Pokemon 4Ever: Critic Reviews

When it comes to entertainment, children deserve better than Pokemon 4Ever.

Its save-the-planet message clashes with its crass marketing.

Yes, 4Ever is harmless in the extreme and it'll mute your kids for nearly 80 minutes, but why not just treat the little yard apes to the real deal and take them to Spirited Away?

If you're not into the Pokemon franchise, this fourth animated movie in four years won't convert you -- or even keep your eyes open. But fans should have fun meeting a brand-new Pokemon called Celebi.

The latest installment in the Pokemon canon, Pokemon 4ever is surprising less moldy and trite than the last two, likely because much of the Japanese anime is set in a scenic forest where Pokemon graze in peace.

Supposedly, Pokemon can't be killed, but Pokemon 4Ever practically assures that the pocket monster movie franchise is nearly ready to keel over.

A rote exercise in both animation and storytelling.

Well, it does go on forever.

The animation and game phenomenon that peaked about three years ago is actually dying a slow death, if the poor quality of Pokemon 4 Ever is any indication.

Makes for some truly odd, at times confusing, kids entertainment ... but at least this time there's some centered storytelling to go along with all the weird stuff.

Serious Pokemon fans will like it.

The fourth "Pokemon" is a diverting--if predictable--adventure suitable for a matinee, with a message that cautions children about disturbing the world's delicate ecological balance.

The fourth in a series that I'll bet most parents had thought --hoped! -- was a fad that had long since vanished.