Gabo2oo
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Aug 27, 2012
- Messages
- 1,470
- Reaction score
- 2,635
See the thing I hate about this series is that one day I'm seeing some of the worst episodes ever and next thing you know they manage to make one of the best special arcs we've had in years. It's like you never know what you're getting.
Anyways, the whole thing was a bless to watch. We got to hear A LOT of Miyazaki's beautiful DP soundtrack again and Brock's re-introduction actually felt pretty natural. I guess it helped that Dawn has been in contact with Ash so much in this series, so the three of them reuniting in Sinnoh by pure chance isn't that hard to swallow. I thought Brock owning a jet was kind of a stretch, but he's already piloted an aircraft and a freaking spaceship so... All in all, it's great to see him graudally progressing as a Doctor, whether it's done on purpose or not.
The Galactic Commanders' goal was also 100% believable and justified. Creating a new plot out of a story arc that already ended is always dangerous, but they found just the right way to do it. Getting Heatran into the mix also connects with Platinum's story in Stark Mountain, so it almost feels like this was an "epilogue" of sorts that was always meant to be.
Edit: Saturn does have a different development after Team Galactic's defeat in the games, but that doesn't make this deviation bad at all. Both are perfectly valid characterizations.
You can tell at times the plot was dragging on (especially some animation sequences involving the Heatran lava monster); but surprisingly, Part 3 actually benefited from this as it made the characters show more personality. I mean details like Dawn staying behind for a couple of seconds to tell Brock to be careful, or Goh slipping through the rocks while everyone else keeps running ahead, that sort of stuff makes everyone feel more "alive" even if it's there just to fill more time.
Another thing I loved is how they knew exactly when and how to use the characters. When Brock stayed to fight Team Galactic I thought the writers were trying to get rid of him, but they actually showed the battle and let him shine by himself. And then when Cynthia came to help, Brock left Croagunk and Blissey with her because only Steelix was needed to advance the plot on the Heatran side of things. I haven't checked the screenplay credits, but I'm sure a less clever or caring writer would've just had Brock recall his Pokémon.
Not to mention, Steelix helps Brock's appearance here not to feel too detached from his Sun & Moon's more OS-based appearence. Like, it would've been too obvious if he only had his Sinnoh Pokémon here. And by the way, Officer Jenny is here too! She doesn't really do anything, but just knowing that the police is working behind the scenes is good for immersion. Again, it makes the whole thing feel more real and believable.
As for Part 4, love this take on Arceus' role, with Cynthia explicitly saying Arceus intervenes for guidance rather than to solve humans' problems all by itself. This shines in contrast to the dumpster fire that was the whole "prayer" thing in the Dialga & Palkia two-parter. I'm sure Arceus not speaking may be off-putting for most because... well it makes no sense because of the movie, but this kinda makes me wish it never spoke to begin with. It's more fitting for a "God" figure IMO.
Cynthia and especially Brock not doing anything during the climax is kinda unfortunate too, but they had enough moments throughout the whole special so I can let it pass. I do wish we'd seen him treating Heatran's injuries or something, though. Also, the backgrounds inside the lava monster were so simple and yet so unique, I can't think of any other times we saw something like it. I'm glad they didn't use CGI for them.
The Legends: Arceus bit at the end was a bit lackluster, the fact we're looking into the past isn't portrayed very well. The color pallete isn't distinct enough and there's barely anything showing the Hisuian lifestyle. Then again, I also have my fair share of problems with that game's artstyle itself.
Anyways, the whole thing was a bless to watch. We got to hear A LOT of Miyazaki's beautiful DP soundtrack again and Brock's re-introduction actually felt pretty natural. I guess it helped that Dawn has been in contact with Ash so much in this series, so the three of them reuniting in Sinnoh by pure chance isn't that hard to swallow. I thought Brock owning a jet was kind of a stretch, but he's already piloted an aircraft and a freaking spaceship so... All in all, it's great to see him graudally progressing as a Doctor, whether it's done on purpose or not.
The Galactic Commanders' goal was also 100% believable and justified. Creating a new plot out of a story arc that already ended is always dangerous, but they found just the right way to do it. Getting Heatran into the mix also connects with Platinum's story in Stark Mountain, so it almost feels like this was an "epilogue" of sorts that was always meant to be.
Edit: Saturn does have a different development after Team Galactic's defeat in the games, but that doesn't make this deviation bad at all. Both are perfectly valid characterizations.
You can tell at times the plot was dragging on (especially some animation sequences involving the Heatran lava monster); but surprisingly, Part 3 actually benefited from this as it made the characters show more personality. I mean details like Dawn staying behind for a couple of seconds to tell Brock to be careful, or Goh slipping through the rocks while everyone else keeps running ahead, that sort of stuff makes everyone feel more "alive" even if it's there just to fill more time.
Another thing I loved is how they knew exactly when and how to use the characters. When Brock stayed to fight Team Galactic I thought the writers were trying to get rid of him, but they actually showed the battle and let him shine by himself. And then when Cynthia came to help, Brock left Croagunk and Blissey with her because only Steelix was needed to advance the plot on the Heatran side of things. I haven't checked the screenplay credits, but I'm sure a less clever or caring writer would've just had Brock recall his Pokémon.
Not to mention, Steelix helps Brock's appearance here not to feel too detached from his Sun & Moon's more OS-based appearence. Like, it would've been too obvious if he only had his Sinnoh Pokémon here. And by the way, Officer Jenny is here too! She doesn't really do anything, but just knowing that the police is working behind the scenes is good for immersion. Again, it makes the whole thing feel more real and believable.
As for Part 4, love this take on Arceus' role, with Cynthia explicitly saying Arceus intervenes for guidance rather than to solve humans' problems all by itself. This shines in contrast to the dumpster fire that was the whole "prayer" thing in the Dialga & Palkia two-parter. I'm sure Arceus not speaking may be off-putting for most because... well it makes no sense because of the movie, but this kinda makes me wish it never spoke to begin with. It's more fitting for a "God" figure IMO.
Cynthia and especially Brock not doing anything during the climax is kinda unfortunate too, but they had enough moments throughout the whole special so I can let it pass. I do wish we'd seen him treating Heatran's injuries or something, though. Also, the backgrounds inside the lava monster were so simple and yet so unique, I can't think of any other times we saw something like it. I'm glad they didn't use CGI for them.
The Legends: Arceus bit at the end was a bit lackluster, the fact we're looking into the past isn't portrayed very well. The color pallete isn't distinct enough and there's barely anything showing the Hisuian lifestyle. Then again, I also have my fair share of problems with that game's artstyle itself.
There's no loose plot thread. Cyrus got what he wanted, turned on his team and left, that was the end of his arc. Bringing him back would be akin to revealing Hunter J is actually alive or something like that.Who are the real villains? The people who want to bring back their boss from possible torture or the people trying to stop them? Cryus should have come back because it means we STILL have that loose plot thread from DP anime.
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