"POKEMON: I CHOOSE YOU" REVIEW ... SO SPOILERS
To start off, I do have to say that the animation is great. Every character, Pokémon, all the landscape, the action, it all looks stunning. The mix between 2D and 3D animation is interesting has been used several times in these animated films. The film does a great job with its coloring in its scenes as well, from the unsets to Ho-Oh flying over, there are some truly remarkable shots which look great, and have a lot of detail.
One thing which was interesting from the story of this film is that it was not traditional at all. Yes it followed Ash Ketchum getting his Pikachu, and it had his mother Delia, and Professors Oak, however, there are a few other changes. First of all Brock and Misty aren't Ash'a companions, which is interesting, seeing as those two are his most known. I did appreciate that change.
One small detail pointed out is that the rainbow badge was Ash's third badge, meaning he is going around Kanto in an interesting order so he could have missed Brock or Misty.
Ash's companions in this film are Verity and Sorrel, who have Sinnoh Pokémon as their main Pokémon with Piplup and Lucario respectively. I did kind of enjoy their characterizations, and they played somewhat interesting roles in the film. Them having Pokémon from gen 4 was an interesting move, as the film didn't focus too much on the Kanto region too much.
The film did have the Team Rocket trio as per usual with Jesse James and Meowth. They weren't as fully involved with the plot as they are in the anime, but I was okay with that. I did like some of their scenes and their jokes, as it flowed well and gave a neat taste breaker in the plot without taking you out of the drama.
The film also didn't follow Ash assembling his full team in the film. He gets his starter Pikachu, he then gets the Caterpie which is freed at as a Butterfree, and then he gets a Charmander which does evolve into a Charizard by the end of the film. So no Squirtle, no Bulbasaur, not even Pidgey. I do understand that Ash builds his Indigo League team as he progresses through Kanto, but having two Pokémon by the end of the film was a little weird for Ash, but it did create for a more intense battle in the third act of the film.
I do have to say, that scene where Charmander is kicked did get me.
The focus on the Legendary hunting was awesome and a great twist in the film. I was interesting seeing a larger focus on the Johto Pokémon such as Entei, and Ho-Oh. I did like seeing the large aspirations that Ash had to try to catch these Pokémon and it was great seeing that character trait in him which we are used to.
The final battle at the end of the film was an interesting way to build to the climax. Ultimately Marshadow was sort of the antagonist of the film, and the battle with the nearby Pokémon did feel a little generic, however, there was a sense of the stakes being high. The relationship between Ash and Pikachu was developed a lot in this scene, and it was very weird seeing and hearing Pikachu speak in a human language to Ash. I guess that it was supposed to be more emotional, but it came off as weird and very distracting.
The cast of the film was great. Of course, Sarah Natochenny was phenomenal as Ash Ketchum. She has been voicing the character for a while, and she made Ash sound a little younger in this film compared to the anime where he is a little worn. Starring in the film we, of course, had Sarah Natochenny (Ash Ketchum/ Delia Ketchum), Ikue Ōtani (Pikachu), Kate Bristol (English speaking Pikachu), Suzy Myers (Verity), David Oliver Nelson (Sorrel), Mike Pollock (Bonji), Billy Bob Thompson (Cross), Michelle Knotz (Nurse Joy/ Jesse), Carter Cathcart (Professor Oak/ James/ Meowth), Kōichi Yamadera (Marshadow), and Rodger Parsons as the Narrator.
In conclusion, although I believe a film in the Alolahn region would be awesome, I Choose You is an interesting film nevertheless. With its take on the origin of Ash Ketchum. I appreciate the retelling of the story done in a fresh and exciting way with new companions and retelling of events, with the focus on Ho-Oh. The film did have the weird moment with Pikachu talking, but pat that, this was an enjoyable film which invokes several generations of Pokémon. I will give I Choose You a 7 out of 10.
What did you think of I Choose You? Let me know your favorite scenes, characters and Pokémon from the film down in the comments section below. You can click on the left more Pokémon, or on the right for Detective Pikachu, and also subscribe. As always thanks for reading, take care.
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