All four Pokémon movies set during the Diamond and Pearl era of the show are finally collected in one box set. Unusually for a Pokémon movie (at least at the time they were released) the first three movies in this box set form a trilogy of sorts, with the plot of The Rise of Darkrai directly affecting the plots of Giratina and the Sky Warrior, and Arceus and the Jewel of Life.
Having an interconnected plot between the three movies hurts and helps them in equal measure. The second and third movies in the collection use the first in their set up, being able to explain why certain Pokémon act the way they do without much set up because the first movie has already done the legwork in that regard. Unfortunately, it also leaves The Rise of Darkrai feeling a little hollow in that regard. It takes most of its runtime to even get properly going, and it doesn’t offer much that can’t be found in other Pokémon movies. This is a criticism that is also true of, and Zoroark – The Master of Illusions. In both these movies, there is a cute Pokémon and an almost or entirely irredeemable bad guy who wants to exploit said cute Pokémon for their own selfish ends. Neither of these two movies offers anything new to add variety to this formula, and while they aren’t outright bad they don’t stand out among the series.
The exception in terms of quality is Arceus and the Jewel of Life. The plot moves at a good pace, the villain is one of the more sympathetic villains of the series, and the movie even does a couple of interesting things with time travel. There are two scenes set in the same room across different time periods with each time period directly affecting how the occupants interact with that room. It shows actual consideration of the implications of the set up rather than using it to handwave plot holes. Most importantly, Arceus and the Jewels of Life is a prime example of the very real emotional drama that can be present in Pokémon when it isn’t just about people being mean to Pokémon because they are evil.
There are some good elements to Pokémon Movie: Diamond and Pearl Collection and the third movie in the set is even a solid addition to the series. As a whole however this box set represents something of a rut for the franchise. Most of the meat of the movies included are either undeveloped or repeating patterns that were being used as far back as Pokémon 4Ever. Skip this release unless you already know you want to watch it.
POKÉMON MOVIE: DIAMOND AND PEARL COLLECTION / CERT: PG / DIRECTOR: KUNIHIKO YUYAMA / SCREENPLAY: VARIOUS / STARRING: SARAH NATOCHENNY, EMILY BAUER, BILL ROGERS, IKUE OTANI MICHELLE KNOTZ / RELEASE DATE: MAY 21ST
