Pokémon Heroes (2003)

This is a great movie, one of the movies I grew up with. It was excellently done, a decent story, and great characters. I love the bonds shown or developed throughout the movie, especially Latios and Latias. These two are the closest Pokemon duo I have seen, and they were quite well done. So you ask, why is it 9 stars if you enjoy the movie so much? Well, I have quite a few problems with the movie. First, I would like the clear up that this is the shortest Pokemon film released so far, and will probably stay that way as long as Pokemon is running. If you skipped directly to the race and watched to the part where 2 Latios and 1 Latias fly towards Alto Mare, it would be about 30 seconds under an hour. This leaves Pokemon fans hungering for more, and I myself wish this was a longer film.My second problem is that the English version should have had a more similar story to the Japanese version. The Japanese version was a very successful film, with a brilliant story. So why, just why, was this all changed up? This isn't a question I've seen many people ask, but I am wondering. Why was Latios's voice changed in the English dub. It helped distinguish Latios and Latias's differences better, which is one of the things I liked about the Japanese version.These are only three problems, but they are big enough to knock the movie down a star for me. But the movie is still kid-friendly and entertaining. I love it until this very day, and the movie itself was very emotional. Latias and Latios are adorable and cool at the same time, just the Pokemon I love the most. Latios's death set a new course for the Pokemon world, and it still affects some today. Annie and Oakley were funny and unusual villains. I like both of their characters, Oakley's desire for power, and Annie just the more girly of the two, wanting to steal pretty things and wear nice clothes. I wish they were given another role in the future.I am not denying that this was a great film, but it could have easily been better. But this movie is unique for its design focus. I like how Alto Mare is loosely based off of Venice, which is a gorgeous city. Latios and Latias will always have a special place in my heart, as well as this movie.

This film has some nostalgic value for me. In the summer of 2007, my parents and I flew to Los Angeles to visit Aunt Rosemary and Uncle Glen. One day while we were there, we watched this movie. Rewatching it brings back memories from those years ago, but judging it on its own, I still think this is a stellar Pokémon movie.This, in my humble opinion, is one of the top 3 Pokémon movies. It does everything right. It's not quite as big in scope as some of the others, but yet it's a more engaging movie. It has everything you could want in a Pokémon movie and much more.The story is very interesting. Team Rocket members Annie and Oakley are after the jewel that protects the city of Altomare and it's up to the guardians Latios and Latias and Ash and the gang to save the day. Annie and Oakley, while a little ditsy at times, are above-average as far as Pokémon villains go.Latios and Latias are wondrous Pokémon, and the bond Ash grew with Latias is one of the best the series has to offer. I thought Lorenzo and Bianca were really nice supporting characters (although I would have liked for them to be a little more developed).The animation still today is breathtaking. There is wonderful scenery in Altomare. It gives you a sense of wonder, and even at times feels like a Miyazaki film. It also has some of the best music and one of the best soundtracks in a Pokémon movie, which also adds to the movie's feel.There is plenty of action and excitement, from the opening race scene to the climax. The ending where Latios sacrifices himself to save Altomare is genuinely heart-wrenching and has the kind of emotion rarely seen in a Pokémon movie. Along with "Lucario and the Mystery of Mew," this is my favorite Pokémon film. This is an essential viewing for anyone remotely interested in Pokémon.RATING: A

This is one of quite a few films based on the cartoon anime Pokemon TV series.Ash, Brock, Misty and their pokemon are in a town called Altamar for a big water race. Ash comes in the lead - but takes a wrong turn. It turns out Misty wins! The person who came second, a boy just older than Misty, takes her and her friends on a Gondola around the town.Meanwhile, two baddies working for the same person as Team Rocket are, are looking for two rare pokemon in Altamar, Latias and Latios...I think this Pokemon film is very good, due to the well-structured plot, the characters, the pokemon and the setting, which is based on Venice.However, there are often distracting songs in the background of the film and Team Rocket are very silly and most of their content is slapsticky jokes. Overall, a good film for Pokemon fans or just for people who like animated children's films. Enjoy! :-)7 and a half out of ten.

...and I still haven't watched a full episode of the television cartoon show. The previous films in the series were top-notch in every way. I remember seeing the first one and being completely blown away. I am a die-hard supporter of Pokemon. I'm also a grown man. I haven't been this interested in a cartoon since the days of He-man in 1983 and 1989. The animation in Pokemon was good for what it was as well. But what really sets it apart is the storytelling and the appeal it to the kid in all of us. ***** (five stars).