I thought the change from the usual tune up in this episode was great. Even the new spin to this theme, chasing desires was pushed much further than Ninetales, and the acid trip was intentional humor, unlike the Unown. And so many guest appearances: people, pokemon, badges.
The music played unsually soft, I couldn't detect it until everyone stopped speaking in the later half even. Piplup VS Milotic got some nice themes.
All that pointing by Joanna made her seem a little pootin' tootin'
gunslinger. But it looked like a move to one up
Oak's original jab.
Oak's theme took me by surprise, but his two-liner piece of work left me shuddering again. Given a few seconds, I'd do even worse.
The Groudon VS Rayquaza scene just looked like a big screwup on somebody's part. There was some unheard of(?) soothing rock playing in the back, far too inappropriate in a duel of legends. I would think battles don't get more exilirating than this. The announcer didn't help to this at all, "like blazing magma, Groudon's fighting spirit has been ignited" was apparently a line not worthy of emotion. But the blame also goes to Groudon for standing, even facing like a
doll. The budget there must have been no deeper than my pocket.
That announcer redemed himself with an evil
cough later in the show.
Rayquaza has a neat flight pattern, it wasn't this elusive in the movie. I'm glad it got in a couple of good twisters, even an Ice beam, over Hyperbeams.
The highlight was definitely the scenery, two interesting pokemon centers, new/old stadium, temple/gate structure, and some
random weeds whose name I can't remember.
Mismagius's minor role didn't bother me at all, since it'll get a spotlight with Fantina.