STORY: 9/10
Pokemon: I choose you is a loose retelling of the anime’s main character, Ash, journey through the kanto region and the first anime series. It also focuses on Ho-Oh, a legendary that never really got a film of its own. It also was the first anime appearance of marshadow, a mythical legendary. At the start, the story is the same, with ash getting Pikachu (who has his newer appearance, rather then his chubbier look in the older games and anime). However, it ends up diverging with ash getting the rainbow wing from Ho-oh.
I didn’t grow up with the first anime or the games but around the diamond/pearl, black/white, heartgold/soulsilver games (I haven’t really got many memories of when I started liking Pokémon), but as someone who didn’t grow up with the first series of Pokémon, I really enjoyed the story as a whole. I feel that the story can appeal to newer fans but also bring enough changes to the story that also appeals to older fans.
There were certain parts of the film that actually made be tear up and made me laugh. The whole cinema was laughing at certain parts. Additionally, Although I don’t want to spoil it, there’s one part at the end with Pikachu that took everyone by surprise. Although I reacted the same way, I didn’t really care for it but instead thought it was cute.
ART: 10/10
The art is one of the best things about this film. I can’t explain how much I love this film’s art style. While I do somewhat enjoy the sun and moon’s art style, I’m glad that they went with a style that closely resembles the older anime’s art.
CHARACTERS: 8/10
When it was shown that Misty and brock were going to be replaced by two new characters, Verity and Sorrel, like others I was worried. As mentioned before, I wasn’t brought up with Misty and Brock and don’t really have much attachment towards them, I was still worried that I wouldn’t like them. Again, I was wrong. I ended up loving these characters and wanted more.
The only thing I’m disappointed in is that they don’t really have much character development, as we aren’t given a long time for the two to be developed. I’m secretly hoping that we somehow see these characters again, maybe in another film. From what I understand, the newest film that comes out in 2018 will take place in the same universe as this film, so if they end up choosing to make the films take place in the same universe, there might by a small chance that we do, which makes me happy.
There’s one other character that I want to quickly talk about: Cross. Cross is an alright character, acting as the rival to ash. I’m not a big fan of his character as what he did was pretty crappy and made me want to punch the guy. He also nearly ruined Ash’s journey but that’s a spoiler, so I wont mention it. I don’t feel that he should have been redeemed as he was a crappy guy through out the film, but I won’t hate the film for it as it is a kids film so it does make sense that they did do this. I also like how Cross has alolan Pokémon rather then kanto Pokémon, so it makes me think that has not actually from the kanto region rather than from kanto, which is cool.
DUB: 8/10
I watched this film in dub, rather then subs like the normally do. After I started getting into anime, I switched to subs. While I do watch dubs every once in a while, the newer Pokémon dubs aren’t the best. However, the thought that it was enjoyable. I was watching it with my brother, so I had no chance. But I wouldn’t mind sitting down and rewatching it in dub rather than sub. I wouldn’t call it the best dub ever, but i feel that all the voice actors did great and I have to give praise.
OVERALL ENJOYMENT: 10/10
Overall, this film is now my favourite Pokémon films in a long while. I wasn’t too hyped about this film, but was still excited about it none the less. The cinema I watched it in also showed the Pokémon generation shorts after the film so that was a plus. This film surprised me on the story, art and its characters and I ended up loving it more than I thought I would of.
This is my fist ever review on this site and i was wanting to make a review on the film since i first saw it, however, I forgot to actually make it. I hope you like the review and if there is a grammar and spelling mistakes, I'm apologise.
