“Ultraman: Rising” is the latest animated superhero fantasy that takes center stage with its focus on absent parents, lost children, and other familiar tropes. This film diverges from the recent “Shin Ultraman”, aiming for a family-friendly audience less concerned with the character’s storied past. While this shift is not inherently problematic, it sometimes highlights the formulaic nature of this new movie’s drama, recycling clichés that have long been entrenched in animated features.
In “Ultraman: Rising,” the brooding hero must overcome domestic challenges—an angry father and a missing mother—while taking care of a giant baby dragon monster. The dragon, with its wild mood swings and heart-tugging design, adds a layer of charm to the film. However, Ultraman’s human alias, Ken Sato, played by Christopher Sean, struggles to balance his major league baseball career with his kaiju-battling responsibilities. This dual life forms the crux of the narrative, though Ken’s character often fluctuates based on the plot’s needs.
Ken’s relationship with his father, Professor Sato (Gedde Watanabe), is strained due to past traumas. This dynamic sets up the central tension as Ken, with help from his robot minder Mina (Tamlyn Tomita), takes on the responsibility of caring for Emi, a baby kaiju. This puts him at odds with Dr. Onda (Keone Young), the militaristic leader of the Kaiju Defense Force. The film also introduces Ami Wakita (Julia Harriman), a journalist and single mom, who helps guide Ken. Despite these relationships, Ken’s journey to heroism is marred by clichéd dialogue and predictable plot twists.
While “Ultraman: Rising” aims to appeal to a broad audience, it often falls into the trap of trying to be too many things at once. The film’s tone shifts awkwardly, with some dialogue feeling out of place. For instance, Ken’s rhetorical musings and the unexpected inclusion of the Sex Pistols’ “Pretty Vacant” highlight these tonal inconsistencies.
The animation quality is another mixed bag. While Emi's movements and expressions are well-executed, the human characters suffer from stiff body language and inarticulate facial features. Despite the voice cast’s efforts, the characters’ lifelessness is hard to overlook.
However, “Ultraman: Rising” shines whenever its titular hero takes the spotlight. The sequences featuring Ultraman battling kaiju showcase the best work from the movie’s team of animators. These scenes play to the filmmakers’ strengths, focusing on the dynamic movements of the superhuman giants rather than their deeper emotional struggles.
Ultimately, “Ultraman: Rising” lacks a cohesive vision of what it means to be a parent or an adult juggling multiple roles. The film is enjoyable in its all-monsters-attack mode but falters when it demands more substantial engagement from its audience.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
1. What is the main plot of "Ultraman: Rising"?
According to IMDb, “Ultraman: Rising” follows Ken Sato, a baseball prodigy who must balance his sports career with his duties as Ultraman. The story focuses on his personal struggles and his mission to protect the city from kaiju threats.
2. Who directed "Ultraman: Rising"?
The film was directed by a team under the guidance of Xavier Gens, known for his dynamic approach to storytelling, as detailed on Wikipedia.
3. Where can I watch "Ultraman: Rising"?
You can watch “Ultraman: Rising” on iWatchOnline, a platform offering a wide range of films and TV shows.
4. What themes are explored in "Ultraman: Rising"?
The film explores themes of parental relationships, personal growth, and the responsibilities of heroism, as noted in reviews on Metacritic and Rotten Tomatoes.
5. How has the film been received by critics?
Critics have had mixed reactions to “Ultraman: Rising”, praising its entertaining action sequences and animation while critiquing its clichéd narrative and inconsistent tone. This reception is evident from detailed reviews found on IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes.
For more detailed reviews and opinions, you can visit the aforementioned sources.
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