Ultraman: Rising Review : A visually spectacular superhero film with a cluttered plot

Story: When Tokyo is threatened by giant monsters, a star athlete reluctantly returns home to take over his father’s mantle as Ultraman and become a legendary hero.

Review: ‘Ultraman: Rising’ begins in Odaiba, Japan, with a flashback to the childhood of Ken Sato, whose father has a deep passion for kaiju, the giant monsters (like Godzilla is for us). Twenty years later, Ken Sato (Christopher Sean), now a famous baseball star, finds himself juggling the demands of his celebrity life and the responsibilities of being the legendary hero Ultraman. This balancing act takes an unexpected turn when Ken is forced to care for the offspring of his greatest adversary, a 35-foot-tall, fire-breathing baby kaiju named Emi. Despite Emi's fierce exterior, the kaiju cub is endearingly needy, resembling a cute water dragon at heart. As Ultraman, Ken must navigate the challenges of parenthood while protecting Emi from a government intent on eradicating all giant monsters in Tokyo.

Director Shannon Tindle with his co-writer Marc Haimes weave a classic superhero narrative, presenting Ken with four major responsibilities: his role as a star athlete, his duties as Ultraman, his new role as Emi’s guardian, and his relationship with his father, Professor Sato (Gedde Watanabe). This multifaceted burden tests the film’s ability to balance both large-scale action and intimate, emotional moments. The art style reflects this challenge, striving to harmonize the dual tones as the story unfolds.

Visually, ‘Ultraman: Rising’ excels with its hyper-stylised CG animation, particularly in the grand set pieces. Director Shannon Tindle creates a visually captivating experience, from the vibrant streets of Tokyo to the dynamic battles involving Ultraman. One of the film's highlights is a breathtaking battle between Ultraman and a giant robot over the Tokyo skyline, where every movement is vividly brought to life, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats. The animation of the baby kaiju Emi is equally impressive, capturing its charm and humor.

However, those anticipating constant action may find the film's focus on emotional elements and Ken's paternal duties a bit slow at times. While the voice acting is well-suited to the characters, the film occasionally drags due to the inclusion of multiple subplots. A more streamlined narrative could have allowed for a tighter focus on the central premise. Nonetheless, ‘Ultraman: Rising’ remains a visually stunning and crowd-pleasing addition to the iconic Japanese superhero genre.