There really isn't much different about the "World of Pokémon" segment this time apart from a brief set of "previously-on" highlights of earlier movies; so like I did with Heroes, I'm just going to gloss it over.
To be fair, the title card is relatively nice; and there will be plenty more to say about how this film has improved over the last AG film.
We open proper somewhere in the arctic, where a young boy named Tori is on expedition with his parents! He's then spotted playing in the snow on his lonesome. This can only end well!
He spies a group of Spheal, Sealeo and Wahlrein over the horizon; and is eager to see them. Editor Toshio Henmi should help with that!
As if on cue, Hideki Sonoda's credit comes up right over the wonder of the Aurora Borealis! At least it makes more sense than how it appeared in the second movie.
Just as Kunihiko Yuyama's credit comes up, the meteor containing the legendary Pokémon Deoxys makes its approach to earth! It's almost saying, "disappointed with the last time we used a meteor to introduce a new Pokémon? We're making up for it now!" Think less of Deep Impact, and more Armageddon.
Immediately after this, we are introduced to Rayquaza! There is just something about a massive dragon that I can't say no to.
The meteor crashes into the arctic, and Tori is knocked into the stampeding Pokémon! Yeah, apparently the catalyst to his character arc is that he's afraid of Pokémon from that day forward. More on that later, but at least it's more believable than Maron and her constant mugging later on.
Deoxys emerges from the meteor, and at just 7 minutes in no less! So, the legendary on the marquee took only about a third of the time to show up as the last movie! Now THIS should have been the first AG film.
Deoxys tries to take the meteor, but Rayquaza appears and freezes him! It also manages to address the complaint about the lack of action in the last movie earlier too! Huzzah!
Rayquaza even blasts off Deoxys' arm, but it can regenerate like Piccolo can! Imagine that!
After their attacks fry the expedition's research equipment (it will be important later, in case you're wondering); their battle continues in some animation that's actually quite impressive for the year the film came out. Definitely a big improvement over the last movie, yet again.
At the 10 minute mark, it's clear that this film is definitely back to the usual pattern of the movies being darker than the main anime; and is among the better AG films. It's less of a playdate between Max and Jirachi and more like a Japanese Kaiju film with Deoxys and Rayquaza. Sure, there are other elements that don't make a whole lot of sense later on; but overall, I'm glad the film bears more resemblance to a lot of those Godzilla movies I was raised on (by the way, haven't seen Shin Gojira/Godzilla Resurgence yet, but I heard it was good.).
We cut to four years later, where Tori and his family have returned to their home: the high-tech wonderland of LaRousse City! Tori's parents are doing experiments on what they found in the arctic, while Tori spends most of his time in their compound.
It takes a good 15 minutes before the main cast shows up in the movie, by way of a monorail train!
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| Well sir, there's nothing on earth like a genuine, bona-fide electrified six car monorail! What'd I say? "Monorail!" What's it called? "Monorail!" That's right, monorail! |
Apparently, even the trash cans are high tech! Wonder how many of them are full of unsold copies of "Hey You Pikachu" and copies of the last movie.
Yet, a couple of electric Pokémon are able to trick the garbage pail! Oh hi, Plusle and Minun! Say hello to Garonr1va for me!
Also, at 17 minutes in, we get the appearance of Munchlax before he was officially introduced in the games! Seriously underrated Pokémon in my opinion. Still, since I am taking health and sitting with the body type of Star Trek IV Shatner (my goal is to get back to Star Trek I/II Shatner); I will try to keep the fat jokes to a minimum.
Everyone arrives in the city, and these blocks greet them. They're not just there to look cute, either: they actually become a plot point later on.
They get photographed for passports for their stay in the city, and May was apparently shocked when they took hers. Insert "profile picture/tagged pic" joke here.
The path to the "Battle Tower" also has these moving sidewalks like they have in airports, and Ash has trouble figuring them out; much to the amusement of some of the citizens. The kids in this movie are dicks to Ash.
Anyway, they're also headed to the Battle Tower, and after helping Ash onto the right path; it's revealed that their names are Rafe, Sid, Audrey and Katherine. Yes, those last two are named for the late, great actresses of Audrey and Katherine Hepburn.
I'm also surprised the movie accurately depicts Blaziken's height in the Pokédex at 6'3" (using Rafe, Audrey and Katherine as a yardstick). The anime has often had problems with scale, but nowhere near as many as Transformers does (we'll definitely talk when I do more Transformers anime as a lead-in to The Last Knight soon).
There's also Rebecca, a sort of individual to explain the technobabble in the film. So, she's basically our analog for; well, tech characters in kids' fiction in general, but since it's easier to pick one: Lanette from the games. What is the anime's antipathy towards the programmers of the PC system? To my knowledge, Bill has been the only one included to date; but I'd be interested to see how the Sun and Moon series handles Sophocles' cousin Molayne.
The Battle Tower also appears to have taken design tips from Coruscant; as has LaRousse City as a whole.
Conveniently, Ash bumps into Tori at the 21-minute mark so the plot can move further! This movie is going to be full of convenient things, and all it cost them was a Pikachu short!
Furthering the conveniences is how despite Pikachu leaving Tori in damp shorts (it's Mimikyu you want to watch out for), they get on the elevator headed for the stadium!
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| Before we get started, does anyone want to get out? |
From this point forward, the movie basically kicks into overdrive as a way of compensating for the last one being the cinematic equivalent of watching my beard grow for 80 minutes; so I shall return the favor by treating the battle like I did the opening one in the third movie. I admit it's pretty fun in how crazy it is, but again, small potatoes in the overall plot.
Again, I have to wonder: how does Tori, or anyone without Pokémon for that matter find their way to the stadium entrance given how pushy the usher is? Has this ever happened to say, an electrician or repairman; and does this happen often? I may consider this movie an improvement over the last one, but there's still a lot that doesn't make a whole lot of sense about it.
After the battle, Tori's mother exposits to everyone else about what happened; and says Tori is a good kid, and maybe just needs to get to know Pokémon more. May concurs that's all it will take. That, and maybe a battle between a huge dragon and a space alien might do it too.
Tori goes back to his family's compound, and again starts talking to this strange entity I forgot to mention earlier. Half an hour in, and I wonder: is this going to turn into Pod People? Is this leftover special effect from Star Trek Enterprise going to do crude stop motion with all his books and toys?
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| It's called EVIL, kid. |
On that note, a major plot point of the film is Tori ostensibly being afraid of Pokémon; yet he seems pleased to tell the CGI effects that he helped Plusle and Minun out of the trash earlier. So, is it a phobia or is Tori just a closeted fan like a lot of people were in those days?
Deoxys appears over the city, and casts the aurora borealis all over the sky! Good grief, it's a running gag. I know it hasn't been that long, but this one's for Charlie Murphy.
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| Cocaine is a Hell of a drug. |
Ash then tries to reconcile with Tori, even asking about his "friend," but Tori will have none of it. Jeez, you sound like those elitist jerkoffs at Stardock!
After their little tiff continues, Brock decides to try a different approach: a little afternoon fondue! Nothing like breaking bread with a new friend, especially when it's doused on hot melted cheese!
Tori then apologizes for how he acted earlier, but he still seems reluctant to shake Pikachu's hand! Baby steps, I suppose.
Amusingly, Brock knows who Munchlax is; despite being introduced in this movie. I still have trouble acclimating to the redesigned mechanics whenever a new game comes out, to say nothing about the competitive circuit.
Deoxys reappears in the city, and starts wreaking havoc with all the technology in the place! Here we go, even more incentive to like this movie over the last one!
Even so, the cast doesn't suspect anything as the aurora reappears in the sky! Of course not, they won't think anything of it unless the plot requires them to! I did say this movie has a lot of stuff that doesn't make sense, and as act one winds down; you'll see why.
Rebecca also uses some sort of Unix system on her computer, furthering her status as the movie's tech lady! Just like her to steer clear of that Beedrill nest of PC/Mac warring!
Rafe comes in to gloat more about the events of the Battle Tower, but Tori breaks things up with a peace offering of Pokémon cookies! Look tasty, don't they? Now we just need some Moomoo Milk and we'll really be in business!
Everyone lets out their Pokémon to frolic through the park, and we get a song that's unique to the dub (unlike the last movie, I will probably watch the Japanese version whenever I get the time); "This Side of Paradise." As mid-2000s bubblegum pop goes, it's actually not that bad. About par for the course in the movies, to be honest. Have a listen for yourself.
Team Rocket tries to steal a platter of sandwiches, but Munchlax beats them to it; using the tablecloth as a makeshift backpack! I wonder what happened to the "Thief" trainer classes that used to do that?
As Rayquaza prepares to enter the city, Tori tells Ash that his fear of Pokémon also extends to their trainers; and a result, has had trouble making friends. I can definitely relate to this scenario, and the scene is once again surprisingly heartfelt for a movie like this. There will be much more to address with the next movie, but it will most likely be after my belated 300th post; just a heads-up.
Tori again tries to touch Pikachu, but Corphish pops in and spooks him! Well, it is established he's kind of a troll.
The next day, Tori takes everyone to his family's compound; and these "passports" that can be used for everything from shopping to food also grant them entry. This will be important later, in case you're wondering.
In the garden, Tori introduces everyone to this discount Tatl he's befriended, much to Ash's confusion. Also, maybe it's just where I paused the movie to take this screencap; but Tori's face looks kind of derpy in this shot.
Wouldn't you know it: Rebecca has a Metagross in her roster! Glad someone like her has such a great Pokémon with her.
Central control catches wind of Deoxys and Rayquaza in the city, and the place does bear a passing resemblance to the Starship Enterprise.
Even the Officer Jenny in LaRousse City looks like she's raided Captain Janeway's closet, if her uniform is any indication.
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| Blast, if it's not Kazon, it's Rayquayza! |
Professor Lund comes in, and I now point out that before I saw this movie, I had been pronouncing Rayquaza's name wrong. Apparently it's "Ray-Kway-Zuh," I had been pronouncing it "Ray-Kwaz-Ah" before I finally saw the movie years ago.
Professor Lund determines that Rayquaza has a score to settle with Deoxys; and Deoxys once again starts wreaking havoc on the city! A few pieces of research equipment is one thing, but a city that could pass for Rouge City in AI is another.
The order is given to evacuate the city, and I never noticed this guy in the feather boa in the monorail when I was younger. He may not be as flighty as Harley or that character of the day in "Pokémon Fashion Flash," but I'm honestly surprised that 4Kids didn't do anything to him; even when the initial airing on Kids WB was shown (they made a lot of cuts, I'm writing this recap with a DVD rip from my usual source).
Most of the city is evacuated, but the kids are trapped inside because the control panels are rendered useless! Very convenient for this movie, I might say!
As more citizens are evacuated, Deoxys looms in over them!
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| History shows again and again how nature points out the folly of man! Godzilla! |
Deoxys then sends out a bunch of sentries in CGI and rationale that would not be out of place in a video game not unlike the ones this movie was trying to sell!
Rayquaza appears to challenge Deoxys, who defends himself by shifting into its Defense Forme! I forgot to mention, that Deoxys is a shapeshifter, and the one you've been mostly seeing is the normal forme. When he shifts into his attack forme and speed forme next, you will see them.
A force field is protecting the city from further harm, so I think I will take an intermission before I continue further with my work on this movie.
As the blocks start collapsing from a power loss, it's also shown that LaRousse City runs on wind power! Well, I'm glad Professor Lund is in favor of green energy; and nice way of offsetting how Vicious from the fourth movie could pass for a Captain Planet villain.
Sid and his Blastoise try forcing open the doors of the greenhouse. However, as my associate SkulShurtugalTCG pointed out; if they were going to that trouble, why didn't they just try breaking the glass? Given how the place can provide automated mass transit and hamburgers for nothing, I don't think a broken window would be an issue in this "sitch."
The sentries then capture Sid and Blastoise; and Tori has everyone evacuate through the service entrance! Of course, at least this kid knows what to do in an emergency; unlike Fuu-2 in the second Yo-Kai Watch movie (probably going to do my next episode of that after this, depending on how long it takes. Plus, I'm also going to go see Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 when it opens, might be after that.).
While Jenny deduces most of the city has been evacuated; she and Professor Lund determine that his wife and the children are still inside! Also, May's passport photo is now a plot point. By her own admission when it was taken, it's not making her album.
Also, Deoxys is even interfering with communications and the Poké Ball management system! Yeesh, this has to be the biggest tech snafu since the new Ghost in the Shell! (Note: The remake has dropped to 19 out of 20 at the box office as of this writing, and most of the theaters showing it have dropped it. Franchise prospects remain dismal in light of this news, as well as more diverse fare such as Fate of the Furious and Get Out proving to be much greater critical and commercial successes.)
Tori's mother, whose name is Yuko; by the way, exposits further about how powerful Deoxys is; and this is what led to Tori's fear of Pokémon. So, everyone must find a way to get out of the city; but first they have to find a food and water supply.
While May and Max stay behind, Ash, Brock and Tori go search for food and water! Even though the power grid has left even a hot dog vendor kiosk dead; Pikachu manages to give it a jumpstart! It starts spitting out hot dogs in little bags; to which Brock says "gotta catch 'em all!" ... Too easy.
They also find crates of water, but because the final act is approaching; the Deoxys sentries are upon them! It also seems there are captives in the city center, which looks like Epcot by way of the Death Star. Even with the fact that Rebecca's computer isn't affected by Deoxys' interference, I still feel more satisfied about the approaching denouement than the last movie.
The city center also houses the laboratory; which in turn houses a second body for the Deoxys that's been dormant since the start of the movie's events! This should be interesting, and also much more satisfying than the last movie; since there's actually people that will be caught in the crossfire! Not quite as many as a typical kaiju film, but more than the last movie at least. OK, I'll try to stop harping on the last movie enough to get this finished, since it's been a long month as it is.
Wouldn't you know it: Tori's "friend" was actually the essence of Deoxys all along!
As Jenny and Professor Lund look on, the final battle is about to begin!
Tori then realizes that Deoxys must be regenerated, and asks Yuko to help revive the second body!
Everyone then rushes off to restore power to the city, and the climax of this movie has more than enough action to make up for the last one. Oh, smeg- I've done it again.
While Rafe holds off Deoxys and its sentries, Ash goes with everyone else to restore power to the city and rescue the trapped people and Pokémon!
Rafe is then captured by the sentries, and Rayquaza breaks through the shield!
It turns out this was a trick so Rafe could restore power to the city from the inside! That's highly convenient for this climax, I must say! Even more that he knows how to do this!
Power is restored to the city, and Ash congratulates Tori for his help. Still, we're not finished yet! There's still the matter of Deoxys and Rayquaza!
With power restored to LaRousse City, Yuko begins work on reviving the other one of Deoxys' bodies!
Tori throws the switch, but even with the added boost from Rafe, Sid and their Pokémon, it's not enough!
With one more jolt from Plusle, Minun and Ash's Pikachu, the laboratory hits the critical mass they need, and Deoxys' other body is revived in its Normal Forme!
Meanwhile, the other body of Deoxys leads Rayquaza in a merry chase around the city in its Speed Forme! While this may have been the longest movie of the series at the time of release, it certainly doesn't feel that way given how good the action and pacing are.
The force field around the city collapses, restoring wind power to it; and Deoxys shifts into its Attack Forme for the final confrontation against Rayquaza!
Deoxys engages its other body, and now the final battle has truly begun!
Luckily, the two of Deoxys bodies are able to reconcile, but Rayquaza now decides to go after both of them as their fight heads to the Battle Tower!
As Munchlax eats all the hot dogs from that vendor kiosk I mentioned earlier, Rayquaza corrupts the blocks from before and sends them after Ash and Tori!
Of course, there's no way to override the programming from where Tori is; it has to be done manually!
Even if the blocks don't stop Deoxys' and Rayquaza's battle, Professor Lund is able to tell Ash and Tori they need to reboot the chief of the block robots! I'm not entirely sure how the chain of command works for a bunch of blocks, but the movie is almost over; so I'll be fine.
So, apparently their passports will allow them enough time for central control to reboot the system on the chief! Again, highly convenient for this specific movie; but it's as good a setup for the climax as any.
Munchlax then evolves into Snorlax at just the right time so Ash can use him as a foothold! Huh, it took me days to evolve the DLC I got for Sun and Moon like that.
Ash then starts jumping on the blocks as if he were Mario! ... I have something planned for my true 300th post, you'll find out what it is when I do it.
With one final push atop the chief, Ash uses Tori's passport to reboot the system just in time!
After that, the city is saved, Rayquaza makes amends with Deoxys, Ash and Pikachu are reunited and Tori has conquered his fear of Pokémon! Now, doesn't that beat all!
"Pokémon Destiny Deoxys" is a significant improvement over the last movie for the Advanced Generation, with a more engaging story; a more entertaining set of Pokémon featured and better animation and action for its predecessor. It's definitely among the better films in the Advanced Generation and the series as a whole, and makes me more eager to continue my look at the series even if some misguided troll doesn't like it. Next up will be my look at the Lucario movie and some of the Sun and Moon anime; as well as my 300th post, but first I want to take care of something I've been meaning to for a long time. Depending on how long it takes, I might have it done before I go see Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, or it might be afterward. That will be all for now. See you, space cowboy.
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