Shin Kamen Rider is a new adaptation of the legendary superhero manga by Shotaro Ishinomori. Kamen Rider is about an ordinary motorcyclist who is mechanically upgraded by a shadowy organization known as SHOCKER. After being blown away by the Kamen Rider Classic manga, I was wondering if the film could fully capture the splatterpunk horror and 70s surrealism of the original. I’m pleased to say that Shin Kamen Rider fully embraces the vintage nature of its source material while also delivering a film that looks avant garde.
The film is full of gorgeous symmetrically composed shots that embrace the use of natural light. The effect is that some frames look like an Edo period woodblock print come to life. This arthouse presentation gives each scene a level of gravitas and contrasts with the Pop Art nature of the superhero characters.
When the fights kick in, things get nasty in the best possible way. Director Hideaki Anno (Neon Genesis Evangelion, Cutie Honey 2004) makes use of first person POV and over the top gore reminiscent of Hardcore Henry. The brutality of the fights and ridiculous villain designs add the perfect level of B-movie schlock. Not everything looks “good” but the film never stops being entertaining. The CGI has a stop-motion level of tactility for Kamen Rider’s mask and motorcycle. When the characters fight, they become like video game avatars in an interesting use of mixed-media.
While Shin Kamen Rider is full of camp, action, and artsy visuals it doesn’t lack heart. Each actor plays their role respectfully. Minami Hamabe stands out in her role as Ruriko Midorikawa. The character’s stoic attitude masks something deeper that becomes the soul of the film. The film uses its bombastic nature to lull the viewer into a false sense of security, and then finds the right opportunity to kick your heart right in the balls.
Shin Kamen Rider is like watching ’60s Batman with cinematography by Stanley Kubrick and fight scenes by Quentin Tarantino. The film expertly blends lowbrow superhero camp with avant garde filmmaking. Audiences who are used to DC and Marvel superhero films probably won’t understand the appeal of Shin Kamen Rider but there will also be viewers who see form as content. Those who enjoyed the classic manga won’t be disappointed!
Shin Kamen Rider is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
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