All about Gokaiger

So Gokaiger has finally come in to wash away the stink of Goseiger. I was going to write about the premiere as a blog entry last week but ended up not getting my review toys in time on top of being insanely busy (bought a new car!). Here is a write up of overall thoughts and some specific moments from the first two episodes...

The Opening Theme: It's OK. It's a pretty slow song, which is nice I suppose. It isn't very catchy, though. I guess it'll stick in my head at some point.

The Closing Theme: Bad. I tend to like ending theme songs more than opening songs. This series is not the case. Like those horrible Go-onger ending songs, they are trying to cram as many lyrics, or in this case names, as they can into a verse and call it a rap. No thanks. Didn't like three years ago, and I don't like it now. Moero! Super Sentai Tamashii was a great example of how you can name off shows and be classy.

Episode 1 Thoughts:

The premiere episode of Gokaiger was alright. Watching it, I couldn't help but think they were intentionally shaking things up a bit by putting the episode out of order in terms of the formula. I can't think of too many series where there is mecha before we see a ground-level fight (Kakuranger). At the same time, it did feel like any other Sentai premiere episode with some big toyetic moments (Mobirates, Gokai Belt, Gokai Gun, Gokai Saber, Gokai-oh, and......Ranger Keys), children in peril, and rushed plot points. Either way...it gives me some hope that this will be a series i'll be able to watch on a weekly basis. I'll try not to give up on the usual 24 episode mark.

Episode 1 Moments:

-The premiere is kicked off with an enormous fight scene featuring pretty much every Sentai Hero (alive and dead) fighting off the invasion of Zangyack. This scene was pretty brief and only used to serve as a plot kick-off rather than serve much in the way of entertainment.

-The big fight scene at the beginning featured Dragonranger, Red Hawk Flying, Big One, and a double attack by Ninja Red and Hurricane Red. Interesting, I guess. Would've been pretty cool if they expanded the scene with more dream scenarios. It was nice to see everyone fighting together instead of against each other (Suck it, Decade!) AND the fact that Akaranger was in charge. Works for me!

-After spotting Earth, the Gokaiger team gets into a brief skirmish against the Zangyack. The fight scene featured a varied mix of CG and plastic models. The plastic models were very slow in comparison to the speedy Gokai-oh, which made quick work of the Zangyack ships. It was nice to see some model work in space (Metal Hero foreverrrr!) but the debut of Gokai-oh was very flat.

-Money. They decide they need money. OK, I understand that they're new to Earth and need some currency, but this is like second-episode material here. Selling off a ring for a wad of cash really could've waited until next week. (Filler)

-The big fight scene. I have to say...it was cool. The gun and sword play was pretty quick and fun. Goranger Hurricane was a nice touch. The gender-bending suits are quite confusing to me, but I guess it's something to get used to. If they were going to break all the rules, why not atleast make Magiblue a darker shade?

-They decide to stay (ofcourse). It was pretty much a given that the Gokaiger team would stay. The power of curry rice.

Episode 2 Thoughts:

This episode was pretty cool. The pace was still a bit furious, but the episode accomplished a lot in terms of plot and action. Captain Marvelous is shown to be quite arrogant by letting the boy in black use the Mobirates and fight as Shinkenred, and Don Dogoier is established further as the team punching bag (good!).

This episode was presented in a more traditional storytelling. In it's element, the show works well so far. I haven't seen some of the crappy CG effects that have plagued recent shows, either. Though, there is one moment when Shinkenred is smacked into a building where I kinda groaned at the horrible effect. Oh well.

Episode 2 Moments:

-The villians have yet to make an impression on me. This isn't really a moment, more like lack of moment.

-Ranger Key stolen. Briefly...but, sheesh. That was fast. I guess anybody can use the Mobirates.

-The source of the chest of Ranger Keys is revealed. Akared. I never liked that guy...oh well. What started as a lazily created character in the 30th Anniversary movie now has some kind of purpose. Good for him. Still hate the suit.

-FINALLY! There is a gattai sequence for Gokai-oh. I liked it. The hat adjustment is pretty funny...reminds me of Magiking in a way.

-Speaking of Magiranger...

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So this has been my long winded intro blog to Gokaiger. Overall I have some high hopes for the show. There are some good and weak elements, but the good seem to shine through here. I'll try my best to make the time for the show in the next two months. After that...it should be smooth sailing *rimshot*.

Anyway.

Expect a trailer for my Mobirates [plus Blue, Yellow, Green, Pink keys] review, Ranger Key Set 01 Video, and Gokai-oh video this weekend or next. Ranger Key Set 01 will probably come out in March, April for Mobirates, and May-June for Gokai-oh. All tentative.

Thanks for reading. Hope you enjoyed.

-CC

So busy!

Things sure are crazy now!

Here are three fast updates:

1. Gokaiger stuff. I haz it. I should be getting a shipment of an array of toys shortly. I haven't been promised a DX Mobairates in this first shipment, but I should be getting one shortly. As soon as I get it, i'll be working on my trailer.

2. iPhone 4. I haz it. My network put up preorders for it last Thursday and i'm happy to say that I got my phone early and actually like it. If you have an iPhone, the Lightbikes App is flippin' awesome [and free!].

3. Batman & Robin. I haz it...infact I have all of the Batman films on Bluray. I've been watching a Batman movie weekly and since I just watched the not-THAT-bad Batman Forever, Batman & Robin is next. This is the only one I haven't seen, and in preparation for this legendary awful film...let's just say i'll be looking to the Skyy vodka for some guidance.

Anywhooo...

I have prepared some new videos. Not sure which video you'll be seeing this weekend, but it's bound to be a good one! [Aren't they all?]

See ya there!

-CC

P.S. I'm very close to buying a new vehicle...

Auto Show! Gokaiger merch news!

Earlier today I was at the Philadelphia International Auto Show. It has been a long standing tradition of mine to attend this show and I always look forward to it. I always take a ton of photos while i'm there as well. Here are some brief thoughts about various cars...

Honda CR-Z: I've grown to like this car more and more over time. Sure the nose is a bit funky looking, but it's actually a very nice looking car in person. Nice enough for me to consider purchasing one... I can't quite wrap my head around it being a Hybrid, though. With that, it does have an enormous engine for a Hybrid. Oh, and that grille would be the first swap-out i'd make if I got one. Hmmmm... Decisions...

Hyundai Genesis Coupe: Also a serious for my dollars. It is a little bit more than the CR-Z, but what you get is SO much more. Bigger interior, bigger engine, bigger everything--for not too much more money.

Mercedes Benz SLS AMG: Where we're going we don't need...roads.


Chevrolet Camaro: By far the worst car i've ever seen in my entire life. It should be noted that contrary to all of the iconic imagery, this car wasn't a tribute to the Troops or anything. Just a slippery American boner with four wheels. Make sure you check out my photoset for more pictures of this propelled diarrhea.

Porsche 959: I'm not a Porsche guy...but this is one of my favorites. I've been a huge fan of this car since it was in production. This is the first time i've seen one in person (only 337 were made--not many left Europe) and I was NOT disappointed. Excellent car!

Ford GT40 MkII: Another car i've always admired yet have never seen in person. The iconic Ford racer from the '60s was at the show! I prefer the taillights from the MkI GT40, but it's the same basic premise here. Pure sex.

That is basically all I wanted to say about the Auto Show. I took a ton of pictures and posted the majority of them on my flickr photostream. Be sure to check them out: http://www.flickr.com/photos/50333869@N07/sets/72157625963622766/

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Gokaiger Merchandise News!

OK, so the premiere of Gokaiger is fast approaching. Typically I try to preorder or secure multiples of the annual Henshin Device prior to the show's debut. Here is my situation...

1. Two webstores cancelled my preorders of the DX Mobairates. Fuck.
2. Friends I typically rely on to purchase easy items are understandably too busy for my silly hobby. (Bummer)
3. I'm not sure I even like the damn thing.

The good news is...my discounted preorder of DX Gokaioh is still good. Y4300 isn't a bad price. I did manage to get...whatever the hell the Goseiger mecha is (seriously, i'm drawing a blank on the name) for Y4000. To be honest, the conversion rates have screwed me up so bad for finding good deals that I don't really care about spending copious amounts of time looking for the rock bottom price. (EDIT: Gosei Great! I finally remembered the name of it)

So yeah, i'm still looking to secure atleast one DX Mobairates for my 29 year strong complete Sentai Henshin Device collection. I'd really like to just say "To hell with it, I won't even review it until March or so." but I still want to release my trailer of it before the month is up. Preferably on the 20th.

We'll see how it goes. Maybe i'll try some alternate routes for a preorder. Or see if I can get one someone as soon as it is released. In all honesty, I can't spend too much time in front of a computer to do so... We'll see. There will be a review. There will be a trailer. There will be blood...

I type too much...

-CC