Common Sense Media Review
By Brian Costello
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Some positive messages, but best for fans only.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 7+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Pokemon the Movie: I Choose You!
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 9 kid reviews
Kids say this movie serves as a solid yet polarizing remake of the initial episodes of the Pokémon series, with some praising its emotional depth while others find it lacking and overly simplistic. While it has moments of humor and action, the film's changes to beloved characters and plot points have disappointed some long-time fans, making it a mix of enjoyment and frustration for viewers.
- solid remake
- emotional depth
- character disappointment
- audience divide
- fun for kids
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In POKEMON THE MOVIE: I CHOOSE YOU!, Ash Ketchum oversleeps on the day he's to be assigned a Pokemon in Professor Oaks' lab. By the time he arrives, the only Starter left is Pikachu. While Pikachu is somewhat mischievous and rebellious, Ash is happy to take it on an adventure. Soon after leaving Pallet Town, the pair face off against Spearows, who Pikachu defeats. After the battle, a Ho-Oh flies above them and drops a mysterious Rainbow Wing. Continuing the adventure, Ash befriends the Trainers Verity and Sorrel, but run into trouble when they meet Cross, a Trainer who equates losing with weakness, and therefore has abandoned Charamander, a Pokemon left to fend for itself. Ash invites the Charamander to join their group, and as they try to defeat Cross and make him understand that his actions aren't the way of the Trainers, they must also worry about Team Rocket, a wicked trio who like stealing Pokemon, and find a way to figure out the meaning and significance of the Rainbow Wing.
Is It Any Good?
A common tendency in mediocre-at-best anime is to layer the story with as many plots and subplots as possible in the space of a feature-length film. Pokemon the Movie: I Choose You! is yet another example of this unfortunate tendency. What could be the simple story of the beginning bond between Ash and Pikachu turns into a chaotic snarl of extraneous characters, side stories, and something about a rainbow feather. By the third act, the story thread more or less unravels, but it shouldn't be a spoiler to reveal that the aforementioned rainbow feather turns gray when it's taken by those whose hearts aren't pure.
While somewhat of an origin story (based loosely on the pilot episode of the Pokemon anime series), Pokemon the Movie: I Choose You! is best for Pokemon fans or those who know enough about Pokemon to understand the battle scenes and already know and care enough about the characters to fully understand what's at stake. Otherwise, the needless and overwrought complexity to the story isn't really worth the trouble to try and grasp it.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about movies inspired by games and toys. Why do you think cartoons are often based on games, toys, and other merchandise designed to appeal to kids?
What positive messages does this movie share about good sportsmanship and learning from mistakes?
Why do you think Pokemon is still so popular? What are some other examples of kids' movies and television shows that manage to remain popular for a long time?
Movie Details
- In theaters : November 5, 2017
- On DVD or streaming : February 13, 2018
- Cast : Sarah Natochenny , Ikue Otani , Rica Matsumoto
- Director : Kunihiko Yuyama
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Asian Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Warner Brothers
- Genre : Fantasy
- Run time : 98 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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