Ultraman Episode #8 - The Wild Monster Zone


Director: Hajime Tsuburaya
Year: 1966
Country: Japan
Alternate Titles: (Alternate DVD Title: The Lawless Monster Zone/Monster Lawless Zone) (怪獣無法地帯 Kaijū Muhō Chitai?)
Genre: Tokusatsu TV

Plot:
After looking contact with a research team on Tartara Island, the Science Patrol is asked to investigate they're disappearance and find the island overrun with savage creatures and forcing them to rescue the survivors to get off alive.

Story:

This emerges as quite an entertaining episode. The story here is rather simple, a group has disappeared somewhere and the Science Patrol has to go investigate where they find a giant-monster related cause and must rely on Ultraman to save the day. It's the kind of scenario that works well in this kind of setting where it can just unleash the story and focus on the action potentially possible in such a setup. This offers up plenty of monster action in rapid-fire sequences. It's almost immediately that a kaiju fight emerges here and that gives off the kind of relentless tone to be expected here with the crew splitting up to generate more monster encounters.

Those different encounters here are the result of a rather perfectly-pitched small-screen TV episode storyline. Sent out to the island to investigate the sudden lack of contact with the scientists responsible for being there and coming across the mysterious creatures living in the area is a wholly reasonable and simplistic approach to the monster TV show, and that requires very little drop-off here in terms of non-monster screentime as the encounters come right after another. Detailing enough pertinent plotpoints with the radioactivity jamming their coms and the inclusion of Pigmon into saving the rest of the scientists, this all works to leave a rather enjoyable straightforward story.

Special Effects:

The special effects are the undeniable high-point of this one. That should be given considering this is the first multi-monster effort in the series, and we not only get two monsters but a total of four, five if you're willing to stretch the man-eating vines into the conversation. The first monster, Chandorah, looks remarkable similar to it's first form of Chandlar from Ultra Q, with the bat-winged monster with it's tusked face and stubby arms leaves a nice impression if not all-together memorable as we're not around it long enough to get much else out of the creature as it's unceremoniously de-winged and sent running off into the hill-side.

The next new monster, Magular, is yet another variation on the Baragon costume, only with a new head and some spray-paint to hide the fact that this was previously Neronga several episodes back. Turned a dark black, rock-like color and adorned with a series of spikes and horns which create a wholly impressive and menacing design, it looks perfectly suited to living in the environment and makes for a truly impressive quadrupedal design as this is the most realistic looking being the numerous iterations of the Baragon costume. This one really could've been brought into the series again as there's a lot to like here and we don't see it often enough.


That leaves the most impactful designs for last. The main thing to recall about the episode is the utilization of Pigmon, the diminutive being that was originally created as Garamon from Ultra Q. Cute and cuddly despite the fact that it looks like walking sea-corral, the bright pink coloring and detailing on the creature leave a nice impression against the dark rocks or full green jungle where it disappears into the foliage almost naturally. The behavior might grate on some who aren't a fan of the type of screeching noise-making being, but it's an unsung hero with the way it saves the day as well as the scientist they return to humanity with and it's death scene is quite sympathetic, really driving home the impact of these creatures.

As well, the final monster is the iconic Red King, making his first appearance here. Truly looking every bit like the tough brawler, it's a bulky lizard-like design that focuses on the lower-body mass with it's thick legs, long robust tail and rocky, muscular frame to really become imposing. The pinhead design and bright coloring complete the picture as it's truly worthy of being one of his most popular and ferocious foes that comes from the attitude and personality also displayed throughout the episode as the idea of it being a true prick to everyone it meets helps to complete the picture of the creature and helps to ensure it's popularity.


Finally, the man-eating vines appear in just one scene where they ensnare several of the Science Patrol wandering in the jungle and look impressive as they appear organic in nature, melt naturally when confronted with the heat-ray and don't display the kind of flimsy approach that dealing with wires would've showcased. Elsewhere here, we're treated to some other fine effects that come from some rather ingenious moments, such as the balloon floating up towards Red King's face that looks scaled properly or the fun-looking dummy used for the scene of Hayata thrown off a cliff during a fight with Magular. These contributions as well help to really sell this one nicely.

On top of all the monsters, it's somewhat of a shame that the rest of the effects here goes unnoticed. In addition to the monster costumes, there's a fun sequence with the waterfall set being used for Magular confronting both Hayata and Captain Mura in a fantastic cross-cut sequence that shows the two humans interacting in the live-action set while the scenes with the monster filmed at the miniature piece are intercut seamlessly, making for a truly thrilling sequence. The later work showing Red King marching into the valley where they are hiding out is another great blend of the blend between the miniature and live-action effects, overall giving this episode plenty to like in terms of special effects.


Acting:

Aside of the main cast, the only other person of note is the rescued scientist, who suffers from heat stroke rendering him handicapped for most of the episode. However, since none of the other team members are out of character with all the action around them this one is pretty simple overall.

Other Factors:

Overall, there isn't much else to really say here. It's pacing is perfect with plenty of action as it instigates a monster fight (and the series' first monster-vs-monster piece to boot) within the first three minutes of the episode. That generates some of the most shocking brutality in the series where the monster Chandora ends up getting it's arm ripped completely off by Red King, and to then add insult to injury the severed limb and a rock is tossed at the fleeing creature, putting us immediately in a high-energy mood that's never negated here. From the confrontation with the vine to Hayata and Captain Mura taking on Magular by themselves at the gorge and then finally meeting up with Pigmon and encountering the rejuvenated Red King, this is a fantastic piece that hits all the right notes for this type of show. The briefness even adds a lot of added characterization depth to the monsters, making Red King into a bully figure and making us feel extra sympathy for Pigmon's death scene during the brief amount of time we spend with it. Overall, this is a fantastic episode in the series.

Overview: *****/5
Rightly considered one of the finest and most enjoyable entries in the series, there's so much to really enjoy out this episode that it's an absolutely worthwhile effort. A bright light in the series, this is definitely recommended viewing for anyone into the genre or the series as a whole as there isn't really wrong aspects to the film.

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