Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!

Movie Info

I want to enslave you in this ball and have you fight my battles for me…

Ash Ketchum is turning ten and turning ten means Ash can set out on his quest to become the best Pokémon master!  Unfortunately, Ash is late for his class with Professor Oak and is stuck with a Pokémon named Pikachu who has his own personality.  Together Ash and Pikachu are out to explore the world and learn about Pokémon.  When Ash and Pikachu encounter a rare Ho-Oh on their first day, Ash takes it as a sign…and the possession of a Rainbow Wing could mean that Ash could be the Rainbow Hero of legend!

Directed by Kunihiko Yuyama, Pokémon the Movie:  I Choose You! (劇場版 げきじょうばん ポケットモンスター キミにきめた！ or Gekijō-ban Poketto Monsutā Kimi ni kimeta! aka Pocket Monsters the Movie:  I Choose You!) is an animated action-adventure fantasy film.  The film was released as part of the twenty anniversary of Pokémon and received average reviews.

Pokémon the Movie:  I Choose You! is kind of an intro to Pokémon movie.  It is a retelling of Ash’s origin and works to explain the goals (and dreams) of Ash and his Pokémon.  For fans of the series, it might be a lot of rehash, but for fair weather fans, it is kind of a nice set-up for understanding Pokémon.

Yeah, your little electric rat-squirrel is screwed, Ash

The story has a couple parts.  The first part of the movie is the journey of Ash.  It features the first meeting with everyone’s favorite Pokémon Pikachu and shows the development of their relationship.  It is a nice little story and it almost feels like that portion could have gone on longer (and could have really been the thrust of the movie).  It would have been good to see the whole movie lead up to Ash and Pikachu’s first battle (but that might not be too compelling for Pokémon fans).

The second part of the movie is more adventure based.  Having encounter Ho-Oh on his first day out with Ash, Ash sees tracking down the legendary Pokémon as a sign of his future.  The story is a big promoter of friendship and loyalty over strength and power (when Ash does try to just be a fighter, he enters a weird It’s a Wonderful Life world without Pokémon…which once again could have been its own separate movie).  The ending is kind of predictable, and everyone learns a lesson.  It is what you’d expect.

I will burn this world to the ground!!! (Ash’s real internal monologue)

The movie does look rather slick.  When compared to early Pokémon shows and movies, the animation has really stepped up.  The anime style has been smoothed out but there is also better use of the screen, framing, and style.  It is a step up from Pokémon:  The First Movie.

Pokémon the Movie:  I Choose You! is a rather typical outing for a cartoon movie adaptation.  For adults who don’t follow the series, it is rather easy to follow, and for fans, seeing the early days of Ash and Pikachu is nice considering how long the series has gone on and could serve as a jump-on point for new viewers.  A direct sequel film Pokémon the Movie:  The Power of Us was released in 2018.