Pokemon Heroes (2003)

16% of critics liked it
(38 reviews)
64% of users liked it
(12,123 ratings)

The phenomenon of the "pocket monsters" marches on with this animated sci-fi adventure for kids. Famous Pokémon trainer Ash Ketchum (voice of Veronica Taylor) is en route to a special water race for Pokémon in Altomare with his loyal companion, Pikachu, but when they arrive they discover there's… More The phenomenon of the "pocket monsters" marches on with this animated sci-fi adventure for kids. Famous Pokémon trainer Ash Ketchum (voice of Veronica Taylor) is en route to a special water race for Pokémon in Altomare with his loyal companion, Pikachu, but when they arrive they discover there's bigger game afoot than the race. Annie and Oakley are a pair of female villains determined to steal the all-powerful jewel known as the Soul Dew. However, the jewel is guarded by two especially vigilant Pokémon, Latios and Latias, so the thieves must capture the creatures before they can make off with the enchanted artifact. Annie and Oakley are able to put Latios in captivity, but not before Ash and his friends arrive on the scene. Will Ash and Pikachu be able to free Latios before the thieves can capture the Soul Dew and use its power to control all they survey? Pokémon Heroes is the fifth feature film released in the United States based on the popular Pokemon animé series. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: G, 1 hr. 11 min.
Directed By: Jim Malone, Kunihiko Yuyama
Written By: Hideki Sonoda, Jim Malone
Genres: Animation, Kids & Family, Anime & Manga, Art House & International, Science Fiction & Fantasy

In Theaters: May 16, 2003 Wide
On DVD: Jan 20, 2004
Studio: Miramax Films

Critic Reviews

Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News
We've seen it all before, and too many times.
C.W. Nevius, San Francisco Chronicle
The story is also less violent and combative.
Bob Campbell, Newark Star-Ledger
Directors Kunihiko Yuyama and Jim Malone pull off a few striking visual effects. But it's still a Pokemon movie.
Louise Kennedy, Boston Globe
The same old grab for the wallet.
John Monaghan, Detroit Free Press
Parents, only you can prevent another Pokemon.
Lou Lumenick, New York Post
Surely a form of child abuse.
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
Below-average and too violent for younger kids.
James Plath, Reel.com
an uninspired rip-off of Disney's Atlantis with more pointless digressions than a baseball announcer
Daniel M. Kimmel, Worcester Telegram & Gazette
[I]t seems these things are being made and released by rote. If no one went, would the next one come out anyway?
Tom Meek, Boston Phoenix
The result is impressive but does little to further the experience.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
There are, alas, the requisite new characters and this round it's a pair of winged critters with high-pitched grating 'voices' that sound most awfully like Mr. Bill from Saturday Night Live.
Jeff Vice, Deseret News, Salt Lake City
It's a pointless exercise in animated tedium.
Sean Means, Salt Lake Tribune
An easily avoided waste of time.
Sue Pierman, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
At worst, you're paying to see something you can basically see on television.
Sarah Chauncey, Reel.com
The new characters' voices are even more grating and annoying than in previous installments, and some of the animation seems downright archaic.
Peter Sobczynski, Critic Doctor
All that a piece of product like Pokemon Heroes will inspire is the urge to nap.
Marc Savlov, Austin Chronicle
Kids will revolt, parents will snooze, and I will be downright giddy if I never encounter another Pokémon movie as long as I live.
Daniel Eagan, Film Journal International
Those who haven't fallen under the Pokémon spell will find little here to convert them.
Chris Hewitt (St. Paul), St. Paul Pioneer Press
You'd have to classify Pokemon Heroes as an action movie, but with the static long shots and inert faces, it's more like an inaction movie.
Doug Knoop, Seattle Times
If you still have Pokémon fans at your house, I suppose there's no harm in taking them to see this movie; but with Pixar's Finding Nemo set to open in a couple of weeks, surely you can find something better to do this weekend.

Read all 20 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

KJ P

Pokemon Heroes is among the most boring of the Pokemon films and has the most lukerative plot about two twin dragons, while ash's mission is to get to a pokemon race to see them. Along the way, there are conflicts and battles. However, I find most of this film uninteresting and… More
Pokemon Heroes is among the most boring of the Pokemon films and has the most lukerative plot about two twin dragons, while ash's mission is to get to a pokemon race to see them. Along the way, there are conflicts and battles. However, I find most of this film uninteresting and strays very far away from the original origins. Pokemon Heroes shouldn't have been made!
Brad W

Cool and better than others, but still trippy
Michael E

i have to admit this pokemon movie bored me not saying its bad its just not up to par with the past and next few sequels
Sanjaya &

Really entertaining!
Bradley W

Cool and better than others, but still trippy
Steven V

At 71 minutes, <b>Pokémon Heroes</b> is the shortest Pokémon movie yet. This movie continues along the concept of the original movies: to further the sales of the games by expanding upon their concepts. This movie is very good, due to the well-structured plot, the… More
At 71 minutes, <b>Pokémon Heroes</b> is the shortest Pokémon movie yet. This movie continues along the concept of the original movies: to further the sales of the games by expanding upon their concepts. This movie is very good, due to the well-structured plot, the characters, the pokémon and the setting, which is based on Venice. Overall, a good movie for Pokémon fans or just for people who like animated children's films.