So, Pokemon movies...

[Auron225]

What are your favourite ones? Which are worth watching?

I've been a fan of Pokemon since it's initial release, having played Pokemon Red to death on my Gameboy and watching the original anime on TV. I've actually kept up with the franchise with the games (gave Ultra Sun and Moon a pass though since they just looked far too similar to the original Sun & Moon). Having said that, I haven't seen any of the movies aside from the first 3 when they were released;

Mewtwo Strikes Back
The Power Of One
Spell Of The Unknown

According to Wikipedia, there are TWENTY Pokemon movies out now (when did THAT happen?). Given that there are that many, I have to assume that at least some of them are worth watching. Having seen the trailer for the newer one coming out (Everyone's Story), which looks pretty decent, I'm curious about which of the previous ones you would consider worth a watch.

Also I've heard that Pokemon Origins (technically not one of the 20) is very good but simply haven't gotten around to it yet.

On a side note, I've also heard good things about the X/Y anime. Anyone able to shed some light on why it was so popular, and if it's also worth watching?

 

[Hawki]

Given that there are that many, I have to assume that at least some of them are worth watching.

Eh, probably a big assumption.

I'm curious about which of the previous ones you would consider worth a watch.

I've seen even less than you - only the first two. I enjoyed both at the time, but no idea if I could really reccomend them now. Course, you've seen them yourself, so this is kinda redundant.

Also I've heard that Pokemon Origins (technically not one of the 20) is very good but simply haven't gotten around to it yet.

Pokemon Origins is weird - I have the feeling that it's more targeted towards game fans than anime fans, in that Red is everything that Ash isn't - Red gets 150 Pokemon, is competent, and the aesthetics and plot (such as it is) is true to the games. So in that sense, it's good.

However, on its own terms, I don't think Origins is good. Yes, I grew up with Red/Blue, but compared to the anime, it comes short. Red's more competent than Ash, sure, but at least Ash had a character. Ash was slow in capturing Pokemon, but of the ones he did get, we at least got to know them. The anime spaced itself out, whereas Origin has Red blast through his journey. The pokemon here aren't characters (outside maybe Charizard), they're simply fodder to be caught and battled with. Perhaps the greatest difference is exemplified by Mewto - the anime gave him a character and backstory. Origins has Mewtwo in the Cerulean cave that exists just to be caught, who never says anything, who exists only so Charizard can have one last battle. That's it.

So, TLDR, Origins is a good adaptation, but a lacklustre anime if taken by itself.

On a side note, I've also heard good things about the X/Y anime. Anyone able to shed some light on why it was so popular, and if it's also worth watching?

I've seen some of it, but I can't really say. I think maybe because Ash is a bit more competent than in the last series? Other than that, it's same old, same old. Ash comes to region, Ash makes friends in the region (one of whom's a gym leader), Ash travels through the region, getting badges and pokemon, beats Team Rocket, doesn't win the league, rinse and repeat, now go to Aloha.

Oh, and SerenaxAsh is seemingly the msot popular shipping now, so go figure.

 

[Aerosteam]

If you're a Pokemon fan Origins is a must watch. I've only seen a few of the movies, of them I'd say Rise of Darkrai (movie 10) is probably the most salvageable from what I remember.

 

[Fijiman]

I can't remember what the most recent Pokemon movie I've seen is, but I know it's been several years since I've seen any of them. I think it's safe to say that most people like the first five movies and that a good number of the ones after that can be pretty good. If I had to pick a favorite I'd probably have to pick The Power of One(aka Pokemon 2000) just because the was the first one I remember seeing.

I remember what the last movie I saw was. It was the one with the alien pokemon with cannons on their back and Mewtwo was a girl because reasons.

 

[Natemans]

My 5 favorites are probably:

3: Spell of the Unknown
Lucario and the Mystery of Mew
2000
Destiny Deoxys
Heroes


I've seen Origins and yeah, it was pretty good though its a tad rushed due to its short episode run.



As for XY, surprisingly loved it. Honestly I was kinda checked out and didn't watch the anime for a long while thanks to Black and White which I thought was terrible. Then when I found out about Gen 6, I decided to give it a shot out of boredom. And pretty much got into the franchise. One of the main reasons that kinda brought me back was mainly Ash being somewhat competent again, some of the writing was a bit better, the characters were enjoyable and the fights were well down.

 

[Zarcez]

They are Pokemon movies so it will not be the best movies, but if they are enjoyable if you like the Pokemon series. That said I have only watched the first thirteen movies and I refuse to watch "Pok?mon the Movie: Genesect and the Legend Awakened" as they change who Mewtwo is from the first movie.

 

[Drathnoxis]

I've only seen the first 3 and Mewtwo Returns. I still have the promotional trading cards that they handed out at the movie theater. My favorite is Pokemon 2000, but I always thought Mewtwo Returns was pretty good too. Certainly far better than the First Movie.

I've always meant to watch the Japanese version of the First Movie because it contains quite a few differences, or so I'm told, but I've never gotten around to it.

Origins was pretty good, but it was just far too rushed. It should have been 20-30 episodes instead of 4. They could have done something really amazing if it had been a full series.

 

[jademunky]

So, as someone who has never seen one, (and I almost hesitate to ask) how many are there?

If the answer is more than 12, I'm going to be very upset.

**Edit**

My younger brother watched it constantly, I am somewhat familiar with the original show by osmosis but I was a couple years too old to ever really get into it.

 

[Auron225]

So, as someone who has never seen one, (and I almost hesitate to ask) how many are there?

If the answer is more than 12, I'm going to be very upset.

Answer was in the OP

According to Wikipedia, there are TWENTY Pokemon movies out now (when did THAT happen?).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Pokemon_films

 

[jademunky]

Answer was in the OP

Apologies then.

 

[Drathnoxis]

So, as someone who has never seen one, (and I almost hesitate to ask) how many are there?

If the answer is more than 12, I'm going to be very upset.

**Edit**

My younger brother watched it constantly, I am somewhat familiar with the original show by osmosis but I was a couple years too old to ever really get into it.

There's also 659 episodes of the TV show. From a rough calculation, including the movies, you could watch Pokemon nonstop for 10 days 9 hours and 40 minutes.

 

[PhoenixKnight]

What are your favourite ones? Which are worth watching?

I've been a fan of Pokemon since it's initial release, having played Pokemon Red to death on my Gameboy and watching the original anime on TV. I've actually kept up with the franchise with the games (gave Ultra Sun and Moon a pass though since they just looked far too similar to the original Sun & Moon). Having said that, I haven't seen any of the movies aside from the first 3 when they were released;

Mewtwo Strikes Back
The Power Of One
Spell Of The Unknown

According to Wikipedia, there are TWENTY Pokemon movies out now (when did THAT happen?). Given that there are that many, I have to assume that at least some of them are worth watching. Having seen the trailer for the newer one coming out (Everyone's Story), which looks pretty decent, I'm curious about which of the previous ones you would consider worth a watch.

Also I've heard that Pokemon Origins (technically not one of the 20) is very good but simply haven't gotten around to it yet.

On a side note, I've also heard good things about the X/Y anime. Anyone able to shed some light on why it was so popular, and if it's also worth watching?

I would argue Spell of the Unknown (3) and Lucario and the Mystery of Mew (8) hold up as good movies even if you aren't a huge fan of Pokemon. Mewtwo Strikes Back (1), Power of One (2) and Pokemon Heroes (5) are decent watches if you are a huge fan of Pokemon and can accept some of the sillier aspects. Pokemon 4Ever (4) is probably the weakest of the ones I've seen but still have some enjoyable moments.

While I've seen the Advanced Generation Movies (Jirachi: Wish Maker (6) and Destiny Deoxys (7)) I wouldn't remember them enough to really be able to comment on them, and I don't think I've seen much past that point as far as I can remember.

I did see Pokemon: I choose You (20) and I thought it was okay but not great. It was heavily advertised as being a retelling of Ash's Journey which wasn't really the focus of the movie. In fact I would argue retelling the start of Ash's journey actually hurt the movie since it wasted time on things most people already knew. I did think some things like Charmander's original trainer having a bigger role in the story were a neat idea though.

Pokemon Origins was fine, though I would argue only the first and last episodes are actually worth watching. The middle is kind of lacking on my opinion, and puts it's focus in the wrong places. Still worth a watch, and a fun Nostalgia trip nonetheless.

I think part of X/Y's popularity comes from the fact Black & White was so underwhelming. I haven't seen a lot of X/Y but from what I have it felt like they were actually moving Ash's character forward a little bit. Having things like Serena actively expressing affection for him was interesting as well. It's definitely something I want to get into when I can find the time.

 

[Auron225]

Answer was in the OP

Apologies then.

Spoiler: Outrage averted

[hr]

Pikachu's Vacation is probably my favorite of the three or so I've seen
Pokemon just being Pokemon

 

[Natemans]

They are Pokemon movies so it will not be the best movies, but if they are enjoyable if you like the Pokemon series. That said I have only watched the first thirteen movies and I refuse to watch "Pok?mon the Movie: Genesect and the Legend Awakened" as they change who Mewtwo is from the first movie.

Oh Genesect was the worst of the Pokemon films. I thought nothing would be 4ever as the worst, but then I sat through that.

 

[jademunky]

Spoiler: Outrage averted

Wow, that's actually pretty artsy.

LV 100!