Now, that I saw the movie, I would say that it was pretty good. I like that all the main characters got their focus in a more balanced way than just focusing on Ash & Pikachu, although the latter two got involved almost all the fights that were shown in the movie.
The main cast is varied too, from a little girl to an old lady. Margo reminded me of Bonnie, that she's too young to have a Pokemon but can befriend them, including a legendary such Zeraora. Risa reminded me of Serena, mainly because of English VA, but also because they both capture Eevees, had acrophobias. Toren is an anti-social scientist, like Clemont, but had alot of experience interacting with Pokemons, even had the most amount of Pokemons from the main cast. Callahan likes to glorify himself, despite not being confident, which caught himself into fire from other like Risa who accuses him of lying. Harriet dislikes Pokemon because of tragic past, which kinda remind me of Lillie before the Lusamine arc, except the latter just afraid of touching them.
Somehow the effect spore gas along with the mountain fire incident made the main cast, outside of Ash, overcome their weakness/flaw and showcase their strengths. Margo just managed to convince Zeraora that not all humans are evil and that even themselves aren't perfect. Risa just suddenly runs with an insane stamina while carrying the stolen eternal flame stick, thanks for her Eevee insistence to carry her job despite being injured. Toren, is a good thinker when it's about finding a cure against the effect spore gas. Callahan, make good use of his accurate throwing skills in order to save Fula city and his sister and niece, Harriet just restarts a rusty power plant, to overcome her tragic past by losing her Snubbull along saving the city.
I haven't seen much of Pokemon movies but I thought this movie felt kinda Hollywood-esque to me. I count a good amount of times that Margo was unable to get out of threatening situations until she was saved by Zeraora and Ash. The part where Risa took her shoes away in order to run barefooted was crazy, I mean I wonder what would happen if she steps into sharp objects like the broken effect spore glass, would she roll herself in pain and failed her mission? Ash just likes to make himself like a shield to protect others as seen when he got hit by Zeraora, electric attacks. And I'm seeing people and Pokemons outrunning the effect spore gas despite they're being very close to it and spreading quickly.
Anyways, it was a good movie. I wished that the main cast of the anime were treated the same way this movie cast were. And also, I loved Risa's Eevee and looked strong too, but it just had a battle with Pikachu during the entire movie, I wanted to see it beating those Pokemon poachers despite its injuries. Oh, and I watched this dub, sure it's a little bit odd for me with the lack of exposure with the dub from the anime and got used to it but I don't see big fuss from some people about it.