Man Versus Nature Versus Pokemon.

Once again, the question of Man's imposition of will over Nature is addressed in the latest philosophical offering in the Pokemon film series, Pokemon Black: Victini And Zekrom..

Setting aside the core question of the series--that being the rather gentle case of animal enslavement that itself was pondered in the most recent video game--the film takes a harsh look at the corrosive power of nostalgia and delusional race memories of ancient civilizations.

Here, the eternal power of nature is symbolized by the legendary Pokemon Victini. (Special Attack: Zen Headbutt) In the Unova area of the world, the movie details a utopian kingdom made possible by harnessing the power of the aforementioned Victini. Yet the cost to the small, affable creature with an affinity for sweets was eternal enslavement in the geographic region in which this utopia existed--long after the civilization itself had collapsed and disappeared. Now, a descendant of that civilization wants to bring back what was lost--by once again harnessing the power of the trapped Victini, this time against its will.

The protagonist of the Pokemon series, Ash, once again plays the Common Man whose interests in the world do not move beyond his own solitary achievements and a spotty devotion to his electric rat, Pikachu. Upon discovering the lonely Victini, his first reaction is joy at how powerful he is, which leads to his manhandling of the fragile, frightened creature. A better illustration of the cruelty of Man Over Nature has never been witnessed in the history of film.

Yet by the movie's end, when Victini is near death and the dreams of utopia have become disastrous to all involved, Ash finally shows his true compassion for his Pokemon friends as he nearly dies in the upper atmosphere of the Earth in a floating castle. (Utopia seen as reaching for the stars, which can lead to death from the cold vacuum of space. Brilliant.)Again, the Common Man element of his character shines through: the problems that are about to kill him are beyond his comprehension, but all he knows is that he has to fight. Which means grimacing, apparently.

The film ends gently, with a nod towards Ash's compassion and the knowledge that no one has truly learned their lesson. Pokemon are still in balls, battling for the glory of their human masters. Which is a bleak ending, but Pokemon has never been afraid to dish out the hard truths. Which is why it's so awesome and I love it.