To me, Maked Rider is your average children's Japanese Power Ranger movie. Only instead of being something only a child can enjoy, it makes for a decent action flick. With a deeper (and darker) storyline, less protagonists, and without cheesy humor, aliens, crazy weapons that give the heroes an advantage, and giant robots or powerful vehicles that that the heroes could also use to lay waste to their foes.The plot of the film jumps around quite a bit, and when it's not expanding on the main character's story you're often left bored or just dead confused at whats going on (although by the end, bits and pieces will have all come together, not that the plot twists these make are that significant to the story). Although the rising action portion of the film is a long one, and the good action scenes are short few and far between, when it gets good, it really gets good. Essentially its still acrobatic martial artists wearing costumes fighting either each other or hordes of evil minions (which are the human equivalents of grunts from Halo), the moves that the main characters can pull off are amazing. But I can't critique the film based on action so Pros Excellent Action Cool looking costumes (most of them at least) Interesting plot Cons The plot jumps around a lot The good scenes are spread out throughout the film separated by long scenes of diologue and other characters

Watching "Kamen Rider the First" is a refreshing way for me to be reintroduced into the series that started it all: the original adventures of Takeshi Hongo and his partner-in-crime-busting Hayato Ichimonji. After all, I was only knowledgeable of the series from Black onwards.Contrary to the position that this was a lame excuse to create a ripoff movie, this presentation of the original plot is, according to the people involved themselves, more than a remake: it is a re-imagination of the plot, giving it a much more darker twist but still containing elements of the original show.Looking at the production: cast, costumes and probably everything else, anyone who witnessed the original Kamen Rider and is open enough to so-called "upgrades" would appreciate the movie very well. After all, though Kamen Rider the First is still most probably targeted for kids, it indeed also included the original viewers who are now most likely adults and are ready to witness darker themes. Basically, this is what Shin intended to project: unfortunately, the disturbing graphic content offed even adults. We might be even able to say that The First is Kamen Rider's successful attempt to cater to both kids and adults, accomplishing what Shin did not.To be candid about it, the movie tells the story of Hongo as not a saved-at-the-last-minute brainwashing to-be-victim but as someone who was turned into a puppet of evil but was redeemed before doing more damage to others and to himself as well. And Ichimonji is not the kidnapped-to-be-brainwashed that he was in the series, but, again, an "almost Shadow Moon-like figure" through Hongo's fault as well, but also someone who finally became a hesitant ally. The movie also contains a subplot which does appear cheesy from the beginning and might make people wonder why it had to be included in the movie, but I have one thing to say about it: when you understand it after watching the movie, you might understand as well why there are Orphenochs like Yuji Kiba.I defy the initial review that the movie is crap: I hate to say this but probably there are some people who thinks gold is crap and vice-versa, that's why they bashed on this. Or maybe they are also on the same line as the idiotic purists who are against Hibiki. Kamne Rider the First is one worthy watch and is probably the best means for someone to be initiated into the real world of Kamen Rider.

Kamen Rider the First is remake, or something, of the original Kamen Rider series. While not the best movie ever made, certainly not being able to outshine the current series', it does have many good points. Most of these good points have to do with reviving old rider traditions and aspects of the original. The scarves, for instance, are an awesome token that we have not seen since, ZX appeared. I must say, the movie is more enjoyable if you have done your homework on the original series. So many things are from the original. The Double Riders, the Cyclone (motorcycle), the first two Kamen Rider villains (i.e., Spider and Bat), even the rider mentor, Tachibana Tobei. Although, some of these are hard to notice. Unless you really, really have an open mind, you probably wouldn't think that the spider and bat mutants from the series have any connection to the spider and bat in this movie. Also, Tobei is kind of swept under the rug. But the movie is still good. My one problem is the confusing sub-plot that details the origin of Cobra and Snake. It's boring, and doesn't make much sense. The music is good, though, especially the theme. It's simple and easy to remember. Also, I love the redesigned Rider suits. They actually look like bikers. Overall, not too shabby.

A lot of people seem to dislike this movie. I don't know why though, I really liked it. I've just recently gotten into the Kamen Rider series, but that doesn't mean I only like the new stuff. I've only see Kamen Rider Den-O and all of Kamen Rider Black (which many think is the best), and I really liked this movie. The fight scenes were great, though they could have been longer, and I loved the costume design on the Riders. The story was pretty good and the acting seemed quite good. Maybe I'm wrong though, I don't speak Japanese...Anyways, if there is one thing I wanna say about this, it's that you should give it it a chance. Some people like it, some people don't. See for yourself!