Pokemon Movie Soundtrack

Thank you.

Have you honestly heard anyone say 'baby' in Pokemon, unless they were intentionally patronising?

Thank you. I rest my case.

I mean no offense in my opinions. Especially if you like this sort of music. A lot of the following review IS very opinionated, and based on my own concept of good music. Given that I am not into teenybopper stuff, perhaps I am not a prime candidate to objectively review this CD. -_-; But let's have a go...

Pokemon theme by Billy Crawford. **

It is my opinion that if the word 'place' has more than five syllables, there is a problem. ^_^; Basically the theme song with a different slant, trying to sound more hip. ^_^. Rhythm has been changed on some words, which I like more, along with some emphasis. Well, overall I prefer the original, but this one has some good points. He really does have trouble getting the word 'defend' out, eh? ^_-.

Don't Say You Love Me by M2M. *

Miscellaneous thought: If she, the singer, is upset about this guy suddenly making advances on her when they hardly know each other... WHY DOES SHE CALL HIM 'BABY'? Do you usually call people you hardly know 'baby'?

This is the 'feature song' for Pokemon: The first movie. It would seem to me that a song about a human girl in a normal world, who has a boyfriend, is kind of, um...

Totally irrelevent?

If they'd at least cut out the word 'baby' (you know, I really despise that word, as is obvious already) and reference to a 'cinema', you could get all abstract and say that Mewtwo needed someone to love him. But, er, that's getting kind of pathetic. ^_^;

The tone of this song? Very cute. Very, VERY cute. ^_^; The singer sounds about 6 years old, not a style I tend to be fond of, but this song does have a slight charm if you like cuteness. ^_^. Also, unlike most love songs, it does not ooze with insincerity.

I think the tears song shoulda been the feature. I mean, it's more appropriate, and fits with the tone of the movie better. This song is probably the one on the soundtrack that is least suited to the movie.

It was you by Ashley Ballard (with So Plush). **

Uggh. I have a grudge against this song 'cos the lyrics for it gave me a headache, trying to type them up. ^_^; Seriously, this is a very sentimental friendship song, which basically says "you are a good friend to me". Yes, that sums up the whole song. At least this one can go under the title of "inspired by the motion picture, blah blah blah". Ash and Pikachu, I presume.

This song a little boring, quite Psyducky (ie it induces headaches)... I guess I don't like the way they repeat it so constantly, and some of the pitch makes me cringe.

We're a Miracle by Christina Aguilera. *****

I like this song! *everyone faints in shock* Hmpf. Didn't realise I was THAT critical. ^_^; Anyway, this song is just so... positive and... uplifting... without being annoying. I like the lyrics (cliches abound, but it's still appropriate), and the tone of it is okay.

Soda Pop by Britney Spears. **

You would expect me to hate this. I don't. It's cute, I like the happy tone to it. It's not annoying (in my opinion). However, since the tone and song itself has NO relevence to the movie, and objectively I think it's not a great song, it gets a lower ranking.

Somewhere Someday by N'Sync. * 1/2

I hate boy bands.... you know something. I don't think these songs were designed for the Pokemon soundtrack at all! I mean, what's with the love songs? At first I thought this song could apply to Mewtwo (when I misheard the lyrics as "some day when we'll be forgiven", and before I noticed mentions of girls and teasing and stuff), but... now it's a stretch.

Kind of a bland song.

Get Happy by B*witched. * 1/2

... The song begins itself with "Don't be a brontosaurus". This is a fair indication of the insight and depth involved. ^_^.

Oh no, seriously, this song is just perfect. They really should have played it during the movie. Maybe when all the Pokemon are beating each other senseless. Or when the clones break from their machines, lumbering ominously... Or when Ash dove between the two blasts. A pitiful "pika pi" accompanied by "ooohhhh, everybody get happy!". ^_^.

When I hear that phrase "everybody get happy", for some reason I have this mental image of people getting high off the spores of Richie's Butterfree. ^_^;; But this song is okay. If irrelevent and really WEIRD. o.O;

Free Up Your Mind by Emma Bunton. ** 1/2

For some odd reason, this brings flashbacks to Sonic 3's "Carnival Night Zone". I am not sure if this is a good thing or not. Okay, it's a good thing. That music is cool. This is another piece that is obscure in its relation to Pokemon.

Fly With Me by 98 degrees. *

Disinclination towards boy bands kicks in again, and I find myself unable to even listen to this song (after the compulsory twice; once to copy lyrics and once to check them ^_^.). This is a prime example of what I find the most unforgivable boy band fault: DOMINATING MALE SYNDROME.

Yup, this song is all about a guy being obsessed with some woman, and using all sorts of soppy lines to persuade her that he has her best interests in heart, that he will 'take away her pain' and that he can't survive another minute without her. It is also in the same tone as all boy-band songs.

Lullaby by Mandah. ****

This was a song for Jigglypuff (is she in the movie? I didn't know it). It even shows it, by having a coupla clips of Jigglypuff before and after the song. The only mistake in this is that the song gives the impression the girl WANTS to send everyone to sleep. Other than that, this song is actually pretty good, in my opinion. My favourite, along with Vacation.

Vacation by Vitamin C. *** 1/2

Presumably for the Pikachu's Vacation mini-movie. I also like this song, for some reason.

I suddenly realised that most of the peppy songs may well be for Pikachu's Vacation as opposed to the main feature. Oh well, too bad.

Makin' My Way by Billie. ****

A very Jessie song. I dunno if it was meant to be. ^_^. Optimistic song without being perky/meaningless.

Catch Me If You Can by Angela Via. *** 1/2

They did try. They valiantly included the word "Pokemon" a few times. ^_-. I actually think this would be more relevent to Pokemon if they HADN'T included that. It truly reminded me of Ash or Misty, in the actual lyrics.

But I quite like this song. I'm listening to it right now, in fact. It's got this upbeat tone to it (I'm tiring of saying "inappropriate" so I'll just hint at it ^_^.) and I find it cute.

Reminds me of the race between Raichu and Pikachu. Sorta. ^_^.

Fun With The Funk by Aaron Carter. *

I'm not sure what to say about this song. I fear I am becoming a teenybopper, because I like the cute, bouncy tones of these songs and the sound of how they sing the words. They make me smile. ^_^. But, objectively, I once again fail to see parallels between songs like this and the movie. Also, it's plain weird. ^_^;

I think it's just meant to be a meaningless, cheerful song.

If Only Tears Could Bring You Back by Midnight Sons. *****

This! This is good! This is what the movie is about. If you get profound, you could see a LOT in it that correlates. THIS should have been the movie's theme. It would be good playing with the credits, especially since it plays during the actual movie.

It's mostly about Pikachu for Ash, but it could sum up a lot of other things.

Brother My Brother by Blessid Union of Souls. *****

This is another song that strongly sums up the movie. These last two songs, couldn't one of them be the feature song? Both have more serious, thoughtful tones without being particularly dark. This one is about the futility of fighting someone who is just like you. The futility of fighting at all. Oh gad, it's RIGHT for the movie!

Interesting observation: many songs on this soundtrack have a prelude of "ohhh!" or "yeahhh!". Perhaps this is some musical language that I never understood. ^_^. It was kind of cool that they could get some well known people to perform songs on this soundtrack. It makes it more... real. Less like some nothing soundtrack without quality. However, it seems like the people in charge of the CD basically said "er, submit any song you like, if you can make it on topic, good stuff, if not, don't trouble yourselves".

I suppose it's the caption on the CD that gets to me, that makes me criticise a little more than I usually would. It says:

"Music from and inspired by the motion picture."

I'm sorry, but if these songs were all inspired by the motion picture, I really do not want to follow some of these artists' trains of thought. -_-;

Seriously, I think this CD is simply meant to feature the style of music that stereotypically appeals to young people - the bulk of the Pokemon fandom. I have no problem with this, it's a good idea even. It's just that, yeah, the pretense that it is associated with the movie.

There are tracks that did appeal to me more after I had heard them a few times; 'grown on me' as it were. I find it difficult to dislike any form of music (except for songs that induce headache either through blandness, excessive insincerity, or over-repetition). However, I can never say this is an excellent soundtrack.

The CD also advertised "exclusive film footage". Now, as the CD refused to work AT ALL when inserted into my computer, I assume there must be some mystical alternative of where one can play CD footage. Perhaps my CD player has a function I have neglected to notice?

This soundtrack was MOST fun to review. Perhaps you have noticed I have a slight cynical streak? ^_^.

Disclaimer: I have no vendetta against any of the artists or bands mentioned. Even the 'boy bands', it is merely their music and style I dislike, not the people themselves. Also, I mean no personal offense to any fans of the groups or songs.

I do not own any of the aforementioned songs or groups (which is fairly obvious... "hey everyone! I own N'Sync!" *gets thwapped*) nor have I any role within this soundtrack and its production. I say this to avoid getting sued, I must admit it unnerves me being so critical, but I'm too opinionated to leave my thoughts unsaid. ^_^.

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