Pokémon the Movie: Black—Victini and Reshiram & White—Victini and Zekrom (2011)

A Hero Must Choose: The Power of Ideals... or the Courage of Truth?

Japanese title: 劇場版ポケットモンスター ベストウイッシュ ビクティニと白き英雄 レシラム

& 劇場版ポケットモンスター ベストウイッシュ ビクティニと黒き英雄 ゼクロム.

(Gekijōban Poketto Monsutā Besuto Uisshu Bikutini to Shiroki Eiyū Reshiramu & 

Gekijōban Poketto Monsutā Besuto Uisshu Bikutini to Kuroki Eiyū Zekuromu)

Other title: 比克提尼與黑英雄 捷克羅姆, 比克提尼與白英雄 雷希拉姆,
Pokémon le film: Blanc — Victini et Zekrom & Noir — Victini et Reshiram,
La película Pokémon: Negro — Victini y Reshiram & Blanco — Victini y Zekrom.

Pokémon the Movie: Black & White Posters

Comments on Movie: Pokémon the Movie: Black—Victini and Reshiram & White—Victini and Zekrom (2011)

"It looked like it could’ve been a promising film. But it unfortunately tripped before reaching the finish line thanks to an incredibly weak villain and questionable political correctness."- Andrew K., Earn This.

"The difference shows how alternate paths can lead to the same conclusion. This movie is less violent and complex than other Pokemon entries, with less about fighting and collecting, and more focus on helping others." - Jeffrey M. Anderson, Common Sense Media.

"Unfortunately, even if it's two against any one film, they are not as captivating as most of the other Pokémon films in entirety." - Rosalyn Lim.

Genre/Tags 

Anime Drama Family Fantasy Video Game
Pokémon 2D Animation Animated Feature

Pokémon the Movie: Black—Victini and Reshiram & White—Victini and Zekrom (2011) Trailer

Pokémon the Movie: Black—Victini and Reshiram & White—Victini and Zekrom (2011) at a glance

Pokémon the Movie: Black—Victini and Reshiram (2011) and Pokémon the Movie: White—Victini and Zekrom (2011) are Pokémon's fourteenth theatrical film. Directed by Kunihiko Yuyama, both of these films are based on their respective video games and they feature legendary Victory Pokémon Victini, Vast White Pokémon Reshiram and  Deep Black Pokémon Zekrom.

Pokémon the Movie: Black—Victini and Reshiram & White—Victini and Zekrom (2011) Synopsis

During their travels through the Unova region, Ash and his friends Iris and Cilan arrive in Eindoak Town, built around a castle called the Sword of the Vale. The three Trainers have come to compete in the town's annual battle competition, and Ash manages to win with some unexpected help from the Mythical Pokémon Victini! It turns out Victini has a special bond with this place...

Long ago, the castle watched over the Kingdom of the Vale, and the partnership between Victini and the king protected the people who lived there. But that kingdom has since vanished into memory, leaving behind powerful relics and ancient Pokémon. Damon, a descendant of the People of the Vale, is trying to restore the lost kingdom with the help of his Gothitelle/Reuniclus. His quest has taken him to the far reaches of the frozen tundra/barren desert, and he has convinced the Legendary Pokémon Zekrom/Reshiram to help him!

Damon plans to trap Victini and harness its power, and as that plan gets under way, the entire town of Eindoak faces disaster! Can Ash use the courage of truth to convince the Legendary Pokémon Reshiram/Zekrom to to help stop Damon? Can they rescue Victini? The greatest adventure in Pokémon history approaches!

Movie Review: Pokémon the Movie: Black—Victini and Reshiram & White—Victini and Zekrom (2011)

Reshiram and Zekrom

Pokémon the Movie: Black—Victini and Reshiram & White—Victini and Zekrom (2011) are quite special as they are the two versions of the fourteenth films, just like the two versions of the game, Pokémon Black & White. Each version has different set of Pokémon that are exclusive to its respective titles and there are indeed some differences in several aspects. Unfortunately, even if it's two against any one film, they are not as captivating as most of the other Pokémon films in entirety.

Poor Victini.

Firstly, the concept of Victini is quite interesting and it is adorable but that is not enough to make these films considered a good one as the whole backstory and plot is just not compelling. Then, while the designs of Reshiram and Zekrom are quite unique; the concept of Heroes of Truth and Ideals associated with them are awfully laughable. There is just nothing to it because everything here is extremely vague. Talk about philosophy!

The Sword of the Vale.

There is also nothing much to the flying castle, except that it look grand on the outside, can be moved around by abusing Pokémon's powers and if it lands on the right spot, it can magically stop a powerful energy known as the dragon force. Honestly, nothing much stands out here except the pop up history book scene which is creative and nicely done and probably Ash Ketchum's selfless and reckless actions. 

So, if you hate him, it is most likely that you won't like this at all because the creators of this animated feature decided to make it Ash-centric again with these films by making him, an unknown person to the kingdom as the chosen one. I am neutral towards Ash Ketchum but it is still illogical. 

Damon and his Gothitelle in Pokémon Black.

What made it worst is that the villain is also one of the worst there is. He seems to be a good guy but he is not. Then, he is supposed to be a bad guy, but he is not really one too. There are just so many contradictions about this character Damon but I guess in the end he is just one confused guy.

Zekrom.

At first, I wanted to do a separate entry for Pokémon the Movie: Black—Victini and Reshiram & White—Victini and Zekrom (2011). But I came to combine them as the whole entry would be similar including the movie quote part. Which one is the better version, is all up to your own liking. 

Reshiram.

There are only slightly different scenes with different side of story and characters but as a whole, the differences are almost unnoticeable except during the People of the Vale scenes and the appearance of Damon's Pokémon as the script and the editing is largely the same. It may seem clever but for me, these makes a bad recycling example. Sure, it is certainly something new but can't deny that it is a very lazy work. I just hope this won't happen again because anyone could do the same to their films by just changing or recreating some stuffs and release it as two versions. Or, worst, even more than that. 

Damon's Reuniclus in Pokémon White.

So, it is quite sad to conclude that these films are another letdown as it has one of the worst backstory. (I will post Worst to Best Pokémon films on Moviepilot later this month!!)

Movie Ratings

Will write a page regarding this and add this to all animated feature entries in the future.

Who will like this?
Those who love Pokémon Black & White series may like this one.

Details of the movie
Director: Kunihiko Yuyama
Producer: Takemoto Mori, Choji Yoshikawa, Yukio Kawasaki, Junya Okamoto, Koichi Kawase
Story: Satoshi Tajiri, Ken Sugimori, Junichi Masuda
Screenplay: Hideki Sonoda
Cinematography: Shinsuke Ikeda
Music: Shinji Miyazaki, Akihumi Tada, Kazuhiko Sawaguchi
Studio: OLM, Inc., Production I.G, Xebec
Starring: Aoi Yūki, Mamoru Miyano, Ikue Ōtani
Full Credit: [IMDb] [IMDb]
Distributor: Toho, VIZ Media
Country: Japan
Language: Japanese
Genre: Drama Family Fantasy
Running time: ~88 mins
Budget: Not sure.
Box office: USD 57,082,491 est.

Official website(s)
http://www.pokemon.co.jp/
http://www.pokemon.com/us/
http://www.pokemonthemovie.com/victini/black/en-us/
http://www.pokemonthemovie.com/victini/white/en-us/

Related
All Pokémon Movies
OLM, Inc.
Rosalyn's Animated Movie Marathon

Behind the Scenes
N/A

Favorite Movie Character

Pokémon the Movie: Black—Victini and Reshiram & White—Victini and Zekrom (2011) Movie Quotes
Special thanks to Springfieldx2 Springfieldx2 for the movie transcript! Unfortunately, this post is incomplete and I will update this section at a later date as I am currently busy!

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