And now, the review...
The film's opening montage details the origins of the SSSP (S-Class Species Suppression Protocol) organization, which defends Japan from giant monsters. During one such attack, a giant spaceman codenamed Ultraman shows up and defeats the rampaging monster. The SSSP try to make contact with Ultraman as they fend off more monsters. A new recruit, Hiroko Asami (Masami Nagasawa) leads the investigation with her "buddy," Shinji Kaminaga (Takumi Saitoh). Unbeknownst to her, Shinji is Ultraman (sort of), and while the Japanese Government is wary of their "ally," a few more spacemen aren't as benevolent as he.
Yes, that's basically it. Anno's screenplay is as episodic as the TV show. Ultraman beats up a monster and another comes in. The consecutive spacemen Zarab (Kenjiro Tsuda) and Mefilas (Koji Yamamoto) sort of blend together even if their methods don't. But it's not boring. It's barely ten minutes before Ultraman makes planetfall. That's how fast this 112-minute film moves. Act Five is its most profound as the SSSP and Japanese Government try to cope with impending annihilation from the living satellite Zetton. Naturally, Ultraman defeating Zetton made for a thrilling climax.
Let's talk about the hero himself. Ultraman is quite compelling as he goes from neutral observer to stalwart guardian. He refrains from blowing up the highly dangerous Gabora, instead using his fists, and as Shinji, he opens up to the SSSP. The film's final moments let him plead his case to his superior, Zoffy (Koichi Yamadera), who set Zetton on Earth. It's as compelling as any of the fights. Saitoh doesn't get much time as normal Shinji, but he's good as Ultraman as Shinji. Anno himself plays Ultra-sized Ultraman using some decent motion capture effects. A key scene has Ultraman played by his original suit actor, Bin Furuya, who turned 80 this week. His real voice is provided by Issey Takahashi.
The SSSP are all likable characters. They're not Ultramen, but Commander Kimio Tamura (Hidetoshi Nishijima), nerdy Akihisa Taki (Daiki Arioka) and biologist Yumi Funaberi (Akari Hayami) are still memorable. Hiroko is a strong deuteragonist as she appeals to Ultraman's better nature. Their comedic moments are much needed relief. Zarab's is perfectly unsettling, while Mefilas has the slickest look. They're both formidable villains, though Mefilas' affability gives him a slight edge. Zoffy is unnerving as he deploys Zetton, but his climactic talk with Ultraman lets one empathize with him.
The opening montage features monsters from Ultraman's predecessor, Ultra Q, and even features Kunio Miyauchi's groovy theme tune. Shiro Sagisu's rendition of that theme, Miyauchi's score from Ultraman itself, and his original work, results in a strong soundtrack. The CGI creature designs are cool and mesh well with their real environments. The fight scenes are dynamically shot and edited. One can't help but delightfully smirk with Ultraman's goofy spin attack and accompanying sound effect when he fights Gabora. Ultraman's fights with Zetton are the visual highlights of the film. Especially the second.
Shin Ultraman is a strong reinvention of a classic superhero. It's also a good introduction to that superhero. Its characters and story are as great as its visuals. Whether physical or digital, see it as soon as possible. If all goes well, I'll be able to review Anno's follow-up, Shin Kamen Rider, sooner than later.
Please be sooner.
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