allypwns34 the derp This is a great movie, one of the movies I grew up with. It was excellently done, a decent story, and great characters. I love the bonds shown or developed throughout the movie, especially Latios and Latias. These two are the closest Pokemon duo I have seen, and they were quite well done. So you ask, why is it 9 stars if you enjoy the movie so much? Well, I have quite a few problems with the movie. First, I would like the clear up that this is the shortest Pokemon film released so far, and will probably stay that way as long as Pokemon is running. If you skipped directly to the race and watched to the part where 2 Latios and 1 Latias fly towards Alto Mare, it would be about 30 seconds under an hour. This leaves Pokemon fans hungering for more, and I myself wish this was a longer film.My second problem is that the English version should have had a more similar story to the Japanese version. The Japanese version was a very successful film, with a brilliant story. So why, just why, was this all changed up? This isn't a question I've seen many people ask, but I am wondering. Why was Latios's voice changed in the English dub. It helped distinguish Latios and Latias's differences better, which is one of the things I liked about the Japanese version.These are only three problems, but they are big enough to knock the movie down a star for me. But the movie is still kid-friendly and entertaining. I love it until this very day, and the movie itself was very emotional. Latias and Latios are adorable and cool at the same time, just the Pokemon I love the most. Latios's death set a new course for the Pokemon world, and it still affects some today. Annie and Oakley were funny and unusual villains. I like both of their characters, Oakley's desire for power, and Annie just the more girly of the two, wanting to steal pretty things and wear nice clothes. I wish they were given another role in the future.I am not denying that this was a great film, but it could have easily been better. But this movie is unique for its design focus. I like how Alto Mare is loosely based off of Venice, which is a gorgeous city. Latios and Latias will always have a special place in my heart, as well as this movie.

Tony Ling (MrTwinkie) I honestly don't get the critic bash for this movie. This is not the next critically acclaimed highly anticipated blockbuster from Christopher Nolan. This is not a interesting concept that has the potential to redefine cinema. This is Pokémon.Pokemon Heroes takes place in a city of Altomare obviously inspired by Venice where the trio of Ash, Misty and Brock goes into a plot to destroy the city in the world of the iconic little cute monsters: Pokemon. The characterization fit the bill finely. The characters and the legendary Pokémon: Latias and Latios are given reasonable background information to build you familiarity into understanding Altomare's secret. Latias and Latios are a beautiful combination of tender love and charming style. Many people don't like the sounds they make but I personally reckon they're the cutest and most endearing sounds you'd wish your puppy makes more. Many of the ways this film is presented has implausibility and childish overtones but then again this is aimed at children before they go to high school. Animation and background art is superb and only a few steps behind Studio Ghbli. However the CGI is quite a nono, they stand out and do not look all that natural at all. In my opinion this story has great style. It presents action that does not feel too forced and an emotional drama that did hit me when I was a little boy. Just the other day I suddenly thought of Pokémon and having a watch, the nostalgia sounds wonderful sensations throughout your body. The soundtrack also fits well to this film's environment and gives it a great natural wonder. For dedicated Pokémon fans, this film is actually slightly more disappointing due to the lack of Pokémon action. Ash doesn't use his Pokémon and gets magically saved by the Pokémon of Brock and Misty as they just so happen to find Ash in trouble in a city that spans a thousand streets and creeks. However Pokémon is a fun film for kids. It gives them that wonder that makes them wish to escape into an alternate universe and the voice acting and characterization does a fine job in conveying a story. Although the mums and daddies would snore before this film hits its first quarter, Pokemon Heroes does its job and that's exactly what it should do.

stewellis ...and I still haven't watched a full episode of the television cartoon show. The previous films in the series were top-notch in every way. I remember seeing the first one and being completely blown away. I am a die-hard supporter of Pokemon. I'm also a grown man. I haven't been this interested in a cartoon since the days of He-man in 1983 and 1989. The animation in Pokemon was good for what it was as well. But what really sets it apart is the storytelling and the appeal it to the kid in all of us. ***** (five stars).

The Fox-2 Here we are at "Pokemon Heroes," the latest installment in the Pokemon movie series. I know the naysayers among you are thinking, "What? ANOTHER Pokemon movie? Why are they beating this 'dead' franchise?" Though it's far from the powerhouse that it once was, Pokemon still enjoys a level of popularity in the U.S. that justifies the release of a new movie every year (the cards and videogames still sell briskly to this day). Cross the ocean to Japan, and you'll see that Pokemon is STILL going strong after all this time; the 6th Pokemon movie has just been released over there, and Japanese Pokemon merchandising continues heartily."Pokemon Heroes" finds our protagonist, one Ash Ketchum, his ever present Pikachu, and pals Misty and Brock traveling through the Venice-like city of Alto Mare. It is said that Alto Mare is guarded by the spirits of Pokemon siblings Latios (brother) and Latias (sister), whose father, long ago, brought water to the city and saved the people from rogue Pokemon who had been terrorizing the city. Once again, Alto Mare is in danger, but the threat comes not so much from evil Pokemon, but from the ever dangerous Team Rocket. However, it is not the blundering Jessie, James and Meowth (and now also Wobbuffet) who pose the threat, but the graceful and stylish Annie and Oakley who look to rule Alto Mare (and eventually the world) and capture Latios and Latias to present to the Team Rocket boss as prizes. Latias, who has been roaming the city disguised as a local girl, takes a shine to Ash, who inevitably becomes involved in the siblings' struggle against Annie and Oakley for the fate of Alto Mare. Can Ash and his friends help Latias and Latios protect Alto Mare from the evil of Annie and Oakley? Will Jessie, James, Meowth, and Wobbuffet ever be more than just comic relief? Will Brock ever get the girl?As with the previous 4 movies, those who are already Pokemon fans will derive the most enjoyment out of "Pokemon Heroes." Those who are not already fans may still enjoy the movie, if they let themselves. I know what it is like to not have any emotional investment in a movie, to the point of apathy or even distaste for the subject matter or the actors within, yet I have seen and actually enjoyed quite a few movies in spite of my initial impressions. Why many people, including kids who once were rabid Pokemon fans but now for whatever reason claim to now hate it, do not approach Pokemon in the same way is quite unfortunate.What is also unfortunate is Miramax's marketing strategy for "Pokemon Heroes." As with "Pokemon 4Ever," Miramax has decided to release "Pokemon Heroes" in only a handful of theaters (196 on opening weekend) with a minimum of promotion. I am guessing that it is because they are trying to bolster sales of the future VHS/DVD release by firing up anticipation for it, and what better way to get anticipation up than by making the movie available to only a small number of theaters? Personally, I think it's a lousy way to market a popular franchise, and I hope that 4Kids Entertainment will find another distributor for the 6th Pokemon movie, because this so-called "dynamic" marketing strategy Miramax claims to have had for "Pokemon 4Ever" and "Pokemon Heroes" is a bunch of hooey.