Ultraman R/B is different than the other Ultraman iterations in that they are a set of brothers who turn into Ultramen whenever their world is threatened. However, it’s been a year or so since their last battle and they are starting to think about what the future holds for unemployed superheroes. That changes when there’s an alien attack and they have to suit up once again. Ultraman Geed also shows up to lend a hand, but things go from bad to worse when R’s goth friend is turned into a giant monster.
There’s more intentional humor this time out, which is a problem because the bulk of it just isn’t funny. The comic daydreams and sitcom situations (like when R/B and their father spy on their sister when she goes out on a date) don’t really work, and don’t score any laughs to speak of. Then again, these scenes don’t exactly grate on your nerves either, which I suppose is a small victory. At least the comic relief shit dries up once the monsters attack. Plus, the film’s heart is in the right place, and the family dynamic helps to give this one a little bit different flavor than the previous Ultraman efforts.
Fortunately, the monster brawls are a lot of fun and are well-worth the wait. The monsters look appropriately old school (albeit with a few CGI enhancements here and there), which is to say they are rubbery and silly. As with Ultraman Orb: The Movie, the film contains some clever camerawork that opens things up a little bit, and the finale (which feels like an Ultraman version of the Flash scenes in the Justice League movie) is legitimately cool. Also, the arrival of an Ultrawoman was a long time coming, and helps make this entry kind of progressive… I guess.
AKA: Ultraman R/B: Select! The Crystal of Bond.
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