Now streaming on Netflix, "Ultraman: Rising" is an animated superhero movie based on the popular Japanese "Ultra Series" franchise. It follows Ken Sato's journey as he inherits the Ultraman mantle and transitions from playing baseball in the US to Japan, while also raising a giant infant monster named Baby Gigantron.
It blends classic elements from the 1960s TV show Ultra Q with contemporary storytelling, offering a fresh entry point for new viewers while pleasing long-time fans, balancing action-packed scenes with emotional depth.
The animation quality is praised as top-notch, with bright visuals and anime-inspired elements by Industrial Light & Magic. The final battle scene with nods to iconic franchises is visually impressive, though the story lags at times due to its focus on parenting challenges.
The film received early praise for its fun and sincere entertainment value, but its pacing struggles with shifting between energetic scenes and slower, more melodramatic conversations.
The movie shows influences from How to Train Your Dragon in its treatment of characters, and takes inspiration from Spider-verse for its colorful visuals and character designs.
A touching father-son dynamic presents an opportunity for kids to learn about Ultraman at a young age.
Sources: TVOvermind, USA News, Netflix Life, The Review Geek, Spoiler Bolavip, ITC, The National News, The Cosmic Circus.
This article was written in collaboration with Generative AI news company Alchemiq.
