Ultraman: The Adventure Begins facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ultraman: The Adventure Begins
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Mitsuo Kusakabe Ray Patterson (supervising)
Produced by	Noboru Tsuburaya
Written by	John Eric Seward
Starring	Michael Lembeck Chad Everett Adrienne Barbeau Stacy Keach Sr.
Music by	Shinsuke Kazato
Editing by	Naoyuki Masaki
Studio	Hanna-Barbera Productions Tsuburaya Productions Studio Sign Ashi Productions
Distributed by	Toho
Release date(s)	October 12, 1987
Running time	75 minutes
Country	United States Japan
Language	English Japanese

Ultraman: The Adventure Begins (ウルトラマンUSA, Urutoraman Yū Esu Ē, Ultraman USA) is an animated superhero film from 1987. It was made by companies from both the USA and Japan. The main studios involved were Hanna-Barbera Productions and Tsuburaya Productions.

This movie was originally planned to be the first episode of a TV show. But instead, it was turned into a full-length film! It first came out in theaters in the USA on October 12, 1987. Later, it was released in Japan on April 28, 1989. The cool costumes of the three main heroes, called the Ultra Team, were even made into real suits for stage shows in Japan.

Story of the Adventure

The movie follows three amazing stunt pilots known as the "Flying Angels": Scott Masterson, Chuck Gavin, and Beth O'Brien. One day, they are caught in a strange flash of light and crash their planes. Luckily, they are completely unharmed!

Later, they meet a secret agent from an alien peace-keeping group. This agent, who looks like a golf course groundskeeper, tells them something incredible. The pilots have become the new homes for powerful warriors from a planet called Altara, located in a galaxy far away (M78). These warriors are here to catch dangerous monsters that have escaped from the planet Sorkin and landed on Earth.

The three pilots then form a special team called the Ultra Force. Their secret base is hidden inside Mount Rushmore! They get help from three unique robots: Andy (who is small), Samson (who is super strong), and Ulysses (who is a bit jumpy).

Even though they have awesome futuristic fighter jets, sometimes the monsters are too big and strong. That's when one or more of the team members must transform into an Ultraman! These are giant, red and silver superhuman beings who battle the huge monsters. After defeating the most powerful Sorkin monster, King Maira, the Ultra Force stays together to protect Earth from any new threats.

Meet the Characters

The Ultra Force Team

The Ultra Force is a special group created by a mysterious old man named Walter Freeman. Their main headquarters is hidden in the basement of the Georgia National Golf Club. They also have a mechanic hangar at Mount Rushmore.

Members

• Scott Masterson: He's the main young hero of the story. Scott can transform into Ultraman Scott (ウルトラマンスコット, Urutoraman Sukotto). He is 25 years old and is voiced by Michael Lembeck in English.
• Chuck Gavin: Chuck is the toughest and oldest member of the team. He's like the leader of the Ultra Team. He transforms into Ultraman Chuck (ウルトラマンチャック, Urutoraman Chakku). He is 35 years old and is voiced by Chad Everett in English.
• Beth O'Brien: Beth is the calm and smart female member of the team. She transforms into Ultrawoman Beth (ウルトラウーマンベス, Urutoraūman Besu). She is 26 years old and is voiced by Adrienne Barbeau in English.
• The Robot Trio: These three robots help the Ultra Force. Scott and Beth gave them nicknames because their real names were too long! The first letters of their nicknames (Andy, Samson, Ulysses) spell out "USA."
  • Ulysses: This robot is thin and orange. His real name is Combot Model MF842.
  • Samson: This robot is big, strong, and blue. His real name is Combot Model BA666.
  • Andy: This robot is small and red. His real name is Utiloid Model ZQ14582. He helps with transportation.
• Walter Freeman: An older man who creates the Ultra Force. He explains to the pilots how they got their powers. He is voiced by Stacy Keach, Sr. in English.
• Dr. Susan Rand: A young scientist who studies aliens. She feels bad for the Sorkin Monsters. She and Scott become friends. She is voiced by Lorna Patterson in English.

Cool Vehicles and Bases

The Ultra Force has special vehicles and bases to help them protect Earth.

• Ultra Force Headquarters: This is their main base, hidden in the basement of the Georgia National Golf Club and at Mount Rushmore.
• Mothership: This is the Ultra Force's large main ship. It carries three smaller Ultra Jets. It can even collect sunlight to recharge the Ultra Team's energy!
• Ultra Jets: These are fast fighter jets that Scott, Beth, and Chuck pilot. They can fly super fast (Mach 7.3!) and have missiles and lasers. Each jet has a different colored canopy: Scott's is blue, Beth's is red, and Chuck's is yellow.

The Ultras

Ultraman Scott

Ultraman Scott is one of the alien fighters from the M78 Nebula. He came to Earth to chase the Sorkin Monsters. He lives inside Scott Masterson. At first, Scott could only transform when he was in danger, but later he learned to transform whenever he wanted.

He has a blue star-shaped buckle on his stomach. When his solar energy gets low, a light on his forehead flashes from blue to red, warning him! He is good at powerful fighting moves.

Stats

• Height: 269 feet (about 82 meters)
• Weight: 64,000 Tons
• Flight Speed: Mach 24 (24 times the speed of sound!)

Weapons

• Granium Light Ray: A powerful beam of energy shot from his crossed hands. All three Ultras can use this.
• Ultra Energy Ball: A ball of energy from his waist buckle that he throws.
• Ultra Slicer: He turns energy into a spinning saw and throws it.
• Ultra Push Beam: A yellow beam from his hand that can push enemies away.
• Triple Power: A quick counter-attack against fast enemies.
• Ultra Throw: He can throw opponents with amazing strength.
• Ultra Attack: He rushes at enemies at super speed, hitting them with his whole body.

Ultraman Chuck

Ultraman Chuck lives inside Captain Chuck Gavin. He is the calm leader who gives instructions to the other two Ultras during battles. Like Scott, a light on his forehead flashes red when his energy is low.

Stats

• Height: 259 feet (about 79 meters)
• Weight: 68,000 Tons
• Flight Speed: Mach 22

Weapons

• Granium Light Ray: His version of the powerful laser weapon.
• Ultra Bubble Beam: An energy beam that creates a bubble around a monster to move them through space.

Ultrawoman Beth

Ultrawoman Beth lives inside Lieutenant Beth O'Brien. She also has a flashing light on her forehead when her energy is low. When the movie first came out in Japan, she was known as Ultra Woman.

Stats

• Height: 249 feet (about 76 meters)
• Weight: 54,000 Tons
• Flight Speed: Mach 23

Weapons

• Granium Light Ray: Her version of the powerful laser weapon.
• Ultra Spout: A laser she can shoot from her hands when she is over water.
• Ultra Chop: A strong hand-sword attack that releases energy.
• Ultra Power: A powerful technique to throw enemies much larger than herself.

The Sorkin Monsters

These are the creatures that escaped from the planet Sorkin and caused trouble on Earth.

Green Shocks

This is a plant monster with fast healing powers and strong vines.

Stats

• Height: 328 feet (can change size)
• Weight: 30,000 tons (can change weight)

Garuballade

This monster is made of electronic machinery. It looks like a crystal ball with a face. It can build a huge body using scrap metal. The ball part is called the Im.

Stats

• Height: 300 feet (Im: 500 feet)
• Weight: 91,000 tons (Im: 27,000 tons)

Zoon

This is a funny, child-like monster. He's actually gentle, but his huge size makes him dangerous. Ultraman Chuck doesn't defeat him but moves him to another planet instead.

Stats

• Height: 114 feet
• Weight: 35,000 tons

King Myra

King Myra is the strongest of the Sorkin monsters. He's a "super transformation" monster, meaning he can double his size every 90 minutes without stopping! He can also become invisible. His baby form, called Wylon, is tiny and cute. The Ultra Force had the hardest time fighting him because he kept growing and getting stronger.

Stats

• Height: Can grow infinitely (Wylon: 15 inches)
• Weight: Can grow infinitely (Wylon: 11 lbs.)

Voice Actors

Here are the talented people who gave voices to the characters in the movie:

Music from the Movie

The music for Ultraman: The Adventure Begins was created by Shinsuke Kazato.

Theme Songs

Opening song

• "Sky High Hero" (スカイ・ハイ・ヒーロー, Sukai Hai Hīrō)
  • Sung by: Shinichi Ishihara Feat. Koorogi '73

Ending song

• "Toki no Naka o Hashirinukete" (時の中を走りぬけて, "Race Against Time")
  • Sung by: Shinichi Ishihara Feat. Koorogi '73

Soundtrack Album

The full soundtrack was released by Nippon Columbia. Only 5,000 copies were made, making it a special limited edition!

Other Ultraman Adventures

The Ultraman USA team has appeared in other Ultraman stories too!

• Ultraman Legend: This is a short film where the Ultraman USA team appears in new live-action scenes. It shows fight scenes with 28 different Ultras from the Ultraman shows.
• Mega Monster Battle: Ultra Galaxy Legend The Movie (2009): In this movie, Ultraman USA and other M78 Ultra Warriors fight against the evil Ultraman Belial. This was their second time appearing in a live-action film!

See also

In Spanish: Ultraman: The Adventure Begins para niños