Review | Netflix movie review – Ultraman: Rising is a wholesome take on the Japanese superhero
- A baseball star returns to Japan from the US and inherits the Ultraman role in a tale that charms with its warm-hearted simplicity
4/5 stars
Inspired by one of the most iconic superhero franchises of all time, Ultraman: Rising is a new English-language take on the towering alien protector, from first-time director Shannon Tindle.
Sato must reconcile his heavily scrutinised celebrity status with his role as Tokyo’s ultimate protector, after reluctantly inheriting the role of Ultraman from his ageing father.
As if playing for the Giants while battling extraterrestrial giants wasn’t challenging enough, Sato inadvertently adopts a 10.7-metre (35ft), fire-breathing baby monster that is being hunted down by the heavily militarised Kaiju Defence Force.
Produced by Industrial Light and Magic, the special effects house responsible for Jurassic Park, Avatar and The Avengers, in collaboration with Tsuburaya Productions, original creators of Ultraman, Ultraman: Rising wields enough kaiju-stomping, flying giant robot action to delight hardcore fans of the genre.