The idea is to bring father-child stakes into all this mayhem, which works to a degree. But in the movie’s desire to wring tears...The film winds up having it both ways once too often.

Ultraman: Rising will likely touch viewers, especially ages 10 and under, for its story of a young man trying to be a good dad while also reconnecting with his own estranged father, in what ultimate becomes a parable about responsible parenting.

Ultraman: Rising may be a kaleidoscopically color-timed action adventure of throw-down battles, but it’s really about parenting in its many shapes and forms.

It's a fun journey with important themes that never talks down to its audience and an emotionally mature look at familial structures and the danger of letting one's pain dictate their actions.