Pokémon Heroes
Synopsis
As they continue their journey through the Johto region, Satoshi and his friends visit Altomare, an island city that hosts an annual racing event called the Pokémon Water Race. While Takeshi and Kasumi are enjoying themselves, strange things seem to be happening to Satoshi—he somehow loses the water race, sees some women attack a girl with their Pokémon, and despite them saving her, the girl later denies ever seeing Satoshi and Pikachu before! Fortunately for Satoshi, his confusion clears up as he learns that the girl he and Pikachu saved earlier was actually a Pokémon named Latias, who likes to disguise herself as her human friend, Kanon. Latias and another Pokémon, Latios, are known as the Eon Pokémon, as they inhabit and guard Altomare along with a mystical blue sphere called the Soul Dew. An ancient legend of Altomare is highly connected to the Eon Pokémon and the Soul Dew, and is well known among the locals—as well as among Latias' earlier assailants, the thief sisters Zanner and Lyon. As the thieves attempt to capture both the Eon Pokémon and the Soul Dew, Satoshi is forced to act in order to stop them from bringing disaster to Altomare. [Written by MAL Rewrite]
Audience Consensus
Overall, "Pokemon Heroes" is viewed as an enjoyable and visually appealing movie, particularly praised for its setting, music, and the relationship between the characters. While some find the plot and villains weak, the movie is appreciated for its nostalgic value and emotional connection, especially by those who grew up with it. The animation is considered a highlight, making it a worthwhile watch for Pokemon fans.
Strengths
- Beautiful animation and art style, especially the portrayal of Altomare (Venice)
- Excellent and evocative soundtrack that enhances the atmosphere
- Strong connection and interactions between Ash, Latias, and Latios
- Decent storyline centered around the history of a single city
- Innovative use of CGI for environments and intricate objects
Weaknesses
- Weak and unmemorable villains with little depth
- Plot can be thin and unfocused with repeated themes
- Misty and Brock have minimal screen time and impact on the story
- Some find Latias and Latios' vocalizations (screeching) annoying
- Machine used by the villains lacks grounding and raises questions