Recap: Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea

Hello, and welcome to my look at Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea! We have finally arrived at the last of the Advanced Generation films, and even though it's not my favorite one; the AG films definitely ended on a better note than they started for me, which also be said of its anime source material (though my love of the Ruby and Sapphire video games has stayed constant). While it does rely on many beats from earlier Pokémon films for reasons I will get into, it still proves to be a good movie overall; and a solid film for the Advanced Generation to go out on. So, let's open it up.

Once again, we get the "world of Pokémon" segment to lead us off. I'm not going to totally gloss it over like I have before sometimes, but I am once again going to point out that this is one of the only appearances Ruby, AKA Brendan makes in any Hoenn material before the OR/AS anime trailer and the Generations shorts that featured him. My headcanon version is still largely the same: I would take what works about other versions and leave the rest, with some of my personal influences being Spider-Man (primarily the Raimi film version and '90s animated version) and young John Connor from Terminator 2.

The film also takes the time to introduce the concept of the Pokémon Ranger; an elite group determined to prevent disaster and specializes in search and rescue! Though I never really played the Ranger games in their original release (the capture mechanics made my wrists hurt on the demo stations), I am contemplating getting some of them from the Wii U eShop.

While the screencap I just posted is of the lovely Ranger Solanna; that's a matter for another day. Our proper opening is at the bottom of the ocean, where a mysterious egg is making its way across a bunch of Pokémon and into the hands of sinister forces! Even though the CGI here may not be like you'd see in a Pixar movie (a studio which has a surprising following in Japan, mind you), it's actually fairly decent; since OLM was still experimenting with it at the time of the film's release. It's not that different from how a live-action film would use it or if what they're doing would have been too expensive to do normally. At least, it's less superfluous than a meteor in a woman's hands.

The egg is then captured by a massive submarine, and it's been taken by our villain for film: the pirate captain Phantom and his crew, including his first mate Galen! While I didn't notice any particular theme for the Jirachi movie; the Deoxys one had lots of science fiction elements to it, the Lucario movie I just did had the medival fantasy themes; and this one looks to be a sort of seafaring adventure in the vein of the Pirates of the Caribbean films! By the way, probably going to see the new one soon; looks like fun.

However, when Phantom declares he will use the egg to find something called a "Sea Crown," a member of his crew in disguise ends up taking it! This is Jack Walker, one of the Pokémon Rangers in the title. He is probably one of my favorite elements of this movie, and I will be eager to talk about this more in a moment.

He grabs the egg and escapes Phantom's sub in a fairly creative action sequence, and some relatively nice animation as well.

After making enough quips between his contact and Phantom to pass for a character in a future Marvel movie, Jackie catches a ride from a passing Pokémon with his capture styler! He nails getting a lift from Mantine in an instant, even though I've never been able to do it as well as he does. Like I said, that capture mechanic made my wrists hurt when I was younger.

After the title card, we see Ash, May, Max and Brock walking down the road on a hot day, out of water and range on the PokéNav. This is also the first movie made after the dub transitioned to The Pokémon Company International, and to this day, the new voice cast has sharply divided fans. I even went through the stages of grief when I found out when I was younger.

All joking aside, however, they're not... that bad. I still feel that way after time has passed; and the cast does get better as things go along. At this point, comparing Sarah Natochenny's Ash to Veronica Taylor's is no different than me comparing Chris Pine's Kirk to William Shatner's, or the various versions of the Joker.

Anyway, everyone comes across a group of performers practicing for their water circus; and they give everyone water and a lift to town! That's convenient for this movie.

As for this comment about how May observes Lizabeth's mother Meredith could be her sister: this is one of many things that the meaning changes of after playing Pokémon Sun and Moon.

After that, Meredith, along with her husband Kyle and grandfather Ship take everyone to town and so they can see the water show; and I also note there is no extended remix of the Battle Frontier theme; making the Lucario movie the only AG film to get such treatment.

As a familiar-looking clown takes part in the water show; we also essentially get the franchise's first fart joke involving bubbles at nine movies in. OK, wasn't expecting that. Still, it's not too bad. I'm still surprised how some of the jokes have slipped past  in the anime itself. For example, Team Rocket actually made an impotence joke at Grovyle's expense; saying he was "shooting blanks." Wow.

Team Rocket is also after the treasure, and apparently the intel on the egg was printed in their newsletter. Huh, all I get are a bunch of political polls and offers on marked-down Blu-Ray movies.

James tips off Phantom to the treasure over the phone; and that night, May has a dream about swimming under the seas with a bunch of Pokémon! I know what many of you are thinking, but hold that thought until the egg hatches. 

The next morning, everyone is on their way across the land while they decide to replenish their water supply and have some lunch!

It also turns out that once Manaphy hatches, it must be returned to its home in a temple of the sea; which is how that ties into the title. Even if the legend sounds totally mad, it's totally in keeping with the series; and Ship says he's heard stranger things. I loved that show, Ship; and I honestly can't wait for the second season this Halloween. Gonna binge-watch it in my Kylo Ren costume. 

Meanwhile, Team Rocket tries to steal the Manaphy Egg; and Meowth remarks "not another egg! I say that every time I'm almost done hatching them in Pokémon Go. This thing they're keeping Manaphy's egg in even looks like an incubator from that game! Anyway, they touch the egg; and somehow switch bodies, or rather; voices. I agree with Mr. Enter there are better ways of doing body swaps. Vocal chords do not work that way!

As everyone goes to get more water, we learn more about the Temple of the Sea; and I find interesting how Brock says it's cool to have memories imprinted in your DNA. Another line that reminds me of Breath of the Wild, even with all the references I made to it in the last movie.



Team Rocket tries to abscond with the egg; but Jack reveals himself as a Pokémon ranger and manages to stop them with a Fearow and the help of Ash's Pikachu!

Walker then reveals the Marina family is helping him transport Manaphy's egg so it can be hatched and delivered to the sea temple! At that moment, they're ambushed by Phantom's pirates!

 

Phantom then demands the egg; and Walker tricks him so Ash can slip away with it! Even if Phantom may not be my favorite villain the movies have given us; I can still say he's a lot of fun to watch. The way his actor reads the lines given to him is just delicious.

After Phantom realizes he's been hand; Ash passes the egg to May while they try to escape with the Marina family!

In a scuffle with Phantom, May gets hold of the egg; and it hatches into Manaphy! So, it's basically a better way of doing the Jirachi movie; with a more interesting Pokémon and a better side character to focus on. This also consistent with how my opinion of May got better as it went: through the events of the series, she grew as a character and set up elements that would be perfected with future female companions such as Dawn, Serena, Lillie and even Iris! Still, my headcanon version of her is a combination of game/manga Sapphire, Ellen Ripley from Aliens, Sarah Connor from the first two Terminator films and Marion Ravenwood from Raiders of the Lost Ark.

 

As May tries to comfort Manaphy, everyone now must elude Phantom's men in a daring chase across the land as they try to steal Manaphy!

The Marinas are forced to ditch the camper; since their auto is a boat!

Jessie, James and Meowth; having regained their original forms, decide to strike a deal with Phantom in exchange for the treasure! Phantom agrees, and assigns them the latrines in his sub! At the same time, Ash, May, Max, Brock and the Marinas help escort Manaphy to the sea temple, Samaya!

The Sea Crown is the treasure of the temple, and Jackie refers to Phantom as "one mean dude." Rich McNanna really seems to be channeling a daring rogue persona that I just love about this kind of character. I would totally have watched more content involving Walker, even as an OVA or a web anime. 

I have transformed into the anime Clark Gable; and frankly my dear, I don't give a damn!

While Team Rocket scrubs one of Phantom's helicopters, Phantom and his men follow everyone else along the waterways the People of the Sea used to move their cargo!

 

The group continues along through a series of underwater caverns; and with all the action we've had and more to come, this is definitely the movie that I wanted the Jirachi movie to be when I was younger. 


It turns out that Ship has another boat waiting: The Blue Lagoon, a ship that he traveled the seas on when he was young! Yet, Manaphy doesn't want to leave May; as the prince has imprinted her as his surrogate mother!

 

Manaphy even switches Ash and Jackie's bodies so they can accompany him on his journey! Ship also vows to have a drink with his old seafaring buddies when he comes back. Walker even admits "this is weird" as he inhabits Ash's body. You're telling me, dude.

What the fuck? These are not my hands!

As Ash inhabits Jack's body, everyone decides to take the old seadogs' advice and see their journey with Manaphy through to the end. I also kind of like Manaphy's expression here. I know many people have the same problems with this movie's depicition that I have with Jirachi (though the Pokémon itself seems to do fine), but I kind of like how the prince is a bit more smug than Jirachi was. 

After their bodies are returned to normal, Walker tells Ash this is called "Heart Swap," one of Manaphy's special abilities. Rather odd, to say the least. May does at least tell Manaphy that was wrong, and once again; May shows a motherly bond towards Manaphy.

Ship takes everyone downstairs, and shows them a porthole where they can see the whole ocean! Even if the CGI here is a little awkward, and looks like a video game from that time frame; I still like what the filmmakers were going for overall.

The next day, while Jackie is parasailing, Manaphy decides to play with a school of Wailmer and Wailord! Admiral! There be whales here!

Everyone then decides to take a dip in some coral reefs, and as May bonds further with Manaphy, everyone else is having fun in the sun! I will probably do some more of the Sun and Moon series in June at the earliest, just so you know. Still primarily focusing on the movies in honor of the "I Choose You" movie; next one up is the first of the DP films, the Darkrai movie.

Walker then tells the story of how he became a Pokémon Ranger: when he was a young man, he got lost in a blizzard and rescued by a bunch of Pokémon! From that day forward, he swore to return the favor by helping protect the Pokémon and the land they inhabit! 

 

He goes on to say the Pokémon kept him warm till sunrise, and the experience is what inpsired Jackie to do what he does! This is why I like him so much; and why I wish we had fewer older heroes like Alain and more ones like him. I want less of a Hayden Christensen and more of an Oscar Isaac.  

Ash, impressed with Walker's story; then continues his swim among the coral reefs as a quasi-80's glam rock beat plays in the background. Never thought I'd use a tune like this for swimming with a Buizel; yet here I am!  

 

Back on the Blue Lagoon, while Brock helps make dinner; Walker tells Ash to make sure that Manaphy and May don't get too attached, otherwise the prince won't  want to go home! While this might be hard on them; it is good to make sure to do this. Still, very weird to show the two of them together like this.

Tell me, do you enjoy gladiator movies?

Yet, May tells them there's no need to worry. Huh, wasn't expecting to hear that line until the next movie.

Lizabeth then tries to console May over what will happen next. While I haven't done as many episodes that could showcase how she changed as a character; there is a clear difference between how she behaved in the Jirachi movie and how she behaves here. She's growing as a character. Even though she didn't really impress me early on in Advanced, as the series progressed; she finally managed to help her character and AG as a whole emerge from the shadow of their seniors to me. While many fans saw AG as a breath of fresh air, I was among those that took a while to finally take that breath. In hindsight, I'm glad I finally did as a teenager.

At the 1-hour mark, Jessie remarks at the spoils they're making; James says they will have all the Diamonds and and Pearls, and Meowth concurs "those would be great names for games!" I know the feeling. Though talk persists of remakes of those games on the Sun and Moon engine; official word has been quiet, especially since a rumored Direct on the next game never materialized like many thought it would on Memorial Day. That's why it's a rumor- it might be true, and it might not. In this case: it wasn't. That's why I don't speculate unless I have some kind of official confirmation. Otherwise: it's like choosing the empty box on the Wheel of Fish.

Lizabeth then bestows May with the mark of the Sea People, so she can be an honorary member of their clan!

It turns out Ship and the Blue Lagoon have arrived on the eve of the lunar eclipse, and Kyle hopes they're on time for the festival! I like this element, and it's thankfully less arbitrary than the Comet Festival in the Jirachi movie. Story-wise, that movie had the template for a good one; but this movie actually filled it in. It's also a bit longer than the Deoxys movie, so we have just arrived at the third act with 44 minutes left. Not bad.

May tries to put on her bandana, but it blows out of her hands from the strong winds and has a journey of its own; kind of like the bit with Cloud Strife's phone in Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children, only there's somewhat more justification for it. Seriously, the scene even made it onto the poster and DVD box for some reason; even if it doesn't take up the most screen time. 

 

Everyone starts to wonder where Manaphy is as the sun goes down; and they set off in a Submarine to find him!

Back on Phantom's submarine, Galen determines that the children are trying to find Manaphy, and Phantom gives the order to pursue with 40 minutes to go!

Just as everyone almost reaches the sea temple, Manaphy finds May's bandana and returns it to her! What is it with Legendary Pokémon and trainers' headgear? First the bit with Mew and Ash's hat in the last movie, now this?

Just then, the sub discovers the sea temple with Phantom's sub in hot pursuit as the lunar eclipse begins! The Blue Lagoon also reaches the temple as well!

Sailor's delight, I suppose.

I must say, the Sea Temple is actually a very cool design; and it does have a lot of parallels with the legend of Atlantis, but I want to get this finished right away.

Lizabeth's necklace has revealed the sea crown; and Phantom has infiltrated the temple as the final battle is about to begin!

Using a stolen charm, Phantom opens the room where the sea crown in an attempt to steal its power for himself, not caring one inkling about the consequences it would have on the temple, the people or the Pokémon! However, when Manaphy tries to protect the Sea Crown; Phantom just starts taking all the crystals, placing his own greed above all else. While Phantom may not be the most vile villain in the series (there are others I will address in future recaps as well as potential Next Top 13 Pokémon Villains), his disregard for anything but himself and his own billfold is still incredibly callous.

Ash and May are able to return most of the crystals, but there's one left before the temple collapses into the ocean! Ash finds it in a fountain, but Ash tells May and Manaphy to get out of there while he tries to re-insert it himself! He does, but he almost drowns in the process! OK, so he's been turned to stone in the first movie, almost drowned in the second movie, and was almost absorbed into the Tree of Beginning in the last movie, and now this? How many more brushes with death will he have before he becomes a Time Lord?

Manaphy then shares his strength with Ash, May and Pikachu; not only allowing them to escape the temple, but to engage Phantom one last time! Kyogre is even summoned to help fight, and it's not just a goopy knockoff like in the Jirachi movie! Now we're cooking with gas! 

With one final blast from Kyogre at Manaphy's orders, Phantom is defeated!

Sea people proceed to rescue Manaphy and return to Hoenn with the victory.

So, we close on Manaphy returning to his home at the Sea Temple, and May saying goodbye to her friend. I know I never thought I'd type this, but here you go: May, you're a fine girl. 

 

"Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea" is a good film for the Advanced Generation to go out on, and even though it may not be on the same order of magnitude as the last movie, it still offers plenty of great animation and interesting characters to put it on every so often. Next up is the Darkrai movie, and I have much planned in June. You'll just have to wait and see what it is. That will be all for now. Bang.