Hello everyone, and welcome to my look at Pokémon: Giratina and the Sky Warrior! While things have been very crazy lately, I want to continue my look at the Pokémon movies in honor of the success of Pokémon I Choose You; and anticipation of its release in the US and more video game content! So, let’s open it up!
This time, the world of Pokémon segment tells of how numerous Pokémon are and how they can be found around the world! I know the feeling. I’ve often been surprised at how many trade partners I’ve had from countries I wouldn’t expect to see. If I may paraphrase Eduardo Saverin in The Social Network: “they don’t have roads, but they have Pokémon.”
We also get a brief cameo from Lucas aka Diamond, the player character of the Diamond and Pearl games! While I understand why people are disappointed there are no remakes yet, I imagine we’ll get them someday. Also, key influences on my head canon version of Lucas (as well as DP Ash) are Harry Potter, Hareta from the DP Adventure manga and Jay from the View Askewniverse.
After we get reacquainted with Ash, Dawn, Brock and a brief cameo from Brendan aka Ruby; we then see the titular sky warrior, Shaymin! This little hedgehog with flowers on it, while well-received in the games, this movie’s rendition of the “generosity Pokémon” is a bit of a point of contention among some fans. While the character is somewhat of an “a-hole” in this movie, I submit that at least it’s not “100% a dick.” Personally, I don’t believe any Pokémon is 100% a dick, even with this movie’s portrayal.
Suddenly, Shaymin is pulled into the Reverse world (this movie’s equivalent of the Distortion world) along with Giratina and Dialga, and we are introduced to the villain for the movie: Zero, and his AI system Infy! What do you know: this is the third character named Zero I’ve dealt with this month! Also, I know people will be on me if I don’t mention this, but Zero’s Japanese seiyu, Shido Nakamura is currently on hiatus while he undergoes cancer treatment. Even though I am once again basing this recap on the dub, I will watch the Japanese movie when I get a chance and wish him good health in the meantime.
In the midst of the legendaries’ scuffle, Shaymin is flung into the real world; or at least what we considered to be the real world in 2008. It also turns out Shaymin acts as a bridge between worlds!
At the 10-minute mark, Brock is making pancakes for everyone! Dawn chastises Ash for not washing his hands, and I have to wonder the same thing about that that SkulShurtugalTCG did. He was wearing fingerless gloves, so how his palms could have gotten dirty like his fingertips did is any wonder.
All the Pokémon are fed, but at that moment, Shaymin appears and eats all their pancakes!
After Shaymin wrecks the picnic area, everyone’s Pokémon confront Shaymin!
However, Dawn is willing to welcome Shaymin, even helping clean it off in the water!
As for Shaymin being telepathic: I have no comment on the matter, nor all the other times it’s happened in the movies since then.
Anyway, Shaymin falls ill; but luckily, they’re able to get it to the Pokémon Center just in time! Also, I find this image of Brock wearing quasi-hipster glasses somewhat amusing. Again, sometimes when I take screen caps for a movie, I end up pausing it at just the right moment.
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| Yeah, I was traveling with Ash before Souji was even a drop of ink in Yuyama's pen! |
Naturally, he tries to hit on Nurse Joy; but Croagunk Poison Jab in the back. Working on practicing for Pokkén DX, even if I don’t have a Switch by September 22, I plan on doing something to tie into that as well as Gold and Silver on Virtual Console. You’ll just have to see what it is.
While Shaymin has warmed to Dawn, everyone else: not so much. Again, while the liberties the movie takes with Shaymin are understandably a bit OOC for the “Generosity Pokémon, at least it does something with this Pokémon. Plus, I find the attitude a bit more interesting than Jirachi at least.
Nurse Joy also explains Shaymin’s special ability, Seed Flare, and its abilities are enhanced by Gracidea flowers! This will be important later, in case you’re wondering.
So, with some ribbing from Shaymin, everyone decides to help escort the Pokémon to the flower garden where the Gracideas grow! Team Rocket catches wind of this, and they decide to try and get Shaymin for themselves!
While Shaymin’s directions are a bit vague, they’re at least more direct than most GPS instructions I’ve had lately.
Team Rocket tries to steal Shaymin, but they’re pulled into the Reverse World along with Ash and Dawn! While I may not be as dissatisfied with DP Brock as a lot of others, I agree that it’s kind of a ripoff he didn’t get pulled in either.
As Ash and Dawn enter the Reverse world, they notice the place is a world where normal logic no longer applies, and they have to elude Giratina to escape! OK, since Platinum was the game that helped reignite my fandom when I was 17, you all knew this was coming.
Then, a mysterious figure who I forgot to mention from before tells Ash and Dawn they can’t harm Giratina with the Pokémon attacks, they’ll just make the beast angry! Normally, I’d be wary of someone dressing like a smelly backpacker, but when they’re in a situation like this, you have to make do with what options you have.
The man is pleased that Shaymin is all right, and reveals himself to be Newton Graceland! He’s a bit a slob in his time in the Reverse world, but in a way, all brilliant men are.
Apparently, he’s been researching the Reverse World, and fills Ash and Dawn in how it’s a place that’s distorted and the rules of our world no longer apply! So, not really a stretch anymore. Also, the way Graceland runs around in a battered outfit and running shoes kind of makes him the missing link between Birch and Kukui; for me at least.
Newton adds that Giratina is master of the Reverse World, and Shaymin says that Giratina tried to eat it! Shaymin also reiterates that it has to get to the Flower Garden, and Graceland shows them the quickest way back to the real world!
Jessie then likens the Reverse World to a funhouse, and James retorts that he’s not having fun. See Willy Wonka much, fellas? At least it’s better than that really bad and totally insane Tom and Jerry DTV movie they came out with a bit ago.
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| Butterscotch, buttergin? "Candy is dandy, but liquor is quicker." |
As Newton helps escort everyone back to the real world, Piplup is narrowly stopped from breathing in a toxic black cloud! Jeez, and I thought reception to the new Ghost in the Shell was poisonous! (Side note: I have finally seen the new film, and even though it’s not as bad as I thought it would be, it’s still weak enough to make my first official look at a live-action adaptation on this blog a possibility in the near future.)
More evidence for this film being part of a trilogy is also shown when the events of the last film are referenced by the “battle in Alamos town.” Again, while some people are split about certain elements of the I Choose You movie, I think it has a good template for my head canon of a darker; but still family-friendly take on the series in the vein of Star Wars, Raiders of the Lost Ark and the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Giratina then ambushes everyone, and Shaymin leaps onto Ash’s head to try to escape! …If and when I get a Switch soon, feel free to insert a Super Mario Odyssey joke here.
Newton is able to help everyone get back to their world, and he tells them to beware of mirrors! Zero and Infy catch wind of this, and decide to track Giratina’s location!
The animation in this movie is still quite nice, and I am impressed with how many little details I can still find, especially when I pause to take screencaps at just the right moment. DP is one of my favorite sagas for that reason, and I am glad that I am finally able to talk about this movie after all these delays.
Everyone has a spat about trying to get to the flower garden when they’re confronted by Zero!
While they’re attacked by his Magnemite, Magneton and Magnezone, they’re fortunately able to escape and board a train to help get Shaymin to the Flower Garden! Well, still smoother than flying United!
After some exposition from the other train passengers about the Gracidea Flowers, Shaymin assumes its Sky Form when it makes contact with some! Nice little nod to how the transformation works in the games!
With help from a portly woman on the train, everyone else discovers they can reach the flower garden after transferring to a boat! I wish more people I met on the train were as helpful as this big lady; who in the dub has a midwestern accent for some reason.
So, with everyone’s morale boosted; the journey to the Gracidea Flower Garden continues!
Just then, the train is attacked by Zero’s Pokémon as Shaymin tries to escape with the gang!
While Shaymin is able to board the boat with everyone else, Zero remains in hot pursuit! I must also point out that I really like the design of Zero’s ship, very sleek and mechanical.
To be honest, there’s not a whole lot to their boat voyage: it’s basically a quiet scene at the 45 minute mark to show where they’re headed, though I am amused by this part where Ash gets splashed by Shaymin.
After a brief joke between Ash and Dawn, we cut back to Zero’s ship, where a recording reveals that he was once Graceland’s colleague before he became obsessed with Giratina!
Then, at the halfway point of the film, everyone is once again pulled into the Reverse World; Brock included this time by Zero and Giratina!
Shaymin tries to fight Giratina, but then it reverts back to normal when the sun goes down! Well, that’s convenient.
Everyone tries to escape, and fortunately, Dr. Graceland is able to lead everyone away from Giratina!
Team Rocket also forms a reluctant alliance with Ash and the others, even bringing everyone water! Wouldn’t be the first time they’ve done this, and it wasn’t the last.
Due to the events of the last movie, Zero wants to bring Giratina out of the Reverse World, and Shaymin is trying to absorb the toxins to save the others!
Giratina is successfully brought into our world, and he assumes his Altered Form right before Zero uses his ship to contain him!
Graceland then explains that he designed the machine that’s captured Giratina, and needs to help set things right!
It’s then revealed that when Graceland objected to using Giratina’s energy for the machine, Zero broke off ties with him and began his conquest as shown in this flashback!
Thankfully, they’ve reached the flower garden; and everyone goes off to stop Zero, minus Brock! Even Brock is annoyed by this, saying he’s “sensing a pattern.” Seriously, why doesn’t he get to help?
His neglect notwithstanding, this does lead into a fairly impressive aerial battle over the Gracidea garden! The CGI may still be a bit off, but overall, it does do a good job with the traditional animation.
After their attacks prove ineffective at freeing Giratina, everyone decides to go into Zero’s ship and shut down the machine manually!
While Ash and Dawn hold off the Magnemite, Magneton and Magnezone; Graceland uses his Shieldon (who I forgot to mention earlier) to break into the ship and shut down the machine!
Because Graceland designed the machine, he’s able to remotely shut it down, much to Zero’s displeasure!
Giratina is freed from the machine, and obvious CGI render is obvious CGI.
The whole ship starts going down from the loss of power, and Giratina even reverts back to traditional animation! As the ship goes down over the valley, this scene of Brock witnessing it go down is quite amusing.
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| Oh shit, there goes the planet! |
Giratina then collapses on land before Pikachu and Piplup! (Laughs) I’m sorry, I know this is supposed to be a serious scene, but I can’t help but laugh at this.
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| Ooh, whatcha say? I know that you only meant well! |
So, in what’s essentially a smaller scale version of what happened in Pokémon 4Ever, Shaymin and the other Pokémon in the garden are able to revive Giratina! This movie is full of convenient things, but it’s not the worst thing I’ve seen.
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| I HAVE THE POWER! |
After Giratina bonds with the other Pokémon for saving its life, Zero's escape pod (which I forgot to mention in earlier scene) rises from the water!
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| Rise from your grave! |
Zero then goes off the deep end, and opts to destabilize the link between the Reverse world and our world! Ash, Pikachu, Shaymin and Giratina then fly off to stop him!
The chaos in the reverse world even results in Regigigas being awakened!
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| My body is ready. |
The insanity of the final battle even results in a glacier moving towards them in the otherwise pristine garden!
Giratina, less than pleased that it’s been had, then attacks Zero’s ship!
While everyone in the real world tries to repel the glacier (just go with it), Ash, Pikachu, Shaymin and Giratina engage Zero in battle!
Regigigas even appears over the side of the cliff with a stampede of CGI Mamoswine!
As final battles in these movies have gone, this is probably one of the most insane ones I’ve covered so far, and this is only the second entry in this “trilogy,” and I still have plenty more to cover before I do the I Choose You movie once it’s dubbed.
Shaymin then tries absorbing all the toxic gas to prevent further harm to the Reverse world and the real world!
Shaymin is able to absorb the pollution and get everyone out just in time as Zero’s ship comes crashing down!
With the last of its energy depleted, Shaymin reverts back to its normal form and lands in Dawn’s arms!
So, we close on Shaymin flying off from the flower garden with all its friends! Well, doesn’t that beat all.
So, that’s “Pokémon: Giratina and the Sky Warrior.” While I can understand the problems some people have with the liberties taken with Shaymin and the kind of dodgy CGI; and it may not be my favorite film from the series or even my favorite DP film, what works about it really works. I rather enjoyed Zero as a villain and Graceland as a side character, and the traditional animation is really impressive. I also really enjoyed how the film handled the Reverse World and the titular Giratina, who’s one of my favorite legendaries in Generation IV. I still submit the question is not “if?,” but “when?” in regards to any potential DP remakes.
I definitely want to make up for the ground I lost in August and be done before the I Choose You movie gets dubbed, so check back with me soon for anything I else I’ve got planned, including my look at “Pokémon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life!” See you, space cowboy!
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