The Great Game-a-Thon Part 1

Much as none of us may want to admit it our hobbies can sometimes get out of control. In the case of yours truly such unchecked overabundance comes in the form of board games. When starting the hobby close to six years ago I quickly sought to obtain all manner of different titles through sales, thrift stores, trades, you name it. The result I that I've often had a backlog of twenty or more titles waiting, some of them years, for a shot at the table. This phenomenon isn't unique as I've seen countless other tabletop fanatics go wild in their efforts to establish a collection only to shoot themselves in the foot when they discover themselves lacking time and storage for everything they've acquired. Who can blame them? Boards games hold a wonderful allure with their combinations of lovely bits & pieces, brain-twisting systems, and the promises of memorable times with friends and family. With this year already being marked by a variety of changes and another birthday on the horizon I decided to launch a campaign to blaze through as many titles on my unplayed list as possible. If you'd all be so kind I'd love to report on this experience and in the process perhaps share a few hints, highlights, and cautions with you.

Hanabi

The first title on our adventure was Hanabi, an award-winning cooperative card game with limited communication. Imagine playing classic Klondike solitaire alongside another person only you can't see your cards, just theirs, then add in a system for sharing limited clues about each-others hands and try to play from one to five in different suits with only a few mistakes allowed.

Despite the great praise this one has received over the years I'd avoided it until finding a thrift copy because I usually disagree with the notion of limiting communication between players. A big part of the reason I got into tabletop gaming was to get back to one-on-one entertainment and all the wonderful table talk. While I'd softened on this approach thanks to another awesome card game called Okey Dokey there was still some hesitation. Luckily Hanabi proved to be quick and compelling enough that the limitations start to fade away leaving a solid and fun puzzle for everyone involved. The experience was very surprising as I truly thought the game wouldn't match my style or be outclassed by another game and end up traded-off or sold. Instead it stands on its own and has earned a comfy spot alongside Okey Dokey.

Kaijudo

Digging into the stash of dead collectible card games I pulled out a stack of starter decks for Kaijudo. There's a whole backstory to this one involving the original Duel Masters and the eventual relaunch but in short this is an anime inspired hyper-streamlined take on the core principles of Magic: the Gathering. It was clearly made with a younger audience in mind and the result are simplifications like a much better mana system and a quick play style that makes the game ramp up and finish quickly.

The single session of play was fairly enjoyable, if not exactly groundbreaking. There were a few laughs and surprises to the extent I'd call it a good title. From what I've read the game changed dramatically later in its life introducing aspects that totally unbalanced the system, unless I ever get my paws on some later boosters that won't be a problem. What's here is a very straightforward ccg which is exactly what I sought it out for. While it wasn't an amazingly fun experience it did provide something unique in that my nephew not only seemed to slightly enjoy it but actually won our bout. Keeping this around for now and might track down some more later on.

Mystery Rummy: Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde

Last year I endured a few games of Phase 10 which inspired me to design a rummy style card game of my own. In an effort to learn as much about that wing of card games I watched hundreds of videos and even hunted down some special titles like this entry in the Mystery Rummy series. Each installment in the series has it's own specialties with this one being a strictly two-player affair where melds can only be played if they match the current personality of the doctor whose card changes due to various circumstances.

While I wouldn't call this a bad game exactly it was stilled affected by much of what bothers me regarding rummy titles. For one there are so many turns where there's absolutely nothing to do, to the point that even my Phase 10 loving relative (who won by the way) found it obnoxious. Rounds take forever to ramp up and even with the slight bit of fun we had it wasn't enough to make me pick this over other, better, card games in my stash. This one's going to find a new home with more love for rummy antics.

Sonar

The original Captain Sonar is supposed to be one of the greatest large group gaming experiences around. For someone like me whose table might top at five with luck that made playing the game a pipe-dream. Finding this trimmed-down version meant for less players at the local Goodwill afforded the opportunity to at least sample what all the fuss is about.

The game is essentially modernized Battleship and makes no bones to hide it. Players sit behind a huge divider and call out movements while their opponent tries to deduce their location on a dry-erase sheet and hunt them down. The key difference is how moving charges a power meter that allows for special actions like silent movement or firing a torpedo.

I had a good time with this one and would like to hold on to it though my opponent didn't seem all that pleased with it. Granted this may have been due to me stomping them out but the fact remains that if I can't get anyone to play this one then it may have to go. Fingers crossed it gets to stay.

Codenames Duet

The first absolute knockout of this marathon. I never bothered with the original Codenames as it, along with so many other word games, reportedly functions best with a large group which, need I remind you, is a luxury I lack. This two-player cooperative variation seemed like a decent option to finally get a good word game into the collection and boy did that gamble ever pay off. Not only did I enjoy my time with the game but so did my co-operative player and even some people who simply watched us in action.

The game provides an excellent back and forth with players trying to come up with one-word hints for multiple words, often without accidentally hinting at the wrong cards. It's a great brain workout and tons of fun.We went through the game a good nine times in one day sometimes winning, occasionally on the very last turn, one time losing on turn one due to a rather careless hint on my part but always having an excellent time.

Smile

Smile came and went with little fanfare when it released a couple years ago though the lovely artwork and general concept were appealing enough for me to nab a clearance copy of the shelves. In essence this is a more thoughtful take on No Thanks! With players using beads in order to avoid taking certain cards while waiting patiently for others. Some cards are positive points others negative but there's always a chance of getting rid of cards with a matching symbol which makes it a worthwhile strategy to grab that negative card in order to lose another one and get some beads in the process.

Smile isn't a showstopper or something to base your whole night around but it is solid fun and more importantly blows No Thanks! Out of the water thanks to better presentation, smart design, and more interesting scoring. This gets to stay in my library by virtue of pushing No Thinks! Out.

These games can get a wee bit suggestive.

Code of Nine

Sometimes you buy a game for the sheer audacity of what it promises to do. Of course it helps when it's also on sale for twelve bucks. That's how I ended up with Code of Nine; a worker-placement, bluffing, deduction game where each player only knows a quarter of what endgame scoring will entail.

Played this one at the game store with friends and a new acquaintance who won by losing the pair of books I knew would lose him ten points. Overall the game felt like something that would improve drastically the more a group plays it. However I don't see it getting that level of attention here which means every play-through would be an awkward dance around the weak rulebook and slightly sloppy production. I really believe some people will love this game, hopefully I can find someone like that to give this copy a home.

Sleuth

Generally I'm not the biggest fan of deduction games. Sure there's the occasionally exception but usually it's better if deduction is a small part of a greater whole rather than the main attraction. That being said I was very eager to try Sleuth due to it hailing from one of my favorite designers, Sid Sackson.

Unfortunately Sid just couldn't work his magic on me this time around. Like so many of his designs Sleuth feels very much like it respects your brain but unlike his other games it fails to respect your time or patience. Players have to manage two separate batches of cards along with a notepad that is poorly equiped to handle the level of detailed notes required. Add to that how the mystery is very abstract, figure out if the face down card is a blue opal cluster for instance, and it just feels cumbersome. For die-hard mystery gamer I'm sure this is awesome but for this group it simply didn't work. Off it goes.

Burger Joint

Almost completely forgot about this one, which should be a hint at how well it went over as my opponent and I didn't even care to finish it. Burger Joint is functional but boy is it ever dull. Players pick cubes, make buildings, get some points, and try not to fall asleep. The whole thing almost feels like a joke about dull euro-games come to life. That's a shame too as some of the designers other titles look pretty fun. This oddity however has to return to the wild.

Focus/Domination

Sid Sackson gets another shot during this marathon with an award-winning abstract strategy game and boy howdy does Focus ever make up for our lackluster experience with Sleuth. I've played stacking style abstracts in the past with titles like Cappuccino yet I was unprepared for how unique this old gem still is. The movement and capturing methods produce so many options that it threatens to make your brain hurt unless you willingly submit to a sort of zen state where all of reality amounts to towers of colored plastic. Absolutely holding on to this though I may have to ditch the old and comically large box.

Mystic Vale: Mana Storm

Among all the unplayed games there are also a few expansions to already established titles such as this little return to the crad-crafting world of Mystic Vale. The additions from this expansion, and those before it help to make the game a bit more lively though I'm not very impressed by the talismans so far. That being said the core gameplay of constructing cards piece by piece is both engauging and speaks to my inner shopaholic.

I still enjoy the game a great deal though my opponent once again noted that it seems to end too quickly for us to enjoy our fancy fully-built cards. I'm somewhat inclined to agree with means keeping this in the collection comes with a note of increasing the point limit a bit.

You want to find which piece exactly?

Star Wars: Imperial Assault

Fantasy Flight Games and I have a troubled relationship. Unlike companies such as Space Cowboys which has yet to let me down Fantasy Flight is akin to flipping a coin. Some of their productions have become all-time favorites while a few others have left me questioning why I bother with this hobby. This only gets worse when you consider their pricing structure as they tend to make expensive games with lots of expansions. As you might imagine the amount of time Imperial Assault has been sitting on the shelf has left me licking my chops with worry. Yes it was purchased on sale with store credit which is the only thing that made me willing to try it, but still, what if it sucked?

Since this one is bigger and meatier than most I decided to tackle it myself by using the companion app for a solo game. In the sense of disclosure I should note that I've tackled a fair share of complex games, I've enjoyed app-assisted games, and have worked through a myriad of messy Fantasy Flight instruction manuals. Going in I thought I had a solid grasp how the game flowed but the app left me feeling absolutely befuddled which was made worse by the constant need to go spelunking in the cavernous box for more components every few turns. Nothing like learning you should have split the cards into twenty different baggies instead of ten. The set-up and take-down times were absurd. Worst of all was that not only was I not having fun, I found myself downright angry at the experience with plenty of questions that required repeat trips into the different rule manuals. Part of the problem is the complexity of the game feels off. For me it's not simple enough to be easy-going dice throwing fun nor is it really deep enough to be fully engrossing.

As it stands I still want to like this game, and given how it has multiple modes of play there's still a chance of finding something to enjoy. Still; that first impression was easily one of the worst in my gaming life with even some trouble-free turns failing to offer excitement. There has to be more than move, check the app, read some cards, roll dice, possibly fail, dig out some more components, and roll more dice... right? I'm planing on giving it another chance but right now it doesn't seem like something that will work with my group at all. If that is indeed the case than it's better to send it off to someone who'll enjoy it.

Let's call part one finished at that. There's still a number of games to go ranging from painfully basic kids card games to massive complex titles. Fingers crossed I can have this pile largely emptied out before my birthday. For those of you waiting for Sentai recaps I swear they are coming soon, likely in time for the site's birthday in just a couple of nights. My allergies are cranked up right now so I opted for this piece as it was already mostly complete. Come back soon and we'll have plenty of silly superhero antics to discuss.

Hammer Frankenstein Series Review Part 2

It's currently staycation time for CosmicSparky, a rare treat that makes up for its lack of glamour with pure freedom. Essentially I'm house-sitting with less people than usual to deal with and smaller chores to boot. Naturally I've been spending this time with my oh so many interests be it clearing through a small hill of board games (expect more on that soon) or catching up on some movies I've been meaning to watch. In a classic snowball effect the act of ignoring updates in order to do all this stuff leaves me with an ever increasing amount of content for further updates. So let us call an end to this cycle of sluggishness by wrapping up a feature I began some months ago. Let us finish our overview of the Hammer studios Frankenstein series by looking at the final three films in the franchise.

Frankenstein Created Woman

A massive upgrade over its immediate predecessor, this fourth outing finds our mad scientist stepping away from his usual antics of patching dead bodies together. He’s seen the extent of that research for now. Instead his aims have shifted to far more esoteric notions like preservation of the soul.

I'd like to preserve as much of the story as possible for you all as I find this to be a film that rewards patience. In fact nearly the whole first hour of the film has little in the way of traditional horror to offer, opting instead for whacko science and interpersonal drama. That build-up makes the eventual terror all the more thrilling. What I can at least offer you is the nature of this films monster. A young woman who undergoes a soul transplant thus the title of the film.

As for Frankenstein himself he is physically damaged, presumably from the castle explosion that capped off the previous movie though it is never outright stated to my knowledge. This results in him always wearing black gloves and relying on assistants to carry out his work since his hands aren’t what they used to be. His physical abilities aren't the only thing that has softened as we find him to be a more sensitive person than in past films with the ending actually showcasing some remorse on his part.

It cannot be stressed enough how this is absolutely one of the best Hammer films. From the atmosphere, storytelling, characters, and eventual horror this delivers on every front. Easily one of the best entry points for those curious in Hammer films.

Frankenstein Must be Destroyed

In a rather unexpected display of quality the fifth film in this franchise nearly overtakes the fourth to claim the title of best installment, Sadly a few sloppy choices weigh this one down just enough to come in second place, but man what a silver medal it is.

The plot is fairly complex considering how stripped down the science and monster elements are. Instead of hulking monstrosities or mystical soul tomfoolery this is straight up about brains. Franky wants to perfect the process of storing brains long after the original bodies have died. He was never able to complete the formula but a fellow associate of his solved the issue. Only problem is that former associate has gone nuts and is locked away in an asylum. Frankenstein must free his friend & fix the poor guys brain banana and he's forced a young couple into helping him. Further developments I'll leave unspoiled.

There are two key factors that make this such a fine film. The first is the aforementioned storyline while the other is Peter Cushing at the top of his game. While he played this character a bit softer in part four he transforms into the most dickish and self-assured version seen so far. Nearly every moment spent with this character is pure bliss which is odd when you take into account how much nastier his behavior has become. In an odd twist the doctors physical health seems much better as he's able to do much more on his own rather than depend fully on assistants. Still the point is this isn't a movie you watch for a monstrous creation. It's one to watch for the best mad-scientist ever.

As was noted earlier there are a few tidbits keeping this one from the top spot. One of these is a controversial rape scene that was tossed in to spice the movie up against the wishes of the stars and director. I don't find this part as problematic as some have claimed mainly because it calls back to how Frankenstein treated women like trash in the first film, remember when he locked his mistress in with the monster? That being said the scene is obviously an afterthought as it is never referenced again and merely exists to shock which is not the way to handle sensitive subject matter like this. The other big issue is a recurring comedic sub-plot involving bumbling police failing to track down Frankenstein. Much like the assault this bares no weight on the primary plot and is only used to lighten the mood with the actual result being a bloated run-time.

It may be troubled and sloppy on occasion but Frankenstein Must be Destroyed really feels like something special. It seemed like the studio wanted to send out the series on a high note, which they nearly did. You know how the film industry is however. It wasn't long before the series returned.

Note: There is some debate over the actual length of this series as the sixth Frankenstein film produced by Hammer was a more light-hearted take on the original tale, essentially a funny reboot, called The Horror of Frankenstein. Some viewers choose to keep this title as a totally separate piece of work which is the method I'm applying to this article. Later in the year once Scream Factory brings the movie to blu-ray I may give it a proper go-over.

Frankenstein and the Monster From Hell

The final film is often given the cold shoulder by many and the first time I saw it I found the response hard to understand. That may have been due to my slimmer experience with Hammer's work at the time having only seen a few films, with this being possibly the second of their Frankenstein films I'd encountered. Having revisited it I can now see some of what bothers people about this entry though I still believe it does enough right to keep from becoming the worst entry in the series.

The early focus is on a budding young doctor with an obsession for Frankenstein's teachings. He spends his time on experiments to produce life and stitch-together body parts as illustrated in books by the old baron. He's soon found out and sent to a madhouse where the staff and inmates treat him rather poorly, that is until the asylum's surgeon arrives.

Since we last saw him Frankenstein has once again changed his name, this time to Dr. Carl Victor. He lords nasty secrets over the director of the madhouse which essentially allows him to run the joint in secret while maintaining a secret lab to further his work. His only helper at the moment is a mute female inmate though he soon takes the new arrival under his wing as well. This proves to be a godsend as the series continuity has reverted to his hands being burnt and near-useless again.

Unlike the past two adventures which concerned themselves with matters like the mind and soul this one takes Frankenstein back to his old ways of picking and choosing bits & pieces with the asylum serving as a living supermarkets for supplies. The newest creation is based on the body of a neanderthal man who is soon given the eyes, hands, and other aspects of gifted yet troubled people. I'll leave you all to find out what else goes down though there is an odd flip on the fourth film's ideas with it being presented that a body might be able to override a new brain, though little is done with this concept.

You can probably guess that the story is a bit slim for this outing which means madhouse antics and a grim attitude are left to fill in the run-time. And that's really the trouble here as this is by no means an awful film, just very empty. Even the way it ends is anti-climatic as it hints that the good doctor will simply continue to develop his theories and destroy lives forevermore. It makes for an interesting flip from Hammer's other big series, Dracula. In those films the immortal fiend is killed time and time again, never able to achieve his greater goals. Meanwhile this completely mortal man never fails to carry on.

And thus I mark yet another horror series complete (mostly anyway). By and large I'd say this collection of films is a success despite stumbling blocks like the continuity issues and the boring third installment. If nothing else I highly advise you all seek out the fourth and fifth films as they mark a strange occurrence of later installments being far greater than their predecessors. With that done there are only two other Hammer produced series for me to complete. First the Mummy, of which I've seen half of them, and then Quatermass of which I'm missing one... I think. For now I assure you updates will be picking up posthaste as there are plenty of items to share with you all.

The Drinks of Summer.

Despite what the crazy Michigan weather may have to say on the matter we are by all rights in the grip of Summer. Yes, our least favorite season here at CosmicSparky is just about in full swing but the aim is to make this one stand out for more reasons than mosquito bites and allergies. Of course striking out to find adventure and gainful employment requires plentiful amounts of hydration and energy. Lucky for all of us there are a bevy of new drinks to quench our thirst during these long days. A few of them like the one picture above don't even come in bottles or cans, forcing us instead to fill-up large cups from the gas station to later pair with Godzilla movies and old video games. The spread within the first photo nearly provides a perfect lazy Saturday save for the absence of American Gladiators reruns and cheese balls. Due to the odd nature of a few of these drinks we will forgo the traditional rating systems, you'll soon find out why.

Mtn. Dew Cyclone

That deep red slurry within the header photo is a new Mtn. Dew flavor exclusive to Speedway convenience stores. This particular item requires a certain personal disclosure on my part as I should explain that I don't care for fountain soda. The perfectionist within me demands the consistent results of canned or bottled drinks over fountains that can totally screw up the ratios. Never the kind to miss out on some new Dew I swallowed my pride and grabbed a forty-odd ounce cup.

Cyclone is described as a citrus punch which is sort of a cop-out when you think about how many citrus fruits there are, is this Buddha's palm flavored? Actually that's still something of a mystery to me as there's something mysterious to this concoction. From scent to flavor nothing truly stands out other than this being red and fruity. Only there's a little dankness to it that provides a sort of cough-syrup vibe which should be disgusting only it's still pretty good. I started to share the drink in order to get some other opinions, and confirm I wasn't losing my mind. The standard reaction was yummy with a hint of Robitussin. My older brother spat it out claiming it reminding him of Rock & Rye which he hates for some twisted reason.

Cyclone is why I decided to skip a rating system since I have no clue what sort of rating it possibly deserves. On one hand I found it kind of icky yet that didn't stop me from consuming massive quantities. Without a doubt this is an experience above anything else and that's what should inform your decision about getting it. I'd advise gathering a few people before getting a giant cup to pass around.

Mtn. Dew Liberty Brew

Not content to rest on one special flavor Mtn. Dew has also released Liberty Brew, a patriotic salute to these united states. Believe it or not there's a third new Dew out there as KFC has an exclusive as well, though I've yet to get some.

The novelty pitch for Liberty Brew is that it has fifty flavors crammed into a single drink, a claim likely to raise eyebrows in disbelief. Upon opening a bottle you'll find a scent that supports this multi-flavor concept in that it's not easily identifiable. The smell exists in the same realm as lighter Dews like White Out or Voltage and has a real refreshing pop to it.

So how about those fifty flavors? Well that's where things get iffy. With each drink you can discern a variety of different tastes, some sweet, some fresh, even a little bit of spice, but whether or not there are really fifty is a matter of discussion. What matters most is whether the notable flavors are any good and to that I say yes with one issue. Usually when you're thirsty you want something specific, be it a cola or fruit juice, but when you make a drink where the flavor is a little bit of everything it doesn't fully satisfy.

For me personally I have an extra criteria for this drink. As my birthday is the fourth of July Liberty Brew inadvertently finds itself marked as a potential celebratory drink for yours truly. Possibly the biggest recommendation or condemnation I could give it is whether or not it would be present at my birthday BBQ. On that front I'd say probably, yea. It's not the best item to come from this brand but I'd still take it over a few other offerings since it's fun and refreshing. Plus I'm guessing there are some real mixed drink opportunities.

Dr Pepper Dark Berry

Speaking of my birthday; it looks like I'll be treated to some fine pop-culture with the combo of Stranger Things and Spider-Man, the latter of which has inspired Dr. Pepper to bring out a new formula called Dark Berry.

This one's gonna be short and sweet because there's honestly not much to say about Dark Berry because it's not all that different from regular Dr. Pepper. No doubt there's an added level of berry to the mix and it's quite pleasant but no way is this going to stay around as a permanent addition to the brand. Gross as it may sound to some the berry flavor seems more pronounced when the drink is warm, just a further example of how low-key the flavor is. Don't mistake that as a denouncement however as I really do enjoy Dark Berry, much the same as I enjoy normal Dr. Pepper, just don't go in expecting a game-changer.

Red Bull Summer Edition Beach Breeze

When putting this article together I nearly forgot about Beach Breeze, which should probably serve as a review in itself. Longtime readers know I'm not huge on Red Bull save for the occasional stroke of inspiration like that pomegranate holiday blend. Sadly this new Summer flavor just doesn't inspire much admiration. From the scent to the taste it's just a slightly more perky and sunny take on regular Red Bull formula. For brand fanatics that may be enough but for me it was simply in one end and out the other.

Pepsi Berry

The good Doctor isn't the only one hopping on the berry bandwagon as Pepsi has released a berry blend of its own. Unlike the more subdued nature of our previous drink this one is undeniably drenched in berry flavor, particularly my favorite, the blueberry.

Something really interesting about this and the other two new Pepsi flavors is how the company is using actual juice, not artificial flavoring, while standing by corn-syrup for the sweetener which makes for this weird meeting ground of food theories. The result is much stronger than the usual fruity colas which I imagine could be a turn-off for some as the blueberry brings a tart punch to the experience.

Overall this is very fruity, flavorful, and would earn higher marks from me if it where to use actual sugar like that delicious peach coke. What also doesn't help matters is that Pepsi launched something so much better right alongside this.

Pepsi Mango

In the entire realm of fruit three flavors vie for my absolute dedication. We've already mentioned two of them being blueberry and peach but Pepsi corp saw fit to bring the third into the mix with Pepsi Mango.

Much of the same analysis regarding the berry edition applies here. The company once again uses actual juice to add flavor which means the mango is loud and proud. From the instant you open a can there is no doubt about what you're drinking. I suppose if you're one of those strange folk who doesn't enjoy mango than this isn't for you but for those of us who aren't pod people this is a fantastic cola.

More than any other drink in this entry I think Pepsi Mango is the one most deserving of being instated to full-time. It's unique, incredibly sweet, and wonderful on so many levels with the only drawback being the usage of corn-syrup. In a wave of largely outstanding new drinks it takes the crown.

And with that I'd say we're nicely caught up with the drinks of Summer. Granted there are more out there along with another wave of snack foods and breakfast cereals, 2019 really is the year of breakfast. What I'm saying is keep an eye out for more snack reviews in the coming weeks. As for you Sentai recap readers, that should be the next post as I've been fiddling with the format. Got a few other topics backlogged as well so expect some variety this Summer rather than my usual allergy riddled ravings.

Godzilla All in a Row Part 4

Today's a special entry folks, not so much in the content as what it hearkens back too. Five years ago I made a three part series offering quick overviews of every Godzilla movie made up to that point. Lord knows how bad the writing may have been but the curious and bold can follow the links to find out. While I sometimes find it impossible to believe CosmicSparky has been running that long there's a sort of fuzzy feeling in returning to an old piece of work. Return I must however as the following years have placed us in a similar situation. A new Godzilla flick is on the way and in the time since our last overview there have been plenty of new films staring everyone's favorite atomic lizard.

Godzilla (2014)

The inspiration for the original series of articles, though a film I neglected to cover since, the 2014 U.S. Made rendition of Godzilla has its group of detractors though I recalled it being quite decent. In anticipation of the new entry, and this article, I decided to revisit the film to see how it had held up.

What sticks out immediately is how serious and restrained this particular zilla flick is, a tone that puts it in the same company as more dramatic installments such as the original or Shin. The opening segment involving a crisis at an energy plant is one of the most satisfying bits of human storytelling within the entire franchise. The film then turns into a globe-trotting adventure of an emotionally stunted man doing anything to protect his family from the emergence of giant monsters.

The most common complaints about this movie are how little it shows of the title beast, and that the characters are a bit stiff. Both these issues have merit though they tend to overlook the upside of framing the story this way. As someone who's seen every Godzilla movie, most of them multiple times in fact, I've found that more screen time for him tends to equal a weaker overall film. There may not be a ton of big-G content here but all of it is top tier stuff and his new opponents, the Muto's, are nothing to scoff at either. And while the main character is emotionally stiff that tracks with his background of loss and military career. The important thing is his journey which begins with mending relations with his father and setting out to protect his family, a quest the mirrors Godzilla's own quest to stop the other monsters.

For anyone who balks at the film I'd totally suggest a revisit. It had been years since my last viewing but it hooked my interest all over again. Truly a strong installment in the franchise which is all the more important is that it proves the United States can make an actual worthwhile Godzilla film.

Shin Godzilla

Some movies, through no fault of their own, find themselves inexorably linked with troublesome events. I had been waiting ever so impatiently for Shin Godzilla to hit the states, making sure I had enough extra cash to pick up the blu-ray on day one which required me to nearly dislocate my arm reaching around a cleaning barrier at the local wal-mart to snag a copy. Even though I wasn't going to watch it until my usual Saturday night festivities I wanted the assurance of having it near.

That Saturday turned out to be something of a mess as I spent many hours away from home dog sitting as my sort of aunt, it's a long story, was struck by a car that afternoon. When I was finally home at night I went through with my viewing plans as there was nothing I could do about the situation and she passed during the viewing. To this day just looking at my copy can bring that weekend back to mind.

I'd wanted to revisit the film for a while but was a bit gun-shy considering the aforementioned events but I finally managed to watch it again without anyone passing. I'm all the more glad for it as this really is an excellent addition to the series. Not unlike the original this focus slowly on Japan dealing with the emergence of Godzilla. There are no other monsters, no alien visitors, no psychic powers, just politicians, scientists, and military coming together to battle the impossible. Not only is Godzilla massively redesigned for this outing but what he represents has been updated as well. Rather than the atomic bombs of WWII this monster is more of a personification of modern issues like power plant meltdowns and the governments bloated system that prevents proper handling of the situation. It's a very political film with a boatload of characters who all exist more as talking heads than real personalities but there's still plenty to enjoy here.

First off, I adore this version of Big-G. From his googly eyes to his jagged teeth he's a real horror show. The pathos surrounding him is totally different than past versions as the majestic beast has been replaced with a twisted mutant living in constant pain. The final reveal of how his mutation might continue could have made for one excellent sequel, hopefully someone will reuse the idea someday. His rampage at around the hour mark stands out as one of the best scenes in franchise history, well worth watching for that part alone. Despite how talkative the film might be there's plenty of energy and interesting filming techniques to keep things interesting throughout. Not the sort of movie to show folks looking for popcorn thrills but a good time if you like your Kaiju entertainment to be a bit more heady.

Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters

While Legendary was expanding their monsterverse with a new King Kong flick Toho opted for something different by allowing a computer animated Godzilla trilogy to enter production. The resulting Godzilla Earth series has upset more than a few fans with its slow pacing and focus on bizarre philosophical concepts. Still; there are some truly interesting moments to be found throughout the series with part one being the closest to a crowd-pleaser.

The set-up is that Godzilla has ravaged the modern world to the state that humans are working alongside alien races who likewise had their own planets destroyed by giant creatures. The plan is to launch Mechagodzilla to fend of the green Goliath but things go south and Earth is evacuated. Years later life on the spaceships is harsh and a young man named Haruo challenges his fellow men to return and reclaim their home. They do so but find the process of warp travel has made it so centuries have passed for this planet which has now adapted to Godzilla as its lord and master.

After the opening drama the film switches to an action perspective as the three species struggle against the big dude and other lifeforms that have evolved to meet this harsh environment. Countless lives are lost but a path to victory begins to emerge. That is until the nasty twist ending. More than anything the endings for these films as imagined by writer Gen Urobuchi are just so damn mean.

Certain flaws permeate this whole trilogy from the odd animation style to the characters that act more as stand-ins for viewpoints than actual living people. The pacing can be glacial with this first adventure having the most traditional action. The real draws are the nutty concepts, twisted endings and witnessing new versions of classic monsters that are depicted as something closer to gods. Most viewers give the edge to this first installment likely due to the amount of action though I think that actually makes for the most boring of the three so it depends on what you're looking for in your entertainment.

Godzilla: City on the Edge of Battle

Oh boy, City on the Edge of Battle gets a lot trash talk which is to be expected since this is one of the most downright strange entries in the entire series history. If you thought the previous film was slow and talky this one was designed to drive you mad.

Recovering from the events of part one our surviving heroes make connect with a tribe of humanoids who live underground. Eventually the find the weapon that may tip the scale of battle in the form of Mechagodzilla. Just like everything else, he has evolved. Instead of the big robot he once was now stands a full city made of a unique adaptive metal, think of a living 3-D printer. Most of the run-time concerns characters debating ideologies and preparing for a battle against Godzilla that takes up maybe fifteen-twenty minutes before another balls out crazy ending.

As the Earth series continued, fan reception got worse and worse though I imagine this one will rise above that hate sometime in the future. Not for any specific reasons so much as the overall weirdness of it all and the cruel wrap-up. It seems like there's something of real merit here, even if it isn't always evident what that could be.

Godzilla: The Planet Eater

At last the Earth trilogy comes to a close. You should get the drill by now. If you didn't care for the previous two offerings of weird metaphysics and moral debates then this will have you banging your head against the wall. If however you enjoy whacko head-trips then you can still have some fun.

Almost entirely wiped-out by the previous battle with Godzilla the few survivors find themselves drawn into a cult by some of their alien companions. Meanwhile a few others like Haruo are still focused on destroying Godzilla. Oh, and there's a colossal golden energy dragon coming from another dimension, and at one point we end up in the cockpit of the plane that dropped bombs on Japan. There’s also a rather effective bit of eye-gauging. In case you haven't guessed by now, this thing is bonkers and there's plenty of folks who hate it.

Whether you should watch The Planet Eater, or any of the Earth trilogy for that matter, is entirely dependent on what you want from this series. If you're here solely for action and fun there's little to none to be found. If you can deal with lacking characterization in favor of strange ruminations on life and the cosmos then you might enjoy yourself. I'm personally fine with both approaches so these movies still offer plenty to enjoy.

Looking back it becomes obvious that most of this decade was spent on finding new approaches to Godzilla in order to make more serious films. The result is a number of movies that don’t always aim to please and aren’t infinitely rewatchable popcorn entertainment yet I’m very pleased to have them around. A good number of entries in the franchise already fit so many categories from action, horror, kid’s stuff, and outright insanity, mixing in this batch of somber efforts gives the series that much more variety and provides an excellent build-up now that King of the Monsters seems poised to offer plentiful monster smashing fun.

With that we’re all caught up with the current state of Godzilla flicks. Don’t know about you all but I’m giddy as a kid at Christmas for the newest movie. Between the talent involved and the all-star kaiju line-up this one looks to be a dream. Not long after that will be the rematch of King Kong and Godzilla which I’m not looking forward to as much due to it being directed by a man who seems allergic to making decent cinema. Still; my fingers are crossed that it will turn out to be a worthy installment so I’ll just have to wait and see. After that I’ve heard Toho has plans to do their own monsterverse movies which means the fifth of these articles isn’t that far off. That’s all for now friends. See you at the theater.

Ryusoulger Episodes 7-9

The past few months have been filled with changes, some small and normal like searching for a new job, others large and troublesome like losing two dogs. Change is a frustrating thing which often brings me back to comfort zones like these silly Super Sentai shows. During these months I've also found myself revisiting a number of favorite stories.. Basically I've been checking in with what I enjoy about storytelling evaluating what I'd like to bring to the medium through my own work, even if it may just be sharing opinions as a guide to entertainment. Taking in all that content has made Ryusoulger less important to my weekly schedule. All the more so with the show seemingly missing something important. After breaking the new two episodes at a time format I can see this show has hit the make it or break it period earlier than usual and will soon have to reveal if it has the guts to become something truly worthwhile. Dive in with me and we'll discuss.

Story:

In recent weeks, Ryusoulger has treated us to a two-part adventure guest-staring a couple of pop stars followed by an episode focused on Melto that could mark a shift within the series. All this action is framed around the arrival of a new villain named Wyzul. Something I rarely note in these articles is the difficulty of names having different translations will bring different spellings. Wyzul is practically the living embodiment of this phenomenon as I've encountered three different versions of his name already.

Anyhow, this new bad guy shows up around the same time as a new singing monster and a pair of alien princesses, one of which has been kidnapped by the villains. The main focus of part seven is introducing Wyzul whom I'll talk about later while the team runs a rescue mission. Of importance here is that at one point our heroes seem to beat Wyzul only to find he can use regular minions as decoys.

Episode eight is where much of the actual story happens with the princesses being a bit overbearing about feeding an energy source they supposedly stole from the Druidons to the dinoknights in order to make them stronger. A certain amount of trickery is needed in order to flush out the truth which is that the princess they rescued is actually Wyzul in disguise and the energy source is a bomb meant to kill the Ryusoulger crew. As for the real princess, she's actually inside the current Druidon which is yet another added wrinkle to how these creatures can work.

We get the best example of teamwork within this installment as Koh decides the dinoknights must eat the energy source in order to get the princesses to safety while Bamba and Melto come up with some tricky strategies to survive. Finally Asuna is a linchpin as her horrible singing is vital to defeating the monster, the host is allergic to lousy singing, while Towa goes inside to rescue the captive girl.

Episode nine involves most of the team being sucked into an alternate dimension within a Minosaur shaped like a treasure chest. This realm will grant wishes to the point that they become dangerous, think wishing for food only to eat too much. While most of the group is oblivious to the danger, Melto sees the threat closing in around them but is also shaken by a lack of confidence in himself along with distrust between himself and his teammates. The appearance of his former master through either a delusion or some metaphysical soul connection, guessing the later, allows him to take charge as a proper strategists and aid his friends. This marks a great shift for him and the others as they begin to strike a balance between thinking through problem and facing them head on as the situation may require.

Outside of that magic realm we witness Bamba tracking down the true host of this minosaur which turns out to be a miniature garden box. In traditional Japanese fashion even objects have emotions which can be manipulated to create new minosaurs. Nine was easilly one of the best installments so far and showcases how advancing the characters could be key to a stronger show.

Heroes:

Ryusoulger has lacked for meaty character development which seems to finally be changing. Most of the group are still operating as types rather than full personalities as the steps towards actualization can be quite small. A moment that stick out to me occurs in part nine when Towa wishes for an endless stream of enemies to train against. His antics cause so much trouble that Koh actually puts him to sleep for his own safety. This illustrates how the writers are getting a better grasp of team-dynamics.

The idea of Asuna the battle with her terrible singing may seems like silly nonsense but for a show primarily aimed at children this is a wonderful lesson. Here's a hero using a weakness to save the day. It's another instance of this person who wants to be seen as girly failing at stereotypical girly things but in a way that benefits those around her. In the states the temptation for most shows is for someone to either do well at everything or have the ability to get better at everything. Showcasing how a flaw can provide strength is awesome to show kids and continues the recent trend of Sentai with strikingly stable views towards mental health and personal worth.

Still the M.V.P. Statues goes to the Tatsui family. Both Ui and her father don't have much to do within the primary conflict but each is so well done from the outset and the performance between them so solid that they're holding this show together when it might otherwise become boring. Each of them is getting better thanks to moments like the dad's mockery of different situations, and Ui's aid in missions such as using her cellphone to bug a conversation with the fake princess.

Villains:

The introduction of Wyzul is a huge upgrade over Tankjoh. Here's a villain with style, humor, and cunning who's already thrown new challenges at the team. As noted previously the series looks like it will cycle through a multitude of baddies which means We likely won't have this chap for very long. While a sad thought considering his entertainment value his current value as a sign of growth for the show can't be overstated. Within less than ten episodes we've moved on from a generic strongman who only requires our heroes to be strong to someone who asks that they think and analyze the situation.

Action:

While there's no singular great action sequence to commend during these episodes, there is a noticeable emergence of individual fighting styles for the heroes. Blue is a bit slower and methodical, Pink is hyper and destructive. Each has a more solidified approach to how they deal with battle and the stunt crew is doing an excellent job. Of particular note is Asuna's suit-actress. She's actually the same stunt performer who doubled for Umika last year but here her body-language and overall styles meshes so much better with the character. It's a small touch but one that's vital to selling this sort of show.

Overall:

During the past few weeks I've noticed a few complaints from folks online that see something wrong with this series yet don't really seem to know what it is. Admittedly I haven't found myself terribly attached to the events so far and these episodes have illustrated what the issue is and that it may actually be remedied soon. In general this is a solid show. The gimmick is catchy without becoming unbearable, the style is a bright mix of retro with modern simplicity, the action is well done, and there have been story beats outside of the normal Sentai formula. What's been hurting the series so far is that the core five heroes haven't been clearly defined in a way that makes them endearing. There isn't even a true stand-out hero so far with their support crew proving to be more interesting. This set of episodes, mainly nine, does an enormous amount of lifting in developing these people which will hopefully be the norm for a while as the initial set-up period is over. Likewise I hope this meatier content gives the actors more chance to grow.

The next installment looks like it will tackle the biggest obstacle by focusing on Asuna. It's sad to say but after seeing many recent Sentai with excellent heroines she may be the least compelling character. Most of the time she simply comes across as brainless and selfish which is a far cry from the wonderful scene where she talked Ui down from suicide. I want to see that person again, not the current loudmouth.

Seeing as this recap has been all over the place I'd say it's time to wrap up. With all the recent changes I'm glad as ever to have this franchise around for comfort but I'd like to feel safe that it is working towards becoming something more interesting than it is right now. I like this whole genre ans nothing makes me quite as happy as when I can wholeheartedly endorse series like Kamen Rider Gaim or Ninja Sentai Kakuranger. That's the sort of stuff I want to see hitting the airwaves. For now let's keep our fingers crossed that these dinosaur heroes can step their game up.

Godzilla 98 Music Video Trilogy

At the end of this month the world will be treated to the hirty-fifth film in the Godzilla franchise. As someone who has seen all of these flicks you can safely assume I’m stoked for this newest outing, Honestly I’m feeling spoiled having so many great expansions to favorite series pop up this year be it Endgame, Glass, or the recent announcements of The Collector 3, and trailers for remakes of classic games like Medievil and Final Fantasy Vii. This got me thinking about how things were when I was still a kid which brought me back to one of the weirdest bits of Godzilla history.

The summer movie season of 1998 was an odd one for sure. Starting with the pre-game efforts we had a season full of both garbage and treasure ranging from Species II, Lost in Space, The Truman Shows, The Mask of Zorror, The X-Files, Lethal Weapon 4, and two separate movies about killer meteors. Thankfully it all wrapped up with Blade proving that comic book films could be awesome. Still the big lynchpin of Summer was Godzilla as produced by the guys who made Independence Day. This thing was everywhere with a massive advertising campaign, toys, fast food tie-ins, an upcoming cartoon, and that hallmark of 90s blockbusters, a licensed soundtrack.

Godzilla the album offered a selection of mostly alternative rock fare with all manner of bands you wouldn’t normally associate with a giant atomic lizard. We’re talking the likes of Ben Folds Five, Foo Fighters, Days of the New, and Rage Against the Machine. The selection of talent on display made no sense in relation to the film and was looked upon by twelve/thirteen year old me as lousy music. If that poor naive bastard only knew of the musical horrors that would exist in the twenty-tens I bet he'd have a different view. Anyway; a trilogy of tracks were released as singles with accompanying music videos and that is what we’re really here to talk about.

I’m going to cover these three videos in the order of least to most Godzilla visuals which means we begin with The Wallflowers cover of the David Bowie track, Heroes. According to wikipedia this was not the most successful of the singles but I don’t buy it personally. Maybe it’s a Michigan thing but I couldn’t escape this song back then and still here it once in a while at stores or on the radio. From a musical standpoint I never thought much of the track, it neither offends nor please the ears so much as it exists as a more digestible take on Bowie’s original. Frankly I like Peter Gabriel's take the best.

The video maintains the rainy and dark motif from the film that carries into the other singles as well. We open with helicopters buzzing through the New York skyline as a building crumbles and loud noises begin to sound. None of this is any concern to the Wallflowers who are focused on preforming their song inside an apartment. Lord only knows where in New York you could find an apartment this large and play music in it without a large sweaty man banging on your door but I guess that’s all part of the fantasy.

Somebody who isn’t enjoying themselves is a mopey girl in a red hoody, perhaps a girlfriend, I like to pretend she’s a doormat sister who lets her brothers band crash at her place. She walks out to the street in time to witness Godzilla come by with us only being treated to his feet and tail which he uses to bash out the apartment wall. Still unfazed She continues across the street to a convenience store to pick-up some milk. She leaves money upon realizing there’s no cashier then walks back to her place as the band wraps up the song and everything ends with Godzilla’s roar. The tacky version from the film that’s augmented with a falcon screech or something.

The entire production seems pricey for the time with the ruined street, constant rain, and all that jazz but one has to wonder why that money wasn’t backed up by some sort of storytelling. A band covers a song while a sad girl picks up some milk. Makes me wonder if this served as some inspiration for Cloverfield with pretty young people so focused on their own issues to be unaware of the giant monster coming to stomp on them.

Sadly unable to make photos of this one. At least this way you get your fill of giant hats.

Next up is Deeper Underground from Jamiroquai and I gotta admit that before diving into this topic I don't think I'd ever seen this. That being said it’s probably my favorite of the trio in the musical sense. Wouldn't purposely turn it on but it’s not something I’d run from either. Thematically both the song and video have slightly more in common with the film though we get about the same amount of big-G screen time. Even with the closer connection, things still seem kind of generic which makes sense as there's supposedly another version of the video that completely removes the giant beast.

We're introduced to a movie theater watching Godzilla in 3-D, complete with classic red/blue paper glasses. Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves, far more than if they were watching the real film, until Godzilla's feet bust through the screen unleashing a flood before he creates his own exit. From then on the theater continues to flood while cars and helicopters crash into it. In the midst of this chaos is front-man Jay Kay doing his usual nutty dancing. He walks along the backs of chairs, flops around atop crashed vehicles, and refuses to wear appropriately sized hats. Meanwhile regular folk are rushing to the exits. In a final twist this all turns out to be another movie being viewed by another theater.

Similar to Heroes this video is clearly expensive but little effort was made towards narrative. A disaster occurs only for some nutter to dance around. Even the space he dances in seems arbitrarily limited with him returning to the same chairs and cars again and again. It would have been much more interesting to follow him on an escape route. Even with such criticisms this is a step-up from viewing sad people with a thirst for milk.

Finally we come to the wildest installment of this collection Come With Me by Puff Daddy with backup from Jimmy Page. Supposedly this was the most successful of the three singles which I guess makes sense. Puff was rather popular at the time as he had yet to become a joke with a steady stream of changing names. And people seem to like Page for whatever reason. Even if you don't dig the music you can't deny the entertainment value of this big and stupid video.

It all begins strangely enough with Puff getting some loving while listening to the Isley Brothers. Maybe it's just me but you should never start your video by reminding people of better music. Turns out this is all just a dream when Puff awakens on his couch, fully dressed in black with crappy leather/vinyl pants mind you, to the sounds of chaos and Godzilla stomping about. Harry Shearer is on his TV as the reporter from the film and Puff approaches his window to see zilla face to face as the monster throws a bus into his apartment. Guess atomic reptiles don't dig 90s rap either. Puff decides to pose in the gaping hole in the wall and start rapping while fighter jets fly by and Jimmie Page footage plays in Times Square.

Eventually a jet explodes in front of Puffy throwing him backwards into a malfunctioning elevator that skyrockets upward as he continues the song. The elevator flies out the top of the building tossing Puff into the air when he, I shit you not, explodes into a flock of white doves. He reforms soon enough now fully dressed in a white suit and enters the slow part of the song as he free falls into Times Square and finally floats onto a lit stage complete with orchestra.

The final act of the video cuts back and forth between two topics. First is film footage of Godzilla rampaging through New York, offering full glimpses at the beast unlike the other videos. The other half is Puff attempting to dance while the song escalates with full orchestral backup. I must stress how bad Daddy's dance moves are. He's the guy you invite to a wedding reception to make everyone else feel better. His gesticulations give the impression he's suffering from some sort of neurological disorder. I know this all sounds mean but goddamn the man cannot dance. In the end his performance draws the attention of Godzilla and the two stare off while fireworks burst overhead (who sets off fireworks during a monster attack?) then Puff turns his back and walks away as the beast roars behind him.

While being almost totally removed from the subject matter of the film this song and video almost perfectly represent it. As noted earlier the Summer of 98 was a nutty time when hollywood seemingly used a dart board to make decisions. Notions like world-building or fandoms weren't part of the equation for tent-pole blockbusters so much as spending lots of money on loud nonesense and making sure Taco Bell had some toys to sell. Having a video this big and senseless perfectly illustrates the kind of film-making I'm talking about right down to having the musician walk away from the monster as if he's unimpressed. Such was the state of blockbusters at the time that Puff Daddy's own ego could outweigh a pop-cultural giant.

And thus closes one of the strangest pieces of zilla history. To look at how these films are treat now versus then is a total night to day shift. In the late 90s it was an absolute pain to see most Godzilla films, more so if you wanted to see the legit Japanese version. Our only solace was the promise of a big American production that turned out to be a lousy and generic big lizard flick. Now it's not that hard to get our hands on quality release of the movies and we've already had one decent U.S. Film with the second looking like a total knockout. In a way we have to thank that bloated late 90s version because it's hype and ensuing backlash were vital in altering the landscape so that we can now get franchise films that still come with a few product tie-ins but aren't totally watered down dreck. Let's raise a glass then to that disastrous production and the wacky, unnecessary music videos it spawned.

Ryusoulger Episodes 5-6

Japan has just had one hell of a major event with May 1^st marking the beginning of the Reiwa era. The notion is fairly meaningless for us westerners but I find the notion quite interesting. People love to reflect on the passage of time in years and decades, even seasons bring unique alterations to daily life, but the concept of a while new era with boundless potential for everyone, now that’s something special. Using that system to look at larger chunks of time actually puts the past and future into unique perspective in that things we didn’t accomplish previously have a whole new stage to play out on. With that in mind we take what we know works from the past and march forward.

In case you’re wondering why I’m waxing poetically about global time structures I assure you it relates to our current Sentai series. As Ryusoulger bridges the gap between two eras it uses a well-worn and successful theme, the brightly colored dinosaur ascetic, but is overseen by new talent that brings a different perspective to things. Honestly though I just felt like talking about this as it feels very timely (har har) for me with the completion of more college courses, major home projects, the one-month anniversary of a pet’s passing, and the renewed search for a job. It’s truly starting to feel like a new day but at least we have the stability of something like Sentai to keep us comforted.

Story:

Episodes five and six are tightly paired and focus on the continued blending of Towa and Bamba into the core team along with taking out the first major villain and establishing why Koh is fit to be the leader.

It begins with the team learning Kureon is the one capable of creating minosaurs from human emotions. This info is gathered by using the answer stone on Ui which allows her to remember her encounter and shed a tear over the trauma. Taking out the weird slimy monster before he can create more threats is now priority one. Towa isn’t around for this however as he’s spending time with a lady friend named Sanae who cares for animals that have been abandoned by people who would prefer pets as statues symbols than actual companions. Towa and Bamba dash away to fight Kureon but when they weren’t looking the little sneak made a fresh critter from Sanae, a giant wolf with a poisonous bite.

Soon enough Towa is bedridden with doggy poison while the rest of the team must deal with Tankjoh’s efforts to defend Kureon and the Minosaurs. Bamba is able to defeat the wolf while the others manage to take out Tankjoh despite his use of harvested Earthquake power. Everything should be better, only Towa and Sanae are still sick.

In the following episode the poison turns out to be spreadable as it moves on to the rest of the team. Those who still have enough energy to press on are tasked with finding a tissue sample from the beast in order to craft an anti-venom. Only issue is the monster is dead, right? Turns out multiple minosaurs can emerge from a single host meaning there is a second wolf out there. Koh and Melt go out to claim a sample, obtaining one through badass means when Koh lets the animal bite him so he can rip out a fang. During that battle, Bamba is back to his old ways of threatening sickly girls by preparing to kill Sanae. Both Towa and Asuna give some damn fine pep-talks despite their sickness regarding the value of preserving all lives and not giving up. A cure for the illness is fashioned by the former village elder who now runs a food truck and everyone gets back into the fight to take out the minosaur and Tankjoh who survived his last encounter. Using the full combination of all their dinoknights the teams destroys both opponents.

Characters:

While everyone grows a little during this two-part adventure, the main developments belong to Bamba and Koh. Regarding the former it seems he may have a sob story somewhere in his background. His dedication to his brother and eagerness to trade lives for the greater good seem to be in conflict. At the same time he has some vague, sorrowful reactions to his brothers speeches about personal connections and the tales the other three have of losing their masters. Something definitely happened to set this boy on the road of stab people first, ask questions later. I just hope he gets his shit together soon because the overall personality and presence of the actor make him one of the more interesting aspects of the show so long as he doesn’t waste any good will by being a dick for too long.

Koh has stepped up and shown what he can bring to the leadership role. Naturally he fits most of the regular criteria for a red ranger with his determination and willingness to do anything for a victory. What’s most important is how he tempers himself during the fights with Tankjoh. Initially he cares only about seeking vengeance for his dead master until he remembers a lesson and reaffirms his true mission. Strength doesn’t come from wanting to defeat an opponent but from defending loved ones. This moment makes Koh the embodiment of so much of this series core concept that he really has earned his role.

Villains:

With Tankjoh gone it would seem this show plans to move through a revolving door of villains. On the one hand this is a bit of a downer as there’s a strong likelihood of a parade of undeveloped threats. On the other hand most Sentai villains for the past few years have been poorly-written anyway so at least this method will offer some much needed variety. I can’t say much about Tankjoh however, not even sure how his powers worked. He just came and went. Kureon looks to be staying in the picture though I hope another baddie gains the ability to create monsters so the team isn’t always focused on this guy.

Action:

Not as much to report in the action department. The showrunners still seem to be searching for the proper balance of shiny gimmick based trickery and more traditional tokusatsu fighting. The robot scenes are still some of the best in franchise history with one detail I’ve neglected to comment on thus far. Ryusoulger is in the small club of shows where the heroes stand up while controlling their robot which results in them being tossed around during a battle rather than simply waiving their arms while firmly planted in a seat. I much prefer this method as it makes the fights more visually interesting.

Overall:

One bug I gotta get outta my butt involves the resolution around Sanae’s monster in regards to the heroes. We learn of Towa’s friendship with this girl when we see them taking care of a puppy who has yet to find a home. Sanae’s minosaur represents her anger at people who abandon and mistreat animals. So what becomes of the girl and puppy after all the monster are dealt with? Nothing, we don’t hear a thing about em. A key component of making these shows for kids is to teach them moral lessons about how to behave and care for the world around them. Introducing homeless dogs as an issue and then failing to ever speak of it again is seriously lame. I’ve seen this same thing in other sentai but it’s a bit more egregious here with the theme of our souls being connected. Not a single one of these dinosaur people can look after a dog?

Moral grandstanding aside I’m still enjoying the path this series is taking. There’s just enough novelty and depth to keep it interesting though I must admit I feel like it’s missing a certain something. At this point in the game there are plenty of opportunities to fix that with greater character development, maybe some better villains, or some long-form storytelling. Even the actors don’t seem completely comfortable just yet and that’s to be expected. I’ve seen many performers grow by leaps and bounds during these shows. I guess what I’m saying is this show still hasn’t made that pure declaration of what it’s going to be, a bombastic action series, more serious fantasy adventure, what have you. There are plenty of excellent ingredients here from a solid group of characters, an interesting threat, and good action. As it is they could carry on and potentially create a decent series but I’m eager to see if the new guard behind the scenes has the stones to make something truly special. For now I shall continue to watch.

That’s all for today, kiddies. Apologies for last weeks absence. Had a lot of projects around here including the first steps towards a new computer which will hopefully make future endeavors much easier. With classes over for a little while you should see more consistent updates and some more variety since I’m aiming to bring a few different features back to the site. Right now I must sleep. I’ve already made a few choice steps into the new era and tomorrow I can hopefully make a much-needed upgrade to this spot. Stay tuned.