Brief Summary
In this episode of "Gotta Watch Them All," CGDannyB and his crew review "Pokémon Heroes," the last Gen 2 movie. They share their first impressions, discuss the plot, and analyze the changes made in the English dub. The group also talks about the movie's themes, animation, and its place in the Pokémon movie ranking. Finally, they participate in a poll to choose their favorite Pokémon from the movie.
- The movie is a transition between Gen 2 and 3.
- The English dub made changes, including Annie and Oakley's connection to Team Rocket.
- The group discusses the movie's themes, animation, and its place in the Pokémon movie ranking.
Intro
CGDannyB introduces the episode and the crew: Sherry, Dwarven Lion, Chris Harvey, and John. They are discussing the Pokémon movies, sharing what they love and hate, ranking them, and doing pull stuff. This episode focuses on "Pokémon Heroes," a new territory for most of the crew.
First Impressions of Pokemon Heroes
Chris loved the movie, describing it as a sweet story that captured his attention. Isaac enjoyed it as a kid and was excited to revisit it. Danny was impressed, noting he wrote two pages of notes, both positive and negative. He anticipates a potential conflict in ranking it against his favorite movie.
Story Begins: Intro and Prologue
The movie starts with Brock setting the scene, showcasing the world of Pokémon. The intro is praised for its active depiction of Pokémon in their habitats. The American version omits a prologue about Annie and Oakley, which explains the lore of Alto Mare and a prophecy. The backstory involves two kids washed up on a beach, who transform into dragon bird Pokémon (Latios) to save the city from flooding, with one sacrificing itself.
Annie and Oakley: The Attractive Thieves
Two attractive thieves, Annie and Oakley, attempt to steal a book detailing the legend of Latios and Latias and the defense mechanism of Alto Mare. They are named after western outlaws, similar to Jessie and James. In the English version, they are tasked by Giovanni to find legendary Pokémon, a detail absent in the original Japanese version, where they are not part of Team Rocket. This creates confusion regarding their motives. They escape in a transforming vehicle, reminiscent of a James Bond film.
Team Rocket's Success and the Soul Dew
The discussion shifts to Team Rocket's success rate, noting their greater achievements in the manga, where they capture legendaries. The Soul Dew, an in-game item, is introduced, connecting the movies and games. The movie is set between the end of Gen 2 and the start of Gen 3, before May and Max were introduced.
Pokemon Heroes Title Card and the Water Race
The title card appears, followed by a water race featuring Ash, Misty, and Brock. The race uses a remix of the Master Quest theme. Brock falls in love with a woman he just met. During the race, Latias interferes, and Misty wins with Corsola, which is considered slow. Misty wins a pendant, leading to an explanation of Latias and Latios.
Ross, the Boat Ride, and Annie & Oakley's Pursuit
Ross takes the gang on a boat ride, explaining that Latias and Latios are the guardians of Alto Mare. Annie and Oakley track Latios with a drone, finding him disguised as a girl. They chase after him, splashing Team Rocket in the process. The gang gets ice cream, and Pikachu encounters the disguised Latias at a water fountain.
The Chase and the Evil Espeon
Annie and Oakley chase Latias, with Pikachu noticing the pursuit. The choice of an evil Espeon is highlighted as a bold move. Espeon uses its psychic abilities to restrain Latias. The scene raises questions about Latias's invisibility and why she doesn't fight back. Ash intervenes, leading to a fight where Pikachu paralyzes Ariados.
Museum Visit and the Defense Mechanism of Alto Mare
The gang visits the museum to learn about Alto Mare, meeting Lorenzo, who explains the city's history and the defense mechanism. The museum displays fossils of Aerodactyl and Kabutops. Ash sees Latias again and touches the DMA, causing Lorenzo to freak out.
Chasing Latias and the Secret Garden
Ash chases Latias through the city's alleyways, showcasing 3D animation. He ends up in a secret garden where he encounters Latios. Latias reveals herself, and Lorenzo explains their history. Latias and Latios share their sight with Ash, Bianca, Lorenzo, and Pikachu, showing Latios swimming through the canals.
Lorenzo's Workshop and the Capture of Latios
Bianca takes Ash back to town while Lorenzo stays in his workshop. Espeon attacks Lorenzo, and Annie and Oakley arrive. Latias and Latios are attacked, and Latios is captured using a special disc. The ease with which they remove the Soul Dew from the pool is questioned.
The Museum and the Revived Pokemon
Bianca and Lorenzo return to the museum to find the Soul Dew gone. Oakley uses the defense mechanism to revive Aerodactyl and Kabutops. The purpose of the defense mechanism is questioned, as it can revive the Pokémon that were a threat to the town.
The Attack of Aerodactyl and Kabutops
Annie and Oakley activate gates to lock down the city. Ash and Latias jump out the window, leaving Brock and Misty behind. Aerodactyl attacks them, but Latias defeats it. Brock and Misty use their Pokémon, Crobat and Pollytoad, to escape and help Ash.
The Defense Mechanism and the Sacrifice
Oakley uses the defense mechanism to track Ash and Latias. Lorenzo tries to convince them to stop, but Oakley refuses. Latias destroys the machine, freeing herself. Annie and Oakley are trapped. Lorenzo reveals that Alto Mare is being drained of its water. Latios sacrifices himself to stop the tidal wave, saving the city.
The Aftermath and the Kiss
Latios dies, and Latias is unharmed. The river refills, and Aerodactyl and Kabutops re-fossilize. Annie and Oakley remain trapped. The gang searches for Latias, finding her with a Mantine and Lanturn. Latias transforms into Bianca and kisses Ash, leaving it ambiguous whether it was Latias or Bianca.
The Ending and the Credits
The episode ends with the gang leaving Alto Mare, seeing Latias and another Latios flying over the city. The credits show Lorenzo fixing the museum and Annie and Oakley planning their next heist. The discussion shifts to the movie's box office performance, noting its commercial failure and negative reviews.
Box Office and Final Thoughts
The movie was a commercial failure, with negative reviews and low box office numbers. The next movie went straight to DVD. The group discusses where this movie falls on their list, with opinions varying. They praise the movie's message about loss but critique its pacing and character development.
Poll Challenge and Final Ranking
The crew picks their favorite Pokémon from the movie for a poll: Danny chooses Latias, Dante picks Pollytoad, Kanai selects Espeon, Chris goes with Totodile, and John chooses Crobat. The results from the previous poll are announced, with Danny winning with Cyndaquil. The final ranking places "Pokémon Heroes" at number two, behind the first movie.
Outro
CGDannyB thanks the viewers and guests, encouraging them to like the video and join the Discord. He ends the episode with a humorous outro.
