7.6 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 2.5 | |
Overall | 2.5 |
Foreign | 100% |
Sci-Fi | 39% |
Action | 24% |
Thriller | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Japanese: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
English
Blu-ray Disc
Six-disc set (6 BDs)
Digital copy
Region free
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 3.0 | |
Audio | 2.5 | |
Extras | 0.0 | |
Overall | 2.5 |
Note: some of what appears below are summations from the booklet included with this Blu-ray release, written by Keith Aiken.
Special effects wizard Eiji Tsuburaya was at one point best known for his work on some of Japan's most popular Kaiju films -- Toho's Godzilla and Mothra -- but it may be for the Ultra franchise for which he
will ultimately be remembered. In 1963 Tsuburaya founded Tsuburaya Productions, a then small house with the goal of crafting small
screen entertainment with big screen quality. Tsuburaya's first production, Ultra Q, was a monster success (in more ways than one). A follow-up
was quickly ordered. That follow-up: Ultraman, another massive hit for Tsuburaya and the first of numerous
television and cinema Ultra
Q spin-offs that have since gained the franchise recognition in the Guinness Book of World Records for its sprawling longevity.
Mill Creek brings Ultraman Leo to Blu-ray with an image that is very representative of the series' past output on the high definition physical format. The image is good but struggles due to issues of compression and age-related wear. This presentation is faithful to the original film elements. There is no evidence of severe processing at play to lessen the naturalistic film look – one can readily identify the natural grain pattern and the resultantly high yield and satisfactorily sharp details -- but the compression artifacts can render backgrounds chunky and unpleasant. It's a trade off that more careful compression, more breathing room, and some restorative work could have collectively alleviated, but this is certainly no worse off than any previous vintage Ultra entry. The picture does maintain an essentially high level of detail, perhaps not so intricate and intimate as the best Blu-ray pictures but well capable of showing off essential textures on Ultra and Kaiju costumes, human clothes and faces, and various environments, whether life size or amongst the extensive miniatures seen throughout the series. Color reproduction is fair; there's certainly a hint of fading at play and definitely no sense of eye-catching vividness, but essential Ultra red colors are pleasantly stable and appropriately dramatic (though never dynamic) while other tones find suitable depth and essential saturation. Contrast favors a pleasing neutrality; there is no oversaturation or desaturation at play. Black levels are essentially fine if not a bit too bright at times while skin tones are likewise good at the base level. There's much room for improvement but at least this one meets the expectations for the series and the studio.
Ultraman Leo whimpers onto Blu-ray with a decidedly underwhelming DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 lossless soundtrack available only in the native Japanese (optional English subtitles do default to "on"). First expectations matter, and they are not promising; the opening title music is painfully cramped in the middle. There's absolutely no stretch to the edges. Lyrics and music alike feel like they are being pressed in on either side by some invisible force field. Add to that struggling clarity and a muddy, almost underwater tenor to it all and there's little hope for the rest of the track. And, indeed, there's not much sense of relief from the cramped confines throughout. While action does manage to push a little further away, the track doesn't really stretch and expand to any great length across the front and certainly not far enough to really mention any positives for spacing and stretch. The mostly unkempt definition and faulty clarity remain throughout; there's enough raw definition to satisfy essential requirements but listeners should not expect anything resembling a dynamic track or one that readily commands the listening area with pinpoint detail. Dialogue at least finds its home in that proper front-center area, along with everything else. Basic spoken word clarity is fine but nothing of note. This track will get listeners through the show but it accomplishes nothing more.
Ultraman Leo contains no supplements across any of the six discs. The main menu screens on each disc only offer the opportunity to toggle subtitles on and off in addition to selecting any of the disc's episodes, which are vertically oriented. The set does ship with an impressively assembled booklet that includes glossy pages, numerous color photographs, and plenty of text. It begins with introductory commentary on the show's history and production and follows with character breakdowns, detailed episode synopses, key monster explorations, and character and technology guides. Mill Creek has put together a comprehensive series breakdown in a relatively small space. While it's disappointing that there are no video-based extras, this compact handbook is a treasure for veterans and a necessity for newcomers just getting their feet wet in the universe.
Despite efforts to retain the essential entertainment value while injecting deeper content, Ultraman Leo proved enough of a ratings failure that, paired with other economic considerations, the franchise would take a hiatus in 1975 until its return until 1979's animated The Ultraman, followed by 1980's Ultraman 80, the first return to live action programming in half a decade. Despite the ratings drop, Leo remains one of the more interesting and unique within the franchise, particularly amongst the 1970s outings. Mill Creek has done well by the series on Blu-ray, presenting it with the usual technical qualities and packaging excellence. There's also a very handsome SteelBook packaging alternative. Highly recommended.
ウルトラマンタロウ
1973-1974
ウルトラマンA(エース) / Urutoraman Ēsu
1972-1973
帰ってきたウルトラマン / Kaettekita Urutoraman
1971-1972
includes Ultra Fight Orb
2016-2017
ウルトラセブン
1967-1968
ウルトラQ
1966
2015
2018
2019
Series + Movie / ウルトラマンオーブ & 劇場版 ウルトラマンオーブ 絆の力、おかりします!
2016-2017
ウルトラマン
1966-1967
Ultraman Ginga ウルトラマンギンガ, Urutoraman Ginga / Ultraman Ginga S ウルトラマンギンガS, Urutoraman Ginga Esu / Ultraman Ginga S The Movie: Showdown! The 10 Ultra Warriors! 劇場版 ウルトラマンギンガS 決戦! ウルトラ10勇士!!, Gekijōban Urutoraman Ginga Esu Kessen! Urutora Jū Yūshi!! / Ultra Fight Victory ウルトラファイトビクトリー, Urutora Faito Bikutorī
2013-2015
Series + Movie / ウルトラマンジード / Urutoraman Jîdo
2017-2018
2010
Urutoraman sâga
2012
2008-2009
Ultra Galaxy Legend Gaiden: Ultraman Zero vs. Darklops Zero
2010
キングコング対ゴジラ / Kingu Kongu tai Gojira
1962
ゴジラの逆襲 / Gojira no gyakushû
1955
Daikaijû Batoru: Urutora Ginga Densetsu
2009