Another Starman episode. I have the same criticism. The bad guys are so incompetent. Starman is too powerful. No matter what anyone does, he simply stands there and takes it. It's just a series of silly fights with him posturing. If it weren't for the kids being in danger, I can't imagine that he would have to even think about bringing down the evildoers. It's very cartoon like. The fights and the violence are bloodless and boring, and the enemies talk in a bragging way. I imagine this was popular at one time. The kids are the heroes and are upheld by their hero. They get into trouble so he is left to pull his punches once in a while. Not much worth commenting about.
25 Reviews
STARMAN saves the day, campy style!
emm21 November 1998
We're all familiar with the man of steel who fights for truth and justice the American way! However, the infamous Starman is a different story. This is only one of the few movies that currently exist featuring the Japanese superhero who saves the world from certain doom. Now consider this: Starman is not in bold and brilliant form compared to those DC Comics you're reading. It is a vintage trip back about 40+ years ago when superheroes were meant to amuse proud audiences at a Saturday afternoon matinee. Today, a new generation of viewers who may ever get a chance to see this, will see how weird the costumes and sets appear, plus the way Starman fights evildoers. This is probably the best feature of Starman movies as an endless horde of bad guys creates long continuous battles that make it more fun-filled than Superman, but it has its repetition. The outcome is the same where a superhero struggles his way to the end and wins, and it's also ultimately repetitive when our hero does the same things over and over again in each film. This one, ATOMIC RULERS, is more campier than the other Starman movie, ATTACK FROM SPACE, which was close to instant sci-fi. Most of the time, it has nothing to do with saving Earth from peril. A lot of "B" movies such as this rely on useless stock footage to make for a full production. Since this was a Japanese creation, it stood out as fascinating for its time. Although it's still strange, it's no worse than THE PUMAMAN. I'm not certain if anyone is willing to accept movies like this today. Leave those up to the old coot crowd who saw them in their younger generations. The motion picture industry may not have changed, but the times sure have! Whether young or old, if you are in serious desperation for an outdatedly campy experience, then I, Jason, can't fully blame you for that!
There's a Starman Waiting in the Sky
wes-connors19 November 2008
"The Earth is threatened with atomic destruction if the people of Mirapolia (sic) are not allowed to rule the planet. Observers from a distant planet, fat off in space, have been observing Earth and see the peril it's (sic) facing. Hoping to offer aid to the citizens of Earth, the benevolent aliens send their champion Starman to face off against the leaders of Mirapolia (it's correctly spelled Merapolia) and take care of their atomic weapons," according to the DVD sleeve's synopsis.
Ken Utsui (as Sûpâ Jaiantsu, or Super Giant) must save the Earth from nuclear peril. This is the American (English edited and dubbed) version of the Japanese super-hero's earliest movies, Sûpâ jaiantsu (1957) and Zoku sûpâ jaiantsu (1957). Herein, Mr. Utsui is Starman of "The Emerald Planet". Considering the material, this is a sometimes surprisingly well-directed, by Teruo Ishii, piece of super-nonsense; the location scenes are most enjoyable. Otherwise, it's, at best, unintentionally funny.
Watch for the scene where Utsui goes to a church with some children, and meets a nun. She gives him a smile that shows she's attracted to him; then, the young nun looks down at Utsui's groin area, where he has positioned his gun. Oh, sister!
*** Atomic Rulers (1964) Teruo Ishii ~ Ken Utsui, Utako Mitsuya, Junko Ikeuchi
Ken Utsui (as Sûpâ Jaiantsu, or Super Giant) must save the Earth from nuclear peril. This is the American (English edited and dubbed) version of the Japanese super-hero's earliest movies, Sûpâ jaiantsu (1957) and Zoku sûpâ jaiantsu (1957). Herein, Mr. Utsui is Starman of "The Emerald Planet". Considering the material, this is a sometimes surprisingly well-directed, by Teruo Ishii, piece of super-nonsense; the location scenes are most enjoyable. Otherwise, it's, at best, unintentionally funny.
Watch for the scene where Utsui goes to a church with some children, and meets a nun. She gives him a smile that shows she's attracted to him; then, the young nun looks down at Utsui's groin area, where he has positioned his gun. Oh, sister!
*** Atomic Rulers (1964) Teruo Ishii ~ Ken Utsui, Utako Mitsuya, Junko Ikeuchi
Silly but enjoyable kitsch.
planktonrules24 January 2013
Although "Atomic Rulers" is pretty bad at times, you cannot completely blame the filmmakers who created this. That's because originally, this consisted of two episodes from a children's TV show--and it was, naturally, in Japanese. Some American folks bought these TV shows, re-edited them and repackaged them as four different movies: EVIL BRAIN FROM OUTER SPACE, ATOMIC RULERS, INVADERS FROM SPACE, ATTACK FROM SPACE. So, while in their original form this might have been a decent kids show when it debuted in the late 1950s, here in a different form and with dubbing, it loses something. Also, interestingly, in the original form the hero was not known as 'Starman' but 'Supergiant'.
The film begins like the rest in this series. You get a look at the Emerald World--with its very goofy residents. Again, however, for a kids' show of the time, it wasn't as bad seeing these bizarre costumes. Anyway, these weirdos are worried that the nuclear radiation from Earth could somehow make it across the galaxy to infect their planet! While this sounds ridiculous, understand that Japan had, only a little over a decade earlier, been nuked. So, the proliferation of shows like this and the Godzilla movies make a bit more sense.
In this installment of the series, the evil Magolians are planning on taking over the world thanks to their many secret agents and nuclear weapons. And, considering that Starman is definitely against nuclear proliferation, he's out to stop them. Seeing him in his adorable superhero outfit is a bit funny as he really looks a lot like Duck Dodgers of the 25th and a half century! And, being totally geared towards kids, you can understand the annoying cliché of adding a group of adorable orphans into the mix. It's full of silly children's helicopters, guns that fire in a bizarre manner and baddies who seem pretty lame. It's all pretty predictable kid's fare. Yet, oddly, in a kitschy manner, it's pretty fun to watch...and laugh. Not good but not 100% terrible.
By the way, I was a bit confused, as two other films (PRINCE OF SPACE and INVASION OF THE NEPTUNE MEN) are nearly identical and yet are NOT part of the Starman series. Confusing...and also very silly when seen today.
The film begins like the rest in this series. You get a look at the Emerald World--with its very goofy residents. Again, however, for a kids' show of the time, it wasn't as bad seeing these bizarre costumes. Anyway, these weirdos are worried that the nuclear radiation from Earth could somehow make it across the galaxy to infect their planet! While this sounds ridiculous, understand that Japan had, only a little over a decade earlier, been nuked. So, the proliferation of shows like this and the Godzilla movies make a bit more sense.
In this installment of the series, the evil Magolians are planning on taking over the world thanks to their many secret agents and nuclear weapons. And, considering that Starman is definitely against nuclear proliferation, he's out to stop them. Seeing him in his adorable superhero outfit is a bit funny as he really looks a lot like Duck Dodgers of the 25th and a half century! And, being totally geared towards kids, you can understand the annoying cliché of adding a group of adorable orphans into the mix. It's full of silly children's helicopters, guns that fire in a bizarre manner and baddies who seem pretty lame. It's all pretty predictable kid's fare. Yet, oddly, in a kitschy manner, it's pretty fun to watch...and laugh. Not good but not 100% terrible.
By the way, I was a bit confused, as two other films (PRINCE OF SPACE and INVASION OF THE NEPTUNE MEN) are nearly identical and yet are NOT part of the Starman series. Confusing...and also very silly when seen today.
Here comes the creature made of the strongest steel!
kumanoken7 August 2003
Ah, Starman. Clearly influenced by the b/w "Adventures of Superman"
series, and possibly the Republic serial "The Adventures of Captain
Marvel," these flicks are good, old-fashioned fun. The only bummer is
that this first installment is very, very dull and doesn't feature the
loony aliens that would make the later entries so memorable. Instead our
hero goes up against guys in suits and fedoras.
You can afford to miss this one, but don't miss "Evil Brain From Outer
Space" and the ultra-surreal "Invaders From Space," which features
Starman thwarting the salamander-men of the planet Pulimon (you will not
believe their modern dance troupe of doom). And the DVDs are loaded with
extra goodies, including episodes of the long-forgotten b/w Japanese
cartoon "Prince Planet" which is a hell of a lot more fun than I
remembered
series, and possibly the Republic serial "The Adventures of Captain
Marvel," these flicks are good, old-fashioned fun. The only bummer is
that this first installment is very, very dull and doesn't feature the
loony aliens that would make the later entries so memorable. Instead our
hero goes up against guys in suits and fedoras.
You can afford to miss this one, but don't miss "Evil Brain From Outer
Space" and the ultra-surreal "Invaders From Space," which features
Starman thwarting the salamander-men of the planet Pulimon (you will not
believe their modern dance troupe of doom). And the DVDs are loaded with
extra goodies, including episodes of the long-forgotten b/w Japanese
cartoon "Prince Planet" which is a hell of a lot more fun than I
remembered
Beautifully wrong
johnstonscott3 January 2016
Half way through this film I wondered which year in the 50s it was made? A decade-guess, based on the horrifically bad "special effects". Mid-sixties, really? Anyway if you like fight scenes in which the aggressors just give up out of sheer boredom, this is an A list movie. My favorite scene was a standoff between star-man and would be assailants who kept driving their car at him. You could go make a cup of tea while they continue this standoff and it's a standoff which ends so inexplicably as to be magical (or really bad editing). Also features an execution machine which proceeds at a pace which would ensure it's victim would die of old age. And it includes a nuclear weapon which ticks so tediously as the alleged actors try desperately to do something, that you feel your life force ebbing. You'll find you forget a lot about the film but if you teach film making, it's a must because in every scene you can just stand there and say "no". Only show this to children you don't like but if you like quality films, you could build an entire party experience around this one and it would be hilarious.
For Kids Only
TheExpatriate7004 January 2011
Atomic Rulers of the World is a badly done Japanese children's serial that makes the later entries in the Godzilla series look like big budget epics. The Galactic Council (made up of some of the fakest looking robots you've ever seen) is concerned that if Earth gets into a nuclear war, the radiation could poison the entire galaxy. (Isn't space full of radiation anyway?) To prevent this catastrophe, they send the ultra powerful "Starman" to save Earth.
The film suffers from a number of flaws, not the least of which being the producers' decision to insert a group of annoying orphans into the plot. At various points, the orphans show up to either help or be rescued by Starman. The young woman who looks after them is particularly cloying.
At times, the film is just laugh out loud funny. For instance-a foreign country is planning to take over the world. Who do we call? (Aside from Starman, of course!) Why, the Tokyo police! Who else? Add to this some truly awful special effects, sub par for even B-level Japanese cinema, and you have the makings of a dubbed Plan 9 from Outer Space.
The film suffers from a number of flaws, not the least of which being the producers' decision to insert a group of annoying orphans into the plot. At various points, the orphans show up to either help or be rescued by Starman. The young woman who looks after them is particularly cloying.
At times, the film is just laugh out loud funny. For instance-a foreign country is planning to take over the world. Who do we call? (Aside from Starman, of course!) Why, the Tokyo police! Who else? Add to this some truly awful special effects, sub par for even B-level Japanese cinema, and you have the makings of a dubbed Plan 9 from Outer Space.
Go Starman! Go! Go! Go!
TheCrowing133 January 2009
Honestly I enjoyed this movie. It was great fun to watch, but I still have the common sense that it's a piece of crap. This original Japanese superhero made exclusively for this film, is the most ridiculous idea ever. The movie takes place in 1964 japan with an alien race attempting to rule the planet earth. A nearby alien race, notices the nuclear yes nuclear threat from the other alien species. So they send their mightiest warrior of peace... Starman! to save the human race. They hand him some device that permits him to fly and understand human languages and stuff like that. The name is lame, so are his powers and special effects of the movie, but that's what makes it so great. Still the acting is terrible and the dubbing does'nt help. I received the film in a 50 movie pack so I really had no other way to watch the film. I doubt it would have been much better. There are a lot of fighting sequences all poorly done. The film has an anti-nuclear feel which keeps it from feeling really out-dated. The film's hero reminds me of Gamera just without the saber teeth, fire breath, hunger for fire, and rocket propulsion flight out of his shell. I guess it's the whole fact that he's a friend of all children. Which I guess makes it more of a kids film now-a-days but it was placed in a film pack with a label that says, For Mature Audiences. If your looking for a movie to laugh at this one is preferably your best bet. 2/10
Not great...
bobrandt16 September 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This movie clearly shows that, once again, the white man tries to bring nuclear devastation to Japan. One might suspect that this is some sort of (justified)
cultural indoctrination. Afterall the movie supposedly was meant for kids.
Spacemans "superpowers" seem to be proportional tonthe threat he meets. The bigger the threat, the stronger he is. At other times, not so much...
At first glance the movie has a 50s feel to it, even though it's from the mid 60s. The movie suffers from poor acting and ridiculously poor fight scenes. All in all the production quality isn't bad, but it's far from great.
Spacemans "superpowers" seem to be proportional tonthe threat he meets. The bigger the threat, the stronger he is. At other times, not so much...
At first glance the movie has a 50s feel to it, even though it's from the mid 60s. The movie suffers from poor acting and ridiculously poor fight scenes. All in all the production quality isn't bad, but it's far from great.
When things are getting dull, lower camera...
mark.waltz5 September 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Poor Ken Utsui, aka Starman, aka the most studly of all Japanese space heroes, forced to endure the tight costume that showed off every leg muscle and every piece of padding added to his costume. He hasn't escaped from that even though these films have not been seen on television since their American premiere in the mid-1960's. They have entered the public domain and connoisseurs of cheap science fiction have gotten to add these to their collections, and even a threesome of wisecracking critics from various planets have had their own say on everything his series of films dealt with.
It's been 5 years since my only visit up to now with "Evil Brain from Outer Space" there's a character that Utsui plays. Here, he ends up honors trying to prevent a nuclear attack, and he ends up with a Japanese variation of Warner Brother style gangsters from the 1940s. Every archetype that featured Nat Pendleton, Slapsy Maxie Rosenbloom and Allen Jenkins are there, given the most trite and cliched dialogue that you could imagine. It doesn't help matters that the dubbing probably changed a lot of what the original script entailed, and the result is something that has to be seen at least once to be believed.
It becomes "Starman meets The Bowery Boys" (or Tokyo Boys in this case), and cheap special effects are rampant. Main base without the nuclear device back and we found it has a science-fiction theme to it, that element is really under played, so the laughs of "Evil Brain from Outer Space" just aren't there. That at least had some silly looking space creatures, equally as "gifted", and this has dogs that look like they have stepped out of another era, just as dumb but twice is forgettable.
A funny moment has a kid running from one of the thugs, hiding in a barrel right next to the big dope, and popping up as if he was playing whack-a-mole. Of course, the barrel tips over and rolls away, and when the gangster catches up with a kid, any threats that was there before simply vanishes. Starman however, does provide memories of dreams for anybody who has ever fantasized about flying. This just doesn't have enough foolishness to really be enjoyable even on a camp level outside of the sudden close-up shots of Utsui's wedgie causing outfit, and even at 72 minutes, is difficult to completely get through.
It's been 5 years since my only visit up to now with "Evil Brain from Outer Space" there's a character that Utsui plays. Here, he ends up honors trying to prevent a nuclear attack, and he ends up with a Japanese variation of Warner Brother style gangsters from the 1940s. Every archetype that featured Nat Pendleton, Slapsy Maxie Rosenbloom and Allen Jenkins are there, given the most trite and cliched dialogue that you could imagine. It doesn't help matters that the dubbing probably changed a lot of what the original script entailed, and the result is something that has to be seen at least once to be believed.
It becomes "Starman meets The Bowery Boys" (or Tokyo Boys in this case), and cheap special effects are rampant. Main base without the nuclear device back and we found it has a science-fiction theme to it, that element is really under played, so the laughs of "Evil Brain from Outer Space" just aren't there. That at least had some silly looking space creatures, equally as "gifted", and this has dogs that look like they have stepped out of another era, just as dumb but twice is forgettable.
A funny moment has a kid running from one of the thugs, hiding in a barrel right next to the big dope, and popping up as if he was playing whack-a-mole. Of course, the barrel tips over and rolls away, and when the gangster catches up with a kid, any threats that was there before simply vanishes. Starman however, does provide memories of dreams for anybody who has ever fantasized about flying. This just doesn't have enough foolishness to really be enjoyable even on a camp level outside of the sudden close-up shots of Utsui's wedgie causing outfit, and even at 72 minutes, is difficult to completely get through.
"Our terms are simple. Either surrender to our nuclear weapons or be destroyed!"
richardchatten9 December 2023
The first and probably the least of the quartet of feature films showcasing the adventures of our old friend Starman - who rather naively regards earthlings as "gentle people" - in which he proceeds to battle an evil race of aliens called Magolians who arrive on Earth with a nuclear device in a brief case with which they intend to destroy the human race.
The Magolians both look and sound like American gangsters complete with machine guns who in deference to Japanese sensitivities have placed the Land of the Rising Sun - to whom for obvious reasons atomic weapons will never qualify as 'just' a McGuffin - in first place of their list of priorities when devastating the nations of the Earth.
As if the villain's personal atom bomb wasn't enough the evil Magolians also possess a fiendish horizontal guillotine which fortunately we never see finish the job.
The Magolians both look and sound like American gangsters complete with machine guns who in deference to Japanese sensitivities have placed the Land of the Rising Sun - to whom for obvious reasons atomic weapons will never qualify as 'just' a McGuffin - in first place of their list of priorities when devastating the nations of the Earth.
As if the villain's personal atom bomb wasn't enough the evil Magolians also possess a fiendish horizontal guillotine which fortunately we never see finish the job.
A return to yesteryear....
kragshot15 June 2001
I remember this series of films from my childhood. The Saturday afternoon cinema on local(Chicago) television ran this and other films of this genre on a regular basis. That's something that is sorely missed by the author.
This particular film, along with the other films in the "Starman" series, was fun in several ways. As a child, the fight scenes were action-filled, yet not very brutal or vicious. He threw folks around and occasionally struck them, but nothing graphically harmful. The bad guys were evil, yet not frighteningly so. The film also made sure that you knew they would get theirs in the end. When I found a copy of this film about 5 years ago, I snatched it up at once. However, this is a film for a genre fan. I would not suggest this in any way to be a mainstream hit. Do not come to view this film with any typical American or modern stereotypes in your head about what a film of this type should be. Leave your preconceptions at the door and enter a black and white world where the forces of good have a very visible and stalwart champion...Starman!
This particular film, along with the other films in the "Starman" series, was fun in several ways. As a child, the fight scenes were action-filled, yet not very brutal or vicious. He threw folks around and occasionally struck them, but nothing graphically harmful. The bad guys were evil, yet not frighteningly so. The film also made sure that you knew they would get theirs in the end. When I found a copy of this film about 5 years ago, I snatched it up at once. However, this is a film for a genre fan. I would not suggest this in any way to be a mainstream hit. Do not come to view this film with any typical American or modern stereotypes in your head about what a film of this type should be. Leave your preconceptions at the door and enter a black and white world where the forces of good have a very visible and stalwart champion...Starman!
Bizarre art.
dylanstaxes5 May 2021
Yes, this movie is incredibly stupid but I attest that it deserves a higher rating for the following reasons:
1. The costume design is truly bizarre. The first few minutes are amazing art.
2. There aren't very many English dubs of old Japanese movies that are not Godzilla.
3. It's a silly old black and white sci fi, it's not any worse than its peers.
So. A seven. If you have a thing for unironic psychedelia made out of felt and tin cans then the first few minutes is a must watch.
1. The costume design is truly bizarre. The first few minutes are amazing art.
2. There aren't very many English dubs of old Japanese movies that are not Godzilla.
3. It's a silly old black and white sci fi, it's not any worse than its peers.
So. A seven. If you have a thing for unironic psychedelia made out of felt and tin cans then the first few minutes is a must watch.
Catch a Falling Starman
Mitchl113813 July 2007
Ken Utsui stars in his fourth and final outing as Starman, Japan's favorite fruity spandex clad superhero. This time he's out to stop the evil country of Magolia (no not Mongolia) from getting their hands on atomic weapons deadly enough to destroy the entire world. Unlike it's predecessors which featured lots of funny fighting and goofy effects, this flick plays like a third rate version of the George Reeves' Superman show (Starman's alter ego even dresses up like a mild mannered Oriental in a suit and fedora) and it's pretty dull to boot. There's also a lot of rigmarole with a bunch of snotty Japanese Little Rascals types that slow things down considerably as well. And instead of the goofy aliens in Evil Brain from Outer Space, all the villains in this one are a bunch of cheap thugs who are straight out of the forties. (And why is it that all those hired thugs are always dressed so impeccably in their dapper suits?) Anyway, die hard Starman fans (no not you Jeff Bridges enthusiasts out there) will want to check it out, but this one didn't nearly have enough goofy fight scenes for my liking. Oh yeah, and despite the title, there isn't a radioactive yardstick to be seen in this flick.
From Japan with...
lor_24 December 2023
One of my sci-fi/horror/fantasy reviews written 50 years ago: "Atomic Rulers of the World" is a combination of two Japanese movies, Directed by Koreyoki Akasaka, Akira Mitsua and Teruo Ishii. Starring Ken Utsui, Junko Ikuechi, Shoji Nakayama and Hiroshi Hayashi. It was released to American TV audiences by New York-based Walter Manley Enterprises.
Japanese horror (actually horrible) and science fiction combination done in a 1950s "Superman" comic strip approach. A super guy, Starman, from the Emerald Planet to keep the Magolians from stealing nuclear weapons and ruling their planet. It's absurd and campy in beautiful black & white.
Japanese horror (actually horrible) and science fiction combination done in a 1950s "Superman" comic strip approach. A super guy, Starman, from the Emerald Planet to keep the Magolians from stealing nuclear weapons and ruling their planet. It's absurd and campy in beautiful black & white.
Might make a good Saturday afternoon kids movie
Bernie444410 October 2023
However, it is pretty hokey even by Japanese standards. This is part of a Starman series of movies. I would rather watch "The Cisco Kid" (1950-1956).
Anyhow, we get gunfights and swordfights. We see broken furniture breaking but no real blood. Flying heroes. Even underwater fights.
Oh no the bad guys have the nuclear device and the dirty swine; they took Reiko Okamoto the High School Girl. Of what use can she possibly be? The bad guys drive a ford with whitewall tires. The film may be worth watching for the technology alone.
We can be assured if everyone else dies at least Starman will survive for the next movie. What is worse is there will probably be peace throughout the universe.
Anyhow, we get gunfights and swordfights. We see broken furniture breaking but no real blood. Flying heroes. Even underwater fights.
Oh no the bad guys have the nuclear device and the dirty swine; they took Reiko Okamoto the High School Girl. Of what use can she possibly be? The bad guys drive a ford with whitewall tires. The film may be worth watching for the technology alone.
We can be assured if everyone else dies at least Starman will survive for the next movie. What is worse is there will probably be peace throughout the universe.
Japanese heroics
BandSAboutMovies5 November 2022
Warning: Spoilers
There are nine Supa Jaiantsu (Super Giant) movies that were first shown in Japan. Takeo Nagamatsu's 1930 kamishibai The Golden Bat (Ogon Batto) may have been Japan's first modern superhero and Gekko Kamen (Moonlight Mask) the first hero to be on TV, but the first actual super herop movie in Japan was this one.
It was bought for distribution to U. S. television and edited into four films by Walter Manley Enterprises and Medallion Films. The first two original Japanese films, Super Giant and Super Giant Continues, have been cut, edited and have library music instead of the original soundtrack. Also, Super Giant became Starman.
The Mysterious Spacemen's Demonic Castle and Earth on the Verge of Destruction were turned into Invaders from Space, while The Artificial Satellite and the Destruction of Humanity and The Spaceship and the Clash of the Artificial Satellite was released in the U. S. as Attack from Space. The last film, Evil Brain from Outer Space, is edited together from three movies, The Space Mutant Appears, The Devil's Incarnation and Kingdom of the Poison Moth.
The films were also sold to France and Italy, where Super Giant is known as Spaceman.
Ken Utsui plays the hero and he always downplayed this movie when interviewed. Some say he was upset about the costume, which had a stuffed crotch. In the first installment, he fights to save the Earth from the country of Metropol and their nuclear arsenal. You'll notice the connection to sentai shows like Power Rangers with this, but it's also very similar to the American TV version of Superman. I loved it when I was a kid and still do.
It was bought for distribution to U. S. television and edited into four films by Walter Manley Enterprises and Medallion Films. The first two original Japanese films, Super Giant and Super Giant Continues, have been cut, edited and have library music instead of the original soundtrack. Also, Super Giant became Starman.
The Mysterious Spacemen's Demonic Castle and Earth on the Verge of Destruction were turned into Invaders from Space, while The Artificial Satellite and the Destruction of Humanity and The Spaceship and the Clash of the Artificial Satellite was released in the U. S. as Attack from Space. The last film, Evil Brain from Outer Space, is edited together from three movies, The Space Mutant Appears, The Devil's Incarnation and Kingdom of the Poison Moth.
The films were also sold to France and Italy, where Super Giant is known as Spaceman.
Ken Utsui plays the hero and he always downplayed this movie when interviewed. Some say he was upset about the costume, which had a stuffed crotch. In the first installment, he fights to save the Earth from the country of Metropol and their nuclear arsenal. You'll notice the connection to sentai shows like Power Rangers with this, but it's also very similar to the American TV version of Superman. I loved it when I was a kid and still do.
Tedious Superman knockoff
jamesrupert201425 March 2018
As an Anglicised compilation of episodes 1 and 2 of the Japanese children's adventure series"Super Giant", "Atomic Rulers of the World" is likely less than the sum of its parts. Despite a promisingly surreal (if cheap-looking) opening on the "Emerald Planet", in which the hero is introduced, the movie quickly degenerates into a repetitious sequence of chases and fights between 'Starman' (as the hero 'Super Giant' is renamed) and some generic foreign gangsters who are trying to take over the world (starting, of course, with Japan). The dubbing and the music in the English version I watched contributes to the impression that this is just a cheaply-made attempt to cash in on the then popular George Reeve Superman serial. The special effects are awful, and other than the aforementioned meeting on the Emerald Planet, consist of little beyond repeated shots of a flying Starman, silly film reversals, and extraordinarily bargain-basement looking sets and miniatures (such as the helicopter). As Starman, Ken Utsui is stuck in a flimsy caped-costume that becomes embarrassingly transparent when wet and includes the legendary stuffed crotch, an embarrassment with which the actor had to contend for the rest of his career. "Atomic Rulers of the World" was the first of four films adapting the "Super Giant" series, and is supposedly the worst, the next three having reputations for the delirious special effects for which most Japanese tokusatsu, no matter how cheaply made, are known. As such, while not much as stand-alone time-waster, the film may serve as an introduction to more entertaining fare.
A lesser Starman outing
Red-Barracuda27 September 2015
An alien superhero called Starman is sent to Earth to avert nuclear disaster by the Galactic Council.
Atomic Rulers of the World is an Americanised Japanese movie made by editing some Japanese TV episodes together. It follows the same template as other films made in this exact same way, like Evil Brain from Outer Space and Invaders from Space, both also from 1965. This one is probably the least good of the three, however, in that it lacks the interesting – and sometimes quite sinister – monsters from those other two films and instead seems more squarely aimed at a kiddie audience. This is made more abundantly clear by the appearance of some children in central roles. Starman himself is quite a fun character to be fair but he doesn't get involved with as much interesting action in this one and so this consequently is one mainly for die-hard fans of old Japanese sci-fi.
Atomic Rulers of the World is an Americanised Japanese movie made by editing some Japanese TV episodes together. It follows the same template as other films made in this exact same way, like Evil Brain from Outer Space and Invaders from Space, both also from 1965. This one is probably the least good of the three, however, in that it lacks the interesting – and sometimes quite sinister – monsters from those other two films and instead seems more squarely aimed at a kiddie audience. This is made more abundantly clear by the appearance of some children in central roles. Starman himself is quite a fun character to be fair but he doesn't get involved with as much interesting action in this one and so this consequently is one mainly for die-hard fans of old Japanese sci-fi.
Starman does it again!
plan999 December 2023
This is the second Starman "film" I've seen and it's no better than the first one which comes as no surprise at all. Terrible in every department but a special mention must go to the alleged special effect which were very far from actually being special, some films 50 years older have better effects.
This has to to seen by all lovers of very badly made films, although this has been cobbled together, very badly, from TV episodes.
A less convincing superhero has yet to be seen on the screen and this proud achievement will be held forever. The fight sequences are like slapstick from a silent film.
This has to to seen by all lovers of very badly made films, although this has been cobbled together, very badly, from TV episodes.
A less convincing superhero has yet to be seen on the screen and this proud achievement will be held forever. The fight sequences are like slapstick from a silent film.
Where's the aliens?
Bezenby12 October 2015
Starman this time is out to thwart a country of loons who want to nuke the earth, starting with Japan! Starman is sent to Earth to give these baddies a knuckle supper and to stop radiation spreading through the universe (which is full of radiation anyway, let's not think about it).
Of course there's kids here to help Starman out, if you can call stealing nuclear material 'helping'. Also, some cops, a nun, and others you won't care about because these films are all about the arse kicking.
This one is definitely lacking in Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps). There's no lizard men or...whatever those aliens in Evil Brain from Outer Space were...or even any Evil Brains. Starman does manage to survive a nuclear blast before taking on about fifty guys at a time though.
Got to agree with the majority though...this should be one of your last Starman choices - Evil Brain and Invaders from Space are much better.
Of course there's kids here to help Starman out, if you can call stealing nuclear material 'helping'. Also, some cops, a nun, and others you won't care about because these films are all about the arse kicking.
This one is definitely lacking in Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps). There's no lizard men or...whatever those aliens in Evil Brain from Outer Space were...or even any Evil Brains. Starman does manage to survive a nuclear blast before taking on about fifty guys at a time though.
Got to agree with the majority though...this should be one of your last Starman choices - Evil Brain and Invaders from Space are much better.
Eye-popping Japanese spin on Superman
Leofwine_draca22 July 2015
A short, black and white science fiction film dubbed in English, this wacko movie is in fact made up of two episodes of the late '50s Japanese television series SUPERGIANT, the entirety of which has kindly been remastered and given a DVD release by those extraordinary guys working at the wonderful Something Weird Video. For those who don't know, Starman is simply a Japanese variation on Superman, a guy (Ken Utsui) dressed in an unflattering white bodysuit and cape, who wears an antenna on his head to communicate with his pals on the Emerald Planet and uses a special watch to detect radiation! Watching the film play out, one is immediately reminded of the cheap but cheerful American serials of the '30s and '40s and the same atmosphere of excitement and adventure is present in this story.
Although aimed at kids and very dated when viewed with a modern eye, ATOMIC RULERS OF THE WORLD is nonetheless a highly engaging experience for those in the right mood. The film is chock-full of fun special effects work depicting Starman flying through the air on his way to fight crime and lots of camera tricks are used to show him flipping through the air or jumping up a height (simply playing the film backwards is a favourite approach here). The storyline involves a bunch of shifty-looking smart-suited bad guys planning to hold Japan to ransom with a nuclear bomb, and of course Starman comes in to save the day.
Taking the simple form of the early serial, ATOMIC RULERS OF THE WORLD is episodic in nature, contrasting scenes of plot exposition with tons and tons of ass-kicking action. Starman, an invincible warrior impervious to bullets, gets to battle tons of bad guys back at their remote island base and the lengthy, free-for-all anything-goes fight sequences are invariably entertaining. Along with such action, we get some annoyingly cute Japanese children put into the most terrible peril (hurrah!), a sexy nun, cool music, Herculean bar-bending, one of those elaborate death traps where two blades slowly close in on a prisoner's neck, a small nuclear device exploding, plus a brief interlude with the High Council of the Emerald Planet, basically a bunch of wacky robot aliens all shapes and sizes. My only complaint with the film is that otherwise, we don't get to see any aliens, and all the bad guys are disappointing human! Thankfully this would change in the following instalments. Watch this space for more.
Although aimed at kids and very dated when viewed with a modern eye, ATOMIC RULERS OF THE WORLD is nonetheless a highly engaging experience for those in the right mood. The film is chock-full of fun special effects work depicting Starman flying through the air on his way to fight crime and lots of camera tricks are used to show him flipping through the air or jumping up a height (simply playing the film backwards is a favourite approach here). The storyline involves a bunch of shifty-looking smart-suited bad guys planning to hold Japan to ransom with a nuclear bomb, and of course Starman comes in to save the day.
Taking the simple form of the early serial, ATOMIC RULERS OF THE WORLD is episodic in nature, contrasting scenes of plot exposition with tons and tons of ass-kicking action. Starman, an invincible warrior impervious to bullets, gets to battle tons of bad guys back at their remote island base and the lengthy, free-for-all anything-goes fight sequences are invariably entertaining. Along with such action, we get some annoyingly cute Japanese children put into the most terrible peril (hurrah!), a sexy nun, cool music, Herculean bar-bending, one of those elaborate death traps where two blades slowly close in on a prisoner's neck, a small nuclear device exploding, plus a brief interlude with the High Council of the Emerald Planet, basically a bunch of wacky robot aliens all shapes and sizes. My only complaint with the film is that otherwise, we don't get to see any aliens, and all the bad guys are disappointing human! Thankfully this would change in the following instalments. Watch this space for more.
Starman Rules !
mikelmike777 February 2011
Warning: Spoilers
Sure its silly stuff and the dubbing is bad and the quality low , but once you get past those few things its just plain fun !!! I mean whats the harm , its really funny , the panel of aliens in the beginning is creative I suppose for its time and remember its just a kids show , something along the lines of ''Prince of Space '' , just silly fun for young children . I think it would've worked for Americam kids too and that they would've enjoyed it too The SuperGiant or Starman as he is known to American audiences is harmless good natured fun , so keep that in mind as your watching and its enjoyable in that context , if your looking for serious sci-fi , look someplace else !
Utsui got back...
poe42630 August 2008
Warning: Spoilers
It is what it is- and what it is is lots of far-fetched fun. Starman was one of the many heroes who haunted the black and white world of my childhood. I may be misremembering it, but I seem to recall seeing him die in an atomic explosion at the end of one adventure (though I could be confusing it with the final episode of ASTRO BOY). Like ULTRAMAN and ULTRAMAN TIGA and the giant robots RED BARON and IRON KING and GIGANTOR and the child-sized ASTRO BOY (my all-time favorite Japanese import) and all the others, Starman took me away, time and again, to a better world- one where heroes really existed... and sometimes died battling the ever-present Forces of Evil. ATOMIC RULERS OF THE WORLD is better than ATTACK FROM SPACE (in which Starman jams a bad guy head-first into a torpedo tube and then rams a torpedo in after him in what may have been an unintentionally hilarious scene...), but I highly recommend them both for fans of early superhero imports. Not a bad way to spend an evening; not at all.
"Either Surrender To Us, Or Be Destroyed By Our Super-Weapons!"...
azathothpwiggins1 June 2021
Warning: Spoilers
In ATOMIC RULERS, nuclear war on Earth could affect the inhabitants of the Emerald Planet, so, Starman (Ken Utsui) is dispatched once again to save humanity.
Arriving on our planet, Starman saves an otherwise doomed airplane, and intercepts enemy agents, foiling their plot to detonate a briefcase bomb. These guys never seem to learn that their bullets are useless against him.
Oh no!
A group of kids has absconded with the bomb! Luckily, Starman sorts this out as well. He's truly "the friend of all children". When the enemy agents start kidnapping these tykes, it's up to Starman to save them, causing him untold trouble.
This all leads to the fantastical finale in the enemies' subterranean lair, where Starman must use his signature ballet fu to stop their plot for world conquest!
Another astonishing adventure for our hero!...
Arriving on our planet, Starman saves an otherwise doomed airplane, and intercepts enemy agents, foiling their plot to detonate a briefcase bomb. These guys never seem to learn that their bullets are useless against him.
Oh no!
A group of kids has absconded with the bomb! Luckily, Starman sorts this out as well. He's truly "the friend of all children". When the enemy agents start kidnapping these tykes, it's up to Starman to save them, causing him untold trouble.
This all leads to the fantastical finale in the enemies' subterranean lair, where Starman must use his signature ballet fu to stop their plot for world conquest!
Another astonishing adventure for our hero!...
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