Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		0.0
Overall		2.5

Neo Ultra Q Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman August 12, 2020

As its title suggests, Neo Ultra Q is a modern follow-up to the original Ultra Q, 1966's TBS (Tokyo Broadcasting System) show that propelled one of the world's most popular franchises to heretofore unmatched heights for longevity and sprawl, even if what was to follow didn't look quite like what Q had on offer. In 2013, Tsuburaya Productions released this new take on the old favorite, billed as a sequel, with, of course, updated production values, new stories, and a new cast while remaining a program much in the same spirit of the original, focusing not on an Ultra variant but rather the paranormal and other oddities that creep into the world as they reflect the larger sociopolitical landscape. It's fun and vibrant, not quite so memorable as the original show but certainly offering enough content to keep fans wanting more.

There's certainly a Twilight Zone and Outer Limits vibe in play with Neo Ultra Q, much as there was in the original series. This is a collection of loosely/hardly related shorts in which social and political climates and concerns are explored in fantastical contexts. There's no extraterrestrial, literally larger-than-life hero here to save the day, no Ultraman to appear and bash monsters senseless. Man is often the monster, sometimes forcefully, sometimes innocently, sometimes directly, sometimes inadvertently, and because man is often his own worst enemy in these episodes, it's interesting to watch how the material evolves through each episode and the true nature and consequences of the conflict are revealed and resolved, one way or another.

Neo Ultra Q walks that fine line between presenting its content in a serious context -- within those aforementioned sociopolitical expositions -- and having a lot of fun with the possibility for lighter side exploration at the same time. The show is surprisingly intellectual in storytelling and both smart and wry in how it so effortlessly, but not necessarily forcefully, makes use of otherworldly and unfamiliar components -- various forms of monsters, mainly -- to explore life and death and right and wrong and so much more within a relatable context. That's the very core definition of Science Fiction, one that the show not only embraces, but maximizes to its fullest effect within its purview.

The show is well made and manages to cram a lot of context into each episode, doing so largely by taking cues from its predecessor but also certainly learning a thing or two from other, similar content. The first episode, for example, is in several ways reminiscent of Cloverfield in terms of visual perspective and technical structure. There are other interesting design cues, too, that'll show that, at least in Neo Ultra Q, monsters aren't just a grab-bag of rubber parts. Look at the creature in episode two, the one that does the laundry for a living (but eventually makes a mess of the entire world). It almost looks like it has dryer lint sticking out of its body as one of its defining features. Even with lower end production limitations the show stretches its budget as far as it stretches the mind, making for a quality little escape that certainly could have been more, not in terms of what it delivers but in terms of how much it delivers. Were episodes longer and the season greater it would only be all the more excellent, particularly as some of the episode want for more exposition, but at least the quality of the rather terse quantity largely excels.

Neo Ultra Q Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Neo Ultra Q's 1080p presentation is quite noisy, at times, and a good bit darker and bleaker than some of the slicker and more robust modern Ultraman content. But it's a look that suits the material quite nicely in the aggregate, even if there are some lingering issues along the way. Generally, the grittier façade and desaturated palette give it a look at least somewhat contiguous with the original show, though obviously differences abound. This image finds high yield details across the spectrum, from basic human skin and clothes to the rubbery monster suits that obviously look fake but still dazzle within context in close-up. The clarity with which viewers can spot the inherent intricacies rivals the best in the series, whether the older content shot on film or the newer content captured digitally. Colors, as mentioned, are frequently desaturated to favor a bleak palette of gray, with even a barrage of oranges seen with the Ogre Preservation Society clothes in episode one, for examples, falling off a cliff and appearing severely depressed. That is more than a one-off but not an absolute truism throughout; there's some variances to tonal output and opportunities for colors to find greater saturation, but that heavily dour look is absolutely the rule. Black levels are generally excellent and skin tones satisfy under the lighting and color constraints. The picture does suffer from some compression related artifacts but never so intense as to greatly distract from any given scene. All in all, this is another very good effort from Mill Creek.

Neo Ultra Q Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

For its Blu-ray release of Neo Ultra Q, Mill Creek has included only a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 lossless soundtrack in the native Japanese language. Optional English subtitles are included and default to "on." The track is not so aggressive as some other Mill Creek Ultraman universe presentations, but it handles the show's core needs within the limited range well enough. One of the most glaring areas where the track wants for something more comes in its rather puny low end response. Take the ogre's footfalls in episode one. Where each should boost for effect the track can only output a modest amount of content with the left and right speakers. The effect is not terrible as it is, but it's desperate for something more. Music finds good essential clarity and balanced width along those front two channels. It's not super aggressive by its nature but essential presentation qualities are fine. Support environmental details are few but of acceptable quality and positioning in scattered usage and, again, in limited presentation options. Action effects likewise engage with good foundational detail within the two-channel configuration. Dialogue is clear and images nicely to the soundstage's front-center position.

Neo Ultra Q Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This two-disc Blu-ray release of Neo Ultra Q contains no supplemental content. Note that unlike many other Ultraman Blu-ray releases, Mill Creek has not bundled in any sort of information booklet. No DVD copies are included. A MovieSpree digital code voucher is in the case. This release ships with a non-embossed slipcover.

Neo Ultra Q Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Neo Ultra Q doesn't quite live up to the original in most any way, but it's a fine extension of the "one that started it all" and a nice change of pace from the typical Ultraman storylines and plot devices. Suffice it to say, Mill Creek hasn't given Neo Ultra Q the same high class treatment as it did Ultra Q. Sure, the technical specs are fine -- the video and audio presentations are quite good -- but there's no SteelBook variant, no detailed insert of any kind, not much of an effort to spruce up the presentation. No extras are included, either, but that has been standard practice for this franchise on Blu-ray. Beyond a few missing physical bells and whistles this two-disc set matches the others for core presentation effort, and the show is a good bit of fun, too, blending classic Ultra Q essentials with some more modern sensibilities. Recommended.