Ultraman: Rising

This is an animated feature based on Ultraman by Tsuburaya Productions set in Tokyo, created by Shannon Tindle and Marc Haimes. It's a family-friendly mashup of "Pacific Rim" and "Big Hero 6" without explaining its extraterrestrial nature. The only barrier is a Netflix subscription. It's a fun, sincere, and thoughtfully conceived kids' entertainment.

This focuses on the work-life balance of Ken, a baseball star who returns to Japan to become the new Ultraman. The film showcases Ken's growth and the emotional impact of his absence from his father, Professor Sato. The story is filled with dramatic sports action and battle scenes, with the animation being vibrant and fluid. The film also explores Ultraman's relationship with the public and his relationship with a baby kaiju. The film focuses on the growing relationship between Ken and Professor Sato, highlighting the importance of finding balance in a family. Despite its lack of a richer sense of history, "Ultraman: Rising" is a satisfying film for both adults and children.

Staff:

Directed by: Shannon Tindle

Written by: Shannon Tindle and Marc Haimes

Based on: Ultraman by Tsuburaya Productions

Produced by: Tom Knott and Lisa M. Poole

Starring: Christopher Sean, Gedde Watanabe, Tamlyn Tomita, Keone Young, and Julia Harriman

Cinematography: John Bermudes

Edited by: Bret Marnell

Music by: Scot Stafford

Production companies: Netflix Animation, Tsuburaya Productions, and Industrial Light & Magic^a

Distributed by: Netflix

Release date: June 14, 2024

Running time: 117 minutes

^a: Animation services.