Three Kenma and Ron are not present, but the Geki trio have obtained Kageki and the Super GekiBeasts, GekiViolet and GekiChopper have already joined the team, but the latter is not wielding the Soujutou and SaiDaiOu is still absent.
- Despite of his interest in the Kempo from the stars, this Rio doesn't seem obsessed with absolute power as in the TV series. The Rio in VS seem to show more concern about Mele as well, with whom he appears to be less cold.
- Rio being weak enough to be controlled by Pachakamaku seems odd, considering the level Rio have obtained around the point this movie *would* take place -- in relation with the TV series.
- In the TV series, there is no mention of the Kempo of the stars, nor any other greater power that can exceed Juken.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
- The design and personality of Baka is entirely different from the Rinjuden creatures seen in Gekiranger. He can't even remember what his fighting style is or what fist he represents. The name suits him really well, though.
- The suit actors had a lot of work with this one. For instance, Yasuhiko Imai can be seen playing Kurojishi Rio in many shots, and playing BoukenBlack in others. The same applies to Yasuhiro Takeuchi who can be seen as both GekiBlue and BoukenBlue. As usual, all of them did an extraordinary job.
- There were some great visual effects, including the expansive arms on Pachakamaku's shoulders, and the multiple special attacks (Red Zone Fire Geki <3) during the fighting sequences (clearly, the Gekiranger attacks are stronger and sexier...). Excellent use of both musical scores.
- It doesn't really matter how many squadron members team-up, if Rio decides to take part in it, they automatically are victorious. During the decisive battle on the Moon, the RinLion and the RinChameleon show up to combine with GekiTouja. Rio sounds so supreme and Mele so lovely that it's impossible not to love these two.
- As a curious note, Bae seemed to fill the middle spot inside GekiRinTouja Wolf. Even when he did not take part in the motion attacks, I thought it was funny to see him as the central member with the other four in each side.
The ED credits:
- Sakura seems closer to Satoru, more than before. Everyone else then jokes about it while Satoru as usual, doesn't really get what's going on.
- Ken tries to ask Natsuki for a date, but Zuban quickly push him back with the others.
- Vegetable contest starring Gou, Ken and Eiji. Poor Ken...
- Master Shafu, Miki and Makino enjoy their AbareCurry in SCRTC.
- Ran with Sakura and Natsuki (wearing chinese outfits) are seen training: Natsuki is all tired wishing to stop, but Sakura is all hyper and keeps cheering her up.
- Retsu teaches Souta and Masumi the arts of the GekiFan. Souta is doing well, but Masumi mocks them, to what Retsu reacts by hitting him on the head with his GekiFan (Retsu's angered face is priceless).
- Jan and Satoru are shown having fun as jungleboys. Satoru says it does feel nikiniki and wakiwaki, haha.
- Finally, the cast is shown dancing TAO and then each character does a characteristic pose to the screen.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
- The Henshin sequence was shot in different locations: the intro stances for the 11 soldiers were previously filmed out of the city. This footage was later mixed with the shots of the cast and the suit actors at the heliport, and the shots of Pachakamaku in the ruined Tokyo downtown where the fight takes place.
- The foreigner city under attack is Auckland, New Zealand and not a South American city. Death to that old Magiranger stock footage.
- Foreigner extras (in NZ stock footage) overacting as much as they can. No surprise.
- Kaze no Shizuka claimed that "she won't lose next time". Now I'm terrified about the future of the "35 anniversary special" !
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Overall, a great movie. With Hurricaneger VS Gaoranger and Timeranger VS GoGoFive, the best of the Super Sentai Versus films. Jesus, I talk too much.
I wonder how long until I get my DVD.
I had thought Toei and V-cinema had lost the touch when it comes to the Super Sentai Versus films, specially after the disappointment that Boukenger VS Super Sentai was for an anniversary special, or even the previous two VS films. Fortunately, they got it right this time.
Juken Sentai Gekiranger VS Boukenger
Toei Company Ltd./V-Cinema 2008
The story revolves around two mytical orbs and Pachakamaku XII, an evil Kempo master from the stars who was defeated in battle by Brusa Ii 4,000 years ago.
The movie opens in the outer space, with the DaiVoyager landing on a distant planet. There, BoukenPink explores the surface on a quest for new treasures, but suddenly the ground shakes and a strange light blinds her, losing contact with Satoru Akashi and the ship.
On Earth, Kaze no Shizuka is running away after stealing a red orb from SCRTC. However, she is quickly surrounded by the Gekiranger and another trio of heroes: the Boukenger. With each team about to fight each other to recover the red orb, the opening sequence takes place.
The special opening sequence resembles the 80's productions, with the frozen shot(?) of each protagonist and the colored background. Nice touch. I have always noticed how Gekiranger, despite of being the most modernized and unique entry in the Super Sentai series, still manages to properly homage the franchise, much more than Boukenger ever did.
Now in the Rinjuden, DaiVoyager violently shows up allowing BoukenPink to steal the second orb from the Palace, but before she can escape, Rio enters the altar room. I thought there was something wrong when I saw Sakura in the Rinjuden Palace, she had a strange Ki which Rio also noticed. At that time I assumed it was maybe the power of the blue orb, but it was something else.
With control over both orbs (the one stolen by Shizuka and taken away by Satoru, and the one in the Rinjuden Palace taken by Sakura), both Boukengers, Rio, Mele and Baka travel to the sanctuary hiding the ultimate power. When the sanctuary door finally opens (the orbs are keys), everything makes sense.
After explaining what happened (Pachakamaku took over Sakura's body back in that planet, and threatened Satoru with killing her if he wasn't brought back to Earth), both super squadrons join forces and fight the Kempo master who had also taken over Rio, Mele and Baka.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
This VS movie takes place after the closing events in the previous series (GoGo Sentai Boukenger), but shares no continuity with the events of Juken Sentai Gekiranger:
- In VS, the Master Triangle, the Three Kenma and Ron are not present, but the Geki trio have obtained Kageki and the Super GekiBeasts, GekiViolet and GekiChopper have already joined the team, but the latter is not wielding the Soujutou and SaiDaiOu is still absent.
- Despite of his interest in the Kempo from the stars, this Rio doesn't seem obsessed with absolute power as in the TV series. The Rio in VS seem to show more concern about Mele as well, with whom he appears to be less cold.
- Rio being weak enough to be controlled by Pachakamaku seems odd, considering the level Rio have obtained around the point this movie *would* take place -- in relation with the TV series.
- In the TV series, there is no mention of the Kempo of the stars, nor any other greater power that can exceed Juken.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
- The design and personality of Baka is entirely different from the Rinjuden creatures seen in Gekiranger. He can't even remember what his fighting style is or what fist he represents. The name suits him really well, though.
- The suit actors had a lot of work with this one. For instance, Yasuhiko Imai can be seen playing Kurojishi Rio in many shots, and playing BoukenBlack in others. The same applies to Yasuhiro Takeuchi who can be seen as both GekiBlue and BoukenBlue. As usual, all of them did an extraordinary job.
- There were some great visual effects, including the expansive arms on Pachakamaku's shoulders, and the multiple special attacks (Red Zone Fire Geki <3) during the fighting sequences (clearly, the Gekiranger attacks are stronger and sexier...). Excellent use of both musical scores.
- It doesn't really matter how many squadron members team-up, if Rio decides to take part in it, they automatically are victorious. During the decisive battle on the Moon, the RinLion and the RinChameleon show up to combine with GekiTouja. Rio sounds so supreme and Mele so lovely that it's impossible not to love these two.
- As a curious note, Bae seemed to fill the middle spot inside GekiRinTouja Wolf. Even when he did not take part in the motion attacks, I thought it was funny to see him as the central member with the other four in each side.
The ED credits:
- Sakura seems closer to Satoru, more than before. Everyone else then jokes about it while Satoru as usual, doesn't really get what's going on.
- Ken tries to ask Natsuki for a date, but Zuban quickly push him back with the others.
- Vegetable contest starring Gou, Ken and Eiji. Poor Ken...
- Master Shafu, Miki and Makino enjoy their AbareCurry in SCRTC.
- Ran with Sakura and Natsuki (wearing chinese outfits) are seen training: Natsuki is all tired wishing to stop, but Sakura is all hyper and keeps cheering her up.
- Retsu teaches Souta and Masumi the arts of the GekiFan. Souta is doing well, but Masumi mocks them, to what Retsu reacts by hitting him on the head with his GekiFan (Retsu's angered face is priceless).
- Jan and Satoru are shown having fun as jungleboys. Satoru says it does feel nikiniki and wakiwaki, haha.
- Finally, the cast is shown dancing TAO and then each character does a characteristic pose to the screen.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
- The Henshin sequence was shot in different locations: the intro stances for the 11 soldiers were previously filmed out of the city. This footage was later mixed with the shots of the cast and the suit actors at the heliport, and the shots of Pachakamaku in the ruined Tokyo downtown where the fight takes place.
- The foreigner city under attack is Auckland, New Zealand and not a South American city. Death to that old Magiranger stock footage.
- Foreigner extras (in NZ stock footage) overacting as much as they can. No surprise.
- Kaze no Shizuka claimed that "she won't lose next time". Now I'm terrified about the future of the "35 anniversary special" !
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Overall, a great movie. With Hurricaneger VS Gaoranger and Timeranger VS GoGoFive, the best of the Super Sentai Versus films. Jesus, I talk too much.
I wonder how long until I get my DVD.