Ultraman: Rising

An animated film. Ken is a baseball player. He has been a success in America and has come back to Japan; his team, the fans and the press are waiting for him. He has a second job as well: Ultraman, who protects the city from giants. His father carried that duty for years and now it is his turn; but Ken does not want it and is estranged from his father. One day, during an attack, he finds an egg. The first person the hatchling sees is Ken, and it takes him for its mother. From there the film becomes a story about care. The baby grows, wants food, will not sleep, and becomes impossible to hide. Ken goes to games without sleep. The second line is an institution. The city's defence unit was set up to destroy the giants and is looking for this one. What the narrative is interested in is not heroism but parenthood: the film rebuilds Ken's relationship with his own father through the creature. The visual style is computer animation imitating hand drawing; the movement is made on sparse frames and the choice is noticeable. Shannon Tindle directed. Christopher Sean, Gedde Watanabe and Tamlyn Tomita are among the voices. Who it is for: anyone who likes animation for the family and the Japanese giant-hero tradition. Who it is not for: anyone expecting action from the series; the film gives its weight to the family line rather than the fights.