Only a fool would watch all 24 Pokemon movies and write long, rambling articles about the themes, influences, and impact of each one. Hello, my name is Eric Switzer, and I am that fool. I've been fanatical about Pokemon ever since I opened my first Base Set pack when I was nine years old. Since then, I've dutifully played the games, opened packs, watched the shows, and yes, even eaten those fucked up Pikachu popsicles with the gumball cheeks. They tasted like frozen cough syrup, and I loved them.
Despite my lifelong love for Pokemon, I just never got around to watching all of the movies. I saw Mewtwo Strikes Back and Pokemon 2000 in theaters like everyone else, but I eventually lost interest in the direct-to-DVD sequels and forgot they even existed - until now.
A few months ago, I decided to watch every Pokemon movie and write a sort of retrospective review for each one, once a week, every Sunday. When I started, I didn't realize there were two dozen stinking Pokemon movies to go through. What began as a fun little diversion has become a passion project as I work my way through all 24 movies, week by week. To my surprise (and the surprise of the entire TG team) these re-reviews have become pretty popular, so I'm using this post as a hub for all of my Pokemon movie stories. Whether you have fond memories of these flicks or you've never seen them, I guarantee you'll get a kick out of these stories. These films are surprisingly enjoyable and often more complex than your average kid's cartoon. I'm having a blast so far, and I hope you'll join me on this long, strange Pokemon adventure.
Pokemon the Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back
Here's where it all began. The first Pokemon movie came out at the perfect time to capitalize on the franchise's sudden popularity, and it actually holds up a lot better than I was expecting. In re-reviewing this classic I discovered that the Japanese version is A LOT different than the one that was screened in American movie theaters, and honestly, way better. See for yourself with this re-review: Pokemon: The First Movie Is A Lot Different Than You Remember
Pokemon: The Movie 2000
As a Pokemon TCG collector, Pokemon 2000 is my favorite movie in the series. After everything that's happened with the TCG over the last year, Pokemon 2000 turned out to be a surprisingly prescient movie. Lugia is the best, the legendary birds are amazing, and Team Rocket actually experienced some character growth - albeit only temporarily. Here's my re-review of Pokemon 2000: Pokemon: The Movie 2000 Had A Lot To Say About Pokemon Card Collectors in 2021
Pokemon 3: The Movie
Pokemon 3 leaves behind the world-ending stakes of the first to movies to tell a more focused and personal story, and I think it was absolutely the right direction to take. Bizarrely, Pokemon 3 actually follows the same exact plot structure as WandaVision - more or less. This one is a lot of people's favorite, and it's easy to see why. It's spooky, it's emotional, and most importantly, it has Entei. Here's my retrospective: WandaVision Stole Its Entire Plot From Pokemon 3
Pokemon 4Ever
Pokemon 4Ever is the last Pokemon movie to use traditional cel animation, and the artists really went all out and created something pretty stunning. The plot is just the same as Ferngully, Avatar, Emerald Forest, or any other eco-fantasy you can think of, but with one huge twist. Pokemon 4Ever is a time loop movie, and the big reveal at the end has major ramifications for the entire history of Pokemon. Here are my impressions: Pokemon 4Ever's Time Loop Changed Everything We Know About The Anime
Pokemon Heroes
Pokemon Heroes was the last movie to make it into theaters in the US, and it's also the weirdest movie in the series yet. The legendary Pokemon Latias has the power to disguise herself as a human girl, and if you're thinking that's weird, wait until you see how this one ends. The movie is set in Alto Mare, a Venice-like city that deserves its own video game ASAP. Here's what I thought about Pokemon Heroes: In Pokemon Heroes, Ash Smooches Latias And Becomes A Dad.
Pokemon: Jirachi - Wish Maker
Wish Maker is the start of the direct-to-DVD era of Pokemon movies, at least in the US, and also the first movie set during the Advanced Generation era. Misty leaves the group and Ash is now joined by May and her little brother Max, but they don't make that much of an impression here. This is a pretty direct adaptation of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, but it ties into the Ruby & Sapphire games in a few interesting ways. Here are all my thoughts on Wish Maker: Pokemon Wish Maker's Jirachi Torture Scene Will Ruin Your Childhood.
Pokemon: Destiny Deoxys
Destiny Deoxys is Pokemon's Kaiju movie, and ya, it's as cool as it sounds. Rayquaza vs Deoxys is an amazing showdown, and the way this movie plays with monster movie tropes is a lot of fun to watch. Destiny Deoxys becomes overly complicated with too many unnecessary characters, a trend that continues in future Pokemon movies, but it's still an enjoyable disaster movie that Godzilla fans will definitely vibe with. Here's my re-review of Destiny Deoxys: Destiny Deoxys Is The Ultimate Pokemon Kaiju Film.
Pokemon: Lucario And The Mystery Of Mew
Lucario debuted in Pokemon 8 more than a year before the release of Pokemon Diamond and Pearl, catapulting the steel/fighting type to A-list status. Lucario and the Mystery of Mew is an overt homage to Star Wars that represents Aura as a Force-like energy in the Pokemon universe. The movie also introduced the Great War, which became an important part of Pokemon X & Y many years later. This is one of the most beloved Pokemon movies, and for good reason. Here are all my thoughts on Lucario and the Mystery of Mew: In Pokemon 8 Ash Becomes A Jedi And Fist Fights Lucario
Pokemon Ranger And The Temple Of The Sea
Pokemon Ranger, like the Nintendo DS game with the same name, explores a side of the Pokemon universe rarely seen. Jack "Jackie" Walker is a Pokemon Ranger that takes the leading role away from Ash in this movie. A cross between James Bond and Indiana Jones, Jackie rescues a Manaphy from a ruthless pirate and returns it to its home at the Temple of the Sea. Also, Ash gets superpowers. Here's my re-review of Pokemon Rangers and the Temple of the Sea: In Pokemon Ranger, Ash Finally Gets Real Superpowers And Becomes Aquaman.
Rise Of Darkrai
Rise of Darkrai is the beginning of the unnamed Diamond & Pearl trilogy and likely the most horror-tinged film in the series. Darkrai turns out to be dark and brooding Batman-like figure, and Ash gets to perform his most heroic act when oblivion as Alamos Town gets sucked into the Unown Dimension. It the first non-G-rated movie in the series due to its mature town and intense sequences. Here's the full breakdown of Rise of Darkrai: Rise of Darkrai Is Pokemon Cosmic Horror.
Giratina And The Sky Warrior
The is the first direct sequel in the Pokemon series, picking up right where Rise of Darkrai ended. It explores some unforeseen consequences of the battle between Dialga and Palkia by taking Ash to the Reverse World, also known as the Distortion World in the video games. This movie starts to explore Pokemon's creation myth, one of the most interesting and mysterious segments of the Pokemon world. You can find all of my thoughts here: Giratina And The Sky Warrior Takes Ash To Pokemon Hell.
Arceus And The Jewel Of Life
The final movie in the Diamond & Pearl trilogy - or as I've decided to call it, the Godkiller Trilogy - features the second time-travel story in the series. Jewel of Life goes back and forth on whether Arceus is a god or the God in the Pokemon universe, and differences between the Japanese and English versions make it even more confusing. The Ancient Greece setting is probably the most interesting part of this one, but if you like big battles, Arceus and the Jewel of Life has tons of them. Check out my full recap here: In Pokemon: Arceus And The Jewel Of Life, Ash Tries To Kill God.
Zoroark—Master Of Illusions
Master of Illusions might be the most fascinating movie in the series. It explores the inherent dangers of mass media and the power of misinformation nearly a decade before it became a mainstream issue. While it failed to give Zoroark the same kind of A-list status that Mystery of Mew afforded Lucario, it remains when of the most thematically complex Pokemon movies with perhaps the most ruthless villain ever. Here's where you can read more about it: Pokemon - Zoroark: Master Of Illusion Warned Us About Fake News
Black & White — Victini And Reshiram/Zekrom
The beginning of the Black & White generation was a massive disappointment. Though the concept of a split movie with sublte differences between them was a cool way to honor the games, Victini and Reshiram/Zekrom was just so utterly pointless that I can't recommend it to any other than the most passionate Pokemon fans. It begins with an interesting premise about diaspora but fails to explore that concept in any meaningful way. Here's my more complete thoughts on the films: The Pokemon Black And White Movies Are A Pointless Exercise In Saying Nothing
Kyurem Vs. The Sword Of Justice
The second Black & White movie is much better than the first, unfortunately. The Sword of Justice is a cool group of Pokemon Avengers, but Keldeo's journey to find its true power by defeating Kyurem just isn't particularly nuanced or interesting. In my recap, I compare it to Spider-Man: Homecoming, with Keldeo cast as the rebellious Peter Parker. If that sounds like an interesting analysis, you can read more here: The MCU Stole Spider-Man’s Entire Arc From Pokemon’s The Sword Of Justice
Genesect And The Legend Awakened
The final Black & White movie mirrors the first one by also dealing with diaspora - though in a more direct way this time that examines the impact on the actual victims. The Legend Awakened is set up as the return of Mewtwo, but unfortunately, IP rights issues forced the filmmakers to create a second Mewtwo that has virtually the same backstory as the original. It's a dissapointing movie because it had a lot of potential. Here's my impressions: IP Rights Ruined Pokemon: Genesect And The Legend Awakened
Diancie And The Cocoon Of Destruction
The start of the X & Y generation introduces the Diamond Domain, an underground society inhabited exclusively by Pokemon. It's weird to see because it gives Pokemon a degree of personhood we've never seen before, begins some difficult questions about the nature of the relationship between people and Pokemon. Cocoon of Destruction plays out a lot like Sword of Justice and ends with the same hollow message about believing in yourself. The sudden decline in quality of the Pokemon movies started in Black & White and it seems to be continuing in X & Y. Here's my full review: Diancie And The Cocoon Of Destruction Makes Pokemon Uncomfortably Human.
Hoopa And The Clash Of Ages
This is basically the Avengers: Endgame of the Pokemon series. Legendary Pokemon from every generation face off in a battle so intense that Arceus is eventually forced to intervene. At the center of the war is Hoopa, a Pokemon with amazing power a little self control. Hoopa's journey to understand its responsibility and let go of resentment towards the people that took his power away is one of the more complex storylines in the series. While it dedicates a bit too much of its runtime to big battles, but it's easily one of the most engaging and satisfying movies in the series. Here's the full review: Ash Reunites With His Children In Hoopa And The Clash Of Ages.
Volcanion And The Mechanical Marvel
Hoopa and the Clash of Ages would have been the perfect finale to the original series, but instead, Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel has that honor. This movie has an interesting symmetry with the first Pokemon movie. Both task Ash with convincing a powerful Legendary Pokemon that has been betrayed by humans that some people love Pokemon. Like Mewtwo Strikes Back, it also fails to answer the big question it asks: why do Pokemon need people at all? Driving home that idea is the most evil and malicious villains in Pokemon history, who attacks a sanctuary of Pokemon that have been abandoned and abused by humans. Volcanion suggests that the difference between people and Pokemon is that Pokemon are incapable of lying - a premise that has shifted my entire understanding of the Pokemon universe. For my full thoughts on the final X & Y movie, click here: Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel Ended The Original Pokemon Series Perfectly.
I Choose You!
I Choose You is a reboot of the Pokemon movie series that quickly retells the first season of the anime. It shrinks down important storylines like Ash and Pikachu's friendship, Charmander's early evolution, and Butterfree's love story in ways that fundamentally change the meaning of these stories. Ash also changes dramatically in this new timeline. He's no longer a brash and headstrong kid with a short temper and is instead a noble and archetypal hero. I Choose You also has the darkest death scene in any Pokemon movie, as well as one of the most brutal battles. It isn't a total waste of time, but it certainly lives in the shadow of the original Indigo League storyline. Here's my full review: Pokemon the Movie: I Choose You Neutered Ash's Origin Story.
The Power Of Us
The Power Of Us introduced a brand new director and writer to the series, and reinvented the 20-year-old Pokemon movie formula in an impressive way. The film features five main characters each with their own Pokemon problem to overcome, and the way it paces and intertwines their storylines is masterful. Each character is given their own complex arc with an incredibly satisfying resolution, and Ash acts as a benevolent guide that ties them all together and encourages them along their journey. The Power of Us is a reflection of Pokemon 2000, aka The Power of One, and it demonstrates growth for the series that I didn't think was possible until now. Check out my full thoughts here: The Power Of Us Is Mathematically The Only Good Pokemon Movie.
Detective Pikachu
Hollywood's first attempt at a Pokemon movie was a huge swing-and-a-miss in my opinion. In an effort to attract a wider audience, Detective Pikachu abandons everything that makes Pokemon great. It shares none of the themes of Pokemon, nor does it make any attempt to represent the world of Pokemon that we know and love. This is an action-comedy that just happens to have Pokemon in it, and as a fan of the franchise, it feels like a huge missed opportunity. No gym battles, no Pokemon centers, no Team Rocket, and no trainers? It's hard to believe that a movie this divorced from the world of Pokemon ever got made. Clearly, I'm not a fan, but if you can read my full review here: Detective Pikachu Is Not A Pokemon Movie.
I'll be adding to this hub every Sunday as new re-reviews are published. At a pace of one per week, it should take about six months to get through the entire series. Thanks for following along, and feel free to reach out to me on Twitter @epicswitzer if you like them. If you hate them, feel free to send an email to pokemad@gmail.com. I never check that one.