"Pocket Monsters: Earth’s Saviors"
What You Need To Know:
POKEMON 4 EVER is the fourth in a series of animated films based on the infamous game created for Nintendo called “Pocket Monsters.” Strong mystical elements are inherent in the Pokemon world. “Celebi” is a time-traveler. Another, named “Suicune” purifies water and, with the help of Celebi, even brings one back from the dead. Evil is an all-powerful force, personified by “The Pokemon Hunter,” utilizing a device called “Darkball” to capture Pokemon and converting them to evil – increasing their power. Evil is only overcome by mystical forces and human effort.
This newest release was touted as a vastly improved and stylistically more mature, but is actually of no better quality than the television series. POKEMON 4 EVER, based in romanticism seasoned with pantheistic paganism, is unhealthy fare for young moviegoers. A strong undercurrent of environmentalism is clearly exposed near the end of the movie when the lead character declares, “…it’s the humans that are destroying the earth!” The violence is, well, cartoonish. This reviewer was more than a little uncomfortable with the heavy mysticism and humanity-bashing presented in POKEMON 4 EVER. Although packaged “4 Kids,” parents should carefully consider this “4 Ever” movie “-4” viewing
Content:
(Ro, FR, E, Pa, Ev, I, H, V) Strong romantic worldview with lots of mysticism and magic; worship and veneration of nature along with and anti-human environmentalism and the evil power of Darkball is feared and espoused as well as the revelation of a clear correlation between the ‘advanced’ Pokemon and the ignorant humans; the violence is performed by Pokemon characters doing combat using their various powers such as electrocution, claws, fangs, head-butts, fist fighting, and the like; and, the theme song is a very self-serving with “victory-at-all-cost” lyrics promoting a humanistic and self-centered world.
More Detail:
POKEMON 4 EVER is the fourth in a series of animated films based on the famous, and infamous, Nintendo game called “Pocket Monsters.” Video game lover and nature enthusiast Satoshi Tajiri created the mythical characters after studying the interactions of insects in his studio. Nintendo then developed the game into a global multimedia franchise.
The creation of Pokemon spawned a new digital universe of interactive play and adventure. Comic books, collector cards and a television series have all been birthed from this imaginative genesis.
The beginning of this series, POKEMON THE FIRST MOVIE, released in 1999, was followed by POKEMON 2000, and then POKEMON THE MOVIE: SPELL OF THE UNKNOWN. The newest release was touted as a vastly improved and stylistically more mature production, but is actually of no better quality than the television series.
Filled with the standard Pokemon themes of nature worship, friendship, and an amoral approach to mysticism, this movie is more of the same from MIRAMAX and Pokemon USA, Inc.
POKEMON 4 EVER, based in Rousseauian romanticism seasoned with a healthy dose of pantheistic paganism thrown in for good measure, is unhealthy fare for young moviegoers. There is also a strong undercurrent of environmentalism clearly exposed near the end of the movie when the lead character declares, “…it’s the humans that are destroying the earth!” Strong mystical elements are inherent in the Pokemon world. Two new Pokemon are introduced: Celebi, known as the voice of the forest, is a time-traveling little creature with undefined mystical powers. Suicune, is a combination horse/lion creature who is called “the reincarnations of the north winds.” The most rare of all Pokemon, Suicune can purify water. With the help of Celebi, Suicine even brings one back from the dead.
Evil is portrayed as an all-powerful force through most of POKEMON 4 EVER. A character called “The Pokemon Hunter” is evil personified. The Hunter utilizes a device called Darkball to capture Pokemon creatures and convert them into evil beings – increasing their power. This evil is not ultimately overcome by good, but by use of mystical forces and human effort. The violence in this movie is all very unrealistic and cartoonish.
The large amount of mysticism and humanity-bashing in POKEMON 4 EVER made this reviewer more than a little uncomfortable. Although packaged in a “4 Kids” wrapper this “4 Ever” movie needs to be carefully considered by parents be-4 viewing.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
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