Operation Overdrive #4 & Boukenger #3 Reviews

Operation Overdrive #4 compared to Boukenger #3 is not a fair fight. It’s also very frustrating for me because I want there to be a bit more balance and for both shows to be good, rather than just the one.

Again, the lion’s share of the problems reside with the manner in which the material has been adapted for Overdrive. This episode, despite covering some significant and important ground, is painfully jumbled , at times feeling like a three episode train-wreck. We begin with the Dax/Miratrix relationship, cut to what feels like 30 minutes of the Black Ranger driving up and down on his new bike taking out ‘putties’ whilst Red, Yellow and Pink deal with monster-of-the-week…which, to me, makes no sense at all as surely, if Black has acquired a new toy, shouldn’t he have made use of it by defeating the monster-of-the-week instead of doing CGI wheelies.

Just saying (as I believe the phrase goes).

What does work about the episode is Dax and the insight into his personality. He really wins over the audience, it’s just a shame the rest of the episode doesn’t.

"Who the man?"

"*You* the man!"

The corresponding Boukenger episode is much more cohesive, much as it pains me to say so. The story is well drawn out, the characters are explored without hamfistedly wasting time on a plot unrelated to the principle monster-of-the-week format and, most of all, the third villain sect, Dark Shadow, are amazing.

I’ve long had a soft spot for Yamasaki Mami so I’m really pleased that the personality of her character is just as fun as the persona she presents as a gravure idol. The true winner though is Maboroshi no Gekkou, who is quite possibly my favourite character in the whole show so far. I’m also a huge fan of the fact that Gekkou creates tsukumogami, one of my all time favourite classes of Japanese mythological creatures.

So as of tomorrow, I’m going to quit my job and join Dark Shadow.

"Neither a borrower nor a lender be..."

"...nor Albert Finney or Patrick Mcnee."

Props also go to monster-of-the-week, Jougami, who was apparently based on Hurricanger’s Sempuujin.

Expect crossover fic later.

Operation Overdrive #3 Mini Review (SPOILERS)

I’ve taken a shine to the New Wave of Power Rangers recently if only because it’s a nice change of pace. If anything, I can honestly say that Jungle Fever Fury has more of what I’m looking for in terms of a sentai show that a lot of Toei’s current output.

I’m sorry, Go-onger, I want you to be good for the sake of Aizawa Rina, but you really are the worst kind of inoffensive blandness.

…

So until Saki actually *does* something in Go-onger, we’re going to talk about Power Rangers.

KYAH!

Power Rangers Operation Overdrive #3

Not much to report on this front as most of the footage here comes straight from Bouken #1. I must admit I thought it strange, on first viewing, that whilst so much of Bouken #1 was in suit, Disney had failed to use the material…as it turns out, they were apparently just been saving it for this episode, which was 90% sentai footage with only the briefest Flurious and out of suit footage.

As an episode of an original series, this one fails on just about every level. The clash between the personalities of Masumi and Will (sidenote, the actor who portrays Will, Samuell Benta, is English as well, having previously appeared on ITV’s The Bill, apparently) and Natsuki and Ronny is painful to say the least. None of the reasoning behind Masumi’s motives is present in Will’s actions, instead we’re simply treated to another ‘there’s no “I” in team’ storyline whilst Ronny seems to undergo drastic ditiziness whenever she dons her spandex armour. This schizoid interaction is overcomplicated by the fact that the characters explain everything they’re doing to the audience. It’s tiresome and insulting, guys, don’t do it.

I went to great lengths last time to explain how much distaste I have for the choice of music in Boukenger but I haven’t mentioned the Operation Overdrive theme yet – let me correct that now: it’s awful. It’s the worst clash of random sounds and noises I have had the misfortune to hear since, well…since Transformers Armada’s opening. I really hope the money they saved on comissioning an actual theme ’song’ was well spent else where on the series.

Power Rangers Jungle Fury

To make up for the blandness of Overdrive, I feel the need to mention that JF is still a lot of fun. The predictable arrival of all the additional Power Animals animal robots is handled in a loveably silly fashion with a lot of decidedly ancient non-Chinese masters coming out of the woodwork and some major accent slipping.

"I am your beloved...Count Olaf."

So far, the two new mech seem to be an elephant who appears to be the offspring of GaoElephant and the Goat Crusher karakuri ball from Hurricanger, and a bat, who may or may not be Top Galer’s adopted son.

I’m wondering now if the figure of the bat robot will be able to fit with my GaoKing and Sempuujin DX toys. (^_^)

Bouken Drivers! Boukenger #1 – 2 & Operation Overdrive #1 – 2 Reviews

Out of perverse curiosity, we settled down to watch the opening episodes of both Power Rangers Operation Overdrive and GouGou Sentai Boukenger, having only minimal knowledge of both shows.

I’ve got to say that both take very different approaches to the theme of ‘adventurers’ and I can’t help but wonder if the level of difference in approach and style is of an equal proportion in the way that Gekiranger has been translated into Jungle Fever Fury.

As with many opening Power Rangers arcs of recent years, the first two episodes contain only minimal footage from their source material, relying mostly on setting up its own narrative, showing off with special effects and generally introducing the characters without the constraints of translating large amounts of back-story from one show to the other. Since Magiranger muddied the waters with Sakamoto Koichi’s ’second unit’ filming for Toei and the advent of digital technology allowing for re-editing of sentai footage, it’s become increasingly difficult for me to distinguish between the material. There’s still a division, but it relies more on noticing character changes than the film grain (a good example of this is Lilly’s sudden burst of over-excited arm clutching nervousness when in suit during Jungle Fever Fury episode #5).

Dig! Dig! Dig! Trio! Trio! Trio!

Most of the Boukenger footage in Overdrive #1 -2 appears to have originated with the main monster fight in Bouken #2. I say most because I just can’t tell anymore. As with the above screenshot, I’m left playing the game of ’sentai or not’.

What Disney has brought to the show, digital effects aside is another monster/villain suit in the shape of Flurious, who comes across as a bit of a Mortal Kombat villain. His arrival in Power Rangers canon heralds a sort of reverse-Wild Force-ism, which previously appended a central human villain to the story whereas Flurious’ use removes one.

The central characters of Overdrive are a mixed bunch, none of them being exactly traditional Ranger material. Each, however, has a distinct background whereas Boukenger #1 – 2 really only affords a back-story for Black and Yellow. Conversely, the most ill-defined of the characters of Overdrive is Yellow, who doesn’t really do much aside from get excited for two lines about cars (like Herbie Fully Loaded-era Lindsay Lohan-lite).

"Hey guys, aren't we forgetting someone?"

Michael Knight, a lone crusader in a dangerous world. The world... of the Knight Rider.

Of the Overdrive cast, I must confess that my favourite was Rose (played by English born Pinay actress, Rhoda Montemayor) who comes complete with ‘Rule Britannia’ opening sequence…it never fails to amaze what English actors/actresses will sign up for in the face of American financing…I’m surprised they didn’t cast her as a Nazi villain…speaking of which…

Indiana Jones reference, right off the mark.

Allegedly this is a good thing. The boy who dreams of adventure books and wears a cardigan into battle having won over my wife’s favour despite how Hasselhoffian his appearance might be. For me, he didn’t do much, though I was momentarily onboard for the butler signing up as the Red Ranger.

The contrast between him and Akashi Satoru/BoukenRed are more than striking. Of all Toei’s recent Reds, Akashi is one of the most likable, despite his relative youth. He comes across in the opening episodes of Boukenger as a strong and well defined leader whom it is hard not to have respect for, especially in his treatment of Inou Masumi/Bouken Black.

Whilst the majority of Overdrive’s opening was setting up the characters out of suit, 90% of Boukenger #1 takes place in suit, defining the characters not through an attempt to gain the attention of passing parents but by telling a good adventure story – something that really impressed me. I found that it was only during the robot fight that my own attention truly began to wonder. And now that we’ve mentioned the robot, I must say how impressed I was by the individual GouGou Vehicles and the DaiBouken formation. A lot of love seemed to go into the design and it really paid off, coming across with the versatile interchangeability (re: future toy sales) of the Gaoranger mech and the stylish detail of the GoGoV mech.

"Transform and Roll Out!"

As expected, Nakamura Chise was adorable and, whilst not really tested by the material, Suenaga Haruka remains a notable young actress bringing a degree of respectability not often seen in roles requiring pink spandex.

If anything could be said against Boukenger, it would be the lacklustre themes. Yamada Nobuo sounds like he phoned his vocals in whilst otherwise engaged and Psychic Lover’s ED theme is just…well, more of the same Psychic Lover pap. They’ve both got little moments of catchiness, but I soon found that whatever effect humming the tune might have wished to have was lost with the realisation that I wasn’t so much humming the lyrics, but repeating my cat’s name to the tune over and over again as he looked at me blankly.

(was there a point to that? who knows?)

In short, bring back Kageyama and Endoh for the OP/ED themes, Toei. You might earn yourself some more record sales if you do.

The trouble with all four of these episodes was that none truly inspired me to watch more. Each one was nicely done and well thought out (the award goes to Bouken #1 for being the best of the bunch) but none of them really captured my imagination the way that other series have.

Not a terrible way to spend the evening of an otherwise frustrating day but certainly not the best.

Now how did that tune go again?

*sings cat’s name*

Ningen Dango

Turboranger #4 is hardcore. Srsly.

The plot device/monster-of-the-week would have made Liveman proud. So disturbed was I by some of the brief sequences that they instantly recalled memories of indie alienation-splatter masterpiece Society, which, coincidentally was released in the same year as Turboranger.

In other news: Jungle Fever Fury is still going well. More on this later as well as possible Lost Galaxy vs. Gingaman and Boukenger vs. Operation Overdrive speculation.

Jungle Fury #1 – 2 Mini Review (SPOILER-ish)

OMG!!

Adrian, it would appear that not only are Toei stalking you but Disney are in on the game too.

How’s this for a set up? The Rangers are sent to the Jungle Karma Pizza restaurant where they meet their new ally until the city is attacked by evil henchmen, at which point their best customer is forced to man the tills in an emergency situation.

You’ve got some Big Name Fans apparently, sir.

Having watched the first two episodes, I think it could have been a lot worse than it actually was. The three Rangers are fairly likeable and the storyline isn’t bad at all. There’s also a nice little Godzilla sound effect homage when the monster-of-the-week goes stomping through New Orleans the city.

My only real dissapointment with the show were the characters corresponding to Mele and Rio. ‘Mele’ in particular was a bit saddening as it appears the actress Disney chose to play her was a big fan of Frozen-era Madonna. They really should have cast Brenda Song as that character, then this series would have my undying love.

Bae, however, is awesome. I wasn’t convinced seeing as he doesn’t shut up through the entire mech fight sequence (which really did look high quality, props to Gekiranger for that) but, somewhere along the way, his constant commentary managed to win me over.

Mister Kev – I still have this on disc for you. If I post this tomorrow do you think it will reach you before you head out to Korea? Please tell me it will!

Ryuu – …sorry. (^_^);

PR = OMG!

Power Rangers: Jungle Fever Fury in having a good theme tune shocker!!

This looks like it might actually be more likeable than Gekiranger (sorry Ryuu!).

Tournament Kamen Rider Updates

DJ Diddy Dog KIVA FORM has posted some author’s notes for his Tournament Kamen Rider fic.

I don’t usually recommend this kind of thing but I really think everyone with even a passing interest with Kamen Rider should get involved with this project of his. It’s a really great idea.

Go there now!

Seiju Rakiaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!! Turboranger #1 – 3 Mini Review (SPOILERS)

Seiju Rakia is my new best friend!

Seriously guys, he is awesome! He’s also one of the many highlights from the opening episodes of Kousoku Sentai Turboranger.

I’ve always avoided watching this series for fear that it could never really live up to Liveman and, whilst it’s very different in tone (it’s actually a lot closer to 1997’s Megaranger in terms of the core character set up) there’s a lot of charm in these opening stories. Two of the things that instinctively won me over were the focus on the Turboranger-tachi’s classmates (something I’ve wanted to explore in a similar way in TetsuMan, more on that later) and the mecha – great giant flying vehicles!

The show is also in a style that sentai as a franchise seldom pursues nowadays. Whilst the villain unit, the support characters and the Turboranger gear all have unique themes, they’re all a complete mish-mash of concepts – you just don’t get shows based around sea-creature/reptile villains vs. car-based heroes who received their powers from a tiny faerie girl and a giant flying dog/eagle/lion thing anymore.

In terms of extra gadgets, Turboranger 0wns even modern Power Rangers shows – they’ve got giant Voltron-style vehicle mech, motorbikes and buggies! How’s that for a selling point, Mister Saban?

If you’re looking for an alternative to the lacklustre plod of Go-onger, then I highly recommend Turboranger.

In other news: Super Albion Wars needs you!!

Sod off! Go-on Wings!

Ryuu, you are one of my best friends but I ever hear the Engine Second Lap -Turbo Custom - single again I will rip off my own ears.

Never before have I heard such utter, plodding dirge. It used to be the rule that even if the series was awful, at least the music for sentai could be depended on…it appears that Toei are now intent on changing this. The three songs presented here (Engine Second Lap – Turbo Custom, Engine Fast Lap -Type Normal- and Take off! Go-on Wings!) are absolutely dreadful.

Engine Fast Lap -Type Normal- has outstayed its welcome by 18 episodes or so. There’s still the faint glimmer of charm when it bursts into the KOTOKO-style Sister Mayuu anime-lite chorus but, for the most part, the notion of a different Enjin singing each variant became tried really quickly…this is no more apparent in Engine Second Lap – Turbo Custom which is utterly diabolical, it’s like karaoke by drunken out-of-work voice actors.

Take off! Go-on Wings! is the worst of the bunch though, lacking any kind of charm at all. At least Psychic Lover managed to inspire some kind of emotion with their JAM Project-lite tunes…this can not be said of the Go-on Wings theme- I don’t even want to admit to the fact that Tanimoto Takayoshi and Gojou Mayumi were involved with this.

Hands down, this is a new low for the franchise.

V for Verdict: Guardian Sentai RoboMan #37 (SPOILERS)

http://www.night-jaeger.net/fiction/roboman/roboman-37.htm

Well, there goes the potential for my OTP. Just when Mister Watts was blurring the lines as to villains and heroes, it seems that Jinsei has subverted him and decided that Miko definitely belongs in the villain camp.

Things are going to get bad, is the underlying message of issues #35 – 37. Whilst Ikku might have returned to the team, nothing changes the fact that a lot of his argument *against* rejoining still stands regardless of his decision.

Sei is still withholding information, Amy Seaward is still devious and manipulative (and if she goes after Sei as the end of #37 suggests then, should they ever get romantic, I’m sure their babies would be the most devious and manipulative babies known to man), Miko is on the verge of becoming a villain again and Senshi is possibly turning into a werewolf due to her ‘quick fix’ cure…either that or Warwolf really is the extra team member we’ve been waiting for.

Which leaves us in the unenviable position of being on the precipice of a weekend and knowing Mister Watts is indulged in a ‘day off’. Oh, the indignity.

On a more serious note, whilst the Adapt or Die arc has been a storyline with a very distinct style but with the unfortunate task of walking the line directly between where the series has been and where its going. This concerns me slightly in regard to the collections as I now have a terrible fear that Roboman Volume I will end on a cliff-hanger and, whilst I feel that’s a good marketing point for a series in the public eye, I worry that it might not work so well for a series that cutting its teeth such as Roboman does.

Of course, I have no real idea as to what’s really going on with the collected material and even if there are plans for collections beyond Volume I.

But I digress, so, in order to keep this short, I will sum up: #35 – 37 is a difficult arc to enjoy because of the contrast in style and the tension of the atmosphere. It is, however, masterfully constructed but, on one level, it’s somewhat inaccessible.

What concerns me, now more than ever, is the future of the storyline and what events are about to happen to some of the central cast. Until I know that it’s hard to look at these issues as an individual story.

Consider this a mark of my anxiety!