Brief Summary
The hosts discuss "Kyurem vs. The Sword of Justice," a Pokémon movie they find to be average, not terrible but not great either. They explore the plot, animation, and characters, particularly Keldeo and Kyurem. They critique Ash's role, the lack of backstory for Kyurem, and the implications of telepathy in the movie. They also rank the movie among others in the Pokémon series and introduce a poll challenge featuring Pokémon from the movie.
- The movie is considered average, not outstanding but not terrible.
- Ash's role is questioned, with some arguing he detracts from Keldeo's story.
- Kyurem's lack of backstory and motivation is criticized.
- The use of telepathy is seen as inconsistent and unnecessary.
- The movie is ranked 10th out of 16 Pokémon movies.
Introduction and Movie Synopsis
The hosts Danny, Chris, and John are back after a month-long break to discuss "Kyurem vs. The Sword of Justice." They plan to adjust the format to be more conversational. Danny reads a synopsis from the Pokémon website, detailing Ash and friends encountering an injured Keldeo, who is on a mission to rescue the Swords of Justice (Cobalion, Terrakion, and Virizion) from Kyurem. Kyurem, drawing power from Reshiram and Zekrom, attacks with immense force, and Keldeo must discover its hidden strength to protect its friends.
Initial Reactions and Overall Impressions
The hosts share their initial thoughts on the movie. Can says the movie does a good job of not being bad, but a bad job of being great. Chris agrees, describing it as perfectly average and suggesting it would have been better as a three-part special in the anime. Chris liked Vic Mignogna's voice acting for Keldeo, Ash not having a mandatory tournament lane or prophecy, and the movie's short length. Danny felt it was background noise and a chore to focus on, despite the great animation and fights.
Critiques of Ash's Role and Keldeo's Development
Danny expresses that Ash's presence devalues Keldeo's story, arguing Keldeo's purpose is to have someone to defend. Chris says that Keldeo didn't earn his victory because Ash intervened, undermining the trial's purpose. He says that the trial should have been about learning the responsibility of being a Sword of Justice. They suggest alternative scenarios where Keldeo could have developed independently, such as befriending Meloetta or interacting with Team Rocket.
Talking Pokémon and Plot Inconsistencies
Danny notes the excessive number of talking Pokémon (five) and finds the telepathy inconsistent. Chris points out that it takes 17 minutes to get to the main plot. Danny criticizes a scene where Ash acts dumb, creating unnecessary steps to retrieve Scrafty. Chris says that there's no clear reason for Keldeo's desire to become a Sword of Justice or for Kyurem's actions.
Implications and Unspoken Elements
Chris says that the movie implies elements like Kyurem's ice arena being the start of Keldeo's trial. Danny felt a sense of hollowness when Keldeo passed through the arena, expecting a psychic energy shield. Chris says that the three Swords of Justice lack character development. Danny says that the movie feels rushed due to a time limit, leading to skipped details and implied plot points.
Missed Opportunities and Transition to Gen 6
Chris says that the hosts wish the movie had explored the backstories of the Swords of Justice and reduced the focus on humans. Danny notes the absence of humans in the ice town and suggests the movie was primarily designed to make Keldeo look cool. Chris points out that this is the first movie that doesn't introduce a new Pokémon, marking a transition towards Gen 6.
Potential Gen 6 Pokémon and Movie Improvements
The hosts discuss potential Gen 6 Pokémon that could have been included, such as Mega Lucario or Diancie. Chris says that with so many talking Pokémon and minimal human presence, it would have been better as a Pokémon-based movie. They suggest adding backstories for the Swords, reducing human involvement, and including a short film like those in earlier movies.
Ending Positives and Story Issues
Danny says that the time crunch ruined the movie, leading to implied rather than explicit plot points. He likes Keldeo and the legendaries involved. Chris says that the ending fight is fantastic. Danny says that the beginning of the movie is the weakest part, with issues in human interaction and plot movement.
Middle Part Weakness and Shonen Comparison
Chris says that the middle part of the movie loses momentum but doesn't make it bad, and the excellent parts outweigh the bad. He says that the movie could have been a special or two-episode arc. Danny says that the movie felt like a modern-day shonen, with visuals and pacing resembling an hour-long special.
Villain Critique and Human Irrelevance
Chris appreciates the absence of a hardcore villain, preferring the moral gray area. Danny likes that Kyurem tests Keldeo, leading to character growth. He says that the villains motive is not power. Chris says that Iris and Cilan are irrelevant, with Iris knowing how to fly a blimp without explanation.
Iris's Character and Kyurem's Transformation
Chris says that Iris's knowledge of Kyurem feels forced and that her character is inconsistent with her role as a dragon trainer. Danny says that the movie relies on pre-existing knowledge of the anime. Chris says that Kyurem's ability to transform into Black and White Kyurem without the DNA splicers is bothersome.
Substance and Runtime
Chris says that the movie lacks substance due to its short runtime. Danny says that the movie did the most with what they could.
Ranking the Movie
The hosts rank "Kyurem vs. The Sword of Justice" among other Pokémon movies. Chris is fine with it being in the range of six to nine. Danny would put it either above or below Jirachi. The final ranking places it at number 10, above "Jirachi Wishmaker" and below "Pokémon Lucario and the Mystery of Mew."
Poll Challenge
The hosts introduce the poll challenge, where viewers vote for their favorite Pokémon from the movie on the CGDannyB Discord server. Danny picks Timburr, Dante picks Crustle, Can picks Boldore, Chris picks Machamp, and John picks Kyurem.
