by Frank Wilkins
If you've never had to sit through one of the previous four Pokémon movies, then you couldn't possibly understand the state of trepidation I was in before seeing number five in the once wildly popular but slowly dieing Japanese cartoon series. But I must ask, why are they just now, finally able to get it right? Why did it take so long to make a normal story that the average grown-up can follow and understand?

The fantasy goes something like this. Pokémon – short for pocket monsters – are creatures with supernatural powers that, with the aid of their trainers, battle other Pokémon. The Pokémon trainers forge some kind of human-animal or human-creature bond that works to enhance the physical ability of ones Pokémon. With a pocketful of Pokéballs containing well-trained Pokémon, a trainer will conceivably wield more power to be able to, let's say, take over the world. These evil intentions seem to be the driving force behind every installment.

In Pokémon Heroes, trainers Ash, Misty and Brock are in the Venice-like city of Alto Mare. They learn of the two guardian Pokemon of the city, Latias and Latios, powerful birds who have special shape-shifting and invisible powers. They can take on the form of anything, including humans. Ash and fellow trainers find themselves in the middle of a battle as the evil Annie and Oakley (I know, I know!) have stolen the Soul Dew, a jewel that powers the Defense Mechanism of Alto Mare. With the cities defense systems now destroyed, the city will eventually self-destruct.

As the battle of good vs. evil ensues, the trainers learn of loyalty, destiny, friendship, teamwork and many other good things that make parents feel better about letting their children watch such nonsense - I remember saying the same thing, years ago, about Barney.

Comparing it to the four previous installments, Pokémon Heroes has taken giant leaps with regards to technology and script writing. The animators have upgraded the look and feel of the visuals by employing beautifully drawn scenery and landscapes. But the animation of the characters still seems amateurish and crude. The plot of Heroes actually has a structure, which, if you don't know, makes huge strides over the seemingly randomly plotted TV series and first four movies.

This is not to say that the movie is devoid of major annoyances. The soundtrack is full of chalkboard scratching shrills; and a hopped-up-on-caffeine score made the ending seem more precious than the voice of Pikachu. But in comparison to the first four movies in the series, Pokémon Heroes marks a major milestone and I think they should go out on top!

Parents: No bad language!

Frank Wilkins