Any richness in the drawing of the backgrounds only underscores the weirdly flat, affectless renderings of the characters moving through them.
What are people saying?
What are critics saying?
TV Guide Magazine by Angel Cohn
Given that most fans are very young, ignoring a key aspect of the Pokemon mythos is bound to confuse and disappoint them.
Chicago Reader by Bill Stamets
A sunny, gentle action yarn with numbingly repetitive chase scenes and bouncy interludes of playtime.
San Francisco Chronicle by C.W. Nevius
Better for several reasons. First, they've jazzed up the animation. The backgrounds appear to be digital, and they are striking. The story is also less violent and combative.
Baltimore Sun by Chris Kaltenbach
Brimming with values that should serve its young audience well: altruism, friendship, self-sacrifice, responsibility.
Surprisingly, not bad.
New York Daily News by Elizabeth Weitzman
Clearly, interest has waned - both because children grow up and because they move on. It might be time for the folks behind this particular fad to do the same.
Los Angeles Times by Gene Seymour
Gallops along at a quick, easygoing clip. Grown-ups may have to scrub the sugar from their frontal lobes. But it's not about them, is it? Never was. Never will be.
Dallas Observer by Gregory Weinkauf
Sometimes the 2D and 3D animation doesn't blend, and the heinous pop songs would embarrass Peter Cetera, but there's plenty to like, including a fascinating mechanical contraption and musical score both shamelessly and lovingly stolen from "The Dark Crystal."