Skip to content

POKÉMON MOVIE 14-16 COLLECTION: BLACK AND WHITE

Written By:

Margaret Evans
black white

Assembling all of the Pokémon movies set during the Best Wishes iteration of the show, Black and White is four films that while not being terrible are nothing special either.

The 14th Pokémon movie was the first (and to date, only) entry in the franchise to have two versions in a way that is akin to the way that each game in the franchise’s parent series has at least two versions. There is very little difference between the two versions. They provide something that’s a little different here and there but are certainly not different enough to genuinely separate movies.

The major element that distinguishes this movie from the others is that although it has an antagonist misusing an adorable Pokémon for his own ends, said antagonist has a good reason and is therefore misguided rather than simplistically evil.

Kyurem vs. The Sword of Justice starts is different because it has its central Pokémon (Keldeo) be the one to go through the character arc; Ash and his friends don’t even show up until the plot of the film is established and well underway. Keldeo’s character arc is effective, and Kyurem makes for an imposing threat for the heroes to face. Out of all the films included in this collection, this one is the best.

Genesect and the Legend Awakened has not previously been available on DVD in the U.K. before (though it has long been available on at least one streaming service), so this could be the first chance that many viewers will get to see it. It (like Kyurem vs. The Sword of Justice) is one of the Pokémon movies that doesn’t have a human antagonist, with all the danger come from Pokémon foes (in this case, a group of Genesect). Mewtwo makes an appearance but either it is a different interpretation from the original or the backstory has been forgotten because the first movie is never mentioned and Mewtwo is voiced by a different actor than the one who played the character in the original movie.

As is typical for a Pokémon release, there are no special features here, so there is nothing to make it stand out for anyone who might already have access to these movies via other mediums.

Pokémon Movie 14-16 Collection: Black & White offers more of what had been long been established in the franchise by the time they were made, but most of them at least try to do something a little different with the material. As a whole, this collection is good but not great, and long-time fans of THE SERIES MIGHT HAVE FUN WITH IT.

POKÉMON MOVIE 14-16 COLLECTION: BLACK AND WHITE / CERT: PG / DIRECTORS: KUNIHIKO YUYAMA / SCREENWRITERS: HIDEKI SONODA / STARRING: SARAH NATOCHENNY, JASON GRIFFITH, EILEEN STEVENS, IKUE OOTANI, J. MICHAEL TATUM, VIC MIGNOGNA, MIRIAM PULTRO, KEN GATES/ RELEASE DATE: JULY 9TH

Margaret Evans

You May Also Like...

chinese remake of anaconda drops trailer

ANACONDA Trailer Grants First Look At Remake Of 1997 Horror Flick

Three sequels and a spinoff-crossover film wasn’t enough for the 1997 creature feature Anaconda, which not only has a new movie in development, but is getting a Chinese remake! From
Read More
black widow star scarlett johansson in talks to lead new universal jurassic world film

Scarlett Johansson In Talks To Join JURASSIC WORLD Film

Another MCU star appears to be taking up the reins for Universal’s new Jurassic World movie: two-time Oscar nominee Scarlett Johansson is reportedly in talks to lead the franchise that
Read More

Exclusive Reveal! Titan Comics to Deliver Prehistoric Hysterics in First 2 DUMB DINOS Collection

Titan Comics have exclusively revealed to STARBURST that they’re gearing up to publish the first-ever collection of the hilarious cult digital comic strip 2 Dumb Dinos, and we’re not the
Read More

New Dates For Lovecraftian Key of Dreams

Key of Dreams has announced new spaces for its titular immersive luxury horror event. The critically acclaimed company is known for its overnight experiences that dunk you into a strange
Read More

FAB Café to Host Free Film Screening of New Indie Comedy SECRETS OF A WALLABY BOY

We’re well known for our championing of truly independent filmmakers here at STARBURST, so it’s doubly exciting to be writing about one of our own! After joining the crew in
Read More
colin farrell returns as oswald cobblepot in the penguin series trailer

Colin Farrell Returns In THE PENGUIN Trailer

Colin Farrell returns as Gotham City’s answer to Tony Soprano in the first trailer for Max series The Penguin, which spins out of the world of the 2022 DC film
Read More