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Gekijôban Poketto Monsutâ [15]: Kyurem vs Seikenshi Keldeo

Gekijôban Poketto Monsutâ [15]: Kyurem vs Seikenshi Keldeo (2012) Movie Poster
Japan  •    •  72m  •    •  Directed by: Kunihiko Yuyama.  •  Starring: Sarah Natochenny, Eileen Stevens, Jason Griffith, Vic Mignogna, Marc Thompson, H.D. Quinn, Ikue Ôtani, Emlyn Elisabeth Morinelli, Alyson Leigh Rosenfeld, Erica Schroeder, Finn Wayland, Henry Wayland, Tom Wayland.  •  Music by: Shinji Miyazaki.
An over zealous pokemon called Keldeo enrages a very powerful Kyurem, with the help of Ash and Pikachu can Keldeo become a sword of justice and defeat the mighty Kyurem?

Review:

Image from: Gekijôban Poketto Monsutâ [15]: Kyurem vs Seikenshi Keldeo (2012)
Image from: Gekijôban Poketto Monsutâ [15]: Kyurem vs Seikenshi Keldeo (2012)
Image from: Gekijôban Poketto Monsutâ [15]: Kyurem vs Seikenshi Keldeo (2012)
Image from: Gekijôban Poketto Monsutâ [15]: Kyurem vs Seikenshi Keldeo (2012)
Image from: Gekijôban Poketto Monsutâ [15]: Kyurem vs Seikenshi Keldeo (2012)
Image from: Gekijôban Poketto Monsutâ [15]: Kyurem vs Seikenshi Keldeo (2012)
Image from: Gekijôban Poketto Monsutâ [15]: Kyurem vs Seikenshi Keldeo (2012)
Image from: Gekijôban Poketto Monsutâ [15]: Kyurem vs Seikenshi Keldeo (2012)
Image from: Gekijôban Poketto Monsutâ [15]: Kyurem vs Seikenshi Keldeo (2012)
Image from: Gekijôban Poketto Monsutâ [15]: Kyurem vs Seikenshi Keldeo (2012)
It is commonly agreed upon that the "Black & White!" and "XY" films are the worst in the Pokémon franchise. Although I only have seen "White - Victini and Zekrom" and "Black - Victini and Reshiram" so far, I can already feel the remainder of this retrospective hanging above my head like an outflow pipe of Damocles.

Thank God, then, that "Pokémon the Movie: Kyurem vs. the Sword of Justice" is at 1h12m the shortest instalment in the series since "Latias and Latios". It may not be good; at least it's over quickly.

The story's focus is the Pokémon Keldeo, who wants to become a member of the elite group "Swords of Justice", but cannot enter yet because his horn isn't big enough. This may be a relatable problem for many boys, but that doesn't justify the set-up being almost 20 minutes long -- not so much a prologue as the film's entire first act.

No matter the size of his Sword of Justice, Keldeo deems himself ready to fight and challenges the legendary Pokémon Kyurem to prove it. As expected, Keldeo's horn can't get hard enough, and he is nearly killed in a classic case of stranger danger. Only barely does he manage to escape, thanks to the help of some friendly passers-by.

As it happens, these saviours are Ash Ketchum and his cardboard friends. You may remember them as being the protagonists of the "Pokémon" television series. They are but side-characters in this film though, here to give Keldeo a helping hand with his humble horn. Perhaps for the better. It is not like this cast has undergone any growth during the past twenty years. Keldeo at least has a haphazard but functional hero's journey to fulfil.

'Haphazard but functional' is an apt description of the film as a whole -- not so much an appreciation of the creators' effort, but rather relief that they didn't mess up as badly as before. Turns out it was a matter of 'less is more'. Decisions like reducing Team Rocket to a cameo appearance, or skipping Ash's obligatory tournament help make the plot feel less aimless.

Not that what's left is any good. "Kyurem" moves through its story without any joy or scenic charm. In earlier films, the production team would literally go out of their way to create an appealing backdrop from their story, taking inspiration from places like Venice, Barcelona, Athens and the Netherlands, but Roshan City is a cold and desolate place. I don't remember having seen a single inhabitant walking down its streets. The town is just there as the background for a quick fight scene before we can move on to the next uninspired location.

I guess I could mention that the plot is stupid, the pacing is off and the dialogue is terrible, but why bother? "Pokémon the Movie: Kyurem vs. the Sword of Justice" is bearable. It is short and flimsy, but not offensive like most other films from this era. And besides, it has a message I can get behind.


Review by Shostakovich343 from the Internet Movie Database.