The third time was definitely the charm here. This was a great Pokémon film for several reasons, not the least of which is it being a darker and stranger adventure than usual.The plot involves a little girl named Molly who lost her parents and is granted wishes by the unknown. She now lives in her strange little world with Entei as her father. Entei captures Ash's mother to grant her wish to have a mother.The story is more serious than you would expect from Pokémon, and the film benefits from it. The sense of tragedy was there as you could really feel for Molly. Of course, it was also quite personal for Ash.The weird dream-world Ash and the gang go through is very strange and gives the film a surreal quality. The whole film takes place in virtually one setting, but they really manage to make it work.The Pokémon battles were top notch. The battle between Charizard and Entei, in particular, is one of the best and most nail-biting battles ever in the series.The ending where Molly finally comes to her senses (and is reunited with her real parents during the end credits) is very moving, and the music is as good as you could expect.This is about on par with "Pokémon 2000." Both are great for different reasons. The dark tone of the movie might not appeal to younger fans of the series, but for older fans, it really is a stand-out.RATING: A-

I liked this movie a lot, when I was younger. Now, as I am... not so young anymore, I am surprised that I still like it. But, I guess you must be a Pocket Monsters fan to like it. The original Japanese version is slightly different, but still, slightly. The first PokeMon movie was heavily edited for the American release, as was the second one. In case of the 3rd, you get pretty much the original thing. The movie has a great story, superb animation, and awesome soundtrack (as usual). The music was exclusively composed for the western release by Ralph Schtukett, and it really does the film great service. If only it was released on a CD... Oh, well, you can still hear it in the movie.Whether you are a PokeMon or Anime fan, you should definitely pick this one up.

This is definitely the best of the pokemon films. Unlike the previous movie which depended mostly on juvenile action, this one gives us strong imagery, emotion, and a better use of Pokemon to advance the plot. Even though like Pokemon 2000, this movie feels a bit short, I think the story works well enough. Even though the dialog is juvenile as one might expect, somehow it feels less hokey than Pokemon 2000. Just as it was in the previous two films, Team Rocket acts as a comic relief, by constantly making reference to the fact that they are in a movie. In a way, they have become good guys, but I think the filmmakers are a little confused about what to do with them. The rest of the movie works fine. No movie will ever be as good as the show but, the Pokemon spirit does manage to come alive here for an entertaining hour and a half.

This movie is good, and anyone who doesn't like Pokemon is an idiot! I really enjoy Pokemon when I watch it. BEWARE, SPOILERS! Ash's mom is kidnapped!!!! It's all because this girl who has lost both parents found the Unown Pokemon tablets her father found just before he vanished, and wished she had a father and a mother. The Pokemon Entei appeared and became her "father" and then Entei went and kidnapped Ash's mom right in front of his own eyes. He tried to stop Entei, but it was too fast and Ash couldn't catch up. You are NOT going to believe this, but Ash and the little girl Molly were friends when they were both younger!! She and her father and mother would come over and the two kids would play together!!! I have already told you too much, so I will keep my mouth shut about the rest of this movie except for one more thing, I was really happy for Molly when her father came back, and I was thrilled when her mother was found and brought home, that was probably my favorite part. :) Well, JA-NE! 6/10