Review of the Movie: Pokémon XYZ: Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel

Welcome, welcome once again to another movie review! My XY review series has been continuing on full steam ahead, and by this point we've reached deep into the XYZ series, and now are set to review the movie that dropped within that time frame. Thus, here I am, in the midst of Part 7 and set to review the third and final XY movie, Movie 19, or otherwise known as Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel.

I'll continue to use the same structure as always this time around in terms of talking about the film, too. Thoughts as the movie moved along as well as some general overarching ones. Before I fully talk, it's important to note that as the movie aired in the middle of the Kalos League, it doesn't make sense to be placed there, but it does following straight after the Ash-Greninja arc, and thus that is where it sits in my reviewing.

Enough about that, it's time to review!

General Thoughts

The Volcanion movie holds a sharper focus than the last two,
giving a much better showing for the last XY movie outing.

As I've done for the previous two films in XY, there's a definite need to give general thoughts for this particular movie. Most essentially, two questions crop up: 1) Is it better than the last two films? 2) Is it a good film? The answer to both is...yes.

Volcanion shows off a strength of writing and production that the previous two movies lacked. Yes, some of the plot is a little basic with a Pokémon that distrusts humans but learns to trust them by the end, but after the disaster of the last two movies, returning back to that basic makes the movie shine just a little more. It's a fun film with strong animation that gives you quite a bit of action and heart and doesn't try to fake you out to the extent that the last two films did.

There's still quite the noticeable CGI in the film.

That isn't to say the movie is without problems. The lack of TRio's Pokémon combined with Ash-Greninja virtually doing nothing in the film are both sore points to me. Likewise, the CGI on some things is quite obvious, though not altogether obtrusive. They're not big things, but enough to say they are little issues.

Jarvis, as a villain, offers the film some much needed tension,
allowing it to present a far stronger plot.

But the movie still succeeds where Diancie and Hoopa failed. They don't try to take on more than the film can handle, and nor do they try and make a legendary clash when they don't have the buildup to one. The story is simplified, with the conflict arising from an evil human than anything else. Is it generic as a film? Oh, sure. But does it work? Oh, hell yes. But still, this isn't enough for you to get the truest grasp on the film, so let's begin a little more in depth.

Bound Together

Mega Evolution via Mega Wave, at the very least, offers a solid
explanation to why, so one can watch it without wondering.

So, after the usual fun intro to Pokémon, this time focusing a bit more on Mega Evolution (including a great snapshot of what follows chronologically in terms of Alain and Korrina appearing), we're immediately chucked into the action. As there's an airship, a large Pokémon by the name of Volcanion is approaching to take something back from within the confines of the airship. He's stopped by a...well, he looks like a thug, with a Glalie and Alakazam. More than that, he seems to use something called "Mega Wave" to force them to Mega Evolve, and they send Volcanion off the side.

The explanation behind Mega Wave to allow for awesome action.

Now, there are two things to say here in reference to the other movies. For one, this movie brings you straight into the action, with development and events happening throughout the film, so you never really feel like you just wasted your time. On another, when it comes to the Mega Evolution aspect is that, at the very least, there's an explanation and acknowledgement that this isn't how it's done.

Clemont offers the explanation for why Ash and Volcanion are bound together;
this ultimately sets the plot in motion.

That said, the plot continues with Ash and his friends setting up laundry and having a fun battle with each other, which comes to an end when Volcanion crashes into them, and a ring that had been stuck to it, fixes itself around Ash, tying the two together via electromagnetic pulses (as Clemont points out). Neither is happy about it, given Ash keeps slamming into Volcanion and the latter hates humans, but both are forced to put up with it since Volcanion is a Pokémon on a mission; a mission that brings them into close contact with TRio.

Magearna is another driving force for the film, almost a damsel
in distress, if you will, but works for the "Knight and Lady" paragon.

Raleigh believes in the future told to him, showing him as naive.

But what is this mission? To rescue the mythical, man-made Pokémon, Magearna! It's been picked out by Prince Raleigh of the Azoth Kingdom, alongside an advisor named Jarvis (yes, I'll be sticking with the Japanese name here since it sounds so cool). Both are supposedly interested in the Mystery Science created by a man named Nikola. Of course, Volcanion shows up to rescue it but gets frozen, causing Ash to call the prince out on whatever reasons he has for attacking Volcanion. When said Pokémon breaks free, Ash manages to get ahold of Magearna while his Pokémon arrive to hold off Jarvis and the Mega Wave forces. They escape...while TRio finds themselves on the ship.

Volcanion's physical need for water is set up right away...

...as is his distrust for humans...

...and his allergy to flowers.

In the kingdom below, a wonderful place full of Nikola's inventions (and Clemont's fanboying heaven), the rest of the group searches for Ash, eventually finding him underneath a bridge. Here, Volcanion continues to show his intense loathing of humanity, though a reason is not given yet, while Magearna is far more loving and accepting. Volcanion isn't a fan of that, but for the moment has no choice but to accept it. Magearna tries to cheer it up with flowers, but it just causes Volcanion to sneeze (which Magearna avoids), and before it can blast Ash away, it forces itself to fill up on water.

Serena keeps Ash looking sharp throughout the film.

Chymia serves an actual role in the film, rather than being
brushed aside for Ash to do everything.

TRio also has more of a role within the film for once,
particularly Meowth.

Soon after, Serena comes back with new clothes (gotta keep her man looking sharp, ha ha), and the group decides to head to Nebel Plateau, where Volcanion is aiming to bring Magearna. Elsewhere in the kingdom, Princess Chymia confronts her brother about meeting with Jarvis, who employs TRio to follow and track down the twerps to the Nebel Plateau. As they agree to, Chymia takes off to find the twerps as well, but for much nobler reasons.

The Trek to the Nebel Plateau

There's a slow bonding between Magearna and the girls,
which sets Volcanion's own development in motion.

Clemont serves part of his role by defending Ash on his bump journey.

So, the crew sets off, Bonnie and Serena both bonding with Magearna by dressing her up, though Volcanion still has his problems with it. Ash tries to convince him that not all people are bad, but Volcanion has none of it, dragging Ash along. Thankfully, Clemont invents a suit to defend Ash from all those excess bumps. It comes in real handy when TRio strikes, equipped with Mega Wave.

TRio being involved with the villains gives them a bit more to do.

Now, for the most part, TRio holds just a little more actual relevance than the last two movies. They interact with the twerps, aren't just around for a single scene, and Meowth becomes important to Jarvis later. It's nowhere near what they were in the first few movies of Pokémon, but it's much better than it has been in the XY films. They provide quite the action scene, which comes to an end when Volcanion blasts away Mega Pinsir and Mega Heracross; Ash is well guarded. Then Chymia appears with her airship-esque thing to help them on their path to the Plateau. Unlike a lot of the past movie characters, Chymia serves an actual role in helping the characters, and she's not even connected to the main Pokémon!

Chymia explains why Raleigh is in league with Jarvis.
It establishes backstory and character without leaving much question.

Volcanion's reasons for hating humans become very clear.

So, with Chymia on their side, they head straight for their destination, with TRio having explained that the Mega Wave is a proponent of Neo Mystery Science earlier, Chymia elaborates that her brother Raleigh, is under the wing of Jarvis. It's mostly stuff we know, but at the very least explains how it came to be. Backstory, if you will. In fact, it is backstory that this whole area is full of when an injured Amarus and a Pokémon Hunter appear. The gang makes quick work of the hunter, even if the airship is damaged, and this leads to the direct reason why Volcanion hates humans: many Pokémon he cares for were all hurt by humans either physically or emotionally.

Humans being at the plateau sets the Pokémon on edge, but...

...all of them work to make sure there's happiness for the Pokémon there.

It's enough that when they arrive at Nebel, the Pokémon are all scared, and it is only all of the gang's Pokémon interacting that starts to set them at ease. Volcanion, however, still has an issue with it, but Ash has come to understand him. Even Squishy, who had been reluctant towards humans for so long in the series, watches humans and Pokémon that were hurt getting along nicely.

Volcanion is guardian of the plateau.

Seeing a world of both people and Pokémon together
begins to change Volcanion's worldview.

Ash and Volcanion are freed, which Ash reacts to in a very Ash-like way.

But the Pokémon are hurt here, and it sets in motion Ash's usual feelings.

Volcanion won't trust any humans, but Pikachu argues that Ash
can be trusted.

It leads to Volcanion apologizing, further showing his development.

Volcanion finally takes a turn the next morning when, not only does Serena continue her Ultimate Waifu Mode, by giving Ash his clothes back, but Clemont, with the help of a Gulpin, manages to remove the rings from around Ash and Volcanion. In particular, Ash hugs Gulpin, who freaks out, only later learning that Gulpin was abandoned by its trainer after getting a big hug. Of course, Ash isn't that kind of guy and insists that he'll protect all of the Pokémon there and work together with his own. Volcanion scoffs but Pikachu argues back, and just a bit, Volcanion changes, apologizing and urging the others to eat the food offered by Serena.

Magearna's Soul Heart

The reason for Volcanion's closeness to Magearna.

Jarvis' forces attack, holding the Pokémon hostage
in exchange for Magearna.

With Ash and Volcanion at a place of peace with each other, Volcanion eventually explains that the reason he's so protective of Magearna is because when he found her, she was the only one that could withstand his explosions, even if he's always sneezed at her flowers. It makes things hold water as to their reason, despite just being a very basic reason. Heartwarming, and tragic...considering Jarvis and his forces attacked, trapping the Pokémon and holding them hostage unless Magearna returns to them.

Jarvis' machinations are revealed to Raleigh,
causing Magearna to essentially lose its soul and die.

Jarvis clearly manipulated Raleigh for his own good,
hoping to control the prince.

Meowth's ability to sense Magearna's state gives him a greater role
in the last part of the movie.

Chymia calls her brother out on this, but it's clear he's been duped when Magearna returns to Jarvis...and her Soul Heart gets ripped right out of her body. Raleigh is horrified by this, by Jarvis has very little remaining use for anything, hypnotizing Raleigh, giving TRio sans Meowth the boot, and discarding Magearna's body like a piece of trash. With that, he moves to fly back to Azoth and create his flying fortress to rule the kingdom as he sees fit. Again, basic, but as a villain he's effective enough. Jarvis has no big reason for doing what he does (hell, his next actions are seemingly just because he can), but his methods are so deplorable that he still works rather well.

The flying fortress is the final act of the film.

While all of this is going on, Ash and the others move to rescue Magearna, but with its heart gone, it's just a chunk of metal now, non-responsive. This fact saddens and angers Volcanion, who couldn't stop it from happening and couldn't protect her. Ash, however, insists that they're not done and they take off in pursuit, with Chymia providing transport, contacted by her assistant Flamel about the deadly flying fortress that Nikola created and Jarvis just resurrected.

The Big Battle Atop the Flying Fortress

All of the characters get a role to play in the final battle,
which is a far cry from the last 2 films.

So, with their goals in mind, the gang flies straight for the fortress and enters into a completely badass battle sequence. Seriously, everyone gets their role to play. It's not huge, but they're not just shunted off to the side, either. While Serena, Clemont and Bonnie don't offer much in the way of the confrontation with Jarvis, they do continue to battle on the surface to buy the others time, and they still get screen moments. In fact, the whole battle atop the fortress is a great scene. All of the cast gets at least some action in, and we even get some Squishy! Even Ash-Greninja! Though he doesn't do very much in terms of being special...

Ash and the others are captured, leaving them helpless.

Magearna resists, suffers, and seems to die.
Finding this out is the real reason Meowth was kept around.

In any case, with the big battle up above, Ash, Volcanion and Chymia drop below, only to be captured. Up above, Clemont notes that the fortress is moving, and he's right: it's heading right for the Plateau, as Jarvis plans to wipe it out. Meowth, still held captive, tells him to stop since Magearna is alive and in pain, holding off on firing the nasty weapon, barely succeeding in diverting the blast. But Jarvis isn't deplorable for nothing, and robs her of her will, killing her in the process, according to Meowth. This seems to be the reason Jarvis kept him around, so he could know when he had no obstacles.

The Pokémon of the plateau defend against Jarvis' attack...

...as does Squishy, rolling in as Complete Zygarde.

Well, that's not quite true, as when he fires a second time, the Pokémon fight back. It's not very much to stop it, but we have Squishy here! In a pretty cool move, Squishy turns into Complete Zygarde and protects the plateau! Two things to note here are that, one, none of the gang saw Squishy do this (and considering Squishy randomly appears in Bonnie's bag later...) and two, Complete Zygarde is only able to move one part of its body, indicating that it can transform, but can't do much without more cores.

Jarvis' plan gets foiled thanks to Ash and Greninja.

Magearna's "death" is more effective than stuff in the last two movies,
because it lasts for a decent amount of time.

Jarvis' last gasp to destroy the Pokémon,
but the gang comes up with a plan.

Either way, with Jarvis' plan foiled, Volcanion breaks out in his anger of hearing the Pokémon be called pathetic. The minister realizes he's failed and knows when to fold them, quickly escaping...though Greninja makes sure he doesn't make it very far. I won't lie, I thought he'd died until I saw the credits...Magearna's heart is put back, but it doesn't resolve the issue, with the Pokémon still unresponsive. But, of course, the big issue is that the fortress is descending quickly, and the only means to blow it up, Volcanion...is out of water!

Volcanion's Honor

Ash does what he does best, inspiring Raleigh to go on a journey.

Volcanion tries to sacrifice himself to destroy the fortress.
It works, too, in the sense of audience weight.

With the situation dire, Raleigh awakens and finds where the steam engine chamber is, going with Ash to help Volcanion refuel. He even apologizes for his role in all of this, though Ash encourages him, just as he's always done and inspires him to go on his own journey, as they make their way to the surface. However, Volcanion, all set to blow the fortress apart, blasts them away so that he can do so from the inside. It's a rather shocking move (not really), but what puts this above the forced drama of the last two films is that it's not solved in just a minute. Volcanion blows the place up, apologizing for not protecting Magearna...and then we don't see it.

Not only is the issue resolved in a way brought up earlier in the film,
but Volcanion's "death" lasted long enough, yet without so
much pretentiousness, as to be effective in comparison.

Instead, we arrive in the plateau, where Magearna, despite having her heart put back in, is still unresponsive. Or rather, it's not the Magearna that we've come to know, and hasn't been since the fortress. Both of these events are slightly drawn out, allowing you to wonder whether they'll be okay. Of course, it's a Pokémon movie, so there's a good chance they will be, but at least here you have to wonder. It takes a few minutes, in fact, for Volcanion to arrive, and seemingly die. This helps Magearna come back to who she was, and pops out her flowers...causing Volcanion to reveal he's still alive via his sneeze that had been set up earlier in the film.

Volcanion's come to care for Ash...

...and names them all honorary Pokémon, leading to a usual happy ending!

With that, everything finally ends on a happy note, with Volcanion naming these helpful humans as honorary Pokémon and telling Pikachu to take care of Ash. Volcanion really developed nicely and in a realistic way, and it's with that we have our happy ending!

Conclusion

Volcanion as a film is worth watching. I'll say it right now and right away. The issues of overstuffing or the reverse of leaving the plot too thin is done away with, having a human antagonist and a Pokémon protagonist that drives the plot forward constantly, either via backstory or solid action that doesn't overstay its welcome. The main characters all have a role to play, whether it be Clemont removing the rings, Serena helping the Pokémon warm up to them with Poképuffs (and taking care of Ash's clothes), and Bonnie having Squishy, who saves the plateau. Really, almost all of the issues the past two movies had are gone. Are there still some issues? Sure. But in comparison they're minor. Perhaps it's the longer running time, but really, I just think it's smooth as a film, and enjoyable, certainly the best since the DP days.

So, do I recommend it? I damn well do. Watch this film, because it's a great note to send XYZ out on, movie-wise. You'll likely enjoy it if you've enjoyed XY as a series at all, and there are some pretty awesome things of note within the film. So, definitely take the time to enjoy it.

As we close off our set of movie reviews, I'll say to hold out for Part 7, coming soon!

Dare to Be Silly,
Epicocity