Ultraman Tiga & Ultraman Daina & Ultraman Gaia: Chô jikû no daikessen

If you remember the 60's TV series and subsequent shows, this movie is for you. It brings Ultraman into the 21st Century by using the newest Ultramen, Tiga, Dyna, and Gaia. A strange red ball grants Tsutomu the power to wish for anything. He wishes to meet his hero Gamu, who is really Ultraman Gaia. A bully grabs the ball and wishes for a monster. Gaia beats up the monster and changes back to Gamu. He is surprised that everyone knows his secret identity. After meeting Tsutomu, Gamu figures out that he is on an alternate earth. He returns to his world but sees a vision that the world is being destroyed. He returns and battles the "King of Mons", the ultimate monster. As he is getting his butt kicked, Tsutomu calls for help: Ultraman Tiga and Ultraman Dyna. King of Mons splits into 3 monsters and each ultraman takes on one. One goes into space, one in the sea and King of Mons on land. The Ultramen defeat their monsters and return to their world.

This movie was released in 1999, the same year as Gamera 3: Revenge of Iris, and Godzilla 2000. This film was directed by Kazuya Konaka who also directed Ultraman Tiga and Ultraman Dyna, he did a great job too. The special effects in this film are awesome, especially for a film aimed at kids. This film also has an interesting story about a boy who receives a magical wishing ball, a bully uses it to call on an evil beast, and eventually an even bigger monster called King of Mons, that's when Gamu intervenes and must get the help of Ultraman Tiga, and Ultraman Dyna when King of Mons spawns two new monsters to help him fight Ultraman. This film ended up being as successful as "The Mummy" in Japan, and even dwarfing the amount of money Godzilla 2000 grossed. By the way, ACTION GALORE!! You can get this film on DVD at Amazon.com, all you have to do is type in Ultraman Gaia.

This movie was a boxoffice success in Japan.It,s difficult to tell why because it was clearly aimed at a young audience.As japanese monster-movies go the story is simple, with about half of the movie filled with monster fights.Sometimes the (digital) effects look impressive, but other times they look cheap compared to the last Gamera movie that was released at almost the same time.Still a nice time passing if you like ultraman or japanese monster flicks.Released on dvd in japan only by bandai