Pokémon the Movie: The Power of Us

Plot

Fula City was founded on barren land that was developed by humans after the Legendary Pokémon Lugia granted them the power of wind. The wind festival is held every year.

Fifty years ago, the nearby mountain forest was engulfed in flames due to humans clearing the mountain forest and looking for the mysterious Mythical Pokémon Zeraora. Harriet, the woman who built the wind power plant, burned her hand while failing to save her Snubbull from the burning windmill; she was only able to get the key to start the turbine that Snubbull was holding. This resulted in her becoming distant from Pokémon. Lugia was called to clear the fire. Hoping to protect Zeraora from the humans, the Mayor of Fula City created a lie that Zeraora had died and cursed the mountain. This secret was kept by the mayor's successor, Oliver. Fifty years later, Oliver's daughter Margo takes care of Zeraora after it injures itself saving her and two other Pokémon from a rockslide in the foothills.

Former track runner Risa agrees to attend the festival to capture a Eevee for her younger brother Rick. Ash Ketchum and his partner Pokémon Pikachu attend the festival and take part in the Pokémon catching contest. Con artist Callahan attends the festival with his sister Mia and her daughter Kelly, who suffers from low immunity, so Callahan invents tall tales about him being the best trainer when he does not even have a Pokémon. The elderly Harriet gets the essence of the Pokémon move Sweet Scent on her, resulting in Pokémon following her wherever she goes.

Getting help from timid scientist Toren, Callahan decides to give Toren's speech at his lab in return for Toren helping him win the Pokémon catching contest. A wild Sudowoodo Callahan took pity on begins following him. Callahan comes in first boasting about a rare Pokémon in the woods intriguing everyone, but worrying Margo. Ash places second, and helps Risa capture an Eevee.

Upset over the amount of Pokémon that have been following her, Harriet goes to Toren to ask for an antidote, but says it will take time resulting in her staying with him. Callahan is unable to make it to the speech. Toren tries to give the presentation on his own, but accidentally plays footage of him helping Callahan at the contest in time for everyone to see it. Upset over her uncle's lies, Kelly passes out from exhaustion. Team Rocket steal a bottle of the ability Effect Spore from the lab, only to accidentally lose it in the woods.

Production

The film was initially announced on the December 10, 2017, broadcast of TV Tokyo's variety program Oha Suta, under the title Pokémon the Movie 2018 (劇場版 ポケットモンスター 2018, Gekijō-ban Poketto Monsutā 2018), showing a new character design for the film's main protagonist Ash Ketchum alongside a new unnamed character. The film also revolves around the Legendary Pokémon Lugia. Alongside the reveal of the film, Wit Studio (Attack on Titan, The Ancient Magus' Bride) was confirmed to co-produce and animate the film. A new trailer for the film was released on February 27, 2018, which revealed 5 new characters accompanying Ash in the movie alongside the mysterious new character; the film's initial premise was also revealed. The staff also revealed that Kunihiko Yuyama served as the film's animation supervisor, which marked the first time he did not direct a Pokémon film in his career. Alongside a different director, Eiji Umehara and Aya Takaha also wrote the film's script.

Music

Regular series composer Shinji Miyazaki wrote the film's score. Porno Graffitti performed the film's ending theme, "Breath". For the international release, composer Ed Goldfarb wrote the film's ending theme, "The Power of Us", performed by Haven Paschall, with additional vocals by Charity Goodin and Ben Dixon.

Release

Theatrical run

The film premiered theatrically in Japan on July 13, 2018, with a limited release in the United Kingdom, Ireland, United States and Canada starting on November 24—December 1, plus additional screening on December 3 in United States by Fathom Events. It was released in Australia and New Zealand starting on November 25. The English dub was first screened in Singapore on November 12.

Home media

In the United Kingdom, Manga Entertainment released a collector's Blu-ray/DVD edition on February 19, 2019.

In the United States, the Blu-ray/DVD was released by Viz Media on March 19, 2019.

Reception

Box office

The Power of Us premiered on July 13, 2018, in 364 theaters in Japan and opened at #2 at the Japanese box office, though the film earned 3.1% less than the opening weekend of last year's Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You! According to polls conducted by Pia Cinemas, the film has hit the mark in Japan. The Power of Us led the pack at the box office with a reported 92.8% rating from the audience.

The Power of Us fell from #3 to #4 during the fourth weekend. The film earned ¥180,860,400 ($1.62 million) from Friday to Sunday and earned a cumulative total of ¥1,652,206,500 ($14.88 million). By its 5th weekend, The Power of Us fell to #9, and earned ¥2,357,352,897.60 ($21 million) on 2.04 million admissions. The Power of Us fell off the top 10 during the seventh weekend, but was still screening. As of October 2019, the film has earned a cumulative total of $23.7 million worldwide.

Critical reception

Callum May of Anime News Network said that the film is one of the most successful attempts at telling multiple stories within the same Pokémon film. May also added, "Although Zeraora's plot feels too familiar, the cast of human characters and their own personal motivations and secrets leave a stronger impression. There is a possibility that the localisation won't be able to properly translate some aspects and may lose the tone of some important scenes, but if they manage to nail it, Pokémon fans are in for a standout film that reinvents the formula yet again."

The English release received mixed reviews from critics, but became the first Pokémon film to receive a fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes. The review aggregator reported that 71% of critics have given the film a positive review based on seven reviews, with an average rating of 5.9/10. Rosie Knight of IGN said, "Sweet and sincere, The Power of Us is a light and fun adventure film filled with likable characters, fantastic creatures, and enough classic Pokémon to make the most diehard of fans happy." Marc Deschamps of Nintendojo rated the film with a B+ grade and said, "Good standalone story; great animation; strong character development". Josh Stevens of Anime UK News called the film "a much-needed change of pace, creating a charming film that’s less about flashy monster battles and more on the people who just happen to live in a Pokémon world. No prior knowledge is required to enjoy this film, so I wholeheartedly recommend it to any Pokémon fan – just remember to stay behind after the credits!"

Conversely, Mike McCahill of The Guardian gave the film a negative review and said the film was "dud animation lost in promo fog." Eddie Harrison of List Film said that the film is "strictly for fans only".

Sequel

The third installment of the Pokémon: Sun & Moon/Alternate Timeline film series, Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back – Evolution, a CGI remake of Pokémon: The First Movie, opened in Japanese cinemas on July 12, 2019, directed by Kunihiko Yuyama and Motonori Sakakibara. Additionally, Takeshi Shudo, who died in 2010, is credited for writing the screenplay.

A more traditionally 2D-animated fourth film, titled Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle, was released in Japan on December 25, 2020, followed by an international release in 2021.