Pokémon Heroes

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Pokémon Heroes
The DVD cover for Pokémon Heroes
Directed by	Kunihiko Yuyama Jim Malone
Produced by	Norman J. Grossfield Yukako Matsusako Takemoto Mori Choji Yoshikawa
Written by	Norman J. Grossfield Hideki Sonoda
Starring	Veronica Taylor Rachael Lillis Eric Stuart Madeleine Blaustein Phillip Bartlett Lisa Ortiz Megan Hollingshead Wayne Grayson Tara Jayne Ted Lewis Kayzie Rogers Michael Sinterniklaas Masashi Ebara Megumi Hayashibara Kerry Williams Ikue Ootani
Distributed by	Toho (Japan) Miramax Films (U.S.) TAJ Productions Walt Disney Pictures (U.S.)
Release date(s)	May 16, 2003 (USA)
Running time	71 min.
Language	English Japanese
Preceded by	Pokémon 4Ever
Followed by	Pokémon: Jirachi Wishmaker
IMDb profile

Pokémon Heroes (劇場版ポケットモンスター 水の都の護神 ラティアスとラティオス, Gekijōban Poketto Monsutā Mizu no Miyako no Mamorigami^?, lit. "Pocket Monsters the Movie: Latias and Latios, the Guardian Gods of the Water Capital") is the fifth movie in the Pokémon series, complimenting Pokémon: Master Quest (the last season of Pocket Monsters story arc in the Japanese version). The original Japanese version was released in theaters on July 13, 2002, and the English adaptation saw limited theatrical release on May 16, 2003, before making its way to video and DVD in January 2004.

Heroes is the shortest Pokémon film, and just under 20 minutes for Camp Pikachu. In America, it is also the lowest-grossing of all the Pokémon films, and the only one not to make one million dollars at the American box office. Some say that part of the reason for the failure is the drastic reduction in production values since 4Ever, with some parts of the movie incorporating elements from the Pokémon Live! musical.

[edit] Plot

[edit] Camp Pikachu

The story behind this short revolves around the Pichu brothers as they attempt to find a train back to the big city. Along the way, they are helped by six of Ash Ketchum's and Misty's Pokémon (Pikachu, Cyndaquil, Totodile, Phanpy, Corsola, and Psyduck), and a Wynaut. Meanwhile, Meowth and Wobbuffet are hiking in the back country.

Along the way, they sit around a campfire, where the older Pichu brother, along with Wynaut, scare the younger brother with the help of a Duskull. They also encounter a Volbeat, who guides them to a mill where they could stay the night.

[edit] Heroes: Latias and Latios

The premise of the movie resides around the island-based water city of Altomare. Legend has it that the city (which is designed after the layout of Venice) is guarded by the legendary Pokémon Latios and Latias. We join Annie and Oakley, a pair of women who are working for Team Rocket (in the original story they work on their own). Annie and Oakley are after the Soul Dew, a mysterious ancient artifact that activates the Defence Mechanism of Altomare, which is said to have the power to destroy the city. Also, the two ladies must capture Latios and Latias for their boss, Giovanni.

Ash, Misty and Brock are in Altomare with Pikachu, Togepi and all their other Pokémon. Ash and Misty are participating in the "Tour de Altomare" with Totodile and Corsola. During the course of the race (which drenches an unsuspecting Team Rocket along the way), Ash's chance for a clean win is faulted by an invisible Latias and Latios. Misty is victorious in the water-chariot race, impressing the undefeated winner Ross who owns a Wailmer. Ross gives the gang a tour around Altomare on his boat. Misty notices the symbols on her medal are similar to a pair of Pokémon standing on pillars. Ross explains they are Latios and Latias, the Guardians of Altomare.

Meanwhile, Annie and Oakley use a robotic spy camera to scan the city for Latias and Latios. Oakley explains that the two legendaries can become invisible and even shapeshift into humans. However, Oakley tracks down one as Pokémon have lower body temperatures than humans. Team Rocket are in Altomare as well and after spotting the two spies, they decide to see what they're up too.

Ash and co. go for ice cream, but Pikachu heads for a water fountain instead. Unable to reach the lever on the fountain, he fails to get a drink, until a mysterious girl appears and helps him. Ash appears and the girl oddly inspects him before fleeing. Annie and Oakley stalk the girl who they know is really Latias in disguise. They attack her with an Espeon and an Ariados. Ash and Pikachu come to the girl's rescue and they flee through the city with Annie and Oakley's Pokémon not far behind, but they soon get lost. The girl soon takes Ash by the hand and leads him back to Brock and Misty before vanishing.

Later on, Ash and the others go to the museum where they find a pair of fossils imbedded in the museum's floor. The museum's curator, Lorenzo (who wears clothes similar to Mario), explains that long ago the fossils of the Aerodactyl and Kabutops were owned by an evil trainer who attacked people. Latios came to the city and brought water to the city, drowning the two evil Pokémon and turning the streets into canals. Lorenzo also shows the heroes the DMA (The Defence Mechanism of Altomare). He explains that the people built it to protect their city from danger, but fortunately they had to use it and it is now just a sacred monument. Ash then notices a girl in the museum who greatly resembles the girl he saved from Annie and Oakley, only now she wears a white hat and carries an art kit.

Ash follows after the girl with Pikachu trailing after him. The girl acts as if she doesn't even know Ash and disappears into the back alleys of the city. Ash and Pikachu run into the girl, but she is now silent and leads the two on a wild goose chase around the city until she literally runs through a wall and disappears into thin air. Pikachu follows and Ash does likewise. Ash and Pikachu discover a secret garden which is like a Pokémon paradise. The two spy the girl on a swing and go to approach her. But windchimes start spinning for all their worth and out of a pool of water comes an invisible Latios and attacks them. When the Latios comes to strike, the girl steps in the way of his path and Latios reveals himself. Ash is in total shock, and watches as Latios roars at the girl, as if asking her to move aside. Suddenly, the same girl Ash has been chasing appears, and now Ash stares at twins. The girl, who is named Bianca, demands to know why Ash is there, and sends Latios to attack him. Lorenzo mysteriously appears and reveals Bianca is his granddaughter and he asks the silent girl if she'd like to play with Ash.

The girl drags Ash over to the swing and starts swinging with him. When Ash asks why she is called Latias, the girl suddenly transforms into Latias herself. Ash is so shocked he falls off the swing. Latios kindles with Pikachu and the two dragons play with Pikachu. Latias steals Ash's hat and plays with Ash. Latios' eyes suddenly glow white, as do Latias'. Latios dives into the water and swims through the canals of Altomare. Latias projects what Latios' is seeing to Ash and the others using psychic powers. Lorenzo calls this power "Sight-Sharing".

Later on, Lorenzo explains Latias and Latios have been under his care ever since they were babies, as their father died saving the city previously. What happened to their mother is unknown. Lorenzo then shows Ash the Soul Dew, which contains the spirit of Latios. Unfortunately for Latias, Ash has to get back to his friends and he, Lorenzo and Bianca leave. Hiding in the shadows is Annie and Oakley's spy camera.

Lorenzo takes Ash through his workshop where he makes gondolas. Bianca takes Ash to the Pokémon Center, him asking why she was attacked by Annie and Oakley. She has no idea what he is on about.

Lorenzo is knocked unconsious by Espeon and Annie and Oakley invade the secret garden, capture Latios and steal the Soul Dew. Latias manages to escape though. Lorenzo and Bianca discover the Soul Dew's disappearance and head for the museum, where they find Annie and Oakley starting up the defence mechanism. Espeon puts the two to sleep using a Psychic attack.

Meanwhile, Latias makes it to the Pokémon Center and awakens Pikachu. Latias morphs into Bianca and Ash is quickly startled when he sees her. Ash explains to Misty and Brock she is Latias and she transforms into her true form, freaking out Brock and Misty. Latios is in trouble and using Sight Sharing to show what he is seeing to Ash and the others. Oakley takes control of the DMA resurrecting Aerodactyl and Kabutops as zombies and then initiates a city-wide lockdown. Latios gets weaker and weaker as the machine becomes more powerful.

Ash, Pikachu and Latias travel to the museum, but are attacked by the Aerodactyl. Latias saves Ash from drowning and they use a water chariot to get to the museum. Meanwhile, Brock and Misty send Crobat, Corsola and Politoed to help Ash, while Brock gets angry and starts scaling the fence that has surrounded the Pokémon Center. Ash, Latias and Pikachu are attacked by Kabutops but Crobat, Corsola and Politoed save them.

Oakley gets a taste for power and gets an idea of trying to conquer the world, which worries Annie. Oakley manipulates the city's water into a giant water spout which captures Ash, Pikachu and Latias and proceeds to try to drown them. Latias manages to penetrate the water spout and free herself, Ash and Pikachu. Her power causes the defence mechanism to go haywire, trapping Oakley within.

Ash, Pikachu and Latias get into the museum and free Lorenzo and Bianca. Latias tries to free her brother but fails too. Ash then continues his reckless streak by running into the forcefield that is hurting Latios. Pikachu and Latias does likewise. Latias destroys the forcefield, allowing Ash and the others to pull the wounded Latios out of the machine. The mechanism stops. Annie seems pleased that the chaos has ended and goes to help Oakley. Misty and Brock appear. Annie notices the Soul Dew has turned black. Lorenzo warns her not to touch the Soul Dew - Too late! The DMA goes crazy, and the Soul Dew explodes, causing all the water in the city to deplete.

Ash, Brock, Misty, Lorenzo, Bianca, Pikachu, Latias and Latios head outside and watch in horror as a tsunami heads for the city. Latios and Latias head out to defend Altomare. Latios uses all his power and he and Latias create a powerful blast and fly into the tsunami and destroys it, allowing all the water to return into the city. Latias awakens in a white void, with a spiritual Latios who floats up into the sky and vanishes, leaving Latias alone. The water returns to the canals, Team Rocket getting caught in the rush and are cast away. The lockdown fades away, and Aerodactyl and Kabutops fade as well, returning to the museum as a fossils. Annie and Oakley are both trapped within the DMA.

As the sun rises, Ash and the others search the sea for Latios and Latias. Pikachu spots Latias floating on a Mantine who brings her to the heroes. Latias awakens alive. Latias realises Latios is gone and looks up at a pillar of light which represents Latios. Lorenzo realises Latios has passed on and everyone grieves his death. Latias suddenly activates Sight Sharing and the heroes watch from Latios' point of view as he floats from Earth up into space. Latios' spirit then forms into the new Soul Dew.

The group return to reality and place the new Soul Dew in the secret garden. Later that day, Ash, Misty, Brock and Pikachu prepare to leave and say farewell to Lorenzo, thanking him for everything. Lorenzo calls to Bianca but she doesn't reply. Ash and the others leave, but see what looks like Bianca waving at them from a bridge. The boat stops at the dock and Bianca approaches Ash. She offers him a scrolled piece of paper and then gives him a kiss on the cheek, leaving Misty and Brock in shock. The silent Bianca then departs. Misty asks whether or not that was Bianca or Latias, while Brock is left extremely jealous. Ash unravels the scroll and sees it is a sketch of him and Pikachu. The heroes depart Altomare, but Ash and Pikachu notice Latias flying with her revived brother and father.

The credits show Lorenzo and group of builders working on the DMA, either fixing it or making it more difficult to use; a sketch of Annie and Oakley being freed from the DMA and later in jail examining photos of items belonging to the collector, Lawrence III from the second movie; Bianca at the dock painting another picture and feeling the breeze fly through her hair and the traditional scenes of Ash, Misty and Brock wandering through the land on their journey.

Japanese poster of Guardian Spirits of the Water Capital - Latias and Latios

[edit] Cast

[edit] Trivia

• Latios marks the first actual Pokémon death in the entire North American series, as Entei and Celebi in previous movies did not actually die.
• The city's name, Altomare, literally means "high sea" or "high tide" in Italian.
• Latios and Latias make their animated debut in this film.
• This marks the last movie appearance of Misty. Whether or not she'll appear in any upcoming movies is unknown.
• As with Pokémon 4Ever the short film for the movie Camp Pikachu was only on the DVD & VHS.

[edit] External links

• Pokémon Heroes at the Internet Movie Database
• Official Pokémon.com site

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Pokémon Heroes