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[tab title="Movie Review"]

Ultra Q

28 episodes. 30 minutes. That’s all it took to change the world . . . or should that change be limited to just the airwaves? Because special effects director Eiji Tsuburaya definitely did that with Ultra Q, the black-and-white television series that gave us the first attempt at a Toho-like television takeover. Wait for it, though, Ultra Q has brand-new life thanks to a new release from Mill Creek Entertainment.

"With Ultra Q’s premiere, suddenly the television didn’t seem so small.  It was, after all, one of the most expensive series ever made by Japanese broadcasting productions"


Sure, Tsuburaya would be successful with the Ultraman series (also released this week on blu-ray), but the starting point of his television theatrics and his giant monsters is definitely something to be admired. All those monsters! And the mutations! The myths that come to life right before our eyes, Ultra Q brought it all to life and, as it appeared before the REAL kaija boom occurred, it must be said that it is this series which kicked it off . . . or at least paved the way for something BIGGER to occur.

And now we can celebrate in 1080p with Mill Creek’s breathtaking blu-ray release of this beloved television series. Fully remastered and uncensored, the Japanese edits of this 28-episode series look as imaginative as remembered thanks to the HD remastering and the loving-layered Lossless DTS-HD Master Audio.

With Ultra Q’s premiere, suddenly the television didn’t seem so small.  It was, after all, one of the most expensive series ever made by Japanese broadcasting productions.  The aliens! The monsters! And all the danger that faced Mainichi Shimpo photojournalist Yuriko Edogawa (Hiroko Sakurai, Ultraman), Hoshikawa Airlines pilot/SF writer Jun Manjome (Kenji Sahara) and his co-pilot Ippei Togawa (Yasuhiko Saijo) as they face off with some of earth’s mightiest mysteries!

From the tusked beast, the Gomess, to the primordial bird, Litra, the first episode of Ultra Q just kills it with the correct tone and the correct attitude with which to face these mythological beasts. The magic and the mysteries are laid forth in a richly dynamic manner and the special effects majesty of Tsuburaya takes over, making this premiere episode something you want to keep watching, just to see where we go in the next episode.

Directors Hajime Tsuburaya, Koji Kajita, Samaji Nonagase, Harunosuke Nakagawa, Toshihiro Iijima, and Kazuho Mitsuta would keep the mythological monster torches lit and deliver thanks to writers Kitao Senzoku, Tetsuo Kinjo, Koji Kajita, Masahiro Yamada, Hiroyasu Yamaura, Kunio Torami, Samaji Nonagase, Shozo Uehara, Kyoko Kitazawa, and Mieko Osanai, tales of monsters transformed by greedy little boys, meteorite monsters, funky nut potions, or developed by national armies. The mutated excitement was non-stop and unending; truly wondrous stuff when you consider the half hour running time.

Ultra Q is now available on blu-ray thanks to the fine work of Mill Creek Entertainment.

5/5 beers

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[tab title="Blu-ray Review"]

Ultra Q

Blu-ray

Blu-ray Details:

Home Video Distributor: Mill Creek Entertainment
Available on Blu-ray
- October 15, 2019
Screen Formats: 1.33:1
Subtitles
: English
Audio:
Japanese: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
Discs: Blu-ray Disc; Four-disc set
Region Encoding: Locked to Region A

Mill Creek Entertainment provides the 28-episode long series on blu-ray with stunning clarity. The complete, original Japanese broadcast edits are included and they are all fully remastered and restored in HD. Featuring lossless DTS-HD Master Audio tracks, the sound is also a surprising upgrade. Complete with a 28-page collectible booklet, this release is SURE to please fans of kaiju storytelling.

Video:

The black-and-white photography is crisp and stirring, providing a viewing that is surprising in its clarity considering the age of the print and the possible damages therein. Each episode looks almost brand spanking new and absolutely pops with its handling of black, grays, and whites in its image. The details in the monsters and the aliens differ from episode to episode, but they are incredibly rich so that statement is not knocking this release at all. Sure, it may not be as popular as Ultraman, but this is a damn good release from Mill Creek.

Audio:

A lively lossless DTS-HD Master Audio track is featured on every episode. Full of great effects, this is a center speaker affair.

Supplements:

Commentary:

  • None

Special Features:

  • None

Blu-ray Rating:

  Movie 5/5 stars
  Video  5/5 stars
  Audio 5/5 stars
  Extras 1/5 stars

Overall Blu-ray Experience

4/5 stars

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Ultra Q

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