*pulled from my LB review*

Wonky structure with a both overlong and kind of truncated (or at least, kinda boring) initial objective, feels like a casual, extended Zi-O episode than a movie in the first part, and then the main conflict becomes apparent about 1/3 of the way through for a pretty fun and over the top excessive Heisei tribute.

That said, it feels especially jarring how incongruous that first third kinda feels with how slack it is and having Go being the only real legacy Rider we see outside of the suit in this one, it’s meant to explain how Sougo properly got the Drive watch when it is kinda glossed over in-series until the actual tribute comes after Sougo gets Grand Zi-O form and all, feels awkward trying to have that portion and only Go there really before he gets kinda overshadowed later on.

Some of the information about the evil alternate Sougo and such further validates Geiz and Tsukuyomi’s passivity with trying to kill Sougo and instead befriending him and all, meanwhile Woz makes a big betrayal before he starts to reassess and reflect on his values and all, as does Sougo with remembering why he desired to—and believed himself to be—a king, nice reaffirmation there.

The big Heisei Rider battle is what it’s all about though, and it’s a lot of fun, the style in this film is pretty enthralling even if it’s just a sort of maximalist spectacle compared to the precise ebb and flow of a Kamihoriuchi directed film.

Has some awkward parts that hold it back from pure unfiltered joy, but still a mostly another fun mass tribute and send off for Heisei.