Ninpu Sentai Hurricanger VS Hyaku Juu Sentai GaoRanger (2002)
Production: Toei Corporation
By Kamui Shiro

Introduction

We all knew this was inevitable; that these two groups would meet up for the purpose of first beating the snot out of each other, then to take on the bad guys in question and in that regard--and more, in fact--Hurricanger VS Gaoranger doesn't fail to disappoint.

The Story

The movie begins with the Hurricangers effortlessly taking down a Magerappa goon squad with their usual flair. The moment of victory quickly goes out the window, however when the trio is attacked...by the Gaorangers! The battle goes against the Hurricangers quickly as the Gaorangers tear into them with a terrible ferocity that almost seems out of character for them. Further adding to the Hurricanger's shock is the announcement from Gao Red that they're working for the Jajanka!

After narrowly escaping from the Gaorangers, the Hurricangers are understandably angry--Yousuke most of all. Oboro and Mugensai explain to the confused trio that the Gaorangers are a sentai team like themselves, and Yousuke comes to the conclusion that they must be somehow under the Jajanka's power. After coming in on another knock-down, drag-out between the Gaorangers and the Gouraijer, Yousuke tries to reason with them, only to be mocked and punched out by Gao Red. A giant robot battle ensues thereafter between GaoKing, Sempuujin, and Gouraijin, but once again, the battle goes against both the Hurricangers and the Gouraijer. But just as GaoKing is about to finish them off, Sae Taiga appears on the scene. Naturally, everyone is floored by this and upon seeing her and hearing her pleas to stop fighting, the Power Animals break the GaoKing formation, and eject the impostor Gaorangers, who flee the scene.

Back it the Hurricanger's base, Sae explains that she and the other Gaorangers, along with their mentor, Tetomu were captured by Chubozu, brother of the late Chuuzubo, and that they're being held prisoner. In true heroic fashion, the Hurricanger agree to help Sae and the Gaorangers. After this point, I'd be unveiling serious spoilers, so I'll stop now.

Review

Hurricanger Vs. Gaoranger was a direct-to-video release--unusual for a sentai movie--, but it's a good effort even if it doesn't quite plumb the depths of its underlying greater potential. The general plot and character interaction were all pretty good, but there wasn't enough in my opinion. That's the major flaw with sentai movies--Most of them aren't long enough to really take full advantage of their respective plots.

Another thing that disappointed me was the mecha combinations--I mean was GouraiSempuujin Sword and Shield really the best they could come up with? Why not something with Tenkuujin and GaoMuscle? Or better yet GaoIcarus?

Conclusion

These flaws, however, are generally small ones, and the excellent finale helps to make up for the movie's smaller shortcomings. Hurricanger VS Gaoranger is overall a solid effort and a pretty enjoyable way to kill a spare 41 minutes of your free time.

Kamui Shiro