Ultraman: The Next (2004)

Even though the rubber suits and miniature model cities have been enhanced by CGI, this 2005 re-imagining of the enduring Ultraman character still has that typically cheesy kaiju aesthetic, possibly because the film-makers didn't have a big enough budget to make things look as slick as they might have liked, although I prefer to think that it was done intentionally in order to give the movie that unique charm one expects from a Japanese 'superhero versus monster' movie.Either way, the film is lots of fun, with a really nicely designed creature in the shape of The One, a hideous, armour-plated, life-form absorbing beast with three heads (one that shoots energy blasts) and a massive pair of wings, which ultimately ends up several hundred feet high—but he's nothing that Ultraman can't handle; the two battle it out on land and in the skies causing mayhem and destruction on a massive scale before the hero inevitably vanquishes the monster and peace returns to downtown Tokyo.It's nothing particularly revolutionary perhaps, but it's spectacular and consistently entertaining, and as far as I am concerned, a great way to spend an hour and a half or so of your time.7.5 out of 10, rounded up to 8 for IMDb.*** Just re-watched the film and didn't enjoy it quite as much the second time around (the first half is fairly uneventful), although the final smack-down between Ultraman and The One is still a lot of fun.***Revised rating: 7/10

This movie blew me away! I know this is based on an old series! But somehow they managed to keep it fresh and new for viewers who are not familiar with this series! The pace is fast and the story is quite good! The story about a loving father and husband who turns in to Ultraman is done in a proper manner! He gradually accepts his fate in becoming a superhero! You will care for this man and his family! And the most important thing is that this movie delivers on the action front! The giant lizard like monster is out to destruct everything in his path and you will see that he does! Buildings blown away by his fire breath! Crushing,pounding men! You will see Ultraman fighting this giant monster in the ultimate battle! Even when you know that they still are men in suits it doesn't look cheesy! In combination with CGI it looks better than ever! For me all kaiju movies should be like this. Ultraman is a classic!

The movie was great, the story was spectacular, and the characters were very likable. I love the fact that they brought an old hero back and gave him a new make-over. The music is a rock-style of the original Ultraman music. I hope that if you are a great Ultraman fan, you will get it. I could only watch it with Japanese subtitles, but I still love it. The only problem that I had, was the fact that they used a pre-existing Ultraman from the Ultraman Nexus universe. I would have preferred something more in the line of the original Ultraman. I did enjoy that they did not kill the story with to much special FX, but the battles were spectacular. This movie would make the late Tsuburaya very proud!

As I was watching the midair climax of the movie (which is a lot of fun, by the way), I couldn't help but think that the music sounded very familiar. It was starting to remind me very much of Anton Bruckner's 8th Symphony in c-minor. No sooner had I made this inner note to myself when the soundtrack actually started *quoting* the 8th, note-for-note! OK, OK, I know this has nothing to do with the movie, which is probably my favorite Ultraman so far... but I like commenting on musical trivia like this. (Another odd Bruckner quote comes in the opening credits of Victor Halperin's "Supernatural" from 1933, which uses a few bars of the Third Symphony in d-minor.)