Pokémon 4Ever (2002)

This movie is the proof that the world is becoming a sick and dumb place

A waste of 90 minutes of my life

A lot of fun.

It’s sentimental, ridiculously long and only occasionally funny

So if you don't know who Hayao Miyazaki is, hes the guy that made a lot of studio ghilbis films like castle in the sky, spirited way, and Nausicaa, but he didnt make this movie, i only say that, cuz its like a movie he made, it highly resembles one of his other famous films Princess monoke. In that movie its about a couple of young people trying to save the spirit of the forest and stop humans from destroying the forest, this Pokemon movie is about a bunch of kids also trying to save the spirit of the forest and stop humans from destroying the forest. Both these films have environmentalism themes that are both used subtly and very entertainingly ( but i like this movie more and its less gross). This Pokemon movie was my childhood, in fact i think i watched this movie before i saw the anime or the first movie with mew two. Which is really good because this movie has a intro describing the world of Pokemon narrated by the character Brock, this intro is very informative, endearing, beautiful and will always be super nostalgic for me ( i feel the tears coming). The reason this intro is very good is because it explains what Pokemon are, who the characters are, all in a few minutes, the first Pokemon movie didn't have this, and many people, including the nostalgic critic ( watch his video), felt the first movie lacked that necessary information. Anyways the movie starts off with a kid named SAM traveling through a ancient forest, he is warned by a young woman that the spirit of the forest named celebi, has the power to time travel, and can accidentally take people through time, coincidentally he bumps into a Pokemon poacher who has just captured celebi, Sam helps it escape and they then time travel to the future. In the present ash, misty, and Brock travel to that same forest where a city made of tree houses is. The same woman ( now older) warns them about the time traveling Pokemon and the boy who dissappeared 40 years ago, coincidentally the boy arrives in front of them. As they try to find a way to heal the injured celebi, Sam and ash become like brothers. Meanwhile there is a new villain called the iron masked marauder, whose intro involves him capturing a tyranitar with a " Dark Ball", which supposedly has the power to turn Pokemon evil ( this is my favorite kind of poke ball it looks super bad ass!), he then has the tyranitar hyper beam an entire trailer park, not only does this guy look completely bad ass, hes played by Yugi from YUGIOH! Anyways he wants to capture celebi for his own ends, he stalks the kids through the forest with an awesome tripod, making him a very intimidating villain. When he confronts them, one of the best Pokemon tag team fights ensues between his sneasel and scizor and ash and Sam. Sam actually uses a vintage poke ball and uses a charmeleon. Unfortunately the villain does catch celebi with a dark ball and makes it evil, and then Ash actually gets in a hands on fight with the villain ( human vs human!), and he gets beaten up pretty bad, the villain then tells celebi to create, as meowth calls it a "twig monster", and it then begins to destroy the forest as it heads for the city, the villain goes into super evil mode by this point. Another legendary Pokemon called suicine then arrives to help with the battle, and the fight is amazing! They finally make celebi good again, but he starts to die! Here's where magic time travel becomes involved and you should probably watch it yourself ( there's no way to describe it). The boy Sam is then returned to his time, and its revealed that the boy is someone ash knows. This movie is beautiful, the visuals are stunning, the scene where the butter free appear its gorgeous, but its not just the animation ( actually the CGI could have been better), the music is very emotional, the atmosphere is perfect, the mysticism used, is quite intriguing especially as we learn of the lore of celbi and suicine. The dialogue is better than most pokemon movies, ash and Sam actually have a moment talking about their moms, and its very endearing, the movie feels so much more than a Pokemon movie it feels impactful, i still watch this movie to this day with my sisters, i feel there is a little something in this movie for everyone ( celebi is like disturbingly overload cute, im starting to question if Pokemon was meant for boys). And for me, it was like a Hayao Miyazaki film, before i even watched any Hayao Miyazaki movies, and it influenced me very greatly in doing my part to protect nature in anyway i can.

The fourth installment in the Pokemon film series is quite a different one. With more of a time travel feel to it, this movie will entertain most fans of the show at it's use of this phenomenon. Attempting to show to use more of a moral about friendship this film does...and that is quite a little overdone. It should be noted that time paradoxes were very much avoided, and they ought to be commended for that. Still, it contained a little too much childishness for comfort, being not an example that Pokemon isn't just for kids. If you,like my father, are watching it for the sake of your child's happiness...don't worry. You'll be entertained somewhat and will not sit through as long of a film as the other three. Still not nearly the best they can do, your family Pokemon fan will like it.

I have always enjoyed the Pokemon movies. Yes, I know, all of them are very corny, mediocre in some certain areas and sure, even though they're aimed at little kids they're too adult in some fields to be able to guard them with the statement,"Hey, lighten up, it's a kids movie," but all that aside, aren't they still good pieces of entertainment? In my opinion, they are so and I enjoy them greatly. This one is just as enjoyable as the previous three, and certainly cuter. It has some really sweet and touching moments since it is the introduction of the lovable, fresh Pokemon Celebi. It's not the best Pokemon movie, but I do enjoy it more than the third installment, even though the third is not bad, and the entire series is just entertaining, harmless, popcorn family fun and should be considered nothing more, nothing less. This film has some high marks of intensity and interest, especially around the climax/ending, as do all the installments, and the characters, while a bit more lackluster than the previous three, I thought, are still likable and humorous. This films is the lowest rated and most criticized of the four feature length adaptions, and it doesn't deserve that.

I just returned from the un-expectantly entertaining Pokemon 4. It is a matter of great wonder to me that others did not find the rich storylines in the film as enlightening as I did. I suppose the unfortunate reality is if a film doesn't cater to the 'lowest common denominator', its success domestically (and more and more in foreign markets) is questionable at best.At first I wish to address the flaws. The animation, as has been pointed out before, is at best sub-par. But where they skimped on artistry in the drawings of the characters, the storyboard simulated camera angles and image composition are superb. The film lover will note the use of techniques from film auteurs such as Orsen Wells (note the second part of the opening scene, which is quite obviously an homage to the master) or Sam Peckinpah (pay close attention to scenes leading up to the first Pokemon Battle and try to tell me you aren't reminded of Straw Dogs). I also thought the sound was pretty crummy.That aside, the film was a pure masterpiece. As in the preceding three Pokemon movies, the story centers on the loveable 'Pikachu'. Pikachu looks like an overfed mouse that can use his powers to fight other Pokemon, sometimes to the death. All Pokemon (Japanese for 'The Monster who lives in the pocket') have special powers. It has been said that Pikachu is the most powerful of all of these, but to find out that one must become a 'Pokemon Master'. As a parent, I am still confused to what that really means, and I suspect that in 10 years, the entire lexicon of Pokemon movies and television programs will be required viewing in the more credible Psychology and Philosophy departments in Universities around the world. Countering the hero that Pikachu presents us is yet another Pokemon, who is called 'Meowth', brilliantly voiced by the multi-talented yet under-rated Addie Blaustein. Meowth, unlike every other Pokemon can speak in English (who only know and converse in Japanese. As a side note, I hope in the DVD version the English translation of the Pokemon's conversations will be provided). Meowth travels with a hapless game of criminals called 'The Rocket Team', who battle with Pikachu and his owner Ash to become Pokemon Masters.Within these two characters lie the classic storyline of the Epic struggle between good and evil, truth and deception, black and white. It is highly recommended that the casual fan revisit the entire running of the TV series in order (including the surreal yet awe inspiring Jhoto Journeys) and the films before returning to this work.Nine out of 10. Near perfection in my book.