Lets get the bad over with first. Continuing the now grand tradition of rushed and poorly thought out plots, here we have a machine which lacks any real gounding in the real world and is bound only by the power of plot necessity. There are two big questions which arise from watching the movie - How did ancients build a mech-pod with a VR interface and magic cameras all over the city? How do infinite prison bars materialize all over the city? Both of these are answered with the power of Latios and Latias, of course. It just isn't tought out, at all.
On the brighter side of things, the town looks lovely and Venice, the city this movie was modeled on, can only wish to be this beautiful. Locations in this movie are amazingly detailed and ooze with atmosphere, arguably more so than any Pokemon movie since. Coupled with a really great soundtrack to complement it, the movie becomes an unforgetable cozy experience. As a stand out song, I have to mention "Mistery Girl, Again", a great example of music being synced with a scene in an intricate way.
Since the plot is paper thin, the movie has to rely on something beyond the drive towards a distinct goal. While some later movies utilized daily life in Ash's journey to pad out the running time, this one embraces that reality and shapes itself into a bunch of slice of life scenes which slowly turn the movie into a character relationship piece.
After we're treated to an engaging and visually creative opening through a pokemon race, the movie lets us soak in the atmosphere of the city for a few minutes. Not overstaying its welcome, we're soon introduced to a mute girl, Latias in disguise. After a few fun adventures, Ash finds himself in direct contact with two siblings, Latios & Latias.
What makes the movie tick are the regular interactions between Ash, Latias and Latios. Unlike questionable relationships Ash had with others in previous and will have in future movies, you can really feel the connection between them here.
Eventually a duo of thieves steal the Soul Dew, a jewl which grants its wielder control of the city's defense systems. This leads to a tragic situation. While the aformentioned machine is a lazy plot McGuffin, it's used to steer character interactions into an arc and give them a sense of purpose. While certainly a thorn in the side of this movie, it doesn't detract from the overall experience much.
At the very end of the movie, we get to witness Ash's first kiss. Latias in her human form thanks him for everything he's done for her, cementing this as the weirdest Pokemon movie yet.
Guardian Gods of the Capital of Water: Latias and Latios is a comfy cartoon about a special day in Ash's life. Its B plot is kind of a mistake in itself, but is easily glanced over. Beyond that, the movie is an extremely enjoyable experience in the vein of Aria. I doubt we'll get something like it ever again, so even if it ain't the greatest thing since baked bread, it should still be cherished as one of the best Pokemon episodes.
