Rise of the Legend

A new legend begins.

The year is 1868. In the aftermath of the Second Opium War, China continues to sink into chaos as the Qing Dynasty has proven themselves unable to fight Western influence and the influx of drugs and slave labor clinging to the underbelly of capitalism. In the city of Guangzhou, two factions control the Huangpu Port: the Black Tiger gang and the North Sea gang. The two gangs are in a stalemate until a brash young fighter named Wong Fei Hung appears on the scene. In an era where wicked men profit on the misery of the less fortunate, one man will rise up to change history forever. This is the rise of a new era. This is the Rise of the Legend.

 

A reckless youth.

Directed by Roy Chow and written by Christine To, Rise of the Legend was released by Edko Films (Hong Kong) in 2014, and picked up by American distributors Well Go USA in 2016. A wuxia in the same vein as Hero and House of Flying Daggers, Rise of the Legend follows the early life of Chinese folk hero Wong Fei Hung. Martial arts fans know that Wong Fei Hung's life has spawned numerous media including television shows, comics, and more than 100 films, most notably Jet Li's "Once Upon a Time In China" series and Jackie Chan's "Drunken Master I & II." When I first heard of Rise of the Legend my immediate reaction was "Omg not another Wong Fei Hung movie." Retreading old ground doesn't do anything for this reviewer so I was put-off from the film at the outset. However, Well Go USA only picks up the finest movies for American distribution. Given that this is the same company who brought us badass films like Wolf Warriors and Police Story: Lockdown, I had a feeling this movie would be something special.

 

Eddie Peng delivers his finest performance yet!

Rise of the Legend presents Wong Fei Hung as a cocky, vengeful, and borderline ruthless Wong Fei Hung. Overtime, we see Wong Fei Hung mature and become the hero China needs him to be. Eddie Peng does a superb as leading man and he absolutely owned the scenes. I've seen countless Wong Fei Hung films and Eddie Peng's performance is right up there with Jackie Chan's and Jet Li's. Eddie Peng's performance was gripping, but he wasn't alone in that regard.

 

BIG SAM!

The film has a great cast including Angelababy, Wang Luodan, and the legendary Sammo Hung who plays the villainous Master Lui, leader of the Black Tiger gang. I was pleasantry surprised by Hung's performance who typically plays the good guy, was intimidating and almost scary as Master Lui. Sammo Hung has a commanding presence and brings a completely different atmosphere to each scene.

 

FALCON PUNCH!!!

Industry veteran Corey Yuen is on board as the film's action director and his expertise really shows. Rise of the Legend has some spectacular fight sequences that do a great job of balancing brutality and style. The choreography is very well done and the hits feel like they have impact. While I felt there was a bit too much wire-work at times, I understand that's something of a mainstay of wuxia.

Must see!

The film has its flaws. It shows us an aggressive, hot-blooded Wong Fei-Hung which I thought was an interesting change of pace from the patient and wise folk hero. However, we're never given a reason for why he is the way he is. Even as a child the Wong Fei-Hung we see is violent and short-tempered, but we're neither shown nor told as to why that it is. It would make sense if it occurred later on after tragedy struck, but it seems he was always a wild child in this film. The film's score - while good wasn't memorable and I felt that a good 20 to 30 minutes of the film should've been cut because it took too long getting to the climax which was a bit rushed. Overall Rise of the Legend is a great martial arts movie and a must own for anyone into historical fiction or action movies.

Police Story: Lockdown

Putting the competition on lockdown.

Released in China as Police Story 2013 and distributed in America last year by Well Go USA, Police Story: Lockdown is a reboot of Jackie Chan's Police Story film series. In Police Story: Lockdown, Jackie Chan plays Detective Zhong Wen - an aging law enforcement official who has seen more tragedies than he's able to forget. One evening he receives a call from his estranged daughter Miao Miao (Jing Tian) who wants Zhong to meet her at Wu's Bar. Zhong walks off the streets of Hong Kong and into a San Francisco hellscape as Wu's Bar is a hipster's paradise. While there, Zhong meets the bar's owner - a sly fox named Wu Jiang (Liu Ye) who is also his daughter's new boyfriend and Zhong isn't pleased to say the least. A fierce father-daughter quarrel erupts and Miao's words cut her father to the bone. Before cooler heads can prevail, an argument breaks out between the bar's patrons and a gang of thugs uses this as an opportunity to put their plan into motion. The leader of these criminals is actually Wu Jiang himself who lured Zhong to settle some unfinished business. Unarmed and outnumbered, Zhong must use all of his wits and training to save his daughter and the other patrons, but this hostage crisis may be his last.

Jackie, try to remember some of the basics of CQC.

If you're familiar with the Police Story series you know these films are some of Jackie Chan's best. The traditional series had an excellent blend of action and comedy which is what Chan is known for. Of course age and the numerous injuries from a life-time of doing his own stunts has crept up on Chan over the years and he's had to change the way he makes films. While this is probably raising some eyebrows for action movie buffs, make no mistake. Jackie Chan is still on top of his game and this film is an excellent example of that. He still does his own stunts, but they're considerably less crazy and while his fight scenes have gotten shorter they're still expertly choreographed and Jackie Chan retains his signature style.

 

A dark past?

Much like Jackie Chan himself, Detective Zhong Wen is no spring chicken and there's a limit to what he's able to do. There is a lot of tension in the action scenes because Zhong is up against thugs who are younger and often bigger than he is, as well as armed. So he uses his speed, agility, and his environments, often surprising his opponents who take him for some feeble old man. The fight scenes are very well-done as one would expect from Jackie Chan, but there is also a heavier emphasis on drama too. There is a physically brutal and emotionally powerful cage fight where Zhong struggles against one of the villains who happens to know Muay Thai. Zhong changes up his style between Kenpo, Karate, and even MMA as he struggles to take down this younger, more powerful foe - all the while being torn down by Wu Jiang who reminds him that he's too old to win this fight.

 

Can't fake good kids.

There's a subplot revolving around Zhong and his daughter Miao. At first Miao comes off as your typical adult-age brat with daddy issues, but when you learn more about her relationship with her father this family turmoil comes into focus with painful crystal clarity. While Jing Tian didn't do an awesome job playing Miao Miao per se, I felt she was believable as Zhong's daughter.  This movie places a heavy emphasis on drama and Jackie Chan's performance is powerful.

He's still got it!

Zhong's personal struggles are worn on Chan's face and reflected in his eyes. He's getting too old for this sh!t and there's nothing he'd love more than to take his daughter home and let someone else handle the hostage situation. But he never stopped being a cop and he's not going home until he ensures everyone else does as well. His conviction drives him to protect everyone no matter how reckless that might be. A lot of the characters are carrying some kind of emotional trauma and while some are able to grow from it, others become completely undone. The third act of this movie nails the characters (and the viewer) with revelation after revelation that left some characters utterly destroyed. While Police Story: Lockdown isn't as action-packed as Jackie Chan's earlier films, it's a great movie that puts its two hour run-time to good use. There's combat, drama, betrayals, and a tension that grips you from the inciting incident until the final scene. Jackie Chan may have gotten older, but he's not going quietly into the night. 

Feng Shen Ji

More epic than Dragon Ball.

Eons ago the gods created the heavens, the earth, and the realm below. Having set the foundation of the world the ancient god Tian created humans in the image of gods. For centuries the Great Shang dynasty has prospered in service of the gods and relations have been amicable, until now. Emperor Zhou has grown tired of the gods treating human beings as their slaves. While he has great wealth and power, he understands that the gods use prosperity only to train humans as though they were dogs. What Emperor Zhou desires is not more wealth or power, but freedom for all people. When a messenger from gods informs the emperor that Tian wishes for him to conquer and enslave the surrounding kingdoms Zhou doesn't hesitate to express his discontent. He announces he will rebel against the gods and liberate mankind. The heavens have declared that there will be dire consequences for this act of rebellion. In the name of the Shang dynasty Emperor Zhou gives his royal decree - "Just Bring It."

 

Putting the fear of Man into the Gods.

Emperor Zhou fires the first shot against the heavens and while the gods mock him and regard him as a monkey, they quickly realize the status quo is about to change as Emperor Zhou turns one god into cold cuts and holds his own in a battle against five others - BY HIMSELF.

When Tian descends people die.

He puts so much pressure on the gods that Tian himself has to enter the fray to stop him, bringing Zhou's rebellion to a tragic and bloody halt. This isn't too much of a spoiler, because the story isn't about Zhou. This story is about his son Wu Geng who will later become known as Ah Gou - a legend in his own time.

Savior

I know the term epic has been essentially ruined by pop culture hipsters, but this is one of the few instances where the term is applicable. Zheng Jian He is a superb writer who clearly set out to make Feng Shen Ji more of a legend rather than a typical comic. This story is so huge that at times it makes Dragon Ball seem small by comparison. The story evolves through numerous plot twists, absolutely mind-blowing battles, and extensive development for its enormous cast of characters. There are all kinds of exotic animals and wildlife, and numerous myths in-universe about martial arts techniques, immortals, and even the origins of the gods themselves. There's even lore surrounding various weapons and locations. This epic tale spans more than 200 chapters and there are some huge plot twists that change the narrative only five chapters in.

Meet your new favorite character.

As mentioned above this is Wu Geng's story. After a series of extraordinary events which I won't spoil, Wu Geng finds himself trapped in the body of a previously dead slave named Ah Gou. This is the same slave who Wu Geng beat and tried to torture prior to the events of the story. Understand that Wu Geng was a terrible child who didn't inherit any of his father's love towards his fellow man. Once a proud and arrogant prince, Wu Geng now finds himself assuming the identity of Ah Gou - a slave and in his mind the lowest of all people. This is a humbling experience that changes him for the better. Wu Geng understands his old life is gone. He fully accepts his new identity as Ah Gou and learns to love and lead his fellow human beings after having suffered as they have suffered.

Step back Goku. Watch out Superman. Ah Gou is coming to town.

Feng Shen Ji follows Ah Gou from childhood, to adolescence and into adulthood so he grows a lot over the course of the story. His development is fantastic largely because he's so different from every other heroic character out there. After losing their parents, anyone else would be motivated solely by revenge and rightfully so. However, as a slave Ah Gou's first priority is survival. As he grows closer to those around him, he becomes less focused on his own survival and more focused on ensuring he's able to free his friends from servitude under the gods. Ah Gou isn't stupid. He's smart Maggle. Smart. Ever the opportunist, Ah Gou uses his captivity to make himself stronger, learn more about the gods and why they need humans to excavate bloodstones, and even work his way into the good graces of his owner so he can sabotage the entire operation. He uses his cunning to stay several steps ahead of his enemies and he ensures the survival of not only himself, but his friends.

 

To the window! To the wall!

After escaping captivity he trains with powerful teachers and also in solitude. At first Ah Gou can't even throw a punch, but as time goes on he becomes strong enough to do battle with the gods, even trouncing some of them with ease. While the gods initially scoff at him, they come to recognize him as a terrible threat and the Dark Ones - a race long opposed to both gods and humans acknowledge Ah Gou as their equal.

 

His evolution knows no limits.

Ah Gou is cocky enough to laugh in the face of the gods and he's resourceful enough to tear them from the heavens and take the throne for himself. He's similar to Yusuke Uremeshi, but 100x more badass. Thus he's not your typical, boring shonen character (Naruto, Ichigo, etc.) who always wins all the time in absurd ways. Ah Gou is the embodiment of epic, but he's not a Marty Stu. In a world where literally everyone is a badass and his enemies are the gods themselves, Ah Gou isn't ashamed to ask for help nor is he above using dirty tricks to take down his enemies. Even if said trick involves kidnapping the son of a slave owner to get what he wants. He'll do what he needs to do to get the win and he'll flip-off his enemies while doing it.

 

And so a child will lead them.

There are times when he lets his power go to his head and his inexperience at life does get him into trouble from time-to-time. There are also occasions where he becomes too cocky and even comes to blows with his uncle Zi Yu - the godslayer. His flaws make him an endearing character because it's his imperfections that make him feel more human. Despite his shortcomings he becomes a folk hero even as a teenager and he attracts followers of different races and species from all over the realms because of his charisma, power, intellect, frank manner, and rather eccentric personality. I could easily spend the rest of this review talking about Ah Gou, but he's just one of many in a manhua overflowing with fantastic characters.

 

The Dark Generals

The Dark Ones are an ancient race with centuries of bad blood with the gods. Led by thirteen generals who follow the command of Ni Tian Er Xing (far left) the Dark Ones have been looking for an opportunity to emerge from the shadows and take their revenge on the gods. A combination of Emperor Zhou's rebellion and Ah Gou declaring war on the gods brings them out of hiding and they provide a badass boon to mankind's coup d'etat. But don't think they're all on the same side. What's great about these characters is that not all of them get along just because they're from the same culture. The writing is more natural than that. They all have different personalities, beliefs, and feelings towards other races and each other. Many of the Dark Generals are actually enemies whose only reason for teaming up is the destruction of the gods. For example Si Wang Yen Shen (far right) despises the other generals, Er Xing in particular and makes it known that after the war is over all bets are off. Yen Shen also despises Ah Gou and the two have some tense interactions. In addition to having their own myths, the Dark Ones also have different styles of martial arts not seen anywhere else in Feng Shen Ji thus adding another layer of authenticity to their civilization.

They Descend

Don't think of the gods as being specist mind you. While the vast, vast majority of them do regard humans as animals some have different ideas. While none of the gods think humans can ever be equal, some feel that humans should be left to their own devices, others think the humans need to be led, and one god in particular couldn't care less because he just wants to party and hit on hot women. Similar to the Dark Ones and the humans, not all of the gods get along just because of their divine nature. There are differences in their personalities and even status. Also similar to the other cultures we see in this manhua, the gods have their own martial arts never seen in the mortal world and trust me when I tell you that the words "shock and awe" could not be more appropriate. And there are still other races and martial arts the reader encounters in Feng Shen Ji besides the ones I introduced.

 

The best battles you'll see anywhere.

The battles in Feng Shen Ji are simply mesmerizing. Saying they put DBZ to shame would be an understatement as animating even a handful of them would likely bankrupt a studio. There are your classic speed lines, special moves displayed in giant Chinese characters, entire cities being leveled brick-by-brick as these warriors deliver tremendous blows that shake the heavens and the earth. The battles just get bigger and more epic as the manhua goes on and some phenomenal artwork is on display. Cheng Kin Wo and Tang Chi Fai bring their A-game and firmly establish themselves as the best artists in China. Every fight looks and feels like it's going to be a cataclysmic conflict and it almost always is.

 

This is going to hurt. A lot.

Some of the fights take their cues from Jojo's Bizarre Adventure where opponents basically try to out-gambit (or out-Joestar) each other. On occasion  an enemy will be on the offensive, only for Ah Gou to say "AHA! I knew you'd do that so here is my real plan". To which an enemy will respond, "AHA! I knew that this was your real plan all along and I'm two steps ahead." Only for Ah Gou to finish with "AHA! I've been five steps ahead this entire time." It's awesome in this somewhat absurd, meta-way and it makes for some entertaining fights and reactions from the characters therein.

 

Siri did it to me again.

The world of Feng Shen Ji is massive and there are numerous moments where the characters themselves are just as amazed as the reader at what they discover. There are legends older than the gods themselves, civilizations even the Dark Ones regarded as mere fairy tales, and the reader bears witness to first contact between cultures. There's more going on in this world than even the characters themselves know about and you learn as they learn.

 

Uncle BADASS

The central themes of Feng Shen Ji are freedom, responsibility, and family. Regardless of where they're from the majority of the characters want the freedom to live their lives in the way they think will best suit them. Most of the cast has tremendous physical, spiritual, and even political power, but very few use it for the right reasons. The majority of the problems in this manhua stem from an authority figure abusing their power and it's not always the gods. The cast has to learn that if they don't wield their power responsibly they stand a very real chance of worsening the same problems they're trying to solve.

 

Family

Family also plays a role in Feng Shen Ji. Ah Gou forges a strong bond with his uncle Zi Yu who he sees as a teacher and father-figure. After proving his strength, the Dark Ones come to see Ah Gou as their brother and he is welcomed as one of their own by "most" of them. Ah Gou (and hopefully the reader) learns that blood isn't the only thing that makes a family, but also who you love, honor, and protect.

Ah Gou vs Tian: He will avenge his father or die in the attempt.

As you've probably surmised Feng Shen Ji is a truly epic tale. Any reader interested in this title should take note that it does require a substantial investment of your time. Recall that the story follows Ah Gou from childhood to adulthood and so you won't see any titanic battles for quite awhile. After the introductory chapters, the majority of the first part is Ah Gou developing as a human being not just a fighter. However, once he comes of age and begins to strut his stuff get ready to see some truly awe-inspiring conflicts. With fantastic artwork, superb writing, several plot twists, a great cast of characters and mythic story-telling that makes this world seem alive, Feng Shen Ji is a gripping tale from start to finish. I highly recommend this comic for anyone and everyone interested in a modern myth they won't ever forget.

City of Darkness

 

The epic begins.

Chen Luo Jun is a member of the Baoli (literally "violence group") arguably the baddest gang in all of Hong Kong. Despite being with the gang for only a year he's quickly become the strongest member of the group and is known and feared throughout the criminal underworld. In his quest to conquer ten territories for his boss he's crushed numerous gangs, often times single-handedly. One evening when Luo Jun is returning to his hide-out he finds the members of his gang slaughtered by the dozens. More unsettling is the party responsible for the attack turns out to be The Boss. Luo Jun goes after The Boss to get answers but receives a sound-thrashing and a price on his head. Luo Jun flees Hong Kong for his life but vows to return one-day and claim his revenge. He seeks refuge in the City of Darkness (Kowloon), a place so dangerous even The Boss won't set foot there.

Welcome to Kowloon, the City of Darkness.

Written by Yu Er and drawn by Andy Seto, Situ Jian Qiao, Yuyongliang, and the Chenjing Group, "City of Darkness" is a manhua (Chinese comic) taking place in 1990s Hong Kong and largely centered on a fictional version of Kowloon Walled City (not to be confused with the bustling, economic powerhouse Kowloon). The comic is a wuxia title and it may be one of the best wuxia to use a contemporary setting. For readers who may be unaware, wuxia (martial hero) is a genre of Chinese fiction centered on the adventures of martial artists in ancient China. The heroes of wuxia tend to follow a particular code which corresponds to the virtue they most often symbolize. Wuxia heroes are typically chivalrous outcasts similar to Robin Hood or western gunslingers. Another aspect of wuxia fiction is the the code of xia; eight attributes (benevolence, justice, individualism, loyalty, courage, truthfulness, disregard for wealth and desire for glory) which tie into Confucianism. There is usually a character which represents each attribute but some characters can embody several which leads us to our protagonist Chen Luo Jun.

The path he walks does not change with the times.

Like other heroes in the genre, Luo Jun experiences tragedy and endures tribulations that make him a better martial artist and more importantly a better person. The streets of Hong Kong are a dangerous place and Luo Jun knows how to survive largely because of his immense skill in battle and charisma. However, he's not an Arrogant Kung Fu Guy trope nor is he a generic shonen hero. He's a simple man who just wants to build a better life for his mother and he's doing so the only way he knows how. He doesn't boast about his power or show off and he's not interested in being rich or famous, but he just wants a better life than what the streets have to offer. He carries himself with a sense of pride, but he's never conceited. He walks his own path and these and other qualities draw others to him and even his enemies admire him. However, he is loyal to a fault and this "flaw" becomes the impetus of the story's conflict because one character who doesn't share Luo Jun's code of ethics is his employer - THE BOSS.

THE BOSS

The most powerful crime lord in Hong Kong, indeed the only crime lord in Hong Kong, the Boss has made a name for himself for being cunning, ruthless, and absurdly powerful. He surrounds himself with the toughest fighters in the criminal underworld, but he's not the type to hide behind his men. Wielding fear and respect as a weapon, he'll disappear a guy to make a point and he has no problems getting his hands dirty if the situation calls for it or even if he's just bored. He conquered 18 districts in Hong Kong and if that wasn't badass enough he killed a guy with a durian (a fruit). Luo Jun summed up the Boss quite fittingly: "If the Boss wanted rain he got rain. If he wanted wind he got wind." Power, violence, and deceit are the virtues of the underworld and the Boss thrives in this environment. Faced with such a foe Luo Jun doesn't stand a chance so it's a good thing he meets unlikely allies who join him in his fight.

The Kliq

Luo Jun meets a number of allies who agree to fight alongside him for various reasons. Some of whom have similar goals while others start off as foes, but forge some manner of understanding or mutually beneficial relationship.

 

Twin Fates

Similar to Luo Jun, Shi Er Shao is a gang leader working under the Boss. When the Boss has one of his violent mood swings, he burns Er Shao's district to the ground and critically injures his friend Jixiang. According to the Boss this event was merely a test, but there's little doubt the Boss is trying to keep the troops in line after Luo Jun's defection. Shi Er Shao does not take kindly to having his friends killed and neighborhood destroyed just so the Boss can set an example and this betrayal strengthens the friendship between himself and Luo Jun.

 

Swim with this loan shark and get eaten.

Xin Yi is Kowloon's resident loan shark and he and Luo Jun start off as enemies. Calculating and professional, Xin Yi is a business man through-and-through and he's as violent as he needs to be, but not ruthless. He has his own code of honor and when the Boss threatens to expand his territory into Kowloon, Xin Yi rises up to protect his community.

Jason Vorhees? Not quite.

Luo Jun and AV meet during a death match and Luo Jun's trip to Kowloon is almost a short one. It's an interesting meeting for both men as Luo Jun quickly finds out the Boss is not the only monster in China while AV is impressed that anyone could survive one of his punches. I won't spoil much, but as we learn more about AV and his past I found him to be one of the most interesting characters in the comic and he quickly became my favorite. He has so much depth and backstory that he could easily be the main character in his own right.

 

This Tornado travels by Benz.

As you can see the comic is gorgeous. Manhua utilizes a very broad color palette and City of Darkness is head and shoulders above other works in this medium. Everything from tire treads and motorcycle exhaust, to dust and even litter are drawn with loving detail. The artists went to great lengths to ensure that Kowloon in the comic resembles Kowloon Walled City and this shows in the tight alleyways, open living quarters, restaurants, and what passes for parks and gardens in a city cut off from neighboring districts. Characters are drawn with extensive detail right down to the wrinkles and creases in their clothing. The raindrops, skyline, sunset, everything here has a level of polish you don't see outside Chinese comics and you all know how much I enjoy speed lines. The art is a major boon to the fight scenes which are stunning.

 

Is that... NANTO SEIKEN?!

Martial arts in wuxia stories are based on real martial arts taken to exaggerated heights. Imagine boxers punching through brick walls or practitioners of Heihuquan tearing through cars with their bare hands. It never gets that off the wall, but it has all the mainstays of wuxia such as fighters possessing superhuman strength, endurance, and agility leading to some spectacular fights. The characters have different fighting styles too. Luo Jun is a solid, all-around fighter who knows a variety of styles while AV doesn't have any particular style and is all about brute force. Jixiang and Xin Yi prefer swords, but Shi Er Shao is skilled in both swordsmanship and judo. If there are any flaws in this comic they rear their ugly heads in part two.

 

A fight you won't soon forget.

When I read City of Darkness I could tell it was an absolutely amazing title, but I worried if it could keep its level of polish and momentum forever. In my view it didn't. City of Darkness 2 continues the story a few years after the first part and this is where some of the issues pop up. Many of the characters are out of character in part two and while I do expect them to change and be different after the trials they went through, many of the characters go about their lives as though they didn't learn anything from part one. Characters who sought an escape from the criminal underworld in part one seem to be happy with their lifestyle in part two. This - predictably enough - draws them into some fierce, but unnecessary conflicts. While the colors remain vibrant and the fight scenes are jaw-dropping, characters are noticeably less detailed than they were in part one.

 

You don't cross THE BOSS.

Also, there are a lot of names and faces to remember. In part one the conflict was simple: our heroes versus the Boss. However, part two has at least three factions (our heroes and their enemies), gangs under those factions, and several coup d'etat within those gangs. Even as someone who's been with the series since chapter one, this was a lot to keep track of. I feel that part two went a little too big for its own good and this made it fall short of its predecessor's greatness.

 

If he dies, he dies.

Overall City of Darkness is a superb comic. Despite flaws that show up in part two it is easily the best Chinese comic I've ever read and one of the best wuxia I've read as well. It has a great cast of characters, unbelievable art, and mind-blowing fights. It does a fantastic job of building suspense, exploring the crime life and showing it's never what it's cracked up to be, but also tells an intensely captivating human story of people just trying to survive and find direction in a chaotic world. I highly recommend this comic especially if you're a fan of martial arts and crime drama.

Kamen Rider Amazons (2016)

This is how you do a reboot.

The Japanese are privy to numerous benefits thanks to Nozama Pharmacy's many advancements in medical technology. However, their most recent breakthrough created something which even they weren't ready for - Amazon Cells. When injected into a living host, Amazon Cells increase the subject's strength, speed, and durability exponentially. Test subjects have even displayed the ability to shape-shift and assimilate the memories of other people. The company has essentially created evolution in a syringe and these new lifeforms are referred to as Amazons. Of course being the highest rung on the evolutionary ladder comes with a small caveat. Amazons have developed an acquired taste - people. Before the company could correct this issue the Amazons escaped. Elsewhere, a meek young man named Haruka lives with his foster mother Reika Mizusawa and her daughter Mizuki. Unbeknownst to Haruka, he himself is infected with Amazon Cells and it's not long until a strange (or calculated) series of events turns him into Kamen Rider Amazon Omega. Using this power, Haruka must fight to protect his family from the ever-growing threat of the Amazons while struggling to hold onto his humanity which slips through his fingers by the day. It is eat or be eaten in this world where the rules of nature reign supreme.

Kamen Rider Amazon Omega

Kamen Rider Amazons is a 2016 web series which celebrates the 45th anniversary of the Kamen Rider series. Created in partnership with Amazon Prime, Kamen Rider Amazons is a reboot of the highly controversial 1974 Kamen Rider Amazon. Kamen Rider Amazon shocked Japanese viewers with its graphic violence. Whereas most Kamen Rider series average about 50 episodes, Kamen Rider Amazon was cancelled after 24 because it was too extreme. While people are desensitized to that kind of thing today, having blood, decapitations and the like in a 1970s-era show was a good way to get pulled from the airwaves, even more so in Japan. Kamen Rider Amazons gets around censorship issues by being streamed online rather than aired on television. Still, much like its predecessor, Amazons has its own share of controversy. It's not due to the violence, but producer Shinichiro Shirakura.

Love him or hate him Shirakura equals ratings.

A big name in tokusatsu, Shinichiro Shirakura is infamous for his harsh criticisms of Super Sentai, recent entries in the Kamen Rider series, and tokusatsu in general. Shirakura drew major heat for regarding modern tokusatsu as lackluster, juvenile, and too quick to rely on tropes rather than complex characters. With more than 20 years in the business, Shirakura produced many of the early (and arguably most popular) Heisei Era Kamen Rider series including Agito, Ryuki, Faiz, Kabuto, and the hugely successful Decade along with a few others. Of course he was also responsible for the legendary flop that was Hibiki. With numerous films under his belt, Shirakura's Kamen Rider series are known for being very character driven, more dramatic and more mature than many of the later Kamen Rider series. His rationale for the reboot is best summed up by Shirakura himself, "Do you think the recent Kamen Riders are interesting? I don't think so! I hope with Amazons the toothless Kamen Rider can get his fangs back." A bold statement to be sure, but this series definitely has some bite.

He's no pup anymore.

Kamen Rider Amazons is a more mature entry in the Kamen Rider series. Not every episode ends on a cheery note and in fact there are quite a few episodes that end with characters being only slightly better off than where they started. There's a substantial body count throughout because the stakes are incredibly high and the hero doesn't always save the day. Haruka doesn't always rider kick his way to victory because every battle is a struggle not just against the Amazons, but his own nature which is changing after every encounter. It isn't long until his mere existence endangers his loved ones. This forces him to distance himself from the very people he's fighting to protect. Tom Fujita does a great job portraying the struggle of this young character. You can see the uncertainty and fear that lay behind Haruka's smile. He puts on a brave front because for all intents and purposes he's very much a kid in a world of adults and monsters and his innocence is torn from him with each new revelation.

Jin Takayama AKA Kamen Rider BADASS

Any good Kamen Rider series has a dichotomy among its heroes; enter Jin Takayama - Kamen Rider Amazon Alpha. Played by Masashi Taniguchi, Jin has a complicated relationship with Haruka. Sometimes Jin will be an aloof ally, other times he'll serve as a sinister mentor, and at the the worst times he's a dangerous foil to our main character. Charismatic, smart, and totally badass Jin almost seems to move on a whim, but his true motives are a mystery. No one really knows what he's after or what he's capable of, but he's a rider you cross at your own peril.

Family

Actress/model Rena Takeda plays Mizuki Mizusawa and I have to give her a few extra points for being one of the few likable female leads in a Kamen Rider series. She's a lonely girl who doesn't appear to have many friends at school and she's often neglected by her workaholic mother. Prior to Haruka's adoption, it's clear that Mizuki didn't have any friends and so she's developed a strong attachment to Haruka. As Haruka changes, his refusal to open up to Mizuki brings back her feelings of isolation and neglect. It's clear that Amazons has a lot of great characters not the least of which being the Nozama Peston Service which is a team of mercenaries hired by Nozama Pharmacy to hunt down the Amazons. The mercs all have different personalities and their interactions are some of the best acted scenes in the show. The actors feel very natural and the characters feel less like mercs and more like a family that has been through it all together. The series does a great job with its human characters, but the action is well done too.

Kamen Rider Amazon Alpha

The battles in Kamen Rider Amazons are more similar to the battles in early Heisei Era titles. These are knockdown, drag out, smash mouth fights. The riders don't just get a power-up and wipe out the enemy in a flash (looking at you Kamen Rider Gaim) rather there is an ongoing, brutal fight and it's during these battles we see even more differences between our heroes. As the good folks at Rider Club Radio pointed out, the battles in Amazons is less stylish and is more of a fight between monsters. In many ways Amazon Omega is a berserker and as Omega Haruka's approach to combat is a wild, frenzied offense. His attacks aren't technically sound so it does take him awhile to wear down his foes, but he's absolutely relentless in doing so. Jin on the other hand is in complete control as Amazon Alpha. Even transformed he maintains his super cool swagger and he lays waste to the Amazons with a combination of bestial savagery and surgical precision. It's not all perfect though. The mercs are completely useless when the more powerful Amazons show up and they're relegated to just being distractions. Also, the digital blood spatter is used too much in some of the episodes which can detract from the presentation of the fight scenes.

Never get on Alpha's bad side.

The writing, the acting, and the tone are all top notch and this is some of the best cinematography I've seen in a tokusatsu in awhile. While the show isn't perfect, each episode leaves you wanting more and this is a fantastic reboot because unlike most it's a quality series and not just a cash-in on a franchise name. It's also a great jumping on point for those looking to get into Kamen Rider, but may have been turned off by the "shonen-esque" presentation of recent entries. (Once again looking at you Kamen Rider Gaim.) Kamen Rider Amazons is gritty and as long as you're not afraid to get dirty you're going to have a good time.

Kamen Rider Wizard (2012 - 2013)

It's showtime!

Created in 2012 by Toei, Kamen Rider Wizard is a tokusatsu (live-action series) that continues the Kamen Rider franchise started by series creator Shotaro Ishinomori in 1971. The fourteenth series in the Heisei era of Kamen Rider and the twenty-third series overall, Kamen Rider Wizard takes place in a world where magical creatures called Phantoms threaten the survival of the human race. Six months prior to the start of the series, dozens of people were kidnapped and sacrificed in a ritual called the Sabbath. Referred to as Gates, the magical potential in these sacrificial pawns and their despair called forth creatures called Phantoms that now terrorize Japan in search of more humans to use as Gates to call forth their dark brethren. The only survivors of this ritual are Kyomi, a young girl who lost her memories and Soma Haruto. Taken under the wing of a mysterious wizard dressed in white, Soma Haruto learns the ways of magic and martial arts. Taking up the mantle Kamen Rider Wizard, Soma Haruto must protect the human race and Kyomi's past may be the key to doing so. Along the way he'll contend with fierce rivals, sadistic enemies, and the evils in the human heart.

Just another day for a Kamen Rider.

From the very first episode Kamen Rider Wizard sucked me in with its cast of characters, excellent choreography, epic score, and explosive action. Haruto's introduction as Kamen Rider Wizard is absolutely badass. He's cocky for sure, but not arrogant and he lays waste to the Phantoms in an efficient, business-like manner. Wizard's fighting style is truly unique among Kamen Riders as it emphasizes Wudang Sword which is a form of Chinese swordsmanship. Wizard's fighting style is more focused on acrobatics and he blends martial arts and magic in dispatching his foes which leads to some very creative action sequences. At first Wizard can only control one element, but he becomes more powerful and more competent as the series goes on and it's impressive to see him use magic in different ways and combine different elements to dispatch his foes.

 

I'll be your hope.

Shunya Shiraishi plays Soma Haruto who's a very easy-going character. You wouldn't know it, but Haruto hides a lot of pain and tragedy behind his smile. In a series where a lot of characters are dealing with personal trauma, Haruto has seen more than his fair share, but he keeps going and he turns pain into hope. Haruto believes that no matter what a person has gone through they can still find happiness. Even if you have nothing left, there's still hope and if you don't have that Haruto will be your hope. As a wizard he believes that he can do the impossible and as a Kamen Rider he does. He inspires a lot of people around him in such a way that even when he hits rock-bottom there are so many people around him who he's saved and many more people who need him which keeps him going. He's not invincible and he's not perfect. He has his strengths, short-comings, fears, and so forth. He's a very human character despite his ever-growing power.

Most of the gang.

Haruto is supported by his student Shunpei, his police contact Rinko, his friend/love interest Kyomi, his father figure Shigeru, and Nito his fellow Kamen Rider. There is a believable and very well-written family dynamic that defines the group and we see the characters bond, fight, and challenge one another, but they always stay strong and stand together. It's a great and necessary contrast in a plot that focuses heavily on despair, loss, and loneliness. Every good hero needs a good villain and Kamen Rider Wizard has one of the best.

They don't get much badder than this.

The Phantoms are led by the enigmatic Wiseman who was responsible for the Sabbath. The most powerful Phantoms have the honor of working under Wiseman and they include the trickster Gremlin, the sadistic Medusa, and the immortal Phoenix who is easily the best villain in the series. Played by Atsumi Kanno, Yugo AKA Phoenix is Kamen Rider Wizard's fiercest foe. Hotblooded, violent, and merciless, Phoenix is the polar opposite of Wizard. Phoenix gets a lot of character development and the show does a great job exploring the relationship between Phoenix and Wizard which started as a rivalry defined by strength and quickly erupted into a war fueled by hatred. In Phoenix, Wizard sees a life-threatening foe and the same is true for Phoenix in that Wizard is perhaps the only being truly capable of beating him. These fight scenes are brutal, the score is epic, and every encounter feels like it could be the last and the two force each other to grow stronger. Phoenix is never defeated the same way twice and this forces Wizard to evolve and adapt or perish.

The enigmatic White Wizard.

Kamen Rider Wizard is not without its problems. The second half of the show isn't as strong as the first. While the plot advances the battles don't always feel as though they carry the same seriousness as earlier conflicts. Kyomi and other characters get a lot of development which is great, but it comes at the cost of Haruto's agency. In the latter half of the series Haruto feels more like a peripheral character in his own show. The show even introduces three more wizards, two of which don't really add much to the plot. There's a big plot twist involving several characters, but if you've seen enough tokusatsu you probably called it fifteen or so episodes before it actually happens. So the show can be fairly predictable late in the series for those viewers familiar with the Kamen Rider formula.

Life Is Showtime

Overall I had a great time watching Kamen Rider Wizard. It's not a perfect Kamen Rider series, but it's a good series despite its flaws. It was highly entertaining with some great fight scenes and intriguing characters. It's quite different from the traditional Kamen Rider formula, but this didn't detract from its entertainment value and it's an entry I'd recommend to newcomers and long-time fans alike.