Latest Pokemon movie is designed for young fans, but enjoyable for all [Review]
Nobody had high hopes for the third and final movie in the Pokémon XY series, but it proved itself to be a family-friendly and entertaining ride filled with magic and excitement.
In Pokémon the Movie: Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel, director Kunihiko Yuyama takes us on a quest with Ash Ketchum (voiced by Sarah Natochenny) and his friends. This time, Ash meets the mighty Mythical Pokémon Volcanion (voiced by Mike Pollock) while on a mission to save the Artificial Pokémon Magearna (voiced by Yuke Terasaki) from the evil councillor Alva of Azoth Kingdom, who wanted to weaponise Magearna’s heart.
Volcanion, who comes from the Nebel Plateau and lives with Pokémon that have been abused by their trainers, and was at first terribly suspicious of the humans. But a mysterious magnetic field ties Ash and Volcanion together, dragging Ash along for Volcanion’s mission. Together with the princess of Azoth Kingdom, Chymia, they must rescue the Pokémon Magearna from Alva before he takes over the Azoth Kingdom.
Being a movie about magical creatures, the computer graphics melded with the character movement perfectly, and the Azoth Kingdom, a place prided for its technology in the movie, was very visually simulating, as the clockwork and gears that held the kingdom together was sensible and appealing. The movie’s “Mega Evolution” motif was also amazing, such as when Squishy – Bonnie’s Pokémon – mega evolves into a Zygarde 10% Forme to try and save all the Pokémon in Nebel Plateau.
The film highlights the bond between humans and Pokémon, and this is visible in the action scenes. However, the dialogue between humans and Pokémon was slightly lacking. Some of Volcanion’s dialogue was of place and awkward, and Alva’s lines were very cliché. Neither did much to make the film stand out. There were a few comedic moments, but they were pretty weak and seemed to be aimed at the younger audience.
Maybe this Pokémon movie was more intended for fans, but it is surprisingly engaging and watchable, and it does a good job of keeping kids on the edge of their seats.