Why Pokémon Movie 21 The Power of Us is the best Pokémon movie?

The legendary Pokémon takes the back seat as the characters dominate the front seat

Credit: ShoPro/The Pokémon Company

'Pokémon Movie: The Power of Us' is the 21st Pokémon movie which follows the story of the alternate universe Ash. Directed by the same director of Pokémon XY who gave us the fan favorite Team Flare arc, the movie takes place after the events of Pokémon Movie 20, I Choose You. The international release of 'Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle' is right around the corner so we have decided to have a look back at The Power of Us and let you know why we consider it as the best Pokémon movie. There will be spoilers ahead. So if you haven't watched the movie yet, do yourself a favor and watch it, it's really good.

***Spoilers for 'Pokémon the Movie: The Power of Us' ahead***

The Characters

 

Credit: ShoPro / The Pokémon Company

 

Pokémon Movie 21 is more of a character study than a Pokémon action movie. Every character is shown to have relatable flaws and the plot forces them to overcome their limitations. 

At the very beginning of the movie we are introduced to a former high school athlete, Risa (Lisa in Japanese). Due to an injury, she becomes concerned about running. With the help of Ash and after being requested by her brother, Risa catches an Eevee. Later on because of her fear to run again, Eevee ends up getting injured. Later on this Eevee ends up inspiring her to keep on trying and run again to save the city.

Then we are introduced to arguably the best character in the movie, Callahan. Callahan is shown to tell lies to make himself look like an hero to his niece but deep down he is aware of what consequences it may lead into. Most of the conflicts in the movie are the result of his lie. But deep down he is a man who has a great heart. Also having Sudowoodo, an imitating Pokémon as his partner Pokémon was an amazing decision.

Credit: ShoPro/The Pokémon Company

There is also Margo, who reminded me a lot of Bonnie. She is shown to be calm and caring and have a deep bond with Zeraora. The movie again embraces the imperfect nature of humans by making Margo steal the eternal flame for helping Zeraora. She indeed had good intention. She is also the daughter of the Mayor of Fula City which made the city feel more connected. I do admit that Zeraora's story of disliking humans was something we had already seen multiple times before. Harriet is the oldest protagonist in the Pokémon anime. She stayed away from forming a bond with Pokémons after the lose of her beloved Snubbull. There is also the shy yet compassionate scientist Toren. 

Every character in this movie has their flaws and struggles. The character without an arc is Ash. But he and Pikachu still played a major role by being the source of inspiration for the other characters. Ash is the main catalyst of change in the movie. Even Team Rocket had a fairly important role in the movie.

The Story

 

Credit: ShoPro / The Pokémon Company

If you think deeply about it, you will see the story was quite mediocre. But the characters make it stand out. The interactions between the characters are a treat to watch. Even though each of the characters are vastly different from one another, the movie makes it work as the story of one character is somehow connected to the other characters. Although the characters are different they are bought together by their sense of compassion and love for their loved ones and Pokémons.

Most of the Pokémon movies are advertisement first and a movie second. But this time it felt the opposite. It felt like Power of Us was meant to be a great Pokémon movie first, an advertisement second. Even Lugia appears only for a few minutes at the ending. Even though his appearance was short the build-up to this appearance made it satisfying. Still don't expect too much Lugia while watching the movie.

The World Building

Credit: ShoPro / The Pokémon Company

As the movie is set in an alternate universe, the filmmaker got the freedom to come up with a great story without having to force the main timeline characters in it. The world building in the movie is amazing. Fula City is an anime exclusive city set in the Johto region. The city and it's lore is beautifully showcased and the exposition scenes are also done in different segments throughout the movie so that it doesn't feel too much. The movie makes you feel for Fula City and the people and Pokémon inhabiting there.

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The Music and Dubbing

 

The soundtrack of the movie is really great. It is also one of the rare instances when the English dub didn't replace the background music of the movie. The ending theme of the English dub was great too. But to me the best song in the film in Japanese dub is 'Breath' by Porno Graffitti.

The dubbing in the movie is surprisingly really great. Though the phrase 'Pokémon Power' felt a bit cheesey at times but it's not a big one.

The Animation

 

Credit: ShoPro / The Pokémon Company

The animation of this movie is simply gorgeous. It is the first time when OLM collaborated with Wit Studio to make a Pokémon movie and the result is easily noticable. Ash's design in this movie is amazing. Then return of 3D camera makes the motion senses more lively. The only downside would be the use of CGI for the background other than that the animation of this movie is straight up fantastic.

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Conclusion

 

Pokémon Movie The Power of Us is a beautiful symbolism of unity and compassion. Fula City is probably the best location explored in a Pokémon movie. Even though the story isn't much unique, it's the characters that made the movie be greater than a normal Pokémon movie. It's like the director Tetsuo Yajima took the slice of life elements from Sun and Moon and merged it with the epic-ness of XY and gave us one of the, if not 'The best' Pokémon movie to date.