GanzChroma 0216
I grew up watching Ultraman on national TV in Singapore. One of my fondest memories revolves around the last job my late grandfather ever had. He worked as a security guard at a retail store in the old Woodlands emporium in Singapore in the early 90s.
Every week, my brother and I would take the lunch prepared by my grandmother and meet him at the store. His office was right behind the toy department, which became our little haven. Each visit, we would eagerly browse through the toys, dreaming and imagining.
One particular day stands out vividly in my memory. We discovered a set of different Ultraman figures. This was the first time I genuinely remember my mind being blown. I had only known the one Ultraman from TV. Suddenly, there was an entire universe of Ultras!
I couldn't read the box descriptions as the toys were imported directly from Japan, but that only added to the mystery and allure. In an age before the internet, we had no way of finding more information.
What I knew was limited to what I saw on TV, and then, one day, Ultraman stopped airing, and life simply went on.
Fast forward to today, seeing Ultraman Rising brought a flood of those childhood memories rushing back. I was reminded of the excitement, the wonder, and the sheer joy of watching Ultraman kick ass and take names.
Animation, to me, is the purest form of human expression. Every frame is meticulously crafted by an artist, which is why I tear up at every Pixar movie, even if I'm watching it for the nth time. It's truly wonder to breathe life into animated characters and make them alive. To have them express joy, sorrow, sadness, or loss.
Watching Ultraman Rising, I couldn't help but think about the deeper themes it touches upon, particularly the relationship between parents and children. Our relationship with our parents shapes us in profound ways. From the moment we come into this world, we seek unconditional love and support from them. But our parents are not perfect. They have their own struggles, their own battles to fight.
It's only when you become a parent yourself that you truly begin to understand. You realize how clueless you feel, how overwhelming it can be. And then it hits you - this is probably how your parents felt too. We tend to see our parents as infallible, all-knowing beings, but they were just figuring things out as they went along, just like we are.
I don't want to give too much away about the film. Just go watch it. It's a beautiful, emotional journey that will resonate with anyone who has ever felt the profound impact of parental love and guidance. And, of course, the special effects, especially the Specium Ray, are absolutely stunning!
Watch it on Netflix!