A Pokémon film that finally broke the Rotten Tomatoes curse
In short: For years, Pokémon movies struggled to find critical acclaim outside of the fanbase. That changed with 2018's The Power of Us. By shifting focus from flashy battles to human drama and personal secrets, it became the first entry in the franchise to earn a 'fresh' score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Released in Japan on July 13, 2018, Pokémon the Movie: The Power of Us marked a significant shift in narrative strategy. While previous entries often leaned heavily into monster combat, this film was noted for its multi-layered storytelling. It wove together several distinct human narratives—including a former track runner seeking an Eevee and a con artist attempting to win a contest—into a singular cohesive plot involving a forest fire and a poisonous spore.
The production was a major collaboration between OLM and Wit Studio, the latter known for high-quality animation on series like Attack on Titan. The film also served as the second installment of an alternate timeline trilogy. Critics highlighted that while some elements felt familiar, the depth provided by the diverse cast's personal motivations allowed it to resonate with broader audiences who didn't necessarily require prior knowledge of the franchise.
The reception was notably polarized but historically significant for the brand. While some critics dismissed it as 'promo fog,' others praised its character development and sincere tone. It ultimately secured a 71% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on seven reviews, an achievement that stood out in a long history of mixed critical receptions for the anime's theatrical releases.
The film also achieved commercial success, grossing $23.7 million worldwide by October 2019. It premiered in 364 theaters across Japan and maintained high audience engagement, earning a reported 92.8% rating from Japanese viewers during its opening run.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Pokémon the Movie: The Power of Us
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