Released By: Manga Entertainment
Rating: PG
Running Time: 76 Mins
Audio: English DD 5.1 Japanese DD 2.0
Release Date: 24/10/2016
Reviewed By: Sandra Scholes
A mysterious spirit comes to earth and threatens mankind with its awesome power - a mage enters to thwart him, and, using his magic he traps him in a large bottle, sealing him away in a temple for a hundred years. Though eternity, it seems isn't as long a time as the mage thought when Baraz finds the temple and unwittingly releases the spirit onto mankind once again.
Ash and Pikachu are having fun at a lush Pokémon resort where they discover a pesky pokemon, Hoopa likes to play pranks on others, and steals things or sends people through his rings (which act as a portal to another world). Hoopa is a friendly pokemon, he likes to play, but has a history of others misunderstanding his motives. He seems harmless, though when Baraz catches up with him, he releases the bottle demon into him.
As far as he knew, Ash had no knowledge of other pokemon around, or that the Prison Bottle had a purpose. Baraz, now not under the influence of the demon in the bottle, tells them that whoever touches the bottle is compelled to do evil things, even if they are a good person. Hoopa is a good pokemon, and this power is supposed to be his natural power even if it is evil, or as Pikachu says, it's him reaching his full potential as a pokemon. What is worse is that the demon has been trapped for a hundred years and looking to take its revenge on the world!
Like most of the characters seen here, they are infectious, just like Hoopa. He only wants to be liked by all, but due to his inner demon, he is feared even if he has a need to play and be pesky around his new friends. The basic moral of the story is that he has to use his power for the good of the people or it has to be stored away for all eternity (it's a children's movie so we can't have a rampaging monster succeeding). The Prison Bottle is a dead giveaway that it's to do with Hoopa as it has hoops on the handles and the idea of pulling things from dimensions is typical of an ancient archjinni of the rings. The colourful animation and limitation of characters, bearing in mind how many pokemon there are was a wise move as it made it easier to follow. And who wouldn't enjoy seeing Hoopa's antics when we've not seen him before?
Bonus Material: None.
Summary: Hoopa is pesky, cute and makes the movie an enjoyable one you'll want to watch again!
