Ultraman: Uprising (2024)

 Plot

Ken Sato, a brilliant baseball player who returns to Japan to carry the mantle of Ultraman. His plans go awry, however, when he is compelled to raise a newborn kaiju monster the offspring of his greatest enemy as his own child. Sato will also have to contend with his relationship with his estranged father and the schemes of the Kaiju Defense Force.

Review 

"Ultraman: Rising" on Netflix brings a fresh take on the beloved Japanese pop culture icon, Ultraman which has been running since 1966 with numerous films, shows, reboots and sequels.

The film focuses on Ken Sato, the son of the original Ultraman, as he struggles to balance his dual life as a baseball player and Ultraman. Ken Sato is a great baseball player but he is immature full of egos and arrogant. The film delves into Ken's relationship with his father, Professor Sato, the former Ultraman, whom he blames for not searching for his missing mother who was lost in a battle between a Kaiju and Ultraman. Their father and son relationship is not in a great place.

It all takes a turn when Ken unintentionally rescues a baby kaiju, later who believes he is her mother. This forces Ken to find the balance between responsibilities as Ultraman and learning to care for the kaiju. This event eventually reshaped his perspective on heroism, family, and teamwork. The story is centered on Ken's growth.

This is not an origin film. So don't expect to see the mythology and lore of the Ultraman. You also don't need to know a lot about the mythology of Ultraman to watch this film. It's a family movie with a lot of heart. The main focus on the film is about parenting. 

While "Ultraman: Rising" features stunning animation, visuals, and exciting action scenes, the heart and core of the film lies in its emotional and dramatic elements. Some viewers might feel that there aren't enough Ultraman vs. kaiju fight scenes. The baby kaiju is charming and innocent looking. The villain backstory is well-developed and why he is doing what he is doing is understandable. 

Overall, the film seems too long but it's an entertaining and heartfelt addition to the Ultraman franchise, for both longtime fans and newcomers can enjoy.

My Screen Times Score - 7

IMDb - 7

Rotten Tomatoes - 81% | Audience- 93%

Genre - Fantasy / Adventure/ Kids & Family 

Runtime - 1 hour 57 minutes 

Distributor - Netflix 

Director - Shannon Tindle