Fans of Pokémon have long since been aware of the film entries after every season finishes. With season 8 also known as "Advanced Battle" completing itself, the next film was on its way. To expect anything above the quality that's been output before is a bit of a stretch, but there's nothing wrong with wanting that. The films of the franchise have more or less been equal to each other with the occasional outlier mainly at the beginning. What's surprising though is just how much attention this particular entry gets mainly because of one of the characters in the title. For some reason, Lucario took off in popularity. Or at least so it seems. However, when it comes to the experience, the execution to this movie doesn't step itself up by a lot. There's still issues but this time in different places and same can be said for the good parts.
The plot is about a telepathic Pokémon named Lucario (Sean Schemmel) who lived during a more medieval time along with his partner Sir Aaron (Jason Griffith) when factions were at war. Unfortunately, when everyone needed him most, Sir Aaron disappeared leaving Lucario locked in a scepter. That is until Ash and company happen to free him in the current time. Now, Lucario wants to understand his place. Meanwhile, a world record holder Kidd Summers (Rebecca Soler) crosses paths with the group as well hoping to find Mew and its connection to the land Lucario once lived on. Again, from the Japanese end is the Yuyama and Sonoda duo. Doing the domestic adaption was Darren Dunstan directing, Kathy Pilon and John Touhey writing respectively. For the story itself it is clear that things are taking a slightly altered approach...initially. Yes, the film begins with the season 8 title music with a Pokémon battle, but there's more.
In a way like Pokémon 4Ever: Celebi - Voice of the Forest (2001), viewers get to see a little more of what the world was like in the past and the style of the era. Adding to that, is the lore surrounding Sir Aaron as an important figure and how Ash is able to free Lucario. While it's never been displayed before in the show, new things are learned that better explain why certain characters can do certain things. It is by far a better way of giving the audience a reason why someone could be called "the chosen one" as oppose to how it was executed in Pokémon the Movie 2000 (1999). Sadly, this is where the positives end. When it comes to story, the remaining part of it continues to be what's been shown before. Elements containing dramatic moments that don't lead to much of a payoff with the main characters, has been shown before.
So to suspect any of the protagonists are in any real peril is hardly a thought. Characters of the day like Kidd Summers who just join for their own reasons is just another usual thing these entries have. It would be nice to not have one every now and then. Then there's the lack of continuity, since Ash, Brock and Pikachu have all encountered Mew back in the first movie. No reference to ever remembering their past adventure.
Not even Team Rocket who are more involved in this story seem to remember. Again, this doesn't take away from the performances as all voice actors do well. Jason Griffith has voiced Sonic the Hedgehog and Sean Schemmel is of course known for being the voice of adult Goku in the Dragonball franchise. Kind of strange that Lucario produces blue energy blasts in a similar fashion to the Kamehameha. Wonder if that was intentional.
Perhaps one of the more interesting things to hear are the three Regi- Pokémon (Ice, Steel and Rock). They have some of the strangest cries...sounding like computer viruses. With respect to sight, the animation is decent with Kazuaki Mouri as executive animation director. Much of movements between characters are very fluid, which adds a whole new dimension. Shockingly there's no credit at all to directory of photography on IMDb, despite the film crediting Takaya Mizutani as such. The same could also be said for Shinji Miyazaki who composed the film score listed in the film, but IMDb lists Go Ichinose. Even with those mistakes the music is good despite having no domestic album release. That's definitely not a surprise. The sound though is a mix between more orchestral sounding pieces with occasional synths in the background.
Really the viewing experience to this entry won't be too different from others. The plot expands and expounds certain things about the world of Pokémon a little more than before, to point where it begins to makes some sense. Even though the direction goes into predictable territory as time progresses. Still the voice acting, music and animation all make it entertaining enough.
