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ULTRAMAN RISING

As an Ultraman fan and someone who likes science fiction animation movies, I loved Ultraman Rising.

The storyline follows a baseball player named Ken Sato (Christopher Sean) who left Japan for the United States with his mother when he was young and became a famous baseball player. Now he needs to return to Tokyo to take over the role of Ultraman because his dad (Gedde Watanabe) asks him to come and take a bigger role in his life. He lives with a robot named Mina (Tamlyn Tomita) who helps him in his tasks. One day, while fighting Ken finds a Kaiju egg and knows that he needs to learn to care for the baby Kaiju and learn the importance of family. A man named Dr. Onda (Keone Young) wants to destroy all the kaijus, he wants to take revenge because his family died in a kaiju attack.

The animation by the Sunrise team is really great - sometimes I forgot I was watching an animation. The actors' voices match the characters quite well. Director and writer, Shannon Tindle and co-director, John Aoshima, even including something from the original series - at the beginning it shows the kaiju from the first episode of Ultraman. They also incorporated some very funny scenes and lines, like the baby kaiju going wild! I really love the baby's incidents - they are so funny. Don't leave your seat too soon at the end or you will miss an important part of the story. I want to mention that I noticed that there are some flashing lights in some scenes, so people sensitive to stroboscopic flashes may be affected.

The film's message is that family is the most important thing in your life. Also, you can't deny anything you don't like. Ken tried to find solutions, but they all weren't good enough.

I give Ultraman Rising 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12, plus adults and Ultraman fans. This film begins streaming on Netflix June 14, 2024.

By Ryan M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 10

Ultraman: Rising is a phenomenal animated action movie. I love the amazing animation, great special effects and awesome storyline.

The storyline is a take on the Japanese Ultraman story; it follows Ken Sato (Christopher Sean) and his challenges of becoming Ultraman. He has to find the balance between his passion for baseball and being the superhero protecting Japan from Kaiju -- Godzilla-like creatures that torment the city. One day as he is fighting a Gigantron, he secures an egg, which hatches into a baby Kaiju. Ken, with his computer assistant, Mina (Tamlyn Tomita) and his dad (Gedde Watanabe) takes care of her and names her Emi. Soon, a strong familial bond forms and Ken now has to be a parent, professional baseball player and Ultraman.

Ultraman: Rising has a heartwarming storyline about the importance of family with amazing animation and special effects. What makes the animation extraordinary are all the intricate details of the characters which make them look so real. The settings are beautiful and the special effects are out of this world. The explosions when Ken falls into water are so wonderful. The voice-acting is truly incredible. Christopher Sean, who voices Ken Sato, is outstanding - his voice clearly projects Ken's struggles as he juggles being a superhero and a baseball player. Ultraman also has to balance his duties of protecting the city from the Kaiju while protecting them from the Kaiju Defense Force, set to eliminate all the Kaiju. Gedde Watanabe is a perfect fit for the role of Professor Sato, Ken's dad. He shows his sadness when Ken dismisses him and is eager to restore his relationship with his son. Tamlyn Tomita, who voices Mina, is very funny as the knowledgeable computer, always ready to diagnose what might be wrong with Emi. Emi is also very adorable and funny as the baby Kaiju. The villain in the movie, Dr. Onda (Keone Young) shows his anguish as he tries to kill all the Kaiju in revenge for killing his family.

The film's message reminds us that family will always be there for you, no matter what. It's also a reminder to find the balance between what our passions are and what our duties are. Ken's conflict is between his passion of being a full time baseball player and his duty of being Ultraman. At first, it is hard to do both and he wants to stop being Ultraman, but he regains his confidence and begins saving lives again.

I give Ultraman: Rising 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18 plus adults. It is available on Netflix on June 14, 2024.

By Avani M., KIDSFIRST! Film Critic, Age 11

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With Tokyo under siege from rising monster attacks, baseball star Ken Sato reluctantly returns home to take on the mantle of Ultraman. But the titanic superhero meets his match when he reluctantly adopts a 35-foot-tall, fire-breathing baby kaiju. Sato must rise above his ego to balance work and parenthood while protecting the baby from forces bent on exploiting her for their own dark plans. In partnership with Netflix, Tsuburaya Productions, and Industrial Light & Magic, Ultraman: Rising is written by Shannon Tindle and Marc Haimes, directed by Shannon Tindle, and co-directed by John Aoshima.