JLRVancouver 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.

Bezenby 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.

TheExpatriate700 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.

Hitchcoc 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.