Now seeing a movie entirely in japanese with no english subtitles was slightly disconcerting, but having spent the last 3 years watching various incarntaions of The japanese hero via the tv, I felt sufficiently versed in Ultraman lore to wing it. Failing that, I could always employ Ewan to spell it out for his "baka-daddy".
So in we sauntered, ewan slightly less enthused than myself to be honest, and acquired our seats. Trailers, trailers, trailers, none of which was particularly inspiring and all seemed out of place somewhat in regards to the content of the main feature...horror movies, samurai slasher epics and so on, ewan was getting twitchy, lights were out, big booming subwoofers helping to unnerve him even more, the 'eject' button was proving a realistic possibility. Now plying kids with candy is obviously not a healthy or indeed sound parental choice, but when its in order to stave off the tears and introduce ones child to a cultural experience i feel its acceptable. So thats what I did. Nervousness abated, the main feature finally kicked off.
Now Ultraman is somewhat of a national institution, and his popularity can be traced back to Japans post war need to regain some sense of pride. The post war years threw up a diverse and bizarre variety of cultural icons from the likes of Puro-resu star RikkiDozan (His North Korean nationality was kept secret from the japanese who assumed he was native) who gained fame from regularly giving American wrestlers a pounding, to the likes of Godzilla and Ultraman. The latter two were of particular interest as they also confronted issues such as the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings (albeit indirectly), Radiation fallout and effects, and the view of 'dark technology' and its implications. These themes resonate through japanese popular culture still and can be seen in the works of Katsuhiro Otomo's Akira and Hideo Kojima'sMetal Gear solid.
Obviously, what with Ewan being 4, these cultural references dont really apply, so enough of that for now and back to the day in question.
Anyway, the movie kicked off in fine fettle with 4 of the Ultramen, (Ultraman, Ultraman Jack, Ultraman Seven and Ultraman-A) doing whats expected of them in knocking the heck out of a large rubber skinned space monster. The vast majority of Japanese hero shows/movies feature men dressed in rubber suits performing various fighting manouevers in a somewhat slow and clumsy manner, rather reminiscent of the british pro wrestling era of Big Daddy and Giant Haystacks. It wasnt until the previous incarnation of Ultraman (Ultraman Max) that more sophisticated rendering techniques were brought to the series. The rubber monsters remain but theyve been supplemented by C.G.I. which lends them an all together more 'sexy' air. Its a very different perspective than Hollywood, in which excessive C.G.I. has given productions a rather sterile look. Ultramans monsters, although somewhat comical in appearance possess a real weight and gravity which is missing from the likes of, for example, Hollywoods Godzilla remake. Every punch and kick feels like its connecting, because, it quite literally is. Imagine the Empire Strikes Back for example remade with C.G.I. in place of models. It'd look crap. So hats off to the japanese for not surrendering to what has now become convention.
Ewan however was not particularly enthralled post-candy consumption, and the darkness of the theatre and booming speakers were once again taking hold of his nerves. It was time to get serious and take matters in hand...this basically entailed me reverting to a 4 year old state (not too difficult believe me) and explaining how the large space aliens gracing the silver screen were not scary at all, and that, in 4 year old terms, Ultraman would, rest assured, kick some ass. This seemed to work, but the point in which a particularly large monster choose to drop half a mountain onto a boys pet dog did see me lose a little ground.
Anyway, Ewan-kun eventually relaxed and the latter half was most enjoyable. Possibly at the expense of the other cinema-goers. While watching Ultraman at home Ewan basically reenacts what he sees on the tv as it happens, sound effects included. He managed to enter a comfort zone in which he felt quite comfortable doing so in the theatre. I obviously joined in much to the chagrin of the woman sitting immediately beside me. Once her kids started joining in though she thankfully relaxed and chose not to have us ejected. I seriously doubt the movie will gain a western theatrical release of any kind, but if it does, its heartily recommended. Its a most welcome counter to the aneamic fare of the vast majority of Hollywood productions.
