Common Sense Media Review
By Brian Costello
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Confusing plot, annoying voices; for die-hard fans only.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 7+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Pokémon the Movie: Hoopa and the Clash of Ages
What's the Story?
Ash, Pikachu, and their friends visit Dahara City, a desert city, where they meet Hoopa, a creature with the ability to summon people and things through its magical rings. While Hoopa at first seems playful and mischievous -- using the rings to steal their donuts -- the power of the rings were part of a dark past in which a more demonic Hoopa used the rings to terrorize this very same city until it was stopped by a mysterious traveler who bottles up the power of what was once Hoopa Unbound. Back to the present day, this bottle has been reopened, and the little Hoopa -- a goofy prankster -- starts to transform back into the demonic Hoopa Unbound, and it's up to Ash and friends to find a way to prevent this from happening and to ensure the safety of Dahara City.
Is It Any Good?
The poor acting and annoying voices make Pokémon the Movie: Hoopa and the Clash of the Ages best for the most die-hard fans only. The character Hoopa, who vacillates between a cutesy little prankster Pokémon and a gigantic demon Pokémon in the throes of megalomania, has a jarring and distractingly annoying voice, no matter the incarnation. This voice is tailor-made for headaches, and that alone will make this difficult viewing for kids and adults who have zero interest in Pokémon.
The story itself is needlessly complicated and seems like more of a chance for the manufacturers of Pokémon products to unveil all the different characters available for purchase than to add anything worthwhile to the story beyond more explosions and cartoon violence. For those interested in checking out Pokémon animated features, this is most certainly not the best place to start.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about movies based on popular products marketed to children. How might these movies encourage kids to want to own the various Pokémon products currently on the market?
What are some other examples of kids' entertainment in which characters based on action figures and other popular toys are prominent?
Did the violence in this cartoon seem necessary to the overall story, or did it seem like it was added for the sake of extra excitement?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : February 19, 2015
- Cast : Rica Matsumoto , Ikue Otani , Yuki Kaji
- Director : Kunihiko Yuyama
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Asian Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Pikachu Project
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Adventures , Fantasy
- Run time : 78 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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