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Description
Show: Pokémon
Movie: 21st
Year: 2018

Writer(s): Eiji Umehara
Aya Takaha

Director(s): Tetsuo Yajima

When it comes to Pokemon movies, they can be range from average at best to downright market/fan pandering at worst. I did personally enjoyed half of them but that’s because it’s coming from a hardcore fan who is still watching some anime to this day. You see, Pokémon doesn’t have good track records when it comes to movies. True, some of them are pretty solid like Mewtwo Strikes Back (Japanese Version), Spells of the Unown, Lucario and the Mystery of Mew, and even Detective Pikachu... just only by the franchise’s standards. As stand-alone films, well... I think those can be debatable by newcomers. It’s kinda rare to have a movie based on the animated series to shared the same level as The Simpsons Movie, South Park: Bigger, Longer, & Uncut, Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, and The Goofy Movie to be a legitimate good movie, so both fans and even newcomers would enjoy. With the case of Power of Us, I think this is where it surpasses its own standards.

This is the first time (or second time depending on your feelings toward Spells of the Unown) where a Pokémon movie felt like a genuine movie. It has a very beautiful animation that was made by the same studio who done Attack on Titan, a wonderful soundtrack (even the dub kept except for ED song), a very emotional and heart-wrenching story, a cleaver set up and a great group of characters who have gotten through their interesting and relatable story arcs like my personal favorite, Callahan. He’s a braggart who has been lying and cheating throughout his town including his sister and his niece. But deep down, he’s a good man who has some heart when he saves a Pokémon, Sudowoodo, grow a bond with it, and dealing with his own problems while facing a conflict that he and his team have to face. I love these kinds of stories where a character taking care of their own personal problems.

The classic characters served well with the story too. Ash Ketchum being a good motivator to our heroes and Team Rocket being comedian villains try and fail their plans while making money from their scams. Plus, I give this movie credit for making Ash an expert and badass Pokémon trainer instead of resetting his character to make him look a joke.

Unfortunately, there are one or two problems that hold the movie from being any more fantastic. 1. There are some pacing issues which it can be distracting at times. And 2. We have yet another grumpy and moody Pokemon who has trust issues with humans. Now, on its own right, they did handle it fine and I do really like Zeraora for its design, moves, and stats but considering how many times Pokemon has done that kind of trope with their past movies including the anime series, it can be tiresome.

But with that said, I still adore this movie for everything else. Both as a Pokemon fan and moviegoer. After rewatching this movie on my blu-ray, not only I grew to adore it, I’m considered it to be one of my favorite movies of all time. Probably not in my Top 10 list, but definitely in the Top 50 category. If you’re new to the franchise and curious about Pokémon, I think this the perfect choice to check out. Even if you’re not a Pokémon fan, I think you’ll enjoyed it fine for having decent characters.

Happy Pokemon Day!!!

Pokemon is owned by Nintendo and The Pokemon Company. This movie is currently in a rights dispute with Warner Brothers and Japan.

FireMaster92

Description
Show: Pokémon
Movie: 21st
Year: 2018

Writer(s): Eiji Umehara
Aya Takaha

Director(s): Tetsuo Yajima

When it comes to Pokemon movies, they can be range from average at best to downright market/fan pandering at worst. I did personally enjoyed half of them but that’s because it’s coming from a hardcore fan who is still watching some anime to this day. You see, Pokémon doesn’t have good track records when it comes to movies. True, some of them are pretty solid like Mewtwo Strikes Back (Japanese Version), Spells of the Unown, Lucario and the Mystery of Mew, and even Detective Pikachu... just only by the franchise’s standards. As stand-alone films, well... I think those can be debatable by newcomers. It’s kinda rare to have a movie based on the animated series to shared the same level as The Simpsons Movie, South Park: Bigger, Longer, & Uncut, Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, and The Goofy Movie to be a legitimate good movie, so both fans and even newcomers would enjoy. With the case of Power of Us, I think this is where it surpasses its own standards.

This is the first time (or second time depending on your feelings toward Spells of the Unown) where a Pokémon movie felt like a genuine movie. It has a very beautiful animation that was made by the same studio who done Attack on Titan, a wonderful soundtrack (even the dub kept except for ED song), a very emotional and heart-wrenching story, a cleaver set up and a great group of characters who have gotten through their interesting and relatable story arcs like my personal favorite, Callahan. He’s a braggart who has been lying and cheating throughout his town including his sister and his niece. But deep down, he’s a good man who has some heart when he saves a Pokémon, Sudowoodo, grow a bond with it, and dealing with his own problems while facing a conflict that he and his team have to face. I love these kinds of stories where a character taking care of their own personal problems.

The classic characters served well with the story too. Ash Ketchum being a good motivator to our heroes and Team Rocket being comedian villains try and fail their plans while making money from their scams. Plus, I give this movie credit for making Ash an expert and badass Pokémon trainer instead of resetting his character to make him look a joke.

Unfortunately, there are one or two problems that hold the movie from being any more fantastic. 1. There are some pacing issues which it can be distracting at times. And 2. We have yet another grumpy and moody Pokemon who has trust issues with humans. Now, on its own right, they did handle it fine and I do really like Zeraora for its design, moves, and stats but considering how many times Pokemon has done that kind of trope with their past movies including the anime series, it can be tiresome.

But with that said, I still adore this movie for everything else. Both as a Pokemon fan and moviegoer. After rewatching this movie on my blu-ray, not only I grew to adore it, I’m considered it to be one of my favorite movies of all time. Probably not in my Top 10 list, but definitely in the Top 50 category. If you’re new to the franchise and curious about Pokémon, I think this the perfect choice to check out. Even if you’re not a Pokémon fan, I think you’ll enjoyed it fine for having decent characters.

Happy Pokemon Day!!!

Pokemon is owned by Nintendo and The Pokemon Company. This movie is currently in a rights dispute with Warner Brothers and Japan.

FireMaster92